angryponcho plays Spyro 3: Year of the Dragon - Part 35 of 41

We go from tombs to ruins and get another late '90s reference. How many more of these does the game even have?

Haunted Tombs

Be very careful as you go down the slide for the Dragon Egg at the end, as moving around can feel a bit slippery.

Also, the Skill Points list is better this time around.

Desert Ruins

The fodder here are the same lizards from the Midnight Mountain overworld.

Gus's girlfriend Tara has gone missing after raiding the tomb here, and he wants you to find her.

Some of the circular platforms are situated around a pool of lava, and when you stand on them, they sink. You can let them lower to make leaping to the edge of the other side a tad easier, but don't take too long.

Tackle or flame the scorpions, but watch out for their sting attack as they also shoot a projectile when they perform it! The bigger ones have a fire attack of their own.

The statues on the metal platforms will heat the platforms up, turning them a heated red. If you stand on them while they're red, you'll take damage from the intense heat. 

In the middle of the level, after the three sinking platforms with the scorpions, there is a crack in the wall. Ram it and you'll find the key. You'll also be close to the beginning of the stage again, and the locked chest will be nearby.

When you make it to the end, you'll find out that Tara is doing a good job taking care of herself, and you'll also find out she's a reference to Lara Croft from Tomb Raider.

Challenge Portals

Desert Ruins

Shortly after the part with the statue flaming the metal ladders, there will be a hole. Inside is a Challenge Portal.

You'll meet Hunter, and he'll not only let your ride his pet manta ray, he'll also let you test out the missile launcher docked onto it. Press Circle to fire the missiles and press and hold X if you want to move faster...and boy, will you move faster. If you get hit by the shark-riding Rhynocs' homing missiles, you'll have to start over.

Skill Points

Haunted Tombs

If you swim into the stream just after the beginning of the level and enter the dark alcove, you'll get a skill point and an extra life that's all too easy to miss.

Desert Ruins

Once you beat the Challenge Portal objective, you can freely ride the manta ray. Use the missiles to destroy all the seaweed in the underwater area to receive another skill point and an extra life.