‘Spyro 2’ Reignited gameplay is beautiful, but there are changes

by Dylan Blight

On the PlayStation Underground show today we got a look at a full level of gameplay from Spyro 2: Gateway to Glimmer (known as Ripto’s Rage! in North America) from the upcoming remastered trilogy.

For fans of the original, like myself, this video is sure to bring excitement and joy. The level design and characters are very recognisable in Idol Springs, even if the assets have all been updated — and in some cases changed.

In the video, executive producers and designers from developer Toys for Bob explain they didn’t have access to the original assets and had to create a tool they titled “SpyroScope” to extract general level placement and character pathing. It’s an outstanding achievement that fans are sure to appreciate.

That said, some things have been changed noticeably, and other details fans in the YouTube comments are already calling out. In the video, they explain smaller touches — like adding a BBQ to the head of a tiki-soldier — as playful flourishes. Other notes from fans are more minute, like orb sound effects being off and the orb animation being different.

Another thing noticeably missing in this level is the rain cloud with the tiki monster at the end of the level — which is odd — but it might still make it into the final product when it releases September 21 on PS4 and Xbox One.

Check out the gameplay video below: