Game Info
Game Name: Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage
Developer(s): Insomniac Games
Publisher(s): Sony Entertainment
Platform(s): PS/Xbox One/PS4/Switch
Genre(s): Retro/Platformer/Action/Adventure
Release Date(s): Original—November 2, 1999/Reignited—November 13, 2018
ESRB Rating: E
Take a Big Gulp
Spyro the Dragon and his dragonfly Sparx have decided to take a break and rest means a trip to Dragon Shores. When the portal is intercepted, Spyro ends up in a world called Avalar. Avalar is being ruled by an evil wizard tyrant named Ripto and his lackies Crush and Gulp. Spyro joins Elora, Hunter, and the Professor in an adventure to stop Ripto and free the world of Avalar from his evil reign!
Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage is a 3D platformer video game released for the PlayStation on November 2, 1999. A sequel to Spyro the Dragon from 1998, the game received positive reviews. The game was remastered and released as part of the Spyro Reignited Trilogy (which was played for the review) on multiple platforms.
Spyro was one of the better-looking franchise games for the PlayStation, but I didn’t have a PlayStation. I wanted to play this series (it was their equivalent of a Mario type game, and I loved Mario games). The game has a lot of playability and the remastered version of Spyro 2 is slick and fun.
Love flying levels…not
The game essentially plays like the first Spyro but has slightly more to do within the context of the game. Collecting the various hidden orbs and talismans from the multiple worlds leads to a lot of replay and varying level of skill for the players. This all leads to a big boss showdown with Ripto (which I actually found a bit easier than Gulp battle).
The controls are slick and easy to master. I still find it frustrating when you want to use your flame while running, but the number of times you have to run seems to be cut back from Spyro the Dragon which was frustrating. Spyro moves and glides rather easily, but flying levels can be extremely frustrating as you try to get everything completed on one spin.
Ripto is coming at you!
The graphics of Spyro 2 are equal to the graphics of Spyro the Dragon when playing the Reignited version of the game, but even the PS1 version of Spyro isn’t radically improved for Spyro 2. If you are only playing the Reignited version (as I did), it is good to go back and look at the original Spyro 2 to see the improvements.
Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! is a great sequel to a great game. There are some real frustrating moments in the game, but most platformers can create frustration at some point in their playthrough. The Spyro Reignited Trilogy is a great way to experience Spyro 2 and is a must for fans of platformers. Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! was followed by Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon in 2000.
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