I really like Spyro 3, but I consider it a weaker game than its predecessor.
It feels almost pointless to talk about what I love in this game: Of course I love Spyro 3, everyone does. I could talk about imaginative level design, charming characters, wonderful music, and strong core gameplay; However, I feel like I would mostly just be rehashing my Spyro 2 review if I did that. So, this will be less of a review of Spyro 3 and more of a detailed explanation of why I prefer Spyro 2.
Let's not beat around the bush and instead just dive into Spyro 3's biggest problem, a lack of focus. There are seven playable characters in this game and 150 main collectables. The fact that you only play as Bentley four times in the entire game, and one of those four times his gameplay style is radically different shows how scatterbrained the experience can be.
Also, the overabundance of collectables makes their collection wane in satisfaction as the game goes on. Bianca appears before you at the beginning of the game and states she's hidden the eggs in places you'll never find in 1,000 years, you then turn around and there is an egg in a clearing right behind you. This seems like a minor grievance, but it is a perfect example of how far too many eggs are far too easy to find, and they stop being satisfyingly to collect after a while.
I have other, smaller issues with the game: the level themes aren't as unique as previous games, the main villain is pretty lame, the 100% completion reward is bad, and even the game's best levels usually have at least one lousy pace-breaking minigame which hampers the experience a bit. But far more important than all that, the game's two biggest issues: the scatterbrained gameplay and excess of collectables, can lead the game to feel disjointed and monotonous by the end. When this game goes out of its way to include a skateboarding minigame, a first-person shooter, a submarine minigame, and so many other gameplay styles I could see in so many other games, I can't shake the feeling it isn't celebrating what makes Spyro unique.
I've been pretty mean to this game, so let me reiterate: I love Spyro 3. There are many things it does as well or better than its predecessors. The soundtrack is on par with the others, the levels feel even bigger and grander than Spyro 2's, the base ending and epilogue are both delightful, and the gameplay is still really fun the majority of the time even if it can feel jarring. I'm hard on this game because I've come to expect great things from the purple dragon.
I will still happily recommend Spyro 3, just make sure you get the greatest hits version.
It feels almost pointless to talk about what I love in this game: Of course I love Spyro 3, everyone does. I could talk about imaginative level design, charming characters, wonderful music, and strong core gameplay; However, I feel like I would mostly just be rehashing my Spyro 2 review if I did that. So, this will be less of a review of Spyro 3 and more of a detailed explanation of why I prefer Spyro 2.
Let's not beat around the bush and instead just dive into Spyro 3's biggest problem, a lack of focus. There are seven playable characters in this game and 150 main collectables. The fact that you only play as Bentley four times in the entire game, and one of those four times his gameplay style is radically different shows how scatterbrained the experience can be.
Also, the overabundance of collectables makes their collection wane in satisfaction as the game goes on. Bianca appears before you at the beginning of the game and states she's hidden the eggs in places you'll never find in 1,000 years, you then turn around and there is an egg in a clearing right behind you. This seems like a minor grievance, but it is a perfect example of how far too many eggs are far too easy to find, and they stop being satisfyingly to collect after a while.
I have other, smaller issues with the game: the level themes aren't as unique as previous games, the main villain is pretty lame, the 100% completion reward is bad, and even the game's best levels usually have at least one lousy pace-breaking minigame which hampers the experience a bit. But far more important than all that, the game's two biggest issues: the scatterbrained gameplay and excess of collectables, can lead the game to feel disjointed and monotonous by the end. When this game goes out of its way to include a skateboarding minigame, a first-person shooter, a submarine minigame, and so many other gameplay styles I could see in so many other games, I can't shake the feeling it isn't celebrating what makes Spyro unique.
I've been pretty mean to this game, so let me reiterate: I love Spyro 3. There are many things it does as well or better than its predecessors. The soundtrack is on par with the others, the levels feel even bigger and grander than Spyro 2's, the base ending and epilogue are both delightful, and the gameplay is still really fun the majority of the time even if it can feel jarring. I'm hard on this game because I've come to expect great things from the purple dragon.
I will still happily recommend Spyro 3, just make sure you get the greatest hits version.