On the surface, Panzer Dragoon Saga has much in common with Final Fantasy VII. They’re both flagship JRPGs that span multiple discs. They’re both packed with cinematics. They both feature youthful male protagonists who encounter mysterious women with ancient powers.
The similarities pretty much end there, however. These two 32-bit games both adopt wildly different approaches to the JRPG genre. Furthermore, their legacies could not be more different. One is currently on part two of a three-part remake; the other is stranded on a 30-year-old console.
The gameplay in Panzer Dragoon Saga is a mix of on-foot traversal, dragon riding, and streamlined JRPG combat, which uses a variant of Square’s ATB system. Battle is all about positioning. You and your dragoon can move around to hunt for weak points or to avoid the brunt of enemy fire, and all the while your opponents do the same, hoping to gain the upper hand. You’re free to reposition yourself at any time, but actions can only be performed by consuming the ATB meter; often you’ll find yourself dodging while the ATB meter charges, and then moving into attack position when ready. Although relatively simple in practice, the combat is generally quite engaging. Enemies all have different patterns to analyze and take advantage of, and it’s fun to figure them out.
Enough about the combat, though. What really makes Panzer Dragoon Saga is the vibe. It mixes the innocent charm of Ocarina of Time and with the mysterious wonder of Shadow of the Colossus, while also taking clear inspiration from the classic Studio Ghibli films Nausicaä and Castle in the Sky.
Most impressive is the sense of scale. Despite the Saturn’s limited capabilities – the draw distance is frankly awful – this game feels big. The story takes you to a variety of locations, from mines and canyons to deserts and lakes, and each one feels majestic in its own way. Compared to modern games, the presentation is extremely spartan, but this actually works to the game’s advantage: My imagination fills in the gaps better than another couple million polygons ever could.
The story itself is a bit all over the place. You control a stereotypical shonen named Edge, who is hell-bent on vengeance, but he feels less like a protagonist and more like an accidental passenger in an adventure that’s way above his pay grade. It’s always a fun ride, though, and I enjoyed the cutscenes both for their content and artistic direction. The ending is touching, as well, and totally out of the Studio Ghibli playbook (albeit not as masterfully executed).
Is Panzer Dragoon Saga the “Final Fantasy killer” that all the magazines proclaimed it to be back in the 90s? Not at all. But it’s a strong game; one that does its own thing and thankfully doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. While it’s not an all-time great, it easily lives up to its reputation as a lost classic. If you enjoy unique games and have the means, don’t hesitate to check it out.
The similarities pretty much end there, however. These two 32-bit games both adopt wildly different approaches to the JRPG genre. Furthermore, their legacies could not be more different. One is currently on part two of a three-part remake; the other is stranded on a 30-year-old console.
The gameplay in Panzer Dragoon Saga is a mix of on-foot traversal, dragon riding, and streamlined JRPG combat, which uses a variant of Square’s ATB system. Battle is all about positioning. You and your dragoon can move around to hunt for weak points or to avoid the brunt of enemy fire, and all the while your opponents do the same, hoping to gain the upper hand. You’re free to reposition yourself at any time, but actions can only be performed by consuming the ATB meter; often you’ll find yourself dodging while the ATB meter charges, and then moving into attack position when ready. Although relatively simple in practice, the combat is generally quite engaging. Enemies all have different patterns to analyze and take advantage of, and it’s fun to figure them out.
Enough about the combat, though. What really makes Panzer Dragoon Saga is the vibe. It mixes the innocent charm of Ocarina of Time and with the mysterious wonder of Shadow of the Colossus, while also taking clear inspiration from the classic Studio Ghibli films Nausicaä and Castle in the Sky.
Most impressive is the sense of scale. Despite the Saturn’s limited capabilities – the draw distance is frankly awful – this game feels big. The story takes you to a variety of locations, from mines and canyons to deserts and lakes, and each one feels majestic in its own way. Compared to modern games, the presentation is extremely spartan, but this actually works to the game’s advantage: My imagination fills in the gaps better than another couple million polygons ever could.
The story itself is a bit all over the place. You control a stereotypical shonen named Edge, who is hell-bent on vengeance, but he feels less like a protagonist and more like an accidental passenger in an adventure that’s way above his pay grade. It’s always a fun ride, though, and I enjoyed the cutscenes both for their content and artistic direction. The ending is touching, as well, and totally out of the Studio Ghibli playbook (albeit not as masterfully executed).
Is Panzer Dragoon Saga the “Final Fantasy killer” that all the magazines proclaimed it to be back in the 90s? Not at all. But it’s a strong game; one that does its own thing and thankfully doesn’t overstay it’s welcome. While it’s not an all-time great, it easily lives up to its reputation as a lost classic. If you enjoy unique games and have the means, don’t hesitate to check it out.
Really didn’t get the hype. Went near to end of disc 1 and it was a bore combat wise. Decent world and music and lore but the gameplay is boring.
please play this game i bought a sega saturn just to play this game and every dollar was worth it