View source for Software:Panzer Dragoon

{{Short description|Video game series}}
{{About|the video game series|the first game in the series|Panzer Dragoon (video game)}}
{{Infobox video game series
| title = Panzer Dragoon
| image = Panzer Dragoon logo.png
| caption = 
| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Engineering:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]]|[[Engineering:Game Gear|Game Gear]]|[[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|'''Ports & remakes'''|[[Software:Microsoft Windows|Windows]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 2|PlayStation 2]]|[[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]]|[[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]]|[[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]]|[[Software:Google Stadia|Stadia]]|[[Software:Amazon Luna|Luna]]}}
| developer = [[Company:Sega|Sega]]<br />(Team Andromeda, [[Company:Smilebit|Smilebit]])
| publisher = [[Company:Sega|Sega]]
| genre = Rail shooter, [[Software:Role-playing video game|role-playing]]
| creator = Yukio Futatsugi
| first release version = ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)|Panzer Dragoon]]''
| first release date = 10 March 1995
| latest release version = ''Panzer Dragoon: Remake''
| latest release date = 26 March 2020}}

'''''Panzer Dragoon'''''{{efn|{{nihongo||パンツァードラグーン|Pantsā Doragūn|lead=yes}}}} is a video game series developed and published by [[Company:Sega|Sega]]. The first three games — ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)|Panzer Dragoon]]'' (1995), ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon II Zwei|Panzer Dragoon II Zwei]]'' (1996), and ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Saga|Panzer Dragoon Saga]]'' (1998) — were produced by Team Andromeda for the [[Engineering:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]]. The fourth, ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Orta|Panzer Dragoon Orta]]'' (2002), was developed by [[Company:Smilebit|Smilebit]] for the [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]]. A spin-off, ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Mini|Panzer Dragoon Mini]]'' (1996), was released for the handheld [[Engineering:Game Gear|Game Gear]] in Japan. A [[Software:Video game remake|remake]] of ''Panzer Dragoon'' was released in 2020.

The ''Panzer Dragoon'' games are rail shooters, except for the role-playing game ''Saga''. Each follows a protagonist who rides an armored flying dragon, fighting human and monstrous enemies in a post-apocalyptic world. The ''Panzer Dragoon'' games received positive reviews for their art design, visuals, sound design, and atmospheric settings. ''Saga'' is one of the most acclaimed Saturn games and is listed among the greatest video games.

==Story==
The ''Panzer Dragoon'' series takes place in a post-apocalyptic world in which humans have begun to recover technologies from the Ancient Age, a world-spanning, hyper-advanced civilization destroyed thousands of years before the events of the games. The Ancients used [[Biology:Genetic engineering|genetic engineering]] to create living weapons, which were unleashed in a cataclysmic war that nearly destroyed humanity. The mutated descendants of these creatures have merged into wild ecosystems, where they pose a continual threat to human civilization and serve as enemies encountered in the games.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/Panzer_Dragoon_1995_Sega_US/page/n1/mode/2up|title=Panzer Dragoon North American instruction manual|pages=4–5|publisher=[[Company:Sega|Sega]]|date=1995}}</ref><ref name="OrtaManual">{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/stream/MicrosoftXboxManuals/PanzerDragoonOrtausa#page/n1/mode/2up|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta North American instruction manual|publisher=[[Company:Sega|Sega]]|date=12 January 2003}}</ref>{{rp|4–5, 27–28}}

Various human factions use recovered Ancient Age technologies, such as ubiquitous floating military airships, to defend against the wild mutants and to wage war against each other. Over the course of the series, a succession of characters ride mysterious armored flying dragons of extraordinary power, fighting to prevent humanity from reactivating the most destructive Ancient Age weapons and, ultimately, to destroy the remaining weapons and facilities of the Ancient Age so that humanity can be freed from the threat they pose.<ref name="OrtaManual"/>{{rp|4–5}}

==Games==
{{Timeline of release years
|subtitle = Main entries in '''bold'''
|compressempty=yes
|1995='''''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)|Panzer Dragoon]]'''''
|1996a='''''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon II Zwei|Panzer Dragoon II Zwei]]'''''
|1996b=''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Mini|Panzer Dragoon Mini]]''
|1998='''''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Saga|Panzer Dragoon Saga]]'''''
|2002='''''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon Orta|Panzer Dragoon Orta]]'''''
|2020=''Panzer Dragoon: Remake''
}}

=== ''Panzer Dragoon'' (1995) ===
{{Main|Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)}}
The first ''Panzer Dragoon'' was released on the [[Engineering:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] in 1995. It was developed by Team Andromeda, a Sega development group assembled for this project.<ref name="Polygoral">{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2018/4/30/17286042/panzer-dragoon-saga-sega-saturn-oral-history|title=Panzer Dragoon Saga: An Oral History|last=Mielke|first=James|date=30 April 2018|website=Polygon|access-date=14 May 2018|archive-date=14 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514142228/https://www.polygon.com/platform/amp/2018/4/30/17286042/panzer-dragoon-saga-sega-saturn-oral-history|url-status=live}}</ref> The protagonist is Keil Fluge, a hunter who stumbles into a battle between two flying dragons, one blue and one black. The rider of the blue dragon is mortally wounded in the fight and entrusts Keil with his dragon and his mission to stop the Dark Dragon from reactivating an Ancient Age ruin of tremendous destructive power.

