Panzer Dragoon Saga

aka: Azel Panzer Dragoon RPG
Moby ID: 7436
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Description

Edge is one of the soldiers in the service of the mighty Empire. The Empire has recently ordered some excavations at ancient ruins, trying to discover the secret of an old technology that is much superior to that of present time. During the excavation works, Edge encounters a mysterious young girl. He then witnesses the murder of his captain and other soldiers by Crayden, one of the Empire's officers. Coming into contact with an ancient dragon, Edge begins to roam the world, determined to find Crayden and avenge the death of his comrades. Nobody helps him but his faithful dragon. But the Empire is also after Crayden, so there appear to be at least three sides in the conflict - or are there more?

Panzer Dragoon Saga is set in the same universe as the other Panzer Dragoon games, but differs from the rest of the series by being a role-playing game with elements of a shooter. There is no party in the game: the player only controls Edge on the back of his dragon, who is in fact the playable character in battles. Edge moves around through the game's fully 3D world by riding the dragon. In towns and some dungeons Edge can also move on foot. During battles, the player can either choose to shoot with Edge's gun, or use one of the many special attacks of the dragons.

The battles do not work exactly like in an action game, but occur in real time: the player has to quickly choose an ability to use, and also move around to attack enemies from the sides or from the back, at the same time trying to avoid their attacks. The dragon receives experience points for fighting and also gains levels. The player is able to customize the dragon by assigning to him one of the four available dragon classes, that will determine his attack power, speed, etc.

Spellings

  • アゼル パンツァードラグーンRPG - Japanese spelling

Groups +

Screenshots

Promos

Credits (SEGA Saturn version)

193 People (162 developers, 31 thanks) · View all

Edge (エッジ)
Azel (アゼル)
Craymen (クレイメン)
The Emperor (皇帝)
Gash (ガッシュ)
Paet (パエット)
Arwen (アーウェン)
An'jou (アンユウ)
Viaman (バイマン)
Radgam (ラドガム)
Zadoc (ザドク)
Ladha (ラーダ)
Damon (ダモン)
Jael (ヤエル)
Perez (ベレツ)
Rhagg (ラグ)
Shella (シェラ)
Zastava (ツァスタバ)
Quitor (キトール)
Boaz (ボアズ)
Kou (コウ)
Fei (フェイ)
Raul (ラウル)
Baicah (バイカ)
Jared (ヤレド)
[ full credits ]

Reviews

Critics

Average score: 93% (based on 21 ratings)

Players

Average score: 4.0 out of 5 (based on 50 ratings with 5 reviews)

The End Of The Saga

The Good
Released in 1998, Panzer Dragoon Saga, was to be the final chapter of the series. It was also the last hurrah for the Sega Saturn.

The Panzer Dragoon series, created during the Saturn’s reign. Were “on the rails” shooters. In which a chosen human gets to ride a dragon, and do battle with a corrupt Empire, all set in and interesting and highly detailed post-apocalyptic world. Utilizing the dragon’s laser attacks as well as the human’s gun, you take on all sorts of enemies, not unlike the arcade classic Space Harrier. Each stage ends in a huge boss battle, some ten years before fan boy favorite “Shadow of the Colossus”. The second game Panzer Dragoon Zwei, added RPG like elements such as the dragon being able to level up.

With Panzer Dragoon Saga, or Panzer Dragoon Azel, as it’s known in Japan,(I think the English title is better-MM-) the next step was taken, and it became a full fledged RPG.

In Panzer Dragoon Saga, you assume the role of Edge whom is currently stationed as a guard out in the frontier. Edge wants to join the academy at the Imperial City. As fate would have it Edge has a far greater destiny ahead of him. An Imperial officer, Craymen, has gone rouge. He attacks the installation that Edge is guarding. Killing all of his friends and his mentor. Craymen also makes off with a strange girl found among the ancient rubble at the excavation site.

Edge is found and rescued by a dragon. With his new found power he knows what he must do, he must destroy Craymen and exact his revenge. Yet nothing is what it seems in the world of Panzer Dragoon.

The story of Panzer Dragoon Saga, is filled with lots of twists and turns, and new revelations that always manage to keep things interesting. The game also manages to tie in the previous games into the overall story arc. From finding a journal detailing the events of Panzer Dragoon Zwei, to exploring some of the same areas. And finding the ruins of the first empire encounter in Panzer Dragoon.(Who says that it is better when an RPG franchise uses a new universe each installment?-MM-)

There are two ways to explore in Panzer Dragoon Saga. When on your dragon you are free to fly around the areas in 360 degrees. No more rail restrictions. Dragon control is very fluid, either with the standard Saturn controller or the 3D controller. You also do battle on your dragon more on that later. You also get to explore on foot. In which you visit towns, talk to NPCS, find items, etc. You can also investigate just about everything around you picking up tidbits here and there about the fascinating world of Panzer Dragoon.

