Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

Where to Play

Screenwise Verdict

Spyro Reignited Trilogy is that rare thing: a remaster that actually justifies itself. The original PS1 games were beloved for good reason—colorful, fun, and refreshingly non-violent (for a game about a dragon who literally breathes fire). This 2018 version makes them gorgeous without messing with the core formula.

From a parent perspective, this is a dream: no microtransactions, no online weirdness, no chat, no ads. Just a complete game. Your kid plays, collects gems, rescues dragons, and that's it. The tone is upbeat and helpful—Spyro's a good-natured hero, not a snarky antihero.

The catch? It's a 20-year-old game design in a shiny new wrapper. Kids raised on Minecraft, Fortnite, or Breath of the Wild might find the linear, collect-every-gem structure a bit rigid or grindy. Some will love the clear goals and satisfying completion; others will bounce off it as 'boring.' The platforming can also be finicky—expect some 'I FELL AGAIN' frustration.

But if your kid likes platformers, exploration, or just needs a break from the chaos of live-service games, this is a solid, wholesome pick. It's not going to change their life, but it's good, clean fun with actual endpoints. And honestly, that's worth a lot these days.

Age Fit

Best for ages 6–14. Younger kids (6–8) can handle the gameplay with some help on tricky jumps; older kids (9–14) will enjoy the challenge and completion goals. Teens may find it too simple or nostalgic unless they're platformer fans.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

88

Classic 3D platformer with a cheerful purple dragon hero who helps friends and saves worlds. Cartoon violence is slapstick (flame breath, charging enemies who poof into gems). Tone is upbeat, colorful, and cooperative—Spyro helps dragons, rescues eggs, and works with quirky sidekicks. Pacing is balanced with exploration and light combat. No mean-spirited content or toxic behavior modeled.

Imaginative

82

Vibrant, fantastical worlds across three games—Dragon Realms, Avalar, and the Forgotten Worlds—each with distinct themes (castles, beaches, haunted towers, mechanical cities). Encourages exploration to find hidden gems, secret areas, and collectibles. Light puzzle-solving and platforming challenges invite spatial reasoning. The remaster's stunning visuals breathe new life into classic designs, making exploration genuinely delightful. Not a creativity sandbox, but strong environmental variety and discovery loops.

Safe

92

Single-player experience with no online chat, no in-game purchases, no loot boxes, and no social features. Cartoon violence is extremely mild—enemies disappear in puffs when defeated. No blood, gore, scary imagery, or inappropriate content. The remaster preserves the all-ages spirit of the originals. Users interact (likely leaderboards or sharing), but this poses minimal risk. No compulsive loops or manipulative design—just classic collect-a-thon gameplay with clear endpoints.

Enriching

74

Solid skill-building in hand-eye coordination, spatial navigation, timing, and problem-solving (finding hidden paths, completing challenges). The collect-a-thon structure teaches thoroughness and attention to detail. Story themes include helping others, perseverance, and courage, though narratives are light and straightforward. Entertainment value is high—the remaster is gorgeous and fun—but deeper cognitive or ethical growth is limited. More about mastering mechanics and enjoying colorful worlds than meaningful takeaways.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Zero predatory design: No microtransactions, no ads, no chat, no battle passes—just a complete game you buy once and play.
Stunning visuals breathe life into nostalgia: The remaster is genuinely beautiful, making 20-year-old level design feel fresh and inviting for modern kids.
Teaches spatial reasoning and thoroughness: Finding hidden gems, secret areas, and completing challenges builds attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
Wholesome hero: Spyro is plucky, helpful, and brave—he rescues friends, helps strangers, and never acts like a jerk.
Three full games: Tons of content across varied worlds (castles, beaches, haunted towers, mechanical cities) keeps things interesting.

⚠

What to Watch For

Mild cartoon violence: Spyro flame-broils enemies (sheep, gnorcs, robots) who disappear in puffs. It's slapstick, but he does torch things.
Collect-a-thon structure may feel grindy: Kids used to open-world freedom might find the 'find every gem and dragon' loop repetitive.
Some platforming frustration: Timed jumps and tricky camera angles can lead to falls and restarts—patience required.
Nostalgia factor: Parents may love it more than kids; some younger players might find it 'old-fashioned' compared to Fortnite or Roblox.

Conversation Starters

"Which world in Spyro is your favorite so far? What makes it cool?"
"Spyro helps a lot of dragons and characters—who do you think needs the most help and why?"
"What's the trickiest jump or level you've done? How'd you figure it out?"
"If you could design a new world for Spyro to explore, what would it look like?"
"Do you think it's fair that Spyro uses fire on enemies, or should he find another way to stop them?"

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