[[File:Panzer Dragoon level 1 screenshot.jpg|thumb|The dragon and its rider fly through the first level of ''[[Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)|Panzer Dragoon]]''. The yellow aiming reticle appears in the center, the player's life bar in the lower left, and the radar in the top right corner.]]
This game established the core features of the ''Panzer Dragoon'' series: 3D rail shooter gameplay, divided into [[Software:Level (video games)|levels]] with ending [[Software:Boss (video games)|bosses]],<ref name="GamasutraPDhist" /> controlled through an on-screen targeting [[Astronomy:Reticle|reticle]], with a choice of two main attacks (a rapid-fire attack and a lock-on homing attack), and a camera that can be rotated by 90-degree increments to face enemies attacking from all directions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://retro.ign.com/articles/897/897636p1.html|title=Panzer Dragoon Retro Review|last=Buchanan|first=Levi|date=8 August 2008|work=IGN|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=13 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813134232/http://retro.ign.com/articles/897/897636p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== ''Panzer Dragoon II Zwei'' (1996) ===
{{Main|Software:Panzer Dragoon II Zwei}}
''Panzer Dragoon II Zwei'' was released for the Sega Saturn in 1996. Developed by Team Andromeda as a prequel to ''Panzer Dragoon'',<ref name="Polygoral"/> it follows Jean-Jacques Lundi, a villager who defies taboo to raise a mutant pack animal with wings and a green bioluminescent throat, naming him Lagi. After Lundi's village is destroyed by a flying warship from the Ancient Age, he pursues it with Lagi, who grows into an armored flying dragon. Together they destroy the airship and defeat its guardian dragon.

''Zwei'' introduced the "berserk" attack, an intermittently available attack that hits all enemies on screen and gives temporary invulnerability, along with branching paths through many levels, and the progressive growth and metamorphosis of the dragon over the course of the game.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://retrocdn.net/images/4/49/MAXIMUM_UK_05.pdf|title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Sprechen Sie Harden Coren?|magazine=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=5|publisher=Emap International Limited|date=April 1996|pages=102–114}}</ref> It also added an extras menu called "Pandora's Box" that would return in later entries.<ref name="GamasutraPDhist" />

=== ''Panzer Dragoon Mini'' (1996) ===
{{Main|Software:Panzer Dragoon Mini}}

''Panzer Dragoon Mini'' is a spin-off 2D rail shooter released exclusively in Japan for the [[Engineering:Game Gear|Game Gear]] handheld in 1996. It has three selectable dragons inspired by the blue dragon from ''Panzer Dragoon'', which are rendered with a super deformed appearance and no rider. Most of the levels, enemies and music are modeled after those of ''Panzer Dragoon'' and ''Zwei''. Due to the technical limitations of the Game Gear, the camera cannot be controlled and instead rotates automatically.<ref name="101PDM">{{cite web |last=Kalata |first=Kurt |date=25 July 2008 |title=Panzer Dragoon Mini |url=http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/panzer-dragoon-mini/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202232700/http://www.hardcoregaming101.net/panzer-dragoon-mini/ |archive-date=2 February 2023 |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Hardcore Gaming 101}}</ref> ''Mini'' was developed by a third party, with no involvement from Team Andromeda.<ref name="GDRI">{{cite web |author=CRV |date=29 March 2015 |title=Rit's |url=http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Rit%27s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116075722/http://gdri.smspower.org/wiki/index.php/Rit's |archive-date=16 November 2020 |access-date=28 May 2023 |work=Game Developer Research Institute}}</ref>

=== ''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' (1998) ===
{{Main|Software:Panzer Dragoon Saga}}
''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' (titled ''Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG'' in Japan) is a [[Software:Role-playing video game|role-playing game]] (RPG) developed by Team Andromeda and released for Saturn in 1998.<ref name="Polygoral"/> The player controls Edge, a mercenary who encounters a mysterious girl named Azel in an Ancient Age excavation. After being attacked by a rogue military force, he is rescued by an armored flying dragon. Though at first motivated by revenge, Edge becomes embroiled in a conflict over control of Ancient Age weapons, and he ultimately invades and destroys the AI network controlling the various Ancient facilities around the world.

''Saga'' is the only ''Panzer Dragoon'' game that is not a rail shooter, combining traditional role-playing elements such as [[Software:Item (game terminology)|items]] and [[Software:Random encounter|random encounter]]s with the setting and motifs of previous games. The combat system mixes [[Software:Timekeeping in games|real-time and turn-based]] elements,<ref name=":GS-History">{{Cite web|last=Torres|first=Ricardo|date=1 July 2005|title=''GameSpot'' presents: The history of ''Panzer Dragoon'' |url=http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/panzerdragoon/4.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212173043/http://www.gamespot.com/gamespot/features/all/panzerdragoon/4.html|archive-date=12 December 2009|access-date=11 December 2015|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref> with the player circling enemies on the dragon to expose weak spots and escape dangerous positions.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=April 1998|title=Panzer Dragoon Saga review|journal=Sega Saturn Magazine}}</ref> ''Saga'' also introduced the ability to morph the dragon between different forms emphasizing offense, defense, mobility, and other attributes.<ref name="GameSpot">{{Cite web|last=Mielke|first=James|date=20 May 1998|title=''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' review|url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/panzer-dragoon-saga-review/1900-2534034/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170517002215/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/panzer-dragoon-saga-review/1900-2534034/|archive-date=17 May 2017|access-date=29 November 2017|website=GameSpot|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>

=== ''Panzer Dragoon Orta'' (2002) ===
{{Main|Software:Panzer Dragoon Orta}}

''Panzer Dragoon Orta'' was released for [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]] in late 2002 in Japan and in early 2003 in America and Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2002/10/3/5db637556597faf9e9d608db75e6e6e4.html|script-title=ja:収録曲は4曲。『パンツァードラグーンオルタ』初回限定版に音楽CDが同梱|trans-title=4 Tracks Included. "Panzer Dragoon Orta" First Limited Edition Includes a Music CD|language=ja|website=Dengeki Online|date=3 October 2002|access-date=30 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516095145/https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2002/10/3/5db637556597faf9e9d608db75e6e6e4.html|archive-date=16 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panzer-dragoon.com/eng/index.html|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta|website=Panzer Dragoon Orta English website|access-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030408233023/http://www.panzer-dragoon.com/eng/index.html|archive-date=8 April 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref> It was developed by [[Company:Smilebit|Smilebit]], which was founded by former members of Team Andromeda.<ref name="NextInterview">{{cite web|url=http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/interviews/orta-interview.shtml|title=Interview: Smilebit's Akihiko Mukaiyama|work=The Next Level|date=22 January 2003|accessdate=7 July 2023|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20050907204337/http://www.the-nextlevel.com/features/interviews/orta-interview.shtml|archivedate=7 September 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> The story follows Orta, a teenage girl held captive until she is rescued by an armored flying dragon during an attack on her town. She is pursued by multiple factions that want to use her connection with the Ancient Age to build weapons. Ultimately, she destroys an army of dragon-like creatures and the Ancient Age facility being used to produce them, along with an Ancient android who hopes to wipe out humanity.

