Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night on GBA delivers a tight and engaging action-platforming experience. From the moment you guide Spyro through his first levels, the side-scrolling hack-and-slash mechanics feel instantly responsive. Basic melee strikes and aerial jabs are deceptively simple, yet the inclusion of four distinct breath elements—fire, ice, electricity, and earth—opens up a wealth of combo possibilities that keep combat fresh through every encounter.

Each level challenges you to weave together ground attacks, air maneuvers, and elemental breaths in order to overcome waves of minions or defend against tough boss assaults. The intuitive combo system is deceptively deep: chaining a rapid-fire breath attack into a fury mode-enriched smash can turn the tide in moments of high tension. Mastering the timing and order of these moves encourages experimentation and rewards skilled play as you learn to exploit enemy weaknesses.

Boss battles in The Eternal Night are standouts that tie together platforming skill and combat strategy. Facing off against Gaul, the Ape King, and his underlings forces you to navigate environmental hazards while maintaining pressure with your evolving moveset. The game balances challenge and accessibility, ensuring that each defeat teaches you something new and spurs you on to retry with improved tactics.

Exploration also plays a key role in gameplay flow. Hidden alcoves and bonus rooms pepper each stage, incentivizing thorough investigation. Finding collectible items not only enhances replay value but also boosts Spyro’s abilities. This blend of robust combat, platforming thrills, and secretive exploration makes The Eternal Night a well-rounded action title for handheld fans.

Graphics

For a Game Boy Advance title, The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night punches well above its weight in visual presentation. Backgrounds boast layered parallax scrolling, giving each setting—from shadowy caverns to moonlit battlegrounds—a strong sense of depth. The environments are richly detailed, and the color palettes remain vibrant even in dimly lit stages, showcasing the hardware’s capabilities.

Spyro himself is impressively animated. His running, gliding, and breathing sequences flow smoothly, and elemental effects are distinctive—fiery bursts flicker, icy shards shimmer, and electric arcs crackle with clarity. Enemy designs range from skeletal warriors to fearsome brutes, each sporting unique animations that telegraph attacks and add personality to confrontations.

Boss arenas stand out visually, thanks to dramatic backdrops and dynamic framing. The Ape King Gaul’s imposing silhouette is rendered with impressive scale, and his special attacks come with standout visual cues that heighten the excitement. Cutscenes—though static—use detailed art frames that effectively convey key story moments and keep players invested in the narrative.

Despite the GBA’s limitations, the game avoids sprite flicker and slowdowns even in the most action-packed sequences. Whether you’re unleashing a fury-mode combo or traversing a densely decorated level, performance remains consistent, allowing the graphics to shine without compromise.

Story

As the second chapter in the series reboot, The Eternal Night casts Spyro in a high-stakes mission to topple Gaul, the Ape King, whose dark ambitions threaten the balance of the dragon world. The storyline unfolds through a series of vibrant in-game cutscenes and text dialogues, revealing new allies, hidden ancient lore, and moral dilemmas that deepen Spyro’s character development.

Although the GBA format limits full voice acting, the narrative pacing remains engaging. Key plot points are delivered in bite-sized segments, ensuring that each level’s conclusion—whether rescuing a dragon elder or securing a mystical artifact—feels like an organic part of Spyro’s journey. The writing strikes a solid balance between playful banter and dramatic tension, making the story suitable for both younger players and longtime fans.

Character interactions enrich the world beyond simple mission objectives. Friendly dragons offer guidance and side quests that expand on the main plot, while brief flashbacks hint at Spyro’s evolving powers and growing responsibility. By the time you confront Gaul in his shadowy fortress, the emotional investment in Spyro’s quest becomes palpable.

The narrative arc concludes in a satisfying manner, yet leaves room for future adventures. Hints at greater threats and unresolved mysteries encourage players to look forward to the next installment, ensuring that The Eternal Night feels like both a complete story and an exciting chapter in a larger saga.

Overall Experience

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night on GBA offers a highly polished handheld adventure that balances accessible pick-up-and-play action with deeper combo mechanics for those seeking mastery. Combat stays engaging from start to finish, and the platforming segments are thoughtfully designed to challenge without frustrating. Whether you’re a series veteran or a newcomer, the learning curve feels just right.

The visual and audio presentation is among the best on the GBA, with fluid animations, striking backgrounds, and an evocative soundtrack that sets the mood for each stage. Even without voice acting, the story manages to captivate through dynamic visuals and well-crafted dialogue, making Spyro’s quest feel meaningful at every turn.

Replayability is high thanks to collectible-driven incentives, hidden areas, and a variety of combat approaches to experiment with. The combination of elemental breaths, fury mode, and aerial combos ensures that no two playthroughs feel identical. Plus, the length of the campaign is generous for a handheld title, offering a satisfying adventure that can be tackled in multiple sittings.

In sum, The Eternal Night stands out as a must-have for fans of action-platformers on portable systems. Its robust gameplay mechanics, impressive presentation, and engaging story come together to create an experience that feels both modern and timeless. For players seeking an epic dragon-focused journey they can carry in their pocket, this entry in the Spyro saga delivers in spades.

Retro Replay Score

7.5/10