Customer Reviews

Spyro A Hero's Tail

5 star:		(26)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I have always been a rabid Spyro fan, probably more so than what others would consider mentally healthy. The first three Spyro's are still my favorite video games fo all time. I, like many Spyro fans were, was disgusted with Enter The Dragonfly, which I bought out of loyalty despite bad reviews.

When I saw a video for Spyro A Heroes Tail I had some hope, as it did not appear choppy and laggy like its predecessor. I got the game yesterday and I have gotten through a decent amount of it. I am enjoying the game, but I consider it a new brand of Spyro, as it seems detached from the rest of the series.

Spyro's moves have ben altered, instea of jumping and gliding you now double jump and glide, that took getting used to. There are small things that bother me, basically that there are four homeworlds with only two levels each. Don't get me wrong, the levels are MASSIVE, but it doesn't feel the same, and you walk into the lvels more or less as opposed to taking the "old school" portals.

Rather than the passive slapstick humor used in the other games you often find Spyro giving a commentary to the player, it doesn't work. There seems to be very little connection between this and the other Spyro game's, every voice actor is different (except maybe Sgt. Byrd) and there are new completely useless dragon characters that are Spyro's size. And they turned Moneybags into some kind of Arabian salesman, whats that about?

Overall, the game is slightly above mediocre, and if you are expecting a Spyro returning to tis roots, your in for a dissapointment.

I didn't even know that this game had been out for a month when I heard about it by recommendation. I was so excited because I have been a Spyro fan ever since I played the second game and it was the reason i bought a Playstation2! Anyways, I have all the Playstation1/2 games, this one was a birthday gift I got with the STRATEGY GUIDE. Under some pressure to change, this game is bigger and more difficult. The free roam is something to get used to, and I admit I hate that stupid mole and his missions. But, by collecting eggs of certain color, you get new things. All pink eggs and you can play as the cute pink dragon that has a crush on Spyro! There is also a male red dragon, but he looks just like Spyro... Did I mention how I hate the mole missions?? It consists of bombing spiders and leaping distances- or plummeting to a drowing death.
I really like it though it has frusterated me, and I BEG them to keep making Spyro games!!

After the last game Spyro Enter The Dragonfly, I wasn't about to put out 50 bucks again so I decided to rent it first. Turns out it's not bad. It's not the same as the first 3 but it's ok. The levels are huge, the graphics are vivid and the controls work really well. The story and missions are about the same but hey, it's Spyro.
I think that the music and "Monet Skies" that were used in the first 3 Spyro's gave it a magical feel and that is lacking in this game. The new music gives the game a Caribbean feel. I also don't like what they did to the character of Moneybags. He was a English stuffy snob in the first 3 and they should have left him alone. I can't pinpoint the accent but they made him really obnoxious.
I also don't like the new voices. They are horrible! Spyro use to have a little bit of an edge but his new voice makes him very wimpy.

All in all the game was fun to play and I've decided to buy it.

If you're looking for a Spyro the Dragon game don't buy this one. If, like me, you've been a fan of the past games and are looking forward to this newest game in the series to continue with some great new adventures in the familiar format, don't buy this game. The problem with this game, in my opinion,is that its supposed to be part of an ongoing series, and yet, for all those who are already familiar with the format of Spyro it changes all the rules.

At the very least when you move from one game to another in the same series you expect the basic functions of the character to remain the same. This Spyro changes them. Circle is no longer for flame, square is no longer for charge (in fact they're switched cir. for charege, square for flame-give a good reason for that) and two x's does not make a glide for Spyro. These changes made it extremely difficult to function in the beginning and I continue to get confused. Also, as far as I can tell, there's no longer any way to move the camera when you're just standing about, to get a good view of the whole area, but maybe I just haven't figured that one out yet.

The thing that really bothers me, though, about the newest Spyro game is that the gameplay has completely changed. The whole reason I liked these games in the past is because it was never really about getting passed bad guys, they were always pretty easy. Spyro the Dragon was about exploring three dimensional worlds to find all kinds of hidden object and secret places. It was about being observant of the environment around you because you didn't know where you might miss a crack in the wall you could break through or a ladder on the side of a building that will take you to that hidden cave. This Spyro game tends much more to Crash Bandicoot gameplay; its become about obstacles, swinging axes and wooden logs that move up and down in the way of your path. While obviously some of that existed in the past, it is now one of the main challenges of the game, while the familiar puzzles and challenges that made Spyro different from any other game I've found are gone. If I wanted Crash Bandicoot I would buy Crash Bandicoot, but, I was looking for something else.

There are all kinds of other unnecessary annoying changes. All I can say is that if you liked the other Spyro games, you'll find this one extremely frustrasting and disappointing. If you can get past it, there's an ok game to be played, but just ok.

I am a BIG Spyro fan and I have been playing the old classics for quite some time. This game is NOT like those! If you're a stickler for similarity and familiarity then you might not want to spend your money on this, but if you can stand a little change then go for it! I read a lot of reviews before I bought this game so I knew it would be different from the old ones. That didn't really help since I didn't know I would have to relearn the controls for his functions as well as get used to a whole new attitude and type of game play, but I still LOVE this game and find it VERY MUCH FUN! It just takes some getting used to.