A return to the rail shooter genre, ''Orta'' introduced several features inspired by mechanics from ''Saga'', such as maneuvering around enemies and shifting the dragon between different forms during combat.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/panzer-dragoon-orta-preview/1100-2901509/|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta Preview|last=Torres |first=Ricardo|website=GameSpot|publisher=Fandom|date=11 December 2002|access-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220505182003/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/panzer-dragoon-orta-preview/1100-2901509/|archive-date=5 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox.ign.com/articles/374/374353p1.html|title=Panzer Declassified|website=IGN|date=14 October 2002|access-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213014843/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/374/374353p1.html|archive-date=13 February 2005|url-status=dead}}</ref> The game featured large amounts of unlockable content, including a story encyclopedia, side missions, video [[Software:Cutscene|cutscene]]s from previous games, and the entire playable game ''Panzer Dragoon''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2003/01/10/panzer-dragoon-orta-2 |title=Panzer Dragoon Orta Review |last=Goldstein |first=Hilary |date=10 January 2003 |website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|access-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060202005049/http://xbox.ign.com/articles/382/382195p1.html|archive-date=2 February 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/born-for-wii-panzer-dragoon-orta/|title=Born for Wii: Panzer Dragoon Orta|author=Fenlon, Wesley|website=Joystiq|publisher=AOL|date=10 June 2008|access-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117082613/https://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/10/born-for-wii-panzer-dragoon-orta/|archive-date=17 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== ''Panzer Dragoon: Remake'' (2020) ===
A [[Software:Video game remake|remake]] of ''Panzer Dragoon'' was developed by MegaPixel Studio and published by Forever Entertainment in March 2020 for [[Engineering:Nintendo Switch|Nintendo Switch]].<ref name="NLife">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/panzer_dragoon_remake|title=Review: Panzer Dragoon: Remake Review|last=Scullion|first=Chris|date=27 March 2020|website=Nintendo Life|publisher=Gamer Network|language=en-GB|access-date=28 March 2020|archive-date=28 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200328103429/http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/switch-eshop/panzer_dragoon_remake|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released on [[Software:Google Stadia|Stadia]] on 1 June,<ref>{{Cite web|date=1 June 2020|title=Google Stadia Pro games for June are now available|first=Daniel|last=Hollis|url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/little-nightmares-added-to-google-stadia-pro-for-june-2680111|access-date=2 June 2020|website=NME|language=en-GB|archive-date=10 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200610171356/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/little-nightmares-added-to-google-stadia-pro-for-june-2680111|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Software:Windows|Windows]], [[Engineering:PlayStation 4|PlayStation 4]], [[Engineering:Xbox One|Xbox One]], and [[Software:Amazon Luna|Amazon Luna]] versions later in 2020. The remake features updated graphics and an optional new control system that allows players to aim independently of movement with a second control stick.<ref name="NLife" />

==Development==
[[File:Yukio Futatsugi - Game Developers Conference 2019 - 03 (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.7|Series creator Yukio Futatsugi]]

In the early 1990s, the Japanese video game company [[Company:Sega|Sega]] asked its developers for shooting game ideas to add variety to its forthcoming [[Engineering:Sega Saturn|Sega Saturn]] console.<ref name="Polygoral"/> Yukio Futatsugi proposed the concept for ''Panzer Dragoon'' and was made the head of Team Andromeda,<ref name="Flying">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-08-flying-through-life-meet-the-man-behind-panzer-dragoon |title=Flying through life: Meet the man behind Panzer Dragoon |last=Robson |first=Daniel |date=8 April 2013 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=4 August 2013 |archive-date=1 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201034816/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-04-08-flying-through-life-meet-the-man-behind-panzer-dragoon |url-status=live }}</ref> a development team that Sega assembled for the project in early 1994.<ref name="gametm">{{cite journal |year=2012 |title=The Retro Guide to... Panzer Dragoon|journal=GamesTM |issue=125 |pages=136–143}}</ref> Development lasted almost a year, with a staff of fifteen.<ref name=":GS-History" /> With influences including ''[[Software:Space Harrier|Space Harrier]]'', ''[[Software:Starblade|Starblade]]'', ''[[Software:Star Fox (1993 video game)|Star Fox]]'', and ''[[Software:RayForce|RayForce]]'', the project became a 3D rail shooter.<ref name="retrogamer">{{cite journal |date=December 2008 |title=The Making Of... Panzer Dragoon Saga Part 1 |journal=Retro Gamer |issue=58 |access-date=12 August 2012 |url=http://www.nowgamer.com/features/894677/the_making_of_panzer_dragoon_saga_part_1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140724042310/http://www.nowgamer.com/features/894677/the_making_of_panzer_dragoon_saga_part_1.html |archive-date=24 July 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The original concept was titled ''Armored Dragon'' (''kiko-ryu'' in Japanese), but Futatsugi, feeling that this was too bland, changed to the pseudo-German translation ''Panzer Dragoon''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-zwei-retrospective?pager.offset=1|title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Living up to Your Potential|author=Mielke, James|date=September 2007|work=1UP.com|access-date=6 August 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120716105110/http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-zwei-retrospective?pager.offset=1|archive-date=16 July 2012}}</ref>

