Genre: Action-adventure
Developer: Etranges Libellules
Publisher: Sierra Entertainment
Year: 2008
Platform: PlayStation 3
The Legend of Spyro: Dawn of the Dragon is the third and final installment in The Legend of Spyro trilogy. Developed by French studio Étranges Libellules, this title marked the franchise’s debut on the PlayStation 3 and introduced several key changes to gameplay. Players control both Spyro and Cynder, who are now bonded by a magical chain, and can switch between them at any time in both single-player and local co-op modes.
The gameplay takes place in more open, free-roaming environments compared to the linear levels of previous entries. Both dragons have the ability to fly freely at any time, a major departure from earlier games in the series. Combat is more complex, incorporating elemental attacks, combos, and upgrades that players can unlock throughout the game.
The story follows Spyro and Cynder as they attempt to stop the Dark Master, Malefor, from destroying the world. The narrative has a more mature tone than earlier Spyro games and features a voice cast including Elijah Wood as Spyro, Christina Ricci as Cynder, and Mark Hamill as Malefor. Cutscenes are used extensively to drive the story forward.
The PlayStation 3 version features enhanced graphics compared to versions on older consoles, with higher-resolution textures and improved lighting effects. However, the gameplay remains largely identical across platforms. Reception was mixed, with praise for the visuals and co-op functionality, but criticism directed at controls and repetitive combat.
