Daniel Mercer
The 2020s are witnessing a resurgence of classic video game franchises, and Spyro the Dragon is joining the ranks of beloved characters making a comeback.
At the recent Xbox showcase on Sunday, developer Toys for Bob unveiled Spyro: A Realm Beyond. In this new adventure, Spyro finds himself trapped in an unfamiliar realm. The narrative centers around an invading group known as the Scavs, and it’s up to Spyro to thwart their plans and confront their leader while forging new friendships and seeking a path back home. As of now, details about the main antagonist remain sparse, including whether familiar faces like Sparx, Spyro’s loyal companion and health indicator, will return.
The standout feature of Realm Beyond is Spyro’s newfound ability to fly freely. Unlike previous games, where he could only glide and hover with brief boosts from specific gateways, this installment gives him larger wings allowing full flight at the press of a button. Lou Studdert, the associate creative director at Toys for Bob, shared with IGN that this capability was a primary focus during the prototype phase, aiming to “amplify what it means to be a dragon.”
This open flight mechanic serves as a natural progression from past entries, enhancing the sense of exploration and providing a “zen-like flow.” However, players shouldn’t expect an easy ride; Spyro will need to dive to gain speed or ignite campfires to harness the wind for improved movement.
For a significant period, the prospect of a new Spyro game seemed uncertain, especially after Toys for Bob shifted its focus to supporting Call of Duty following several Crash Bandicoot spin-offs. This shift dashed hopes of fulfilling a tease found in the art book for Crash 4. Now operating independently, the studio is building upon the framework established with the remakes of the original Spyro trilogy. The premise of Realm Beyond closely resembles that of Spyro 2, and Tom Kenny returns to voice Spyro once again, having first joined the series with the second installment.
Implicitly, A Realm Beyond can be regarded as Spyro 4, and anticipation is high for its release on PlayStation 5, PC, Nintendo Switch 2, and Xbox Series X|S in spring 2027.
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David Bridges
