Panzer Dragoon Orta

"Does the new incarnation live up to the legend?"

Well, as you can probably tell by my score, yes, Panzer Dragoon Orta is indeed a worthy successor to the excellent Sega franchise. The PD series has seen many changes in its time, from its humble beginnings as an addictive but short on-rails shooter for the Saturn's debut, to the more refined prequel PD Zwei, and finally to the legendary RPG Panzer Dragoon Saga, which has become the target of RPG enthusiasts and video game collectors everywhere. The creators of the series, Sega's Team Andromeda, made every entry shine with outstanding gameplay, regardless of the genre they happened to inhabit. Unfortunately, Team Andromeda no longer exists, and the series appeared to have died an early death on Sega's venerable Saturn console. However, after several years of waiting, PD fans can now rejoice that Smilebit has taken the reins from the defunct developers and crafted an experience sure to warm the heart of Sega's hardcore fans around the world. Panzer Dragoon has returned to its roots with PD Orta, and the move couldn't have been better for the series.

Graphics:
The graphics in PDO are simply some of the most stunning to ever grace any console. FMVs are incredibly detailed and very realistic. In-game graphics are equally breathtaking; it's hard to take in everything on screen because just so much is there. Your dragon and enemy designs are exquisite, and special attacks, like berserks, fill the screen with a superb display of effects. PDO shows the type of graphical powerhouse the Xbox really is and makes one wonder why other developers cannot take the time to produce this level of quality visuals in their own work.

Score: 10/10

Sound:
The Panzer Dragoon series has always been renowned for having a wonderful soundtrack, and Orta is no exception to this rule. There are some remixed tunes here from the Saturn entries in the series and also some new music. The sound effects are also spot on. The only complaint that I really have about the sound is that it seems to be understated most of the time. I really didn't notice it that much while playing, but when I did, I was impressed by the wonderful music and sounds. Also of note here is the language spoken by the characters during the cutscenes. The language is entirely unique to the Panzer universe, containing elements of several languages, and best of all, it is done by Japanese voice actors. So, there is no horrendous English dubbing present here, which has always been a strong point of the PD franchise.

Score: 9/10

Gameplay:
This could perhaps be considered the most controversial of the areas regarding the new Panzer Dragoon. Most fans really wanted to see a sequel to the innovative RPG Panzer Dragoon Saga. Instead, what we received was an updated rail shooter engine which blows away anything seen in the first two entries in the Panzer universe. Unlike the first two games, you are given a bit more freedom in maneuvering your dragon around the battlefield. However, enemies' attacks are now more difficult to avoid as well. You are given a variety of attacks and techniques to use in the game, and mastering them all is essential to making progress. Your dragon has three different forms: base wing, heavy wing, and glide wing. Base wing should be self-explanatory, heavy wing is more tailored for an offensive attack, and glide wing is for a more defensive approach. All three forms have their advantages and disadvantages, including more or less firepower and more or less maneuverability. Base wing, of course, is the most well-balanced of the three and should be the form most beginners should use. Each of the three forms has a different berserk attack, which builds over time and can be unleashed when you deem it necessary. Basic attacks also include the ability to shoot Orta's gun at enemies or use the dragon's lock-on attack to obliterate several of your assailants at once. The boss battles are a great touch, essentially using Saga's battle system of various zones for your dragon to reside in while you fight the boss and attempt to find its weak point. PDO only has ten levels to it, but there are some secrets to be unlocked here, making for some replayability. Also, you may want to try out different strategies for getting through each level, and some levels have different routes to be explored. Orta is one of those games which is very addictive and worth playing through several times. Most hardcore fans may have preferred another RPG, but an on-rails shooter is the best way to introduce potential new fans to this wonderful universe. Besides, this is a genre which is not explored much in today's video game world, so revisiting it is actually quite nostalgic.

Score: 10/10

Story:
The story of Panzer Dragoon Orta takes place after the events of Panzer Dragoon Saga. You play as Orta, an imprisoned girl who is released by a dragon at the beginning of the game and who joins up with her savior to fight against the empire. I don't want to go into the story much for fear of spoiling it, but it is very good. As a bonus, short summaries of the first three Panzer Dragoon games are included in the instruction booklet, giving newbies the necessary information to get their feet wet in this world. The story is not as fleshed-out as the one in Saga, obviously, but it is an excellent story for a shooter.

Score: 8/10

Replayability:
The fun factor in Orta is off the charts! The game is short enough that taking the time to sit down and play through it again is not that big of a deal. You can always sit down to try out that new boss strategy or explore another route through a level. Also, as a special bonus, the original Panzer Dragoon game is included as an unlockable, giving gamers all the more reason to give PDO some serious playtime in the Xbox.

Score: 10/10

Overall impressions:
The Panzer Dragoon series is simply one of the most criminally-underplayed franchises ever to exist. Only Saturn devotees truly understand the greatness of this series; now, hopefully, more gamers will take the plunge to find out what PD is all about. PDO is easily my second-favorite game in the series, after the outstanding PDS. If this game sells well enough, perhaps we will get that sequel to Saga that fanboys have been demanding for ages. Smilebit has certainly proven it knows how to make a great game in the PD universe. If you are really unsure of this game, give it a rent, but I am almost certain you will be quite satisfied with a purchase here. Despite the visuals which showcase the Xbox's power and the memorable soundtrack, Panzer Dragoon Orta truly proves that gameplay is still king. You won't find many games more fun or well-crafted than this one. Do yourself a favor and grab a copy while you still can.

Overall score (not an average): 10/10

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/20/03, Updated 01/20/03