The post-apocalyptic fantasy world, featuring ruins and relics of a fallen civilization, was particularly influenced by one of Futatsugi's childhood readings, ''The Long Afternoon of Earth''.<ref name="gametm" /> The art design, which mixes natural and technological elements, was mainly the work of Manabu Kusunoki, who took inspiration from various sources, including anime and manga.<ref name=":GS-History" /> Critics have noted similarities with the works of the French artist Mœbius,<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Suvilay |first1=Bounthavy |title=Panzer Dragoon|date=July–August 2012|language=fr|journal= IG Magazine|issue=hors-série 4 |page=5 |publisher=Ankama Presse}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Hickman |first=Sam |title=There is a Theory of the Moebius...|work=Sega Saturn Magazine|issue=7|publisher=Emap International Limited|date=May 1996|pages=62–63}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Dragoon Sequel Takes Flight|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=4 |publisher=Emap International Limited|date=March 1996|pages=132–133}}</ref> of whom Kusunoki was a fan, as well as with Hayao Miyazaki's ''Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind'' and David Lynch's film ''Dune''.<ref name="GamasutraPDhist">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/the-history-of-panzer-dragoon|title=The History of Panzer Dragoon|last=Kalata|first=Kurt|date=16 April 2008|work=Gamasutra|access-date=8 April 2023|archive-date=24 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230124031113/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/console/the-history-of-panzer-dragoon|url-status=live}}</ref> Futatsugi created a fictional language from a mixture of Ancient Greek, Latin and Russian,<ref name="GamasutraPDhist" /> apparently inspired by the film ''The Wings of Honneamise''.<ref name="retrogamer"/>

''Panzer Dragoon'' was released in early 1995 to moderately successful sales.<ref name="1upPD1">{{cite web |author=Mielke, James |date=September 2007 |title=Panzer Dragoon: Making the most of what you have - Interview (p.2) |url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3162632 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305001852/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?pager.offset=1&cId=3162632 |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=6 August 2012 |work=1UP.com }}</ref> Sega developed two sequels: while ''Panzer Dragoon II Zwei'' would expand on the original's rail shooter gameplay, ''Panzer Dragon Saga'' would be an RPG to compete with ''[[Software:Final Fantasy VII|Final Fantasy VII]]'' and other PlayStation offerings.<ref name="Polygoral" /><ref name="Guide">{{Cite book|title=Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG Official Strategy Guide|publisher=SoftBank|year=1998|isbn=978-4797305579|location=Japan}}</ref> Development of ''Zwei'' began in mid-1995, months after ''Panzer Dragoon''{{'}}s release.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Work In Progress: Panzer Dragoon II Zwei|magazine=Mean Machines Sega|url=https://archive.org/details/mean-machines-sega-magazine-42/page/n25/mode/2up |issue=42 |publisher=Emap International Limited|date=April 1996|page=26}}</ref> Team Andromeda split into two teams to work on both projects,<ref name="FamInterview">{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/news/201803/09153247.html|script-title=ja:『AZEL』アレンジアルバムは生で一発録りの曲も！ 『Resurrection: AZEL-パンツァードラグーンRPG- 20th Anniversary Arrangement』インタビュー|trans-title=Azel Arrange Album Has Songs That Were Recorded Live in One Take! "Resurrection: Azel Panzer Dragoon RPG — 20th Anniversary Arrangement" Interview|language=ja|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|date=9 March 2018|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309192641/https://www.famitsu.com/news/201803/09153247.html|archive-date=9 March 2018|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Guide" /> but due to the work overload this created, ''Saga'' was largely put on hold until ''Zwei'' was completed.<ref name="Guide" /> Production took less than a year, since the first game's [[Software:Game engine|engine]] was reused,<ref>{{cite magazine|title=The Making of... Panzer Dragoon 1&2|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=57|last=Davies|first=Jonti|date=28 October 2019|pages=84–89}}</ref> with a team of between fifteen and twenty people.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/panzer-dragoon-interview-sega-yukio-futatsugi-kentaro-yoshida|title=The Big Panzer Dragoon Interview: "It Really Makes Me Think Again About How Incredible Sega Was at the Time"|author=Kim, Matt|website=USGamer|date=27 June 2019|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190628113732/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/panzer-dragoon-interview-sega-yukio-futatsugi-kentaro-yoshida|archive-date=28 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://cgworld.jp/feature/202004-iwade01.html|script-title=ja:セガ岩出 敬氏・特別追悼企画〜故人の足跡を辿りながら日本のゲームグラフィックスをふり返る(1)|trans-title=Sega's Iwade Takashi: Special Memorial Project — Looking Back at Japanese Game Graphics, While Following in the Footprints of the Deceased (1)|language=ja|website=CGWorld|date=3 April 2020|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403174509/https://cgworld.jp/feature/202004-iwade01.html|archive-date=3 April 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Tomohiro Kondo, a senior member of Team Andromeda, was the producer and director.<ref>{{Cite magazine | date=26 January 1996 | script-title=ja:パンツァードラグーン ツヴァイ — 開発 Interview |trans-title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei — Release Interview|magazine=Sega Saturn Magazine |volume=2| page=65| publisher=SoftBank Creative| language=ja}}</ref><ref name="ZweiAnnounced">{{cite magazine | date=22 December 1995 |url=https://archive.org/details/saturn-fan-1995-no.-14-12-22/page/4/mode/1up|script-title=ja:パンツァードラグーン ツヴァイ|trans-title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei|magazine=Saturn Fan |issue=14| pages=34–37| publisher=[[Company:Tokuma Shoten|Tokuma Shoten]]| language=ja}}</ref> Futatsugi originally oversaw both projects' narratives, but, as his attention shifted onto ''Saga'', ''Zwei''{{'}}s story became the responsibility of Katsuhiko Yamada.<ref name="1UPinterview">{{Cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-zwei-retrospective?pager.offset=1|title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei: Interview with Yukio Futatsugi|last=Mielke|first=James|work=1UP.com|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=11 September 2009|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018125427/http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-zwei-retrospective?pager.offset=1|archive-date=18 October 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Zwei'' was released in early 1996.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html|script-title=ja:セガサターン専用CD-ROM（セガ発売）|trans-title=Sega Saturn Exclusive CD-ROM (Sega Release)|language=ja|website=[[Company:Sega|Sega]]|publisher=Sega|access-date=6 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180808233747/https://sega.jp/history/hard/segasaturn/software.html|archive-date=8 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Saga'' used the same engine and tools, but with a team twice the size.<ref name=":GS-History" /> Akihiko Mukaiyama was brought in to design a combat system that would combine elements of RPG and shooter gameplay.<ref name="Polygoral" /> After the combat was finalized, development progressed more quickly, and some staff were moved to help complete ''Zwei''.<ref name=":GS-History" /> Kusunoki, who had been the main character and art designer for the previous games, was made the art director, and Katsumi Yokota created the character and cover art.<ref name="Polygoral" /> ''Saga'' featured full Japanese voice acting, subtitled rather than dubbed in the English-language release.<ref name="Edge">{{Cite web|date=25 March 1998 |title=''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' review |url=http://www.edge-online.com/review/panzer-dragoon-saga/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130404013308/http://www.edge-online.com/review/panzer-dragoon-saga/ |archive-date=4 April 2013 |access-date=29 November 2017 |website=Edge Online |publisher=Future plc}}</ref> The [[Video game localization|localizer]]s were given incomplete translations and little supervision, so they inserted their own interpretations and invented names for monsters.<ref name="ringer">{{Cite news|last=Lindburgh|first=Ben|date=29 January 2018|title=The ruinous road of gaming's missing masterpiece|work=The Ringer|url=https://www.theringer.com/2018/1/29/16940902/1998-video-games-panzer-dragoon-saga-missing-masterpiece|url-status=live|access-date=7 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202150402/https://www.theringer.com/2018/1/29/16940902/1998-video-games-panzer-dragoon-saga-missing-masterpiece|archive-date=2 February 2018}}</ref> By the time ''Saga'' was released in early 1998, Sega had shifted its focus to its next console, the [[Engineering:Dreamcast|Dreamcast]]. ''Saga'' had a limited release outside Japan, and sales worldwide were poor;<ref name="ringer"/> it has never been re-released and is now a rare collector's item. After the release, Sega disbanded Team Andromeda; Futatsugi left Sega and joined [[Company:Konami|Konami]],<ref name="Flying" /> while other staff moved to new Sega teams, including [[Company:Smilebit|Smilebit]], which would develop the next ''Panzer Dragoon'' game.<ref name=":GS-History" />

