Spyro Reignited Trilogy PS4 PlayStation 4 1

Activision may draw the ire of gaming enthusiasts for its annual Call of Duty flagging and insidious Destiny expansion packs, but by the grace of Mark Cerny does Bobby Kotick and his boardroom know exactly what they’re doing. Enter the oft-requested Spyro Reignited Trilogy, three vibrant recreations of Insomniac Games’ legendary PSone platformers.

We got to play a trio of short stages, but we’re getting older and have to admit that we don’t remember any of them from the originals. Look, it’s been 20 years, alright? The good news is that every level looked and played great, with Toys for Bob replicating Vicarious Visions’ outstanding work on the Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

Visually this is a mesmerizing package, with outstandingly detailed character models given modern animation routines that wouldn’t look far out of place on the silver screen. Spyro himself feels extremely responsive on the DualShock 4, but it’s the little details that stick out, as his nose flares and grass burns when he snorts infernos from his nostrils.

Spyro Reignited Trilogy PS4 PlayStation 4 2

Despite the lick of paint, the platforming’s old school at heart; the developer’s trying to authentically replicate titles from 1998, so you shouldn’t really expect anything else. But playing through there’s a simplicity to it all that’s seldom seen in an age of open worlds and loot boxes – this, after all, is a package that will almost certainly appeal to both the young and old.

Are you looking forward to some old-fashioned platforming fun in the Spyro Reignited Trilogy? Will you be introducing the games to an entirely new generation? Double jump into the comments section below.