Poll of the Day > Panzer Dragoon Looooove!

(+) Yeah! (+)

Ah, what a damn good series.

I remember way back in 1996 (or was it 1995?) my parents randomly got a Sega Saturn for Christmas. No idea why. My brother and I didn't even know what it was. We were only playing Super Nintendo up to that point. We never asked for it. We didn't even know what games were out for it. But they got Panzer Dragoon, Virtual Cop, Virtual Fighter, Sonic 3D Blast, and some random racing games I think. And NiGHTS, with the weird big fat special controller.

But Panzer Dragoon changed my gaming life.

The intro cinema blew my mind. It was my first legit 3D game. It kinda freaked my brain out and took a while to get the hang of. I died a lot. But eventually got the hang of it. I loved the post apocalyptic ruined quiet mysterious world. I loved the music. I loved the bio-mechanical monsters. It was unlike anything I had ever seen, and the amount of art direction was astounding. It was truly its own world.

And then I got Zwei, and loved it even more.

Then I went on eBay and ended up spending $115 for Saga, which blew me away even harder.

And then Orta came out years later, and it was literally the ONLY reason I bought an Xbox....and Orta was the best game I had ever played.

Those games were just the best. So beautiful. All those homing lasers, beautiful music, crazy world, crazy monsters, riding a dragon. Like a dream. God damn.

I heard they made some crappy "Crimson Dragon" a while back. I watched some videos of it on YouTube, but it was a total joke of a game. Looked like crap. I don't know what happened or what they were thinking. But it was definitely no Panzer Dragoon.

I wish they'd bring the series back. It was really onto something.

A direct sequel to Saga would be cool. There's nothing wrong with rail shooters. With modern tech they could probably make an absolutely insane Panzer Dragoon game. And I can't imagine how anyone would try to argue that the formula is "dated" when games like Celeste can get rave reviews.
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*Virtua
OT: Between Crimson Dragon (Xbox One) and Crimson Dragon: Side Story (Windows Phone), the mobile game is vastly superior. A 2D SHMUP that's somehow more reminiscent of the old Panzer Dragoon style than the 3D shooter.
As bad as CC was, I still supported it because I want to see more games like it. The dev team was rumored to have said that they'd do a PDS style RPG if CC were successful enough. Sadly that wasn't the case.
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I waited for Panzer Dragoon Orta in part because after seeing how good Ninja Gaiden looked, I figured they could follow suit. I liked the music and the specific level designs. While they devoted cutscene time for the story I wish that Sega had pushed more for the series.
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Sega needs to release a Panzer Dragoon Collection. I'd be happy with a digital release but I'd pay lots of money for a premium special edition physical release. Also, please be available on the Switch.
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I played the original and Saga... To this day, Panzer Dragoon Saga remains one of the most unique rpg experiences I've ever had. I bought up five copies of the game (four of which I found traveling in small town game shops, unopened) and sold two of them for around fourteen hundred each... Sadly, the game is almost forgotten these days. I was surprised to see the Poll of the Day mention that game.
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Panzer Dragoon Saga kicked my ass. I remember skipping school and playing through it, again, all in one day. Finding the secrets later on was a real treat. The battle system was so unique, the story was just fine, and the music was exceptional. It's a damn shame that it gets such little recognition.
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I spent $500 to get a copy of PDS (I think).

Not a bad game, actually. I like the positional battle system (keeps engagement high). Haven't played it but once, though.

I also have Orta, so that only leaves getting II and I'll have a complete series.
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i would like a remake of panzar dragoon saga.

i hope panzar dragoon orta comes to xbox one. it has part 1 and 2 in the game too.
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wasn't there a panzer dragon on the dreamcast?

The results of today's poll disappoint me immensely

It's sad how many people have missed out on playing such a fantastic RPG

I've had my copy since launch day and i was lucky enough to pick up a second copy a few years ago, I also picked up a Japanese copy (Which isn't worth nearly as much) because it came with an 2 disk Soundtrack.... i even still have the Demo disk that came with Sega Saturn Magazine (Here in the UK) that is actually the entire first disk of PDS
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Part zwei was never in Orta, just the PC port of the original. Also having a save file from 2 gives you more loot when you start a new game in Saga.
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I will never forget turning on Panzer Dragoon for the first time...

Hearing those trumpets - actual trumpets - left my jaw gaping. Up until then, I had only heard music from standard 16 bit consoles, i.e. chiptunes.

Then came the CGI intro. My mind was barely keeping together.

And then that first level.

That art direction, from famed Jean "Moebius" Giraud, the visionary behind TRON.

That difficulty.

That dystopian nightmare world.

Soaring through impossibly narrow alleys while being chased by the dark dragon in the village sitting atop polluted green water.

That reveal at the final confrontation, that horrific scream before being knocked down into the ocean below while fighting above the Tower.

Those ending credits, showcasing actual oil paintings of the characters and the world.

There is nothing else like Panzer Dragoon in the gaming world.

I own all five of them - Panzer, Zwei, Azel (Saga), Orta, and Crimson Dragon. I'm including Crimson Dragon in the list as Yukio Futatsugi, the creator of the original PD, was the director while Saori Kobayashi, co-composer for both Azel and Orta, scored the soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQIVut1t6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhAAYJNQZ_k - still one of the greatest songs of all video games ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Ul_Vmmlxs - and another

crazycyrax posted...

Part zwei was never in Orta, just the PC port of the original. Also having a save file from 2 gives you more loot when you start a new game in Saga.