A new ''Panzer Dragoon'' was pitched for the Dreamcast, but the console did not meet the technical requirements.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsuxbox200207/page/21/mode/2up|date=July 2002 | script-title=ja:パンツァードラグーン オルタ閉発インタビュー|trans-title=Panzer Dragoon Orta Closing Interview| magazine=Famitsu Xbox|pages=22–23| issue=7 | publisher=Enterbrain | language=Japanese|title=Famitsu Xbox 2002-07}} [http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/famitsu-interviews-smilebits-panzer-dragoon-orta-team.23367647/ Translation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424001053/http://www.ign.com/boards/threads/famitsu-interviews-smilebits-panzer-dragoon-orta-team.23367647/ |date=24 April 2018 }}</ref> There was also a feeling among staff that the original trilogy had reached its logical conclusion.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Brookes|first=Jason|title=Chasing the Dragon|magazine=Xbox Nation|issue=3|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=June 2002|pages=34–41}} [https://www.panzerdragoonlegacy.com/pictures/1015-xbox-nation-issue-number-3-1-of-5 Scans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131203206/https://www.panzerdragoonlegacy.com/pictures/1015-xbox-nation-issue-number-3-1-of-5 |date=31 January 2023 }}</ref> Following the commercial failure of the Dreamcast, Sega left the console market and began developing and publishing games for other platforms. Discussion about a possible ''Panzer Dragoon'' for [[Company:Microsoft|Microsoft]]'s [[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]] began in 2000.<ref name="FamOrta">{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/famitsuxbox200301/page/n63/mode/2up|script-title=ja:X Special: パンツァードラグーン オルタ|trans-title=X Special: Panzer Dragoon Orta|magazine=Famitsu Xbox|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=13|date=January 2003|pages=64–65|language=ja|title=Famitsu Xbox 2003-01 }}</ref> Takayuki Kawagoe was made producer and decided that ''Panzer Dragoon Orta'' would be another rail shooter.<ref name="GamaInterview">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/306967/Panzer_Dragoon_Orta_director_recalls_how_the_shooter_was_almost_a_strategic_online_game.php|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta director recalls how the shooter was almost a strategic online game|last=Wawro|first=Alex|website=Gamasutra|publisher=UBM TechWeb|date=3 October 2017|accessdate=22 May 2022|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005222508/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/306967/Panzer_Dragoon_Orta_director_recalls_how_the_shooter_was_almost_a_strategic_online_game.php|archivedate=5 October 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref> Mukaiyama, ''Saga''{{'}}s combat designer, directed ''Orta'',<ref name="Polygoral" /> and development began in early 2001 at Smilebit, lasting eighteen months.<ref name="NextInterview"/> Takashi Iwade, a visual effects artist on earlier ''Panzer Dragoon'' games, became the art director,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cgworld.jp/feature/202004-iwade03.html|script-title=ja:セガ岩出 敬氏・特別追悼企画〜故人の足跡を辿りながら日本のゲームグラフィックスをふり返る(3)|trans-title=Sega's Iwade Takashi: Special Memorial Project — Looking Back at Japanese Game Graphics, While Following in the Footprints of the Deceased (3)|language=ja|website=CGWorld|date=13 April 2020|access-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210223213801/https://cgworld.jp/feature/202004-iwade03.html|archive-date=23 February 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> and Takashi Atsu was the lead programmer.<ref name="FamOrta" /> ''Orta'' incorporated elements from ''Saga'' into the series' traditional rail shooter gameplay,<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Staff|title=Interview: Panzer Dragoon Orta — Worldbuilders|magazine=Xbox Nation|issue=6|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=March 2003|pages=98–101}} [http://segabits.com/blog/2015/04/14/classic-sega-magazine-corner-xbox-nations-worldbuilders-interviews-smilebits-panzer-dragoon-orta-artists/ Scans] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230131213659/http://segabits.com/blog/2015/04/14/classic-sega-magazine-corner-xbox-nations-worldbuilders-interviews-smilebits-panzer-dragoon-orta-artists/ |date=31 January 2023 }}</ref> with a story co-written by Shigeru Kurihara and Kenichiro Ishii.<ref>{{Cite video game|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta|developer=[[Company:Smilebit|Smilebit]]|publisher=[[Company:Sega|Sega]]|date=12 January 2003|platform=[[Engineering:Xbox (console)|Xbox]]|scene=Credits}}</ref> It was released in late 2002 in Japan and early 2003 in the West.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2002/10/3/5db637556597faf9e9d608db75e6e6e4.html|script-title=ja:収録曲は4曲。『パンツァードラグーンオルタ』初回限定版に音楽CDが同梱|trans-title=4 Tracks Included. "Panzer Dragoon Orta" First Limited Edition Includes a Music CD|language=ja|website=Dengeki Online|date=3 October 2002|access-date=30 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516095145/https://dengekionline.com/data/news/2002/10/3/5db637556597faf9e9d608db75e6e6e4.html|archive-date=16 May 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.panzer-dragoon.com/eng/index.html|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta|website=Panzer Dragoon Orta English website|access-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030408233023/http://www.panzer-dragoon.com/eng/index.html|archive-date=8 April 2003|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Music==
The soundtrack for the first ''Panzer Dragoon'' was developed after the rest of the game was largely complete, so that the music could reflect each level's art style and events.<ref name="gametm"/> The game's "on rails" progression system meant that the composer could write pieces timed to specifically match the player's position in each level. The soundtrack was outsourced to Yoshitaka Azuma,<ref name="1upPD1" /> who scored the game with a mixture of orchestral and [[Engineering:Synthesizer|synthesizer]] tracks.<ref name="FamInterview" />

