A few years ago, Activision released Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy on PlayStation 4. Since then, rumors have suggested that the publisher had other remasters of classic games in the pipeline. When Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy eventually landed on Xbox One and other platforms a year later, everyone hoped that the rumored Spyro Reignited Trilogy would hit all consoles at the same time. That didn't happen. But ...
Spyro Reignited Trilogy development
A few months later, Spyro Reignited Trilogy was only announced for Xbox One and PlayStation 4. While it's unfortunate that not everyone can play the game at the same time, it might end up on other devices next year. Nevertheless, it's an absolutely wonderful experience on Xbox One X. There may be a few camera issues — especially during the underwater portions — but overall, Spyro Reignited Trilogy stands with Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition as one of the best executions of upgrading a beloved classic.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy is one of the best executions of upgrading a beloved classic.
The package includes Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!, and Spyro: Year of the Dragon. Each game seems longer than the last, and its bosses are even more difficult. For example, taking out a scarecrow in the first game is a piece of cake compared to the fire lizard from the third installment.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy levels, controls and camera
Spyro Reignited Trilogy features tremendous level variety because you'll get to experience frozen wastelands to lush forests. Each game features a hub world with various "doors" that lead to different levels. Depending on the game, the goal is to free dragons, collect eggs, or acquire talismans. The plot for each adventure might be basic — a comical villain must be stopped — but the gameplay elevates the experience.
The controls are tight and combat is smooth.
Spyro has some basic attacks. Just like any dragon, he can shoot flames from his mouth. However, in order to break objects and smash certain enemies, you have to use the charge attack. Lastly, the cute purple protagonist has the ability to glide in the air. Timing jumps is important, and gaining as much altitude before gliding to another platform will serve you well. Unlike the original games, the controls are tight and combat is smooth.
However, the camera still has some issues. For example, there's a level that requires you to swim underwater for an extended period of time. Just like Forsaken Remastered, you can move in any direction. Unfortunately, swimming is awkward because you have to constantly charge into enemies because your flames don't work underwater. Positioning the camera and then charging is a pain to say the least.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy visual quality
Updated November 12, 2018: Activision confirmed to us that Spyro Reignited Trilogy runs at 1440p on Xbox One X and PlayStation 4 Pro.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy looks absolutely phenomenal on the Xbox One X. The gameplay and cutscenes look like an animated film. The decision to go with Unreal Engine 4 was the right one because it's one of the best-looking games on the platform. It's evident that the title isn't going for photorealism, but when you're dealing with a cute platformer, you have to make sure that the art shines above all else. Luckily, performance doesn't suffer due to Unreal Engine 4, as the game is well optimized for the hardware.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy appears to be running at 1440p on Xbox One X.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy runs at 30 frames per second (FPS) on Xbox One X and features crisp graphics. It's unclear what the resolution is, but it looks great on a 4K display. It's not native 4K, that's for sure. The image quality is similar to Conan Exiles, which achieves 1440p on the console. There are no obvious "jaggy" edges and the performance is stable, aside from the occasional stutter during the loading screens.
All of the Spyro games feature the same controls and mechanics. Sometimes, it's necessary to jump quickly or hit an enemy the second the creature turns around to strike you. Had the frame rate been 60 FPS, it would've been much easier to accomplish these maneuvers. It's a shame that a higher frame rate wasn't targeted to begin with.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy final thoughts
Overall, Spyro Reignited Trilogy is an excellent remake of the originals. It's a lot of fun to play and looks stunning. Unfortunately, the lack of a 60 FPS option, even on the Xbox One X, and the awkward camera controls in some levels detract from the experience. Despite these issues, the remake pays homage to some of the best platformers ever created, and it's evident that developer Toys for Bob spent many years crafting this package. It's a labor of love and that shines above all else.
Pros:
- Gorgeous visuals.
- Responsive controls.
- Hilarious story.
- Tremendous level variety.
Cons:
- Questionable Xbox One X support.
- Occasional camera issues.
- Needs higher frame rate.
Spyro Reignited Trilogy should launch on Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on November 13, 2018. The game costs $39.99.
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This review was conducted on an Xbox One X, using a copy provided by the publisher.
