Wikipedia:Featured article candidates/Spyro: Year of the Dragon

The following is an archived discussion of a featured article nomination. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the article's talk page or in Wikipedia talk:Featured article candidates. No further edits should be made to this page.

The article was promoted 03:07, 30 March 2008.

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Spyro: Year of the Dragon

A bit shorter than some odysseys that are video game articles, but it covers the previews, music, gameplay, and reception fairly well, methinks, better than some of the shorter FA game articles I’ve done in any case. Fire away your comments. --Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 22:22, 25 March 2008 (UTC)

• Note: The audio sample should include the article the fair use rationale is for. It is a bit shorter than your usual, but it looks good with a quick skim, as you usually do it. If I feel it, I'll take a deeper look. bibliomaniac15 Midway upon life's journey... 00:32, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

Bit shorter? Then you haven't seen this one... :P Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 01:36, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

Fixed fair-use for the audio sample. Salavat (talk) 00:48, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

• Comment I can't comment on the shorter FA game articles you speak of, but, there are some things that can be done to improve this article (at least, prior to me going through it properly to decide which way to vote). There are a lot of terms used that should either be explained in the article, or if possible, in separate sub-articles. While I understand them, having played this a long time ago, an average reader may be confused. Rhynocs, "health bar" etc. are some examples. I also don't think it is comprehensive enough - you can give more details about the game. One place to start is the bonus-type areas, where you can skateboard. The skateboard doesn't just miraculously appear out of no where - you have to go through a certain ... To access each level, you have to go through a certain ... To access certain levels, you need to collect ... What are examples of these levels? Ncmvocalist (talk) 06:04, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

I'm not sure how rattling off the names of levels where you can skateboard improves the comprehensiveness of the article in a good fashion. As for 'Rhynocs' and 'heath bar', I've reworded and expanded, but I think if you read the gameplay section it's fairly clear that Sparx functions as a visual representation of your health. --Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 11:36, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

Not for a person who has no experience or knowledge in playing games of this nature. So far, the article is quite vague in a lot of areas. I'll give more thorough review later, although, it may seem more like a criticism if I bring out its weaknesses in too much detail. Will look through it again before I do make such a review. Ncmvocalist (talk) 14:54, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

• Support - Looks good! Short but comprehensive, has images, NPOV, and well written. Judgesurreal777 (talk) 15:51, 27 March 2008 (UTC)
• Support another great work from Fuchs. igordebraga ≠ 18:23, 27 March 2008 (UTC)
• Oppose - Lack of sales data. This is not comprehensive. - hahnchen 23:07, 27 March 2008 (UTC)

Actually, I believe there is some data. Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 11:30, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

Yep, it got fixed less than 20 minutes after my edit. I came across a Gamasutra article on the game regarding copy and crack protection, it seems quite interesting although whether or not you think it's too niche for an encyclopedia is up to you.[1] - hahnchen 14:38, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

Comments:

• "The game was the last Spyro game Insomniac Games would make". Why not use "made" instead of "would make"?
• "Named for the animal of the Chinese zodiac". Surely it should be "named after".
• "after one hundred and fifty". Per MoS, 150 shouldn't be written out in full. Change for similar examples, such as "thirty".
• "The game was eventually followed by". "eventually" is redundant here.
• "third person" should probably be hyphenated.
• "Year of the Dragon is a platformer primarily taking place in the third person, and its gameplay is very similar to its two predecessors." Prose is weak here.
• "These gems are used to pay off other characters". You probably should elaborate upon this as it leaves me none-the-wiser.
• "will cause the player to lose and life". Should have been "lose a life". Please proofread.
• "who has feelings for Hunter." I feel a bit iffy about this but I may be wrong. Any chance of rewording to make it seem less informal?
• "where Spyro and his kind are". Should probably change "kind" to "kin".
• "instead of tacking on more". If he actually said "tacking on", then quote it; if he didn't, then reword.
• Reception should include at least one sentence devoted to music, especially considering the composer. Much more than the passing reference to "rich sound".
• Actually, I'd probably feel more comfortable if the section was expanded in general. The last paragraph's placement in this section is dubious too.
• MobyGames link is questionable to say the least.
• Ref 17's title nees fixing

Okay, I hope this helps. Ashnard _Talk ^Contribs 18:46, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

All fixed except for the reception section. What is your issue with the last paragraph? I can't exactly think of a better place for it. Der Wohltemperierte Fuchs ^(talk) 19:50, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

Development. I just think it doesn't have much to do with the game's Reception. Ashnard _Talk ^Contribs 20:34, 28 March 2008 (UTC)

• Comments
  • Did we ever get a decision on Magic Box as a reliable source? Otherwise everything looks good on the sources.

All other links checked out fine with the tool. Ealdgyth - Talk 18:27, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

No; I'm afraid this discussion didn't go very far. Ashnard _Talk ^Contribs 18:46, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

Support: As my comments have been addressed. Ashnard _Talk ^Contribs 21:00, 29 March 2008 (UTC)

The above discussion is preserved as an archive. Please do not modify it. No further edits should be made to this page.