Music composition for ''Zwei'' was led by Yayoi Wachi.<ref name="VGMO">{{cite web|url=http://www.vgmonline.net/saorikobayashiinterview/|title=Saori Kobayashi Interview: Cultivating an Ethtronic Sound|last=Greening|first=Chris|website=Video Game Music Online|date=7 September 2015|access-date=15 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928212732/http://www.vgmonline.net/saorikobayashiinterview/|archive-date=28 September 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Additional tracks were composed by Tomonori Sawada,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_sawada.html|script-title=ja:Tomonori Sawada — 澤田 朋伯|language=ja|website=WaveMaster|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529102749/http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_sawada.html|archive-date=29 May 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> Junko Shiratsu,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_shiratsu.html|script-title=ja:Junko Shiratsu — 白津 順子|language=ja|website=WaveMaster|access-date=5 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040706201812/http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_shiratsu.html|archive-date=6 July 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Teruhiko Nakagawa.<ref>[[Company:Sega|Sega]] (25 April 1996). "''Panzer Dragoon II Zwei Original Soundtrack'' booklet." (in Japanese) PolyGram. POCX-1026. Retrieved on 15 December 2018.</ref> In contrast to the purely orchestral and electronic score of the first game, ''Zwei'' added ethnic or tribal elements.<ref name="FamInterview" /> Rather than using prerecorded music, the soundtrack for ''Zwei'' is mostly generated via [[Pulse-code modulation|pulse-code modulation]] by the Saturn's hardware, a technique used again on ''Saga''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Game music of the day: Panzer Dragoon Saga|website=GamesRadar|publisher=Future plc|last=Kemps|first=Heidi|date=4 November 2010|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-panzer-dragoon-saga/|accessdate=27 January 2023|archive-date=28 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128035941/https://www.gamesradar.com/game-music-of-the-day-panzer-dragoon-saga/|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Saga''{{'}}s soundtrack was composed by Saori Kobayashi and Mariko Nanba, with vocals by Eri Itō and arrangement by Hayato Matsuo. It includes South American, African, Celtic, classical and new age influences.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last1=Rzeminski |first1=Lucy |last2=Walton |first2=Jason |title=RPGFan Music – ''Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG'' |url=http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/azel/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207141805/http://www.rpgfan.com/soundtracks/azel/index.html |archive-date=7 December 2017 |access-date=7 December 2017 |website=RPG Fan}}</ref> ''[[The Verge]]'' described it as blend of traditional European and Middle Eastern folk styles with science fiction-like synthesizer sounds.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Webster |first=Andrew |date=24 January 2018 |title=After 20 years, ''Panzer Dragoon Saga''{{'}}s composer finally made the soundtrack she always wanted |work=[[The Verge]] |publisher=[[Company:Vox Media|Vox Media]] |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/24/16925534/panzer-dragoon-saga-soundtrack-composer-interview |url-status=live |access-date=25 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124185950/https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/24/16925534/panzer-dragoon-saga-soundtrack-composer-interview |archive-date=24 January 2018 }}</ref> Kobayashi credited ''Zwei'' and Wachi with establishing the series' distinctive sound and shaping her future compositions for the series.<ref name="VGMO"/> The orchestrated ending theme, featuring lyrics in the games' fictional language,<ref name=":6" /> was intended to avoid any sense of closure, leaving the story "open-ended".<ref name="Polygoral" />

Kobayashi returned for principal composition of the soundtrack of ''Orta'',<ref name="VGMO" /> with additional tracks by Yutaka Minobe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_minobe.html|script-title=ja:Sound Creator — Yutaka Minobe/蓑部 雄崇|language=ja|website=WaveMaster|access-date=22 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040529090600/http://www.wave-master.com/wm/company/staff/s_minobe.html|archive-date=29 May 2004|url-status=dead}}</ref> The orchestrated, lyrical ending theme was again arranged by Matsuo and sung by Itō.<ref>Kobayashi, Saori; Minobe, Yutaka (22 December 2002). "''Panzer Dragoon Orta Original Soundtrack'' booklet." (in Japanese) [[Company:Marvelous Entertainment|Marvelous Entertainment]]. MJCG-80116. Retrieved on 22 May 2022.</ref> The music continued in the ethnic-influenced style established on the soundtracks for ''Zwei'' and ''Saga'', but the Xbox hardware allowed for richer and more varied sounds than the Saturn.<ref name="VGMO" />

