Spyro The Dragon: Every Realm Ranked

Realms and hubworlds have always been a big part of Spyro, but they were never more important than in the first game. The entire theme of each level was built around its realm, as were the design of the enemies and the captured dragons.

Contrast that with Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage (or if you prefer Spyro 2: Gateway To Glimmer). The Autumn Plains realm has a desert level (Skelos Badlands) and two snowy levels (Icy Speedway and Crystal Glacier), even though neither have anything to do with autumn. Badlands probably suits Summer Forest best, while Speedway and Glacier are perfect for Winter Tundra.

That’s not to say Ripto’s Rage is bad. Many players even prefer it, citing the extra level diversity as a huge part of that. But there's no doubt the realms seem a bit pointless. Spyro The Dragon on the other hand, rather like Varys from Game Of Thrones, put the realms above all else.

But which ones were the very best, and which charged horns first into an abyss? In making this ranking, the open play in the realm itself was considered here, as were the level designs, the boss battle and how well the overall theme tied together.

Metalhead deserves better. He’s a good boss with an inventive battle, but it’s one of the few high points Beast Makers offer.

The game deserves credit for changing things up with Beast Makers; it’s the only realm that breaks away from Spyro The Dragon’s usually bright and colourful palette. But the dark and dingy atmosphere just feels out of place.

It seems the developers were not sure what do do with the swamp theme here. In Terrace Village, the main obstacle is electrified floors, something also used in the Beast Makers hub itself. You could argue this links to Metalhead, but then why focus on a swamp? Even Tree Tops, easily the best level here and one of the most rewarding in the game, eschews the boggy marshes to take Spyro to the, well, the tree tops.

The flight level would’ve been an opportunity to really explore the swamp, but instead we move further up the creek to an idyllic fishing hole.

Beast Makers just doesn’t commit to its theme enough to justify its dreary palette. The worst part is that in Japanese, it’s called Beautiful Garden Home. Hopefully that’s supposed to be ironic, otherwise it doesn’t say much for gardens in Japan.