Gaming Target - Xbox: Panzer Dragoon Orta

Written by Ryan Smotherman on June 12, 2002

First Impressions: Microsoft is quickly learning the definition of УSega LoveФ.

Sega's Panzer Dragoon series is one of those rare sets of games that really could have, but didn't receive enough exposure, to become a huge franchise such as the Marios and Final Fantasies of the gaming world. And we all should know why -- they all appeared on Sega's ill-fated Saturn, a system that was littered with so many problems that it was only enjoyed by a very small percentage of gamers. But each title in the series is a classic in every definition of the word, and those who got a chance to play the games know that they are some of the best shooters, and in Panzer Dragoon Saga's case, RPGs, ever created. The titles combined the best of artistic creativity, an immersive audio presentation, and fabulous gameplay into amazing gaming experiences. For those who have never played the games (and there's a lot of you), and to an even more extreme extent Ц have never even heard of Panzer Dragoon Ц you can check out an article I wrote back a year ago for the site entitled The Panzer Dragoon Saga. Now, fast forwarding to today, the Panzer Dragoon series finally seems to be getting the exposure it definitely deserves, and it's coming in the form of one of the Xbox's most anticipated games Ц Panzer Dragoon Orta.

The original creators of the first three Panzer Dragoons, Team Andromeda, disbanded in late 1998, so unfortunately they aren't around to create the latest, and possibly greatest, Panzer title. However, you'll be happy to know that the series is in very good hands. Sega has assigned the franchise over to one of their top development houses, and huge Xbox supporter (Jet Set Radio Future and Gunvalkyrie), Smilebit. It's also good to know that a few of the ex-Team Andromeda members are working on the project, which could possibly explain why nothing seems to have changed in the game's look and feel. Smilebit decided that in the series first Next Gen update that'd take the series back to its roots as a straight up rail based shooter (don't worry RPG fans, I'm sure a sequel similar to Saga will hit in the near future). And so far things are most certainly looking on the up and up.

A lot is known about Orta, and at the same time many things are left a mystery. Starting with the story. While details on the plot are sketchy at best, we do know that the game takes place 20-30 years after the events in Saga, and from the 4-minute trailer released from Sega we can speculate on the rest. The Panzer story is set in a futuristic post apocalyptic world where humans are on the verge of extinction. Seems the evil empire is up to it's old ways again, as at the beginning of the game an impressive CGI intro shows them releasing 2 УdarkФ dragons onto a city, destroying any and everyone in their path. Eventually the dragons confront a young, imprisoned girl and are on the brink of finishing her off. That is until the good dragon of the story swoops down and rescues her. The two are then bonded and start an adventure to stop the evildoers. There's probably a lot more to itЕ well, for a matter a fact I'm 100% sure there is more, but this is my rendition of what is going down. And for fans who want to see appearances by other characters in the series, the trailer showed a silhouette that looks strikingly similar to one of Saga's popular antagonist, Azel (the Japanese version was even called Panzer Dragoon Azel). The girl rescued by the dragon is a white haired hottie who is known as Orta (hence the name of the game), and she will mark the first time a female is the star of a Panzer Dragoon title.

While the story seems a bit unoriginal at this point (though, I'm not complaining, I'm just ecstatic to be getting another Panzer Dragoon!), the gameplay is what really has me excited about the game, and everyone knows that it's all about gameplay. Smilebit seems to have taken everything that made the shooters so great and added in a few flavors from the RPG heavy Panzer Dragoon Saga. The basic premise has a plasma gun equipped Orta on top this all-powerful, laser-shooting dragon. One button controls the shooting Ц tap it quickly to shoot Orta's gun and hold it down to lock on to enemies with the dragon's lasers. Once you've locked on to the enemies, release the button and the lasers to shoot out the dragon's mouth and hone in on what was targeted and blasts them to smithereens. But it's a little more complicated than that. As you fly through levels you'll encounter enemies from all bearings, so you'll need to utilize your ability to turn in different directions. By hitting either the L or R triggers you will turn in 90-degree increments, giving you four unique directions to look (north, south, east, and west), making sure you can take down anything around you. Additionally, the game includes something called a berserk attack. The Berserk was first introduced in Panzer Dragoon Zwei, and it works like this Ц you have berserk meter that fills up throughout the game for various reasons, and when it reaches a certain level you are able to activate it. Once you hit the corresponding button your dragon will go nuts and start unleashing an impressive array of laser based attacks that targets everything on screen. The attack is very impressive and sure to look magnificent on the Xbox.

