Panzer Dragoon

"The introduction to the greatest series ever (need I say more?)"

Romantic is word that is often misinterpreted. Hearing it, we almost always identify it with love or the opposite sex. I think that's limiting and unfair to the word, because its definition is that of true vision. It is anything that can expand the mind, but cannot exist in realistic terms. Unattainable beauty would be the appropriate phrase.

I bring this up because Panzer Dragoon is the most romantic game I've ever played.

Its look was all its own. You can almost always spot the visual influence for a game, but Panzer Dragoon borrowed from none. Here was a world that was truly alien. The organic coexisted with the mechanical--machines looked like they had parents instead of inventors. And your dragon... where do I begin? This was not mystical creature that held the prophecies of forgotten pasts, nor a viscous animal made of fire and brimstone (as represented by every other dragon in every other game). This was a weapon of death. A manmade tool, but with an intelligence behind its eyes. It was an actual character, not just a background.

To be honest, I was a little hesitant with this game at first because I do not like shooters. Anything that moves on predetermined rails and throws objects towards you at random doesn’t much appeal to me. But Panzer Dragoon had a simple solution: The predetermined rails were the most lush and beautiful environments ever, and the objects were some of the most creative and sinister enemies imagined. Plus, the fact that you moved into the background (instead of alongside as with most shooters) allowed you to embrace the genius of the world like nothing else.

Now, let's break it down:

Graphics: 10/10

Read the above paragraphs. Panzer Dragoon is second to none... and I don't just mean with video games.

Sound: 10/10

The soundtrack carries you with as much grace and beauty as the dragon does its rider. Also, it helped immeasurably that you didn't need to buy the soundtrack: Simply stick the game itself into any CD player and there it was, ready to appease your ears. A perfect feature, before the woeful days of ''this disk is for use with the Sega Saturn only''.

Gameplay: 9/10

As I've mentioned, I do not like shooters. But, how cynical would one have to be to resist a shooting gallery of this magnitude? And this game is TOUGH. It can be beaten in one sitting, but it will take countless sittings before you can achieve that. Much appreciated.

Story: 10/10

I remember the 10 minute introduction to Panzer Dragoon word-for-word (in English and its own language). There was nothing like it at the time, and no other FMV sequence in the history of the industry has had such an effect on me. I also liked the fact that the game didn't answer questions. Why did you have to reach the tower before the Dark Dragon? It didn't matter. You had an objective and you saw it through. It didn't downplay to explain every little objective for all ages to understand.

Replayability: 8/10

When a game is not so much a game, but an experience, then it can be played without loss of interest. Panzer Dragoon knew this in every fiber of its being. In the end, I only wanted more (which is why sequels were invented).

Conclusion: 10/10

Panzer Dragoon was like nothing else. Though it was a tired genre in its mechanics, in its heart it was one of the most stunning and gorgeously realized games to date. It alone warrants the purchase of a Saturn, and you are seriously missing out if one is not sitting in front of your television. It has inspired or reinvented just about every idea in the medium we know as video gaming.

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 08/05/01, Updated 08/05/01