The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is a 3D action-adventure platformer for the PlayStation 2, developed by Étranges Libellules and published by Activision. Released in 2008, it is the third and final game in The Legend of Spyro trilogy. The game continues Spyro's adventure while also putting more focus on his former enemy, Cynder.
Description
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon continues the story after the events of The Eternal Night. Spyro and Cynder find themselves facing another major threat as the Dark Master Malefor brings darkness and destruction into the world. The two dragons have to work together and discover new abilities while trying to stop the growing danger.
One of the biggest changes in this game is the stronger focus on Spyro and Cynder as a team. Instead of making Spyro handle everything alone, the game allows both characters to be part of the adventure. Each dragon has different elemental abilities, giving the player more options when fighting enemies and moving through the environment.
The game also gives Spyro much more freedom in the air. Flying is no longer limited to short sections, allowing players to explore the surroundings from above. This makes the environments feel more open and gives the adventure a different feeling compared with the previous games.
Gameplay
The gameplay mixes platforming, exploration, combat, puzzles, and flying. Spyro can use his elemental powers to attack enemies, while Cynder has her own abilities that make switching between the two characters useful during different situations. Combat is mostly focused on fast attacks, elemental abilities, blocking, and moving around enemies instead of simply standing in one place.
Exploration is also an important part of the experience. While traveling through different areas, players can look around for hidden paths, collectibles, and places that are easy to miss when simply following the main route. Flying adds another layer to exploration because Spyro can move through larger spaces without being restricted to the ground.
The game can also be played cooperatively, with the second player controlling Cynder. This is one of the more interesting additions because both dragons can fight together and help each other through the adventure. Even when playing alone, the ability to switch between Spyro and Cynder gives the gameplay some variety.
Screenshots
Codes
PS2 codes for The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon. Enter these codes in pause menu using left analog stick (L3).
| Code | Effect |
|---|---|
| All Upgrade Slots Unlocked | (Hold L1) + ← ↑ ↓ ↑ → |
| Infinite Health | (Hold L1) + → → ↓ ↓ ← |
| Infinite Mana/Breath | (Hold R1) + ↑ → ↑ ← ↓ |
| Max Experience | (Hold R1) + ↑ ← ← ↓ ↑ |
| Disable HUD | (Hold L2) + ↓ ← ← → |
| Infinite Fury (Awakening) | (Hold L1) + ← ↓ ↓ ↑ ↑ |
| Save Point Anywhere | (Hold L2) + ↓ → ← ← ← |
Conclusions
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is a decent action-adventure game with enjoyable combat, flying, exploration, and a darker fantasy atmosphere. Its graphics still have some charm on the PlayStation 2, especially during the larger environments and character animations. The gameplay can become repetitive at times, but controlling two dragons and having more freedom to fly makes the adventure more interesting. Overall, it is a fun game for Spyro fans who want to experience the conclusion of the trilogy on PS2.
Title: The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon
Developers: Étranges Libellules
Genre: Action, Adventure
Platforms: PlayStation 2
Publishers: Activision
Release: 21 October 2008
Size: 2.1 GB