Bah, wish I knew that.

Oh well.
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drewgon posted...

I will never forget turning on Panzer Dragoon for the first time...

Hearing those trumpets - actual trumpets - left my jaw gaping. Up until then, I had only heard music from standard 16 bit consoles, i.e. chiptunes.

Then came the CGI intro. My mind was barely keeping together.

And then that first level.

That art direction, from famed Jean "Moebius" Giraud, the visionary behind TRON.

That difficulty.

That dystopian nightmare world.

Soaring through impossibly narrow alleys while being chased by the dark dragon in the village sitting atop polluted green water.

That reveal at the final confrontation, that horrific scream before being knocked down into the ocean below while fighting above the Tower.

Those ending credits, showcasing actual oil paintings of the characters and the world.

There is nothing else like Panzer Dragoon in the gaming world.

I own all five of them - Panzer, Zwei, Azel (Saga), Orta, and Crimson Dragon. I'm including Crimson Dragon in the list as Yukio Futatsugi, the creator of the original PD, was the director while Saori Kobayashi, co-composer for both Azel and Orta, scored the soundtrack.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thQIVut1t6s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhAAYJNQZ_k - still one of the greatest songs of all video games ever.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8Ul_Vmmlxs - and another

Do you have Side Story? A 2D touch screen SHMUP that's superior to its 3D counterpart IMO.
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I heard about Side Story - unfortunately, I never owned a Windows phone, though it's tempting to get one now.

crazycyrax posted...

Do you have Side Story? A 2D touch screen SHMUP that's superior to its 3D counterpart IMO.

UPDATE: Just watched a video of CD:SS - I'm sold. Thanks for letting me know!

I bought a Saturn with pzd1 last year and enjoyed it. Congrats to those lucky enough to play saga.
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Rihochan posted...

I was surprised to see the Poll of the Day mention that game.

That's because the 20th anniversary is coming up.

I always really liked the Original, Zwei, and Orta, but Saga was something special. Probably the best reason to own a Saturn. It is a shame that there are so few English copies.

Its like 500 for a NTSC or Pal copy, and 30 bucks for the NTSCJ

Yup. Still own it. Whenever I play through it, EVERY other game goes on the back-burner. PDS doesn't get interrupted for ANYTHING when I play through it. I still have my 100% save file. "You are worthy to live among the gods."
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I made a post about this on my Instagram account earlier today :)

https://www.instagram.com/p/Beio3tFn7Ct/?taken-by=giga__force
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One of the great underappreciated series. ... So of course Sega loses the source code for Saga. *long-suffering sigh* Been chasing that game on E-Bay for almost two decades. A downloadable rerelease would have been a perfect solution.
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I remember rolling the demo Saturn display off the truck when I was working at Toys R Us. The first demo game was either Virtua Fighter 2 or Panzer Dragoon. I played the heck out of PD during lunches and breaks. I think I might have actually beaten PD just on breaks (working weekdays, there were very few customers (mostly moms shopping for baby stuff), so I would pause it and be able to resume on my next break), which would be why it wasn't the first game I bought when I bought my system. It was the main reason I bought my Saturn. I also beat VF2 during breaks.

I saw PD2 previewed on a video game review TV show, and after playing it on another TRU store's demo Saturn, it was an instant buy.

A friend told me about the upcoming PDS, so I had my store put aside a copy for me when we got them in, so I was able to get a copy the retail price of $50. I recently replayed all three games, and some of the luster did come off PDS, but it's still my favorite RPG to come out of Japan.

Those three games are enough for me to call the Saturn my favorite system. I bought my Xbox for PDOrta, but it was a disappointment since one of the things I came to expect was some additions to gameplay that improved on the prior entries (I have not played PDMini), and Orta just doesn't have any.

I also really like the music and was fortunate to find the PD2 OST about a decade ago. I had imported the Azel Memorial Album and Orta OST around when they were released, and PD1's music can be played straight from the game disc, so no need to buy its OST.
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Blaqthourne posted...

I remember rolling the demo Saturn display off the truck when I was working at Toys R Us. The first demo game was either Virtua Fighter 2 or Panzer Dragoon. I played the heck out of PD during lunches and breaks. I think I might have actually beaten PD just on breaks (working weekdays, there were very few customers (mostly moms shopping for baby stuff), so I would pause it and be able to resume on my next break), which would be why it wasn't the first game I bought when I bought my system. It was the main reason I bought my Saturn. I also beat VF2 during breaks.

I saw PD2 previewed on a video game review TV show, and after playing it on another TRU store's demo Saturn, it was an instant buy.

A friend told me about the upcoming PDS, so I had my store put aside a copy for me when we got them in, so I was able to get a copy the retail price of $50. I recently replayed all three games, and some of the luster did come off PDS, but it's still my favorite RPG to come out of Japan.

Those three games are enough for me to call the Saturn my favorite system. I bought my Xbox for PDOrta, but it was a disappointment since one of the things I came to expect was some additions to gameplay that improved on the prior entries (I have not played PDMini), and Orta just doesn't have any.

I also really like the music and was fortunate to find the PD2 OST about a decade ago. I had imported the Azel Memorial Album and Orta OST around when they were released, and PD1's music can be played straight from the game disc, so no need to buy its OST.

There's actually a reason to buy PD1's OST. The opening CGI cinematic isn't available on the game's redbook CD tracks. And there's more to the title theme than what you hear in the game. Plus bonus tracks.
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