Combat is done while riding your dragon. There is no on foot combat, as interesting as that would have been. In battle you can shoot Edge’s gun, fire lasers from the dragon, or try to get a better position on your enemies thus gaining a tactical advantage. Just as you could in the previous games. The berserk system has changed the most. In previous games you had to wait for you bar to fill before you could unleash your attack. And there was only one berserk available. In PDS, you have BP or battle points that can be used for the special attacks. And there are many available. Some earned by leveling up, others must be earned doing quests. Or in one case by being nice to your dragon, thus bonding with it. You will want every berserk you can get a hold of, as they will be very useful during boss fights or if you happen to get surrounded by tough monsters.

As in Panzer Dragoon Zwei, you can also change dragon forms. In PDS you can do this when ever you need to. You also get your dragon form upgraded every few level ups.

Some forms will give you an advantage in combat. Making fights somewhat strategic. Furthermore some enemies are immune to certain effects like shots from Edge’s gun this also adds some strategy.

PDS is not a very long game, only about 20-25 hours. But I find this preferable to RPGS that take 80 hours and upwards as the shorter RPGS have more replay value. Some callous reviewers have said that PDS is to easy. My question is what genre have they been playing? As very few JRPGS are difficult. Furthermore, I have played countless RPGS and had a spot of trouble with some of the later bosses in PDS, so I am thinking that this individual did not even finish PDS. Probably some fan boy loser…but I digress.

The graphics in Panzer Dragon Saga are very good. Everyone always says that the Saturn could not do 3D, yet take one look at this game and tell me that again. This game looks better than most Playstation 3D games! The only real weakness in the draw distance, not uncommon in the 32 bit era.

The voice acting is good in PDS. The only downside is that it is only in Panzerese and then changes to Japanese. Showing just how much depth Sega put into the Panzer Dragoon world, they even created a langue for the game, not unlike city speak in Bladerunner, Panzerese, is a mix of German, Portuguese, Chinese, and so forth. After the opening the game switches to Japanese, if Sega would not spend the cash for English voices, than I wish that they would have kept it entirely in Panzerese, as it helps create the illusion of an otherworldly place.

As I have come to expect from the Panzer Dragoon series the music is great. Simply is one of best scores every done from and RPG. No clichéd RPG themes here. Just beautifully composed music. And the battle theme does not get annoying like in many RPGS.

The Bad
I don’t now if this a valid complaint, but the fact that Sega no longer makes these games really pisses me off. There is so much they could do, like set a game in the heart of the empire. Or a game that takes place before the apocalypse.

How did this game franchise not sell the Saturn? Yet claptrap like Resident Evil sold the Playstation, it makes no sense.

Back to the game, my main complaint has to be that the game is not done fully in Panzerese.

The Bottom Line
Overall, Panzer Dragoon Saga is one of my favorite JRPGS. Even if it is not a “real” RPG, whatever that means. And it is a fine ending to the franchise, with Panzer Dragoon Orta as a epilogue of sorts. Panzer Dragoon Saga has everything that JRPGS fans claim that they are looking for in the genre. It also was a fitting end for the Saturn as it ended with a bang, just as it started.

SEGA Saturn · by MasterMegid (723) · 2008

A wonderfully crafted and beautiful tapestry

The Good
Panzer Dragoon Saga is my favorite video game of all time and will likely remain so. This ultra rare game from the Sega Saturn was released in limited numbers so only a few people got a chance to experience its majesty, but it may very well be the single greatest game of all time. Panzer Dragoon Saga was released only a short time after the ever popular Final Fantasy VII, but in my opinion, Panzer Dragoon Saga utterly demolishes that game. Where Final Fantasy VII was mechanical, Panzer Dragoon Saga was vibrant, featuring beautiful imagery and otherworldly themes. Where Final Fantasy VII's animation and movies looked like puppetry, Panzer Dragoon Saga featured fluid characters with brilliant voice acting. Both games are dramatic. However the drama in Panzer Dragoon Saga really shines forth. The story is deep yet easy to comprehend. Edge is a vastly more interesting main character than Cloud of Final Fantasy VII. Edge is undoubtedly the hero of the game and a good guy, yet he's also not perfect. At first he is motivated by revenge but then finds a quest far bigger than his personal needs. He also suffers torture, emotional anguish, and many internal conflicts. In essence, he is a flawed, fleshed out character. He has become real to me where many other RPG heroes struggle to achieve the same effect and wind up looking like a mass of bad dialogue and terrible cliches. Many of the other characters in this game are also just as fleshed out, even the main villain, who blurs the line between noble and evil. Even the background characters you meet seem like real people and not just random, recycled polygon models.



The battle system is another element that makes this game so great. Personally I find it to be far more refreshing than most RPGs' "press button and wait" battle systems. Panzer Dragoon Saga blends the classic dragon flying and blasting of the first two shooters with RPG elements and an improved version of Final Fantasy VII's time bar system. Like Final Fantasy VII, you have to wait for a charge bar to fill up before you can take action. This time around, though, you have three bars and can achieve a variety of effects depending on how many bars you fill up. However the real meat of Panzer Dragoon Saga is in its revolutionary positional system. You can choose to maneuver your dragon to one of four points around the enemy at any time you wish, giving this game a strategic element most RPGs don't possess. The field is always changing, so maneuvering is a must. The trade-off for changing positions is that your charge bar stops filling until your dragon is back in place. Another side of the battle system I like is the ability to customize your dragon. You can morph your dragon to change its stats to suit your need and watch as it changes shape in real time to one of hundreds of different shapes.



