Spyro: Shadow Legacy

 DS
Metascore
50

Mixed or average reviews - based on 18 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 18
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 18
  3. Negative: 5 out of 18
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  1. IGN
    40
    The horrible production values are Spyro: Shadow Legacy's real killer.
  2. Nintendo Power
    65
    It does mark a departure, adding light RPG elements to the isometric-adventure style seen on the GBA. [Dec 2005, p.112]
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Eurogamer
    40
    Spyro would score a 5 were it to work properly - smack bang in the middle of middlyness, doing nothing well, and utterly without imagination (for goodness sakes, travelling back and forth between two versions of reality - where did they get that idea from?!).
  5. Console Gameworld
    51
    On a pass or fail review system, this fails horribly. If this was a child’s homework assignment, you could easily tell they put this together right before class started.
  6. NintendoWorldReport
    55
    A half-finished game designed so poorly that it probably shouldn't have been started in the first place. Only the most stubborn Spyro fan should even consider picking this up and even then, I implore you to wait until it's on clearance.
  7. Gamer's Hell
    70
    It is entertaining, it is appealing, it is addictive, and it is worthy of your time. In short, it’s solid and accessible fun, and in today’s often-dreary marketplace, that’s no bad thing.
  8. GameZone
    65
    A wholly average game that young kids will enjoy for a short time, but there’s really nothing much here for anyone else.
  9. Next Level Gaming
    72
    The biggest problem with this game is, once again, that it really doesn’t offer anything to set it apart.
  10. Game Over Online
    65
    What do you get when you have a story that's pretty by-the-book, lackluster gameplay, and a gimmick that's really just a smokescreen? I'll give you three guesses, and if the first one isn't "Spyro: Shadow Legacy" you're dead wrong.
  11. Nintendojo
    52
    Shadow Legacy has some potential, but it's unfulfilled by repetitive gameplay and objectives (i.e. fetching items for the people you've just rescued from another dimension).
  12. PALGN
    60
    Whilst we appreciate that the developers have taken some risks with the game, they have ultimately failed.
  13. Gaming Age
    16
    Nearly every aspect of the game is flawed in some way, rendering the final product essentially unplayable.
  14. DailyGame
    40
    A huge yawn-fest, even kids won't enjoy it for long.
  15. G4 TV
    40
    Spyro Shadow Legacy isn’t a terrible game, but it’s painfully repetitive and just plain dull.
  16. Worth Playing
    50
    If you're going to do a bit of genre mixing, reward the player's investment of time and patience by remembering to include the good parts.
  17. GameSpot
    53
    Spryo: Shadow Legacy is a watered-down action role-playing game that isn't challenging or engaging enough to sustain its brief campaign.
  18. Cheat Code Central
    54
    Overall the gameplay is simple and repetitive. So much more could have been done with it - but fix the damn thing first.
  19. Game Chronicles
    51
    Spyro: Shadow Legacy is surely a dark day for the Spyro franchise, but I suppose the good news is that it probably couldn’t get any worse. So if and when our beloved purple hero returns to the DS it can only be a better game.

Awards & Rankings

54
#54 Best DS Game of 2005
36
#36 Most Discussed DS Game of 2005
26
#26 Most Shared DS Game of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 25
  3. Negative: 12 out of 25
  1. GypsyPeach
    Jul 31, 2014
    10
    I have played most spyro games and although this one didn't have the little portals or whatever to go different places, I actually reallyI have played most spyro games and although this one didn't have the little portals or whatever to go different places, I actually really liked it. It had a different feel, the music and environment was engaging, there were even a lot of repeat characters from the older games (some of the elders (eg Thomas, Red), Emerald, Nanny, the fairies, Moneybags (of course--douche), Hunter, Bianca, etc) which made it sort of fun for those who have played the older ones. At the same time you get introduced to new characters as well and even learn a bit more about the older ones. There are the typical quests like fetching things or collecting things, defeating enemies but in addition to your typical arsenal of attacks, you get to further your abilities by learning from the elders... not only breath, jumps, and ram attacks but you get to learn magic to teleport and dragon kata. The bosses are challenging and make you use your new skills and you get to explore basically two worlds in one. It seems to be a game you either like or don't with not much in between but I thought it was a good more connected feeling game than some of the other spyros in the series. Not to mention, Ripto isn't the main boss finally!… Full Review »
  2. Zeph
    Jan 2, 2011
    4
    I love Spyro games.... well, I *used* to love them when Insomniac made them. This version was my first DS game that I played... and with aI love Spyro games.... well, I *used* to love them when Insomniac made them. This version was my first DS game that I played... and with a mix of confusing controls, confusing environments, confusing sense of depth, and a mediocre story, I just couldn't give support for this game... it left me very much confused in the end.… Full Review »
  3. Findingstan_YT
    Dec 3, 2022
    7
    Great game, good graphics for 2005, decent
    Story, good characters, but It's a little boring and a little hard to play/level up so I give it a 7
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