Five heroes have risen against the darkness.
- NA release: 2nd November 2004
- EU release: 26th November 2004
- JP release: N/A
- Developer: Eurocom
- Publisher: Vivendi Universal (NA), Sierra (EU)
- NGC Magazine Score: 51%
- Mods Used: Widescreen Code
With Spyro: Enter the Dragonfly not working out very well, it was time for a fresh start with a new developer. Instead of trying to emulate the original trilogy again, Eurocom instead decided to approach things from a different angle, with a new structure and the like. Not a bad idea, trying something new instead of trying to recreate what other developers have done.
With this is a new tone, with A Hero’s Tail coming across as a game based on a kids cartoon adaptation of Spyro – like Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures or Sonic Boom. Everyone talks in a strange way and the story – as simple as it is – is even downplayed. The professor says he needs Power Stars for his invention, but as Spyro hasn’t heard of them (or other items from other games the Professor suggests) Spyro just makes something up. Luckily, there’s plenty of those to be collected.
And then you’re just left to wander around aimlessly. There’s no flow to the levels, no notable paths, just roam around. Sometimes you take what seems like a short path to a collectible and you’re pretty much in another level. You get to see the levels change slightly by smashing dark crystals, but this is completely wasted as you don’t really do anything in these places before you smash the crystals. The biggest change is you’ve now got a new shortcut to a previous area. If you even notice it’s a previous area.
The two main collectables – light crystals and dragon eggs – are also just randomly placed. Some require thought to get to while others are just on a small ledge, meaning they never feel rewarding. You’ll occasionally control another character for a minigame and for these you’ll get a dragon egg and then have to repeat the minigame to get a light crystal. Which is just meaningless padding.
Fine
While A Hero’s Tail remains a model of sensible game design and slick good looks, it never excited us once. But your little brother might love it to bits.
Jes Bickham, NGC Magazine #101
Remake or remaster?
Perhaps it could be spruced up a bit.
Official Ways to get the game
There’s no official way to get Spyro: A Hero’s Tail
Europe
Japan
North America
GameCube Games by Date
2002: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2003: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2004: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2005: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
2006: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov, Dec