Even though the first two games were shooters, they've always been about awesome, otherworldly vistas and artistry and themes about war, biotechnological terrors, and mysterious, sometime ominous histories. It was only natural that the series progressed into an RPG format, as it is in this genre where the universe really shines. The innovative battle system and brilliant writing are only merely pieces of a much larger tapestry. Describing the whole experience is nearly impossible. No game is perfect, however, and if there are flaws, it's that the game is literally the shortest and easiest RPG I've ever played. The battles are breathtaking and challenging, to be sure, but are hardly ever deadly enough to kill you. And most players will probably finish this game within the space of twenty four hours, even when finding all the secrets. There are also precious few random battles, the curse and the core of most RPGs. However, these are small nitpicks when the overall game is this sweeping, epic, and beautiful. Personally I found the brisk pace of the game made it easier to concentrate on a story that was just the right length. It wouldn't be a stretch to say that Panzer Dragoon Saga may very well be the Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings of video games.

The Bad
Panzer Dragoon is literally too short and too easy for this generation's RPG players. I found this aspect made it easier to be sucked into the story, but others might prefer a game with drawn out battles and oodles of mini-games, weapons, and items.

The Bottom Line
A loving swan song to fans of the series and the perfect way to flesh out what was already a vibrant and engaging universe. In my opinion, it's the greatest videogame creation of all time.

SEGA Saturn · by Mario Rodgers (4) · 2007

Amazing and a unique expericence.

The Good
The RPG game stands out from the rest because of how they delivered every single aspect of the game. It feels very well thought of. The story alone, is very interesting and mature. Imagine that the developers even made a new language for the game even though it is rarely used.

Visually, its beautiful every where you look. The graphics looks smooth and eye-candy is everywhere. Though it is not as impressive as looking at the original Panzer Dragoon for the fast paced graphics, but the over all look is amazing. What strikes me is that when the console RPG style of the game comes in, it has a unique way of representation that I have not seen anywhere. Most console-RPG games are turn based and everything seems like its standing still, but here you are moving all the time. It is still turn-based but it is great to look at because it keeps the game alive and on the move.

The music is very fresh to listen to. The new age style is so unique to the ears that you'd want to listen to it over and over again. It is very fitting the the new world that your playing and it gives a sense of touch to it. The voice acting is great, even though I don't understand Japanese, you can feel their emotions through their voices. I can't expect more than that.

The game itself is very similar to other console-RPG games but in the game you feel more free, since you can fly almost anywhere. Flying feels so fast and exciting. It feels more graceful than previous Panzer Dragoon games because those games were action games than anything. What is unique in this game is that when in combat mode, it is important to consider your position which is either, front, left, right or behind your opponent. This really matters because of the strength of damages which can affect any opponent even you. Also at some point in the game you can change your dragon to some specific attributes like more magic, strenght or defense. This affects his way of attack.

This is a unique game, which is fun and exciting all the way. The story is great and straight forward and no side stories that distract you from the main concept. This game is an experience by itself.

The Bad
I wish it had a longer gameplay. For 40+ hours of gaming it seems very short.

The Bottom Line
This game is unique RPG experience. If you like console-RPG games, this one is one game that you can't miss out.

SEGA Saturn · by Dwin1118 (33) · 2002

[ View all 5 player reviews ]

Trivia

1001 Video Games

Panzer Dragoon Saga appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Rarity

The US and PAL releases of Panzer Dragoon Saga were almost canceled by Sega, since in 1998 Saturn was already near extinction outside of Japan. At the last moment, the game was translated and released in US and for PAL countries, but only a few thousands copies were produced. As a result, Panzer Dragoon Saga became one of the rarest and most expensive console RPGs in history: it is hard to find a used non-Japanese copy of this game for less than $100..

Saved game file

It is possible to start the game from a saved game file from Panzer Dragoon Zwei. You will then be able to find some rare items and have access to extra conversations in the game.

Voice overs

The game has full voice-overs for dialogues. The spoken language is Japanese in all versions of the game, but the intro and the ending sequences are spoken in a Panzer Dragoon fictional language.

Awards

  • EGM
    • February.2006(Issue #200) - named #80 out of 200 of the "Greatest Games of Their Time"
  • Game Informer Magazine
    • August 2001 (Issue #100) - voted #78 in the Top 100 Games of All Time poll

Information also contributed by Big John WV and PCGamer77

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Identifiers +

  • MobyGames ID: 7436
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Contributors to this Entry

Game added by Dwin1118.

Additional contributors: Unicorn Lynx, Kohler 86, FatherJack.

Game added October 11, 2002. Last modified February 14, 2024.