Retro Replay Review

Gameplay

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night delivers a robust 3D action-platforming experience that builds on the foundation laid by its predecessor. From the very start, you’ll guide Spyro through a variety of environments—temple courtyards, moonlit forests, and treacherous caves—each designed to challenge both your platforming skills and puzzle-solving abilities. While the game does include basic switch-pressing puzzles that require positioning and timing, combat remains at the core of the experience.

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Combat in Eternal Night feels fluid and responsive. Spyro’s primary melee attack, the headbutt, is quick to execute and can be chained into light combos. As you progress, you’ll recover Spyro’s elemental breath powers—fire, ice, earth, and electricity—each with its own strategic use against different enemy types. Magic power management becomes an important consideration, as overusing breath attacks without replenishing your magic bar can leave you vulnerable.

The introduction of “Dragon Time,” a slow-motion mechanic, adds an extra layer of depth to both combat and platforming. Slowing down time allows you to dodge projectiles, line up precision jumps, and time your breath attacks for maximum effect. You’ll earn blue gems by defeating foes, and these gems serve double duty as currency for upgrading your attack strength, combo potential, and magical resilience. This progression system ensures that Spyro’s abilities feel increasingly powerful and satisfying as you advance toward your confrontation with the Ape King, Gaul.

Graphics

Eternal Night showcases a stylized, vibrant art direction that highlights the mythic tone of the story. Environments such as the winding corridors of the Dragon Temple and the eerie, glowing caverns of the Underworld feature rich textures and bold color palettes. Dynamic lighting effects—especially in areas where Spyro’s breath attacks illuminate dark spaces—help create a sense of atmosphere and immersion.

The character models are well-defined for a game of this era. Spyro moves with a believable weight and snappy animations, whether he’s dashing between platforms or unleashing a multi-elemental breath combo. Enemies exhibit distinct visual designs that hint at their elemental affinities, allowing you to quickly identify the best strategy to defeat them. Cutscenes with voice acting and facial animations elevate key story beats, giving emotional weight to Spyro’s chase for Cynder.

Special effects—like the crackling electricity when Spyro unleashes his lightning breath or the frosty burst of his ice attack—remain crisp and satisfying. Particle effects during boss battles, particularly against Gaul’s massive ape form, are impressive and convey the scale of these epic encounters. While not cutting-edge by modern standards, Eternal Night’s visuals still hold up thanks to their cohesive art style and consistent performance across varied hardware.

Story

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night picks up immediately after A New Beginning, with Spyro waking to find his transformed friend Cynder fleeing the temple. This premise sets a dramatic tone right from the first moments of gameplay. Spyro’s pursuit, accompanied by his faithful companion Sparx, quickly evolves into a quest that will test not only their physical abilities but also their trust in one another.

As Spyro and Sparx chase Cynder across diverse realms, they encounter the enigmatic Chronicler, a guardian of ancient knowledge who reveals Cryptic prophecies and warnings of an impending eternal night. These narrative beats provide context for Spyro’s power recovery and introduce lore that expands the Spyro universe. The story progresses through a mix of in-engine cutscenes and interactive dialogue, maintaining player engagement without excessive exposition.

The climactic confrontation with Gaul, the Ape King, serves as a satisfying culmination of the narrative arc. Gaul’s backstory—his descent into madness and lust for power—ties thematically to Spyro’s journey of self-discovery and the restoration of light. While the overarching plot follows familiar hero’s-journey tropes, the pacing remains tight, with well-placed twists that keep the chase for Cynder emotionally compelling.

Overall Experience

The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night stands out as a polished sequel that refines gameplay mechanics and deepens the series’ mythology. Fans of action-platformers will appreciate the rich combat system, the variety of elemental powers, and the strategic use of Dragon Time. The game offers a healthy balance of fighting sequences, exploration, and light puzzle challenges.

One potential drawback is the occasional repetition of mini-puzzles and the comfort-zone combat loops, but upgrades and new abilities consistently refresh the experience. Replay value comes from seeking hidden gems, mastering advanced combos, and discovering alternate routes through levels. Boss battles against elemental guardians and Gaul himself are memorable highlights that motivate players to hone their skills.

For newcomers, Eternal Night provides an accessible entry point into the Spyro mythos, with clear story motivation and gradual ability unlocks. Longtime fans will enjoy revisiting beloved characters and witnessing Spyro’s growth as a dragon hero. Overall, The Legend of Spyro: The Eternal Night delivers an engaging adventure that strikes a fine balance between challenge and charm, making it a worthy addition to any platforming enthusiast’s library.

Retro Replay Score

6.1/10