Spyro: A Realm Beyond Offers Active Flying, No Autopilot Here!
Get ready to soar through the skies with Spyro in the upcoming release, Spyro: A Realm Beyond! The team at Toys for Bob has made it clear that while players will have the freedom to fly around as our favorite purple dragon, this isn’t going to be a laid-back flight simulator. Associate Creative Director Louis “Lou” Studdert recently shared insights on the Kinda Funny Games podcast, emphasizing that flying requires your full attention and active participation.
Studdert explained that the developers aimed for a flight experience that pushes players to think and make decisions. You won’t just be mashing buttons; you’ll need to strategize and navigate the environment to keep Spyro in the air. “It’s about evaluating your surroundings and figuring out how to progress,” he noted, highlighting the need for players to engage fully with the gameplay.
In exciting gameplay previews, we see Spyro performing tricks like diving to gain speed and using his fiery breath to ignite campfires, which create wind updrafts for quicker ascents. Players will also be able to activate special “sky rings” that boost their flying. Each of these actions requires players to be on their toes, assessing the environment and using Spyro’s abilities wisely to maintain momentum.
Toys for Bob’s studio head, Paul Yan, joined the conversation, stressing the importance of player agency. He wants gamers to look into the distance and think, “How do I get there?” rather than just following a GPS-like path. The absence of an autopilot feature is a deliberate choice to keep the gameplay engaging and energetic. “We want decision-making to be central to the experience,” Yan asserted, making it clear that platforming in the air is just as critical as on solid ground.
Spyro: A Realm Beyond is set to launch early next year, and the team at Toys for Bob is excited about the potential for future games, hinting that this might just be the first of many adventures for our beloved dragon. Let’s hope it doesn’t take another 18 years for the next installment!