I owned all three Spyro PS1 games but only beat the first and only dabbled with the third. Ripto’s Rage is a fine 3D platformer but is a messier and lesser Spyro sequel. World design and narrative hardly has cohesion. Spyro was also light on both as well, but it had a cogent through line. Level design also took a hit in Ripto, the majority feel far too enclosed and are littered with invisible walls. Having swimmable water and death water that are visually indistinguishable in the same level is a crime. I loved the floating island design of levels in the first game. Areas felt more open and keeping the player in bounds was simple since you’d fall off the edge of the world.

The boss fights ranged from inoffensive to very annoying. Levels resetting so when you revisit to 100% the collectables you have to redo most everything again was an infuriating choice. Don’t get me started on the atrocious mine cart mini games. Gliding isn’t well utilized or challenging. Very inconsistent overall.

I have a great appreciation for the original.