Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!

About Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage!

Spyro 2: Ripto's Rage! is a 1999 action-platformer from Insomniac Games set in the fictional land of Avalar. Following the original Spyro the Dragon, this sequel tasks the purple dragon with stopping the sorcerer Ripto’s magical chaos, which traps civilizations and twists environments into surreal hazards. While retaining the core gameplay of collecting emeralds, battling bosses, and solving puzzles, the game removes Spyro’s side-rolling ability, streamlining controls. Released as a PlayStation title with later ports to PS3 and PSP, it maintains the same whimsical art style and single-player focus. The story centers on Spyro fixing Ripto’s disruptions, blending platforming with light exploration. For fans of the first game, it offers a familiar rhythm with slightly adjusted mechanics.

Gameplay

The game follows a straightforward loop: run, jump, glide, and battle through handcrafted levels. Spyro collects emeralds to unlock progress, while defeating enemies drops keys for door access. Each world introduces environmental gimmicks, like icy traps in an Eskimo village or submerged puzzles in a seahorse kingdom. The absence of the side-roll simplifies movement but feels like a missed opportunity for creative traversal. Combat stays reactive, melee strikes and charged fireballs, while boss fights require pattern recognition. Sessions last 30, 45 minutes per level, balancing action with light exploration. Controls are tight for the era, with glide mechanics and double-jumps enabling precise platforming. The game’s challenge comes from hitbox placement and timing, not complexity, making it accessible but occasionally frustrating.

What Players Think

The IGDB score of 79.7 (from 212 ratings) reflects solid but not impressive reception. Community feedback highlights its role as a direct sequel, praising the consistent art style and addictive progression. Critics note the removal of the side-roll as a divisive change, with some calling it a “necessary streamlining” and others a “missed evolution.” Average playtime isn’t tracked, but completion rates for emerald collections are high, suggesting strong replayability. Review snippets from 1999, 2000 praise the game’s charm and polish, though modern comparisons to later Spyro titles often cite its dated design. The core loop remains satisfying, but the lack of new mechanics keeps it from transcending its era. Fans of classic platformers appreciate its consistency, while newer players might find it derivative.

PlayPile's Take

Ripto’s Rage! is a dependable sequel for those who enjoyed the first game. It lacks innovation but refines the basics, making it ideal for nostalgia seekers. No price is listed for retro ports, but it’s a low-risk pick for collectors or completionists. The game’s strengths lie in its polish and accessibility, though the absence of key mechanics like the side-roll feels like a step back. Achievements aren’t tracked here, but completing all emerald collections offers a rewarding grind. If you like streamlined platformers with a focus on rhythm over complexity, this one’s worth a look. It’s not a classic, but it earns its place in the Spyro legacy.

Storyline

The protagonist of the series, Spyro the Dragon, decides to take a vacation to Dragon Shores with his friend Sparx a few years after defeating Gnasty Gnorc. The portal he enters accidentally takes him to the land of Avalar because the Professor, Elora and Hunter are trying to bring a dragon to Avalar. A sorcerer, known as Ripto, has invaded the world of Avalar and is wreaking havoc on its citizens with his magic. Idols come to life and attack their creators, Eskimos are encased in ice cubes, and a civilization of seahorses has had its water confiscated. Spyro must travel through the land of Avalar, undoing the damage done by Ripto and ultimately defeating him.