When I got this game,I didnt really know what to expect. When I started playing,I thought it wiould have the same controls as the older ps1 Spyro games,but I was wrong. It got the controls a bit mixed up,but that doesnt stop me! The game has a lot of really big levels,all brightly colored and fun to explore. There are new mini games that are really fun. There is a new character (which I forgot his name) and hes a mole! Flying around with sargent byrd is fun. My favorite mini game is the ones with Hunter. He uses a bow and arrow and uses different kinds of arrows to shoot his enemies. The sound in the game is perfect! I just wish they would bring back the old spyro 1 music. Speaking of Spyro 1,Gnasty Gnorc is back! All the bosses are simple to beat. The graphics are superb,and so are the voices,well besides the proffesor. His voice sounds really wierd. So does Money Bags. You collect different colored eggs,and when you get an entire set of them,you unlock a secret (like concept art or playing as a different dragon). You get to use different flame powers which look really cool. So overall,this game is great! The only problem for me is the controls. I wish Insomniac still made these games,that would be great!

I loved this game. The first Spyro game I ever played was Spyro: Year of the Dragon for PS1. I liked that game, but I Loved this one. In Hero's Tail, I like how Spyro can double jump and he has four cool flame abilities. But my favorite part was when you complete the Ember and Flame sets, you can then play as those two dragons. Flame and Ember both have the same skills as Spyro. The graphis are even better than Enter the Dragonfly. I would recomened this game to any gamer that likes dragons, fantsy, and Spyro. I think that even if you didn't play any other Spyro games, you pick this one up and not feel confused about the storyboard.

Well, most all of us know that spyro has always been a classic and will always will be. Myself, spyro was the first game I have ever owned. I then feel in love with this exciting gameplay and got the second and third one as soon as they came out. I then couldn't wait for the fourth one to come out. When it did, I snached it off of the shelf. It was a complete dud besides the grafics!! Therfore when the fith one came out I was a little hesitant to spend my money on it. I thought to myself to ask for it for Christmas; that way I didn't have to spend my money on it. I got lucky and recived it for Christmas and started playing it.
It is an amazing game! The creators of the spyro games have taken an amazing jump in funness of gameplay. The grafis are absolutly complete and amazing. The game has completly taken a new path of adventure (you don't just go to worlds and millions of differant levels).
The plot of the story is that an ex-dragon elder, by the name of Red, turned evil many years ago. He is now trying to take over the entire dragon kingdom by planting dark gems everywhere which, were mined by one of his assistance: Gnasty Gnork (remeber him from the first spyro?).Now you, Spyro, have to rid of these "dark gems." You will travel through 4-5 different dragon realms with two levels in each.
Yes, Moneybags is back again but this time he acts like a market and you can freely buy items when you want (that is, if you have enough jems!). From moneybags you can buy around 15 different items from horn dive upgrade to ammo for your diffrent breath options.
The gameplay is action packed and on the toe excitment up until the very end of the game! I've really enjoyed this game and trust me, you will too.
The following is a report card I have evaluated on this game.


Graphics:A+

Differentness through the game:A

Characters:A+

Hardness (how difficult it is):B

Controll:A (lthough I reccomend the game for the PS2 because the controlls are best on that system)

Enemies:B+

Goals and storyline:A+

Overall:A OR 80%

If you like Spyro, then you are up for a treat. Enter Spyro: A Hero's Tail and you'll see what everyone is raving about. The graphics are incredible and the manuverability of the characters is fantastic! You really notice the difference when you play Enter the Dragonfly. The old one feels really jerky and odd compared to the new one. The characters are amazing, too. As well as Spyro, you can play as Sparx, Sgt. Byrd, Blink (the mole) and Hunter. The Hunter levels are incredibly fun (so much so that I wish he had his own game!). Being able to buy items from Money Bags is great as well and the only thing to complain about is the high prices! The bosses are pretty much the same as before; no harder, no easier, so expect no surprises there. Also, if you like exploring then you MUST BUY THIS GAME! It's one of the toughest things about this game; getting lost. So, try to remember landmarks so you don't have to go through the same pain I did! Overall, this is great game for every kid and kid at heart!

PROS:
1. incredible graphics, manuverability, and worlds to visit
2. playable characters add to the excitement (Hunter ROCKS!!!)
3. wonderful storyline
4. great stuff to collect on your journey (gems, light gems and dragon eggs)
5. mini-games and bosses are great fun

CONS:
1. it gets frustrating when you have to leave an area of a world because you don't have the right breath ability (but it does give more incentive to finish the game)
2. I got lost quite often in this game and once you get lost, it's hard to get unlost. Take a hint from me; make sure to explore the entire realm that your in before you go to another world. That way, you'll know your way around once you come back. And, when your in a world (remember this once you get to the Underwater Ruins), if you see a light gem or other item of interest, try to get it right away. Chances are, you may not find it again, so be extra thourough.
3. Blink levels and Sparx levels get more challenging as you progress and they're pretty hard, so be careful
4. no fodder where you need it most
5. Money Bag's high prices (ha ha...)

This game is great fun!! I have played Spyro on the PS1 console but this is much better. Not all the games have been that much improved, but this is. The graphics are good, the movement smoother, and the beginning walks you through the game features. I did not need a book either to guild through the levels. My frinds 4-year old plays better than the adults, but we all have fun. (He does have limited playing time to only on the weekends for short times)