After years of anticipation, Spyro is finally returning with Spyro: A Realm Beyond next year. However, despite serving as the dragon’s first brand-new adventure in years, the game won’t carry the Spyro 4 title and developer Toys for Bob has explained why.
Speaking with Kinda Funny, associate creative director Lou Studdert said the decision was made to ensure the game feels like an accessible starting point for both newcomers and long-time fans.
According to Studdert, while Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time was designed as a direct continuation of the original trilogy, Spyro: A Realm Beyond takes a different approach.
“For Spyro, we wanted to make sure that with a number four, that comes the expectations of, ‘Hey, you may want to know these original games,’” Studdert explained. “Given the gap of time between new games, we wanted to make sure this was a welcoming entry point a place that anyone could start.”
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He added that while longtime fans can expect references and callbacks to the original trilogy, the goal was to create an experience that requires “no homework.”
The naming decision also reflects the game’s new direction. Unlike previous entries, Spyro: A Realm Beyond introduces a more open style of gameplay, including the ability to fly freely at almost any time, marking one of the biggest gameplay changes in the franchise’s history.
While it may not bear the Spyro 4 name, Toys for Bob says A Realm Beyond is intended to be both a celebration of the series’ legacy and a fresh beginning for a new generation of players.