==Other media==
Production I.G released a [[Engineering:Direct-to-video|direct-to-video]] anime [[Engineering:Short film|short film]] adaptation of the first game in 1996. The story is altered to include a female character whom Keil ('Kyle' in the film) tries to save after she is kidnapped by the Black Dragon. An English dub was released by ADV Films in 1998. The film was panned for its poor animation, awkward script, and cliché story.<ref>{{cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon — Review|website=Anime News Network|publisher=Kadokawa Corporation|url=https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/panzer-dragoon|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203234938/https://www.animenewsnetwork.com/review/panzer-dragoon|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Sega [[Software:Kart racing game|kart racing game]] ''[[Software:Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed|Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed]]'' features a racetrack based on ''Panzer Dragoon''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Preview: Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed|date=30 April 2012|first=Ryan|last=Perez|website=[[Social:Destructoid|Destructoid]]|publisher=[[Social:Gamurs|Gamurs]]|url=https://www.destructoid.com/preview-sonic-all-stars-racing-transformed/|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=3 February 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203235324/https://www.destructoid.com/preview-sonic-all-stars-racing-transformed/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Archie Comics ''Worlds Unite'' crossover between the ''Sonic the Hedgehog'' and the ''Mega Man'' comic lines features ''Panzer Dragoon'' characters and concepts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Capcom and Sega Join Forces for Worlds Unite Comic Book Crossover|date=26 February 2015|first=Jesse|last=Schedeen|website=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/26/capcom-and-sega-join-forces-for-worlds-unite-comic-book-crossover|access-date=3 February 2023|archive-date=14 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230314094822/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/02/26/capcom-and-sega-join-forces-for-worlds-unite-comic-book-crossover|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Video game series reviews
|updated = 7 June 2023
|mc_title=Aggregate scores
|game1 = [[Software:Panzer Dragoon (video game)|Panzer Dragoon]]
|mc1 = 91%<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon for Saturn|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/914514-panzer-dragoon/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190518190625/https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/914514-panzer-dragoon/index.html|archive-date=18 May 2019|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|game2 = [[Software:Panzer Dragoon II Zwei|Panzer Dragoon II Zwei]]
|mc2 = 88%<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon II Zwei for Saturn|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562829-panzer-dragoon-ii-zwei/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209014445/https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/562829-panzer-dragoon-ii-zwei/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2019|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|game3 = [[Software:Panzer Dragoon Mini|Panzer Dragoon Mini]]
|mc3 = 14/40<ref name="FamPDM">{{cite magazine|title=NEW GAMES CROSS REVIEW: パンツァードラグーン ミニ|trans-title=New Games Cross Review: Panzer Dragoon Mini|magazine=Famitsu|issue=415|publisher=[[Company:ASCII Corporation|ASCII Corporation]]|date=29 November 1996|page=35|language=ja}} ([https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=16059 Transcription] by Famitsu.com. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318042905/https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=16059|date=18 March 2017}}).</ref>
|game4 = [[Software:Panzer Dragoon Saga|Panzer Dragoon Saga]]
|mc4 = 92%<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon Saga for Saturn|url=https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/198258-panzer-dragoon-saga/index.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209012907/https://www.gamerankings.com/saturn/198258-panzer-dragoon-saga/index.html|archive-date=9 December 2019|website=GameRankings|publisher=CBS Interactive}}</ref>
|game5 = [[Software:Panzer Dragoon Orta|Panzer Dragoon Orta]]
|mc5 = 90/100<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/panzer-dragoon-orta/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox|publisher=CBS Interactive|website=Metacritic|access-date=7 June 2023|archive-date=28 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230728092409/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox/panzer-dragoon-orta|url-status=live}}</ref>
|game6 = Panzer Dragoon: Remake
|mc6 = 63/100<ref>{{Cite web|title=Panzer Dragoon for Switch Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/panzer-dragoon/critic-reviews/?platform=nintendo-switch|publisher=CBS Interactive|website=Metacritic|access-date=7 June 2023|archive-date=3 August 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803062524/https://www.metacritic.com/game/switch/panzer-dragoon|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}
The original ''Panzer Dragoon'' received praise for its art design, visual effects, music, atmospheric setting, and cinematic cutscenes, though critics were divided by the difficulty and simple gameplay.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Semrad |first1=ED |last2=Carpenter |first2=Danyon|last3=Manuel |first3=Al|last4=Williams |first4=Ken |date=July 1995 |title=Panzer Dragoon Review |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |issue=72 |pages=34 |publisher=Ziff Davis }}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=The Unknown Gamer |date=August 1995 |title=ProReview: Panzer Dragoon |magazine=GamePro |volume=7 |issue=8 |pages=46–47}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|title=Panzer Dragoon|journal=Maximum: The Video Game Magazine|issue=1|publisher=Emap International Limited|date=October 1995|pages=144–5}}</ref> A reviewer for ''Next Generation'' wrote that the game combined "incredible story animation with brilliant, 3D flight graphics",<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Legendary|magazine=Next Generation|issue=6|publisher=Imagine Media|date=June 1995|page=100}}</ref> and an ''Entertainment Weekly'' reviewer called it  a "lyrical and exhilarating epic" that could pave the way for a "transformation" of the videogame industry.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/06/09/panzer-dragoon/|title=Digital Review: Panzer Dragoon|last=Kim|first=Albert|date=June 1995|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=12 August 2012|archive-date=27 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727211943/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20195761,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' named it the "Best Saturn Game of 1995"<ref>{{Cite magazine|year=1996|title=1996 Video Game Buyer's Guide|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref> and placed it 140th in "The Greatest 200 Videogames of their time" in 2006.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Semrad|first=Steve|date=February 2006|title=The Greatest 200 Videogames of their time|url=http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames?pager.offset=2|url-status=dead|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|publisher=Ziff Davis|issue=200|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150629072014/http://www.1up.com/features/egm-200-greatest-videogames?pager.offset=2|archive-date=29 June 2015|access-date=27 January 2023}}</ref>

