........ the DS version of this game!

36IStillLikeSpyro36 · Aug 02, 2019 4:06 PM

join me, as i chronicle my adventures through this fever dream / "interpretation" of the third Legend of Spyro game smile so far, i've played for probably about an hour.

first of all, the graphics are GORGEOUS. this version of the game is mostly a 2.5D sidescroller, with a few 3D flying sections. (the "flying" sections are just following a path, like the whirlwind things in the console version.) objects and characters are kind of blocky, but the art style works VERY well with it, and i've often found myself looking at the scenery.

second, the graphics in the cutscenes are.......... heheheheeh ahahahahahaha, they tried tongue they're just still images, but they're not in the style of the rest of the game. they're... paintings, and not especially great ones. characters look a bit "off", it's kind of like TLOS fan art you would see on DeviantArt, more than artwork that'd be in the official game.

NOW TO ALL THE DIFFERENCES I'VE FOUND SO FAR
- in the standard version, you start off fighting enemies, then the golem, and then glide over to Hunter.
- in this version, you ......................................................................... wake up, and talk to Hunter. smile

- in the standard version, you go through the catacombs, confront the golem a couple times, and solve some puzzles.
- in this version, you go through the catacombs. no golems! also, the catacombs are a tutorial level that you can skip if you want. i chose not to skip it. the same basic idea is there, but the layout is VERY different from the standard version. different platforms, different paths, etc. also, the enemies are very different. no monkeys so far -- there are these armadillo things that... look a bit like skeletons? there are these things that chase you with melee weapons, i'm not sure what they're supposed to be, the enemies from the start of the standard version perhaps? and finally, there are these elemental-themed bugs.

- in the standard version, you go through Twilight Falls, and then there's a cutscene where Hunter sends out a bird with a message for Ignitus.
- in this version, ..................................................................................................... Hunter sends out a bird with a message for Ignitus. smile

- in the standard version, you're captured by the cheetahs, and then you fight some enemies to gain their trust. you go through the Valley of Avalar, solving puzzles and rescuing Meadow, an injured cheetah. they reluctantly decide to trust you. later, they come back during a cutscene and help you fight in Warfang!
- in this version, you fly over the cheetah village, and ATTACK THE CHEETAHS. Hunter's people, the village he came from. they shoot arrows at you, and you just SHOOT BACK AT THEM AND KILL THEM.

- in the standard version, you go through two whole levels in Warfang before you fight the golem.
- in this version, you reach Warfang, and immediately fight the golem. the golem is also more "mossy" than "volcanic".

MORE NOTES ON MY WACKY JOURNEY COMING SOON! UPDATES:

i beat the golem. let's just say, i get the impression this golem wasn't play-tested very much. anyway!

- Warfang is more what i would expect from a "3D game made into a sidescroller" -- it's pretty much the normal city of Warfang, just with extra platforming and some different level layouts.
- HOWEVER! there's no section where you put out a fire, OR fight a bunch of enemies on a rooftop. there's a dragon cannon, but there are no moles operating it. you just shoot it once.

- because i already beat the golem at the beginning of Warfang, there's no "level" where you battle it after Warfang.

- the dam is, again, pretty much what i expected. different layout, more platforming, but the same basic idea. smile
- HOWEVER! you destroy these small pedestals, instead of pulling large switches, to get the water out.

- in the standard version, the Destroyer "level" involves destroying dark gems on the Destroyer's body, and then traveling inside the Destroyer.
- in this version, you ......................................................................................................................... travel inside the Destroyer!

also: i found a strange red/blue/purple gem in Warfang. this is something that's exclusive to the DS version: it's a mix of health AND blue upgrade gems!
also, the music is very different in this version. for example, Warfang uses the a remix of the "combat" music from Dante's Freezer from Spyro ANB, and the dam uses a remix of the "temple/training" music from Spyro ANB.

Last edited by 36IStillLikeSpyro36 (Aug 02, 2019 7:28 PM)

36IStillLikeSpyro36 · Aug 05, 2019 3:59 PM

so after 4½ whole hours, i beat the game.
hmm

ANYWAY

- the Burned Lands are (mostly) just the standard version, made into a sidescroller.
- however, interestingly enough, in this version, the Burned Lands... seem to start out as a winter scene??? and THEN they turn into a fiery, volcano area? you can see that here. you also can't see in the video, but there are snowflakes that fly by at the beginning. i don't know if it was supposed to be ash, and it just LOOKS like snow, but ...?

- in the standard version, you just attack the Destroyer's core/heart.
- in this version, the core/heart actively attacks you -- it shoots spikes at you! it's more of a boss battle than anything else.

- in the standard version, you fly out of the Destroyer while trying to avoid lava.
- in this version, you fly out of the Destroyer while fighting enemies standing/flying around on your path.

- in the standard version, there's a cutscene of Spyro and Cynder flying up to the Floating Islands.
- in this version, there's actually MORE content yikes you actually get an "on-rails" flying section between the Burned Lands and the Floating Islands!

- in the standard version, the Floating Islands take place ENTIRELY outside, except for that tiny room with the switch.
- in this version, you go through the interior of several buildings! also, there's an interesting effect they pull off where the sky starts out light blue, with white clouds, but as you progress through the level, the sky gets darker.

- in the standard version, you light a bunch of ("torches"?) to progress through the Floating Islands.
- in this version, you press three buttons to unlock three doors.

- in the standard version, you fly up to Malefor's lair.
- in this version, it's in a cave in the Floating Islands.

- in the standard version, you just fight Malefor.
- in this version, there's a (very small) level leading up to the boss battle.

- in the standard version, you fight Malefor in the air once, then fight him on the ground twice.
- in this version, you fight Malefor on the ground, attacking a CRYSTAL, and then you fight him in the air once.

smile BUT THE BEST PART .......................... smile

- in the standard version, you can replay levels after you beat the game.
- IN THIS VERSION, IF YOU TRY TO LOAD A SAVE FILE AFTER YOU BEAT THE GAME, IT JUST GOES TO THE FINAL BOSS BATTLE AGAIN AND YOU CAN'T REPLAY ANYTHING, HAHAHA, THANK YOU TANTALUS, VERY COOL

also, in this version, there's a mysterious, really powerful enemy that repeatedly appears throughout the game. this enemy is not in the standard console version. Sparx asks who it is. ............... we never find out. smile you confront him slightly before the fight with Malefor, and that's it. no dialogue. no explanation.

- oh, also, in the standard version, you have elite enemies, red/green crystals that increase your health and magic, and blue gems to collect. there are counters so you know how many are left. smile
- in this version, you have ........................................... red/green MASKS that increase your health and magic, and blue gems to collect. there are no counters so you just kinda guess how many are left or whatever lol

so overall an interesting experience. seeing all the differences is TRIPPY.
it's a cool enough game, but DEFINITELY not polished. overall i have very mixed thoughts about it!

Pepsiman · Jan 17, 2022 8:17 AM

Fun fact: The devs of this port also made Skyward Sword HD and Twilight Princess HD. Kinda weird but i guess Tantalus Media is the go to for ports and remasters no matter how unnecessary or dumb they seem.

#1 Aug 02, 2019 4:06 PM

........ the DS version of this game!

#2 Aug 05, 2019 3:59 PM

Re: ........ the DS version of this game!

#3 Jan 17, 2022 8:17 AM

Re: ........ the DS version of this game!

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