The paragraph up above is pretty much a summary of how things worked in Zwei (the last shooter in the series), so what extras are being added to make Orta the best of the bunch? Well, for starters, Smilebit has included the option to actually slow down or speed up your dragon. From what I get from it, this would be something similar to what you see in a flight simulator, or aerial combat type game, and I figure it's main role will be in dodging enemy fire. Besides that feature, there are two more major gameplay additions, and they seem to borrow heavily from Saga. In saving the best for last, I will first talk about a unique twist on the combat that seems to only take place against certain, if not all the, boss characters. When battling in Saga you actually had the ability to circle around your enemies, meaning you could stay on their left, right, back, or front side, and depending you where you were dictated what kind of attack your opponent would do. Some attacks do more damage and some do less, so naturally, you'd want do avoid those critical damage areas and continually move back to the УsafeФ zones as the enemy moves around you. Sounds confusing, but it's really simple and worked well. In fact, it was one of the things that made Saga's battle system so unique. And this feature seems to have made it's way into Orta in some way or form, but so far little is known.

Now on to the probably the biggest gameplay addition to Orta Ц morphing dragons! While this feature borrows heavily from Saga, it's seems to be done much differently. When your dragon reached a certain level in Saga you were given the ability to morph it into a variety of forms (attack, defense, agile, and magic), and each form changed both the dragon's look and attributes. Smilebit has decided to implement this into Orta, but since it's a shooter rather than an RPG, they designed it where you can change your dragon's form on the fly, eliminating the need to pause the game and go through messy menus and whatnot (such as in Saga). So far it's been announced that you will be able to shift into attack, defensive, and agile forms, as well as some secret forms that have yet to be announced. Being able to morph in this manner, so quickly, brings a lot to the table and should at a lot of depth to this fairly straightforward shooter. Say you're in a situation where you just need to blast away at your opponent as quickly as possible, you could change yourself into an attack form and your laser powers would become stronger. It applies for your defensive and agile forms, too. There will be situations where they become an important factor in whether or not you win the battle. Additionally, it does sort of add a personalization factor in too. Everyone is sure to have a personal favorite in all the forms that will be available, whether it's just cause the dragon looks cool, or because the person really likes the advantages a certain type has. All in all, this is looking to be one of the more exciting features in the game, and I'm very excited to see how it turns out.

Overall, Panzer Dragoon Orta is going to be your classic action-packed rail based shooter. Some might not be fully aware of what a Уrail shooterФ is. Basically, it just means you don't have the freedom to venture forth wherever you please, but instead, you must follow a set path throughout. Smilebit has also let it be known that the game will span 10 different levels (with your classic boss character at the end of each one). Some would argue that 10 isn't enough, but if you look back on the other Panzer shooters you'll find that they barely cover half that many, and usually only took an hour or so to beat. And amazingly, those titles were worth every penny. So I have no fears that Orta will be plenty long enough. Also, the game will bring back the multiple branching paths that were introduced in Zwei. This should add extra incentive to go back through the levels to try different paths.

So far the game seems to lack any multiplayer modes (which is no surprise) and the rumored online additions are unfounded. But Smilebit is making sure to include a few extras that will keep you around for the long run. Including a variety of sub-quests and Panzer related extras, like a historic art gallery. But to be honest, all that's just going to be icing on the cake. Orta should truly offer one of the most enjoyable gaming experiences around.

Then, of course, we have the visuals. Remarkable would be a nice word to describe them. Smilebit seems to have taken their knowledge of the Xbox and ran with it. Creating one of the most visually striking games for the young console. Even at this point it runs at a very solid 60 fps and it's full of some nice effects. You can't but help stare in awe at how smoothly the lasers shoot from your dragon's mouth, or even just how graceful the dragon soars through the air. And if you've played the classics, you should love the fact that that classic Panzer art seems untouched. From the freaky bio-organisms and classic flying battle ships, to the massive boss characters you must face, everything is looking very true to the series. And let's not forget the beautiful, sprawling landscapes. Each level in the game looks to be offering something totally unique from the last. Environmental effects also seem to be playing a huge role. The first level you'll notice ash from the destroyed city is falling all around you, and in later levels you'll have rain and even snow.

The audio in Orta is also very reminisant of the classic Panzer outings. And as a matter of fact, it is known that the Team Andromeda members who worked on the audio in the old titles are composing Orta's. So Panzer fanatics, like myself, should feel right at home with the engrossing music that's very true to the series.