Take a Walk on the Dragon Side and Fly to New Heights in Spyro A Hero’s Tail

by Louis Bedigian

“Spyro has a new and improved Horn Dive attack which he uses to destroy specially targeted objects and enemies.”

Spyro the Dragon was one of the first 3D games that combined vast environments and adventurous gameplay with the cool, unbeatable ability to fly.

More than a half a decade later the series has evolved into the multi-platform action/adventure kids hoped for. 

It’s gotten the attention of some big kids, too, but they might not want to admit it with all the cute and cuddly dragons flying around.

Spyro A Hero’s Tail just landed on store shelves.  Should you fly over to the nearest retailer and pick it up?  Producer Caroline Trujillo gives the answer.

Spyro A Hero's Tail has five playable characters.  Spyro got along just fine on his own – why was it important to add four additional characters?

Caroline Trujillo: Actually, back in 2000, in "Year of the Dragon," Spyro was also accompanied by five of his faithful friends, to battle the Evil Sorceress. We brought back Sgt Byrd from that title and Sparx is playable yet again, but in a different type of gameplay this time around. We've introduced an old friend as a playable character, Hunter, and a new friend and playable hero in Blink the Mole.

By continuing to incorporate multiple playable characters, we are able to develop a wide variety of gameplay for the user to experience. Each character has his own strengths and abilities, unique to the individual. Each character is also developed as if he could stand alone in his own game.

Everyone loves a good ice world. 

Would you mind introducing us to the new characters?

CT: Hunter the Cheetah. Hunter was formerly Spyro's tutor and guide, who would show Spyro how to perform new moves and give him instruction for new challenges. We thought Hunter was too cool of a character design to waste as a secondary character, so we chose to make him into a playable hero with unique archery and acrobatic skills.

Blink the Mole. Blink is new to the Spyro cast of characters and introduced in A Hero's Tail. Blink is the nephew of the Professor, Spyro's friend and teacher. His strengths lay underground in burrowing and tunneling through the earth and he uses his sharp claws to climb walls and ceiling surfaces. His fast and furious claw attacks are most useful against enemies.

Sgt Byrd the Penguin. Sgt Byrd has been around since Spyro Year of the Dragon and has appeared in various GBA games as well. He's our favorite flying penguin, armed with missile launchers and bomb dropping abilities.

Sparx the Dragonfly. Sparx has been Spyro's trusted friend and sidekick since Spyro 1 in 1998. Not only does Sparx work as Spyro's health meter, but he helps Spyro in his many adventures by completing his own missions, often involving delving into small dark areas where only a Dragonfly can go. His favorite mode of attack is using his rapid-fire spit attack.

What are Spyro's brand-new breath attacks?

CT: We've introduced one new breath attack in A Hero's Tail, the Water Breath. It's highly useful for pushing large objects and enemies around the world, especially over treacherous ledges. Spyro also uses his water breath to fill areas with water to gain access to unexplored levels. 

Everyone loves to breathe fire and torch things that need to be…torched! 

Does Spyro have any new special moves or power-ups?

CT: Spyro has a new and improved Horn Dive attack which he uses to destroy specially targeted objects and enemies.  He also learns how to use his tail to swing from pole to pole in A Hero's Tail and an improved wall-climbing mechanic has been implemented allowing him to jump from wall surface to wall surface.

In Spyro A Hero's Tail, it's the player's job to guide Spyro to the Dark Gems and destroy them.  Can you tell us more about this?

CT: The Dark Gems are the keys to unraveling the story and destroying the Evil Dragon, Red. Red has planted these Dark Gems throughout the world which are corrupting the world by slowly poisoning the environments in which they are planted. The Dark Gems also lead Spyro to Red's lair. Each Dark Gem that is destroyed transforms, morphs the world space, in Real Time to its "normal" state. This also opens up the path throughout the game.

Are the Dark Gems the thing that determines your progress?  Example: you destroy two Dark Gems and a new world opens up.  Is that how it works?

CT: That's exactly what happens. Destroying Dark Gems allows decrepit bridges to reform, destroyed tunnel passages to open up and sunken cities to resurface. This all happens in game, not as a canned cut scene, so the player is able to run Spyro around while the world continues to transform.

In addition to destroying the Dark Gems, are there any items that must be collected?

CT: Tons. There are Dragon Eggs which have been stolen and must be returned to the Nursery, Light Gems which power machinery and unlock passages, and a lot of regular gems which are used to purchase items from Moneybag's Shop. 

Ow!  My tail!  My tail! 

What kinds of enemies will you encounter in this game?  Are they as strong or stronger than the enemies from the previous game?

CT: The Gnorcs from the previous games have formed an alliance with Red. There are three types of Gnorcs that Spyro will encounter in this adventure. The Large Gnorc, the slowest of the three, the small Gnorc who is usually quite quick, and the mid-size Gnorc who is usually the most skilled. In addition, indigenous enemy types appear in every level.

Game worlds are hard to imagine without actually playing the game.  Paint a picture of them – let our readers know what to expect from the new environments.

CT: Imagine large, expansive worlds. The layout is non-linear to encourage exploration. The color palette and details vary from land to land. In the first world, the colors are bright greens, orange and purples. The lighting implies that this is morning and the start of a new day. The objects are pure fantasy organic trees and architectural structures. As the game progresses, the mood becomes [gloomier] as the player approaches the Evil Red's lair. The exteriors are dark and the colors are deep red and grays with splashes of radiant yellows and orange as the heroes delve deeper into the earth's core to seek out the final battle.

Thank you for your time.