Panzer Dragoon Orta Review

Panzer Dragoon, the series, has always found a way to successfully combine superior graphics, skill-based gameplay, and a spectacularly epic storyline into one game. And now with the arrival of Sega’s Panzer Dragoon Orta, the fourth in the series and the first to release on a non-Sega console, it’s difficult to believe that such a seemingly simplistic on-rails shooter could be so deeply involving.

Visually, the game puts Xbox through its paces with impressively detailed worlds with massive horizons and beautifully designed creatures, environments, and character models. Everything is amazing. From the bizarre creatures that hang from vines in the forest level to the gigantic gold statue to the furry, it’s amazing to see this kind of work put ino a game.

The sweeping orchestral arrangements of the previous Panzers makes a return to welcome fans back. While garbled, Panzer language is still intact as well. Explosions echo as you soar through the sky blasting your way through the level and lasers hiss as you as they fly by. All this add to a pure realistic feeling.

Panzer Dragoon is so smooth, so flawless, it’s simply a wonder. The game handles well with only minor glitches that barely come to mind. Piloting your dragon can be a pain sometimes, but other than that, changing dragons and areal combat is a snap. Boss battles are fun and challenging for all people young and old. the key word here though is fun. Not only is the game on the whole challenging, but it is more addicting than any game you could think of. From the Mario’s, Halo’s, GTA’s, Metriod’s, nothing could be more addicting.

Panzer Dragoon is a different type of shooter which isn’t really classified as a true shooter. It is more of an adventurous, action, flight game. But this game has the elements of a shooter that makes it jump out awy from all other shooters. Simply something different is what the public is looking for in a game and that is what will make it sell.

Panzer Dragoon only has 20 levels but they are huge. They keep a player interested for a long while. After you beat the game though, you can unlock an older version of the Panzer series, Legends of Dragoon. Be prepared for some old school graphics as this game was from the Sega Saturn days. But don’t worry, you will still see the same solid gameplay that Panzer Dragoon has. All and all, Panzer Dragoon is a great overall game and is HIGHLY reccomended for all Xbox gamers.