''Zwei'' was acclaimed, with praise focusing on the cutting-edge graphics, gameplay refinements relative to the first game, and the continued strength of the art design, music, and atmosphere, though the low difficulty again received criticism.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Panzer Dragoon II Review|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=82|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=May 1996|page=32}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |last=Strauss |first=Bob |title=Panzer Dragoon Zwei II |url=https://ew.com/article/1996/06/14/panzer-dragoon-zwei-ii/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=1 March 2020 |date=14 June 1996}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|author=Scary Larry |title=ProReview: Panzer Dragoon Zwei II|magazine=GamePro|issue=93|publisher=IDG|date=June 1996|pages=62–63}}</ref> A ''Next Generation'' reviewer praised the game's art direction and plot, saying ''Zwei''{{'}}s "visual sophistication and compelling storylines" compensated for its "less than revolutionary gameplay".<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Off the Scale|magazine=Next Generation|issue=19|publisher=Imagine Media|date=July 1996|page=81}}</ref> It was a runner-up for ''Electronic Gaming Monthly''{{'}}s Shooter Game of the Year (behind ''[[Software:Alien Trilogy|Alien Trilogy]]'') and Best Graphics of the Year (behind ''[[Software:Super Mario 64|Super Mario 64]]''),<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=The Best of '96|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=92|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=March 1997|page=90}}</ref> and the following year they ranked it number 90 on their "100 Best Games of All Time".<ref name="EGMbest">{{Cite magazine|title=100 Best Games of All Time|magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly|issue=100|publisher=Ziff Davis|date=November 1997|page=106}} Note: Contrary to the title, the intro to the article explicitly states that the list covers console video games only, meaning PC games and arcade games were not eligible.</ref>

''Panzer Dragoon Mini'' was poorly received, with praise for its art style and boss designs but criticism of its pacing and lack of a plot.<ref name="101PDM"/><ref name="FamPDM"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://archive.org/details/clickkonsole200303/page/n69/mode/1up|title=Oldschool: Panzer Dragoon Mini|magazine={{ill|Click! (magazine)|lt=Click! Konsole|pl|Click!}}|issue=5|publisher={{ill|Wydawnictwo Bauer|lt=|pl|Wydawnictwo Bauer}}|date=September 2003|page=70|language=pl}}</ref><ref name="MeriStatPD">{{cite web|last=Méndez González|first=Ramón|url=https://as.com/meristation/2009/07/18/reportajes/1247896800_037471.html|title=Regreso al pasado: Panzer Dragoon|trans-title=Back in Time: Panzer Dragoon|work=MeriStation|publisher=PRISA|date=6 March 2012|access-date=28 May 2023|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230517234158/https://as.com/meristation/2009/07/18/reportajes/1247896800_037471.html|archive-date=17 May 2023|url-status=live}}</ref> The simplistic controls and very short duration divided critics, some of whom thought the game adequate for a [[Handheld game console|handheld game console]], and some of whom were disappointed by the contrast with the Saturn games.<ref name="BSMpdm">{{cite magazine|last=Fernández|first=Martín|url=https://bonusstagemagazine.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/bonus-34-bubsy.pdf|title=Análisis: Panzer Dragoon Mini|trans-title=Analisys: Panzer Dragoon Mini|magazine=Bonus Stage Magazine|volume=9|issue=34|date=December 2019|pages=26–27|access-date=28 May 2023|language=es|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623042749/https://bonusstagemagazine.files.wordpress.com/2019/12/bonus-34-bubsy.pdf|archive-date=23 June 2020|url-status=live}}. ([https://bonusstagemagazine.wordpress.com/2020/02/14/analisis-panzer-dragoon-mini-game-gear/ Transcription] by Bonus Stage Magazine. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200623040939/https://bonusstagemagazine.wordpress.com/2020/02/14/analisis-panzer-dragoon-mini-game-gear/|date=23 June 2020}}).</ref><ref name="RG129pdm">{{cite magazine|last=Jones|first=Darran|url=https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/panzer-dragoon-mini/|title=Retro Revival: Panzer Dragoon Mini|magazine=Retro Gamer|issue=129|publisher=Imagine Publishing|date=22 May 2014|pages=98–99|access-date=28 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150103103306/https://www.retrogamer.net/retro_games90/panzer-dragoon-mini/|archive-date=3 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> ''1Up.com'' called ''Mini'' "a dumbed-down, cartoony shooter for kids that bears little resemblance to the epic adventures on Saturn."<ref name="1upPDM">{{Cite web|title=Phantom Dust Xbox Retrospective|website=1Up.com|date=11 September 2007|last=Mielke|first=James|url=http://www.1up.com/features/phantom-dust-retrospective|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160526014546/http://www.1up.com/features/phantom-dust-retrospective|archive-date=26 May 2016}}</ref>

''Saga'' is often listed among the greatest video games ever made, earning acclaim for its story, graphics, and combat, along with criticism for its low difficulty and short play time.<ref name="Sad Tale">{{cite magazine |date=December 2007 |title=''Panzer Dragoon Saga'': the sad tale of the Saturn's last great game |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=[[Company:GameStop|GameStop]] |issue=176 |pages=164–165}}</ref><ref name="Edge"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/reviews/1788.html|title=''Panzer Dragoon Saga''|date=14 May 1998|work=Next Generation Online|publisher=Imagine Media|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990829131749/http://www.next-generation.com/jsmid/reviews/1788.html|archive-date=29 August 1999|url-status=dead|access-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> Reviewers praised the story's restraint and lack of cliché,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mielke|first=James|date=11 September 2007|title=''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' Sega Saturn retrospective|url=http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-saga-retrospective?pager.offset=0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121123072939/http://www.1up.com/features/panzer-dragoon-saga-retrospective?pager.offset=0|archive-date=23 November 2012|access-date=7 December 2017|website=1UP.com|publisher=Ziff Davis}}</ref> as well as the complexity of the characters; even the dragon has been called an "intimate computer companion", drawing comparisons to the later games of Fumito Ueda (''[[Software:Ico|Ico]]'', ''[[Software:Shadow of the Colossus|Shadow of the Colossus]]'', and ''[[Software:The Last Guardian|The Last Guardian]]'').<ref name="ringer" /> ''Game Informer'' called the game "one of the year's best, and generally considered the Saturn's finest title".<ref name="Sad Tale"/> ''Saga'' was named one of the best games of all time by ''Computer and Video Games'' in 2000, ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' in 2001 and 2006, ''IGN'' readers in 2005,<ref>{{Cite web |title=''IGN'' and KFC Snacker present readers' top 99 games |url=http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/9.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050429025808/http://microsites.ign.com/kfc/top99games/9.html |archive-date=29 April 2005 |access-date=20 December 2015 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis }}</ref> ''IGN'' in 2007,<ref>{{cite web |title=''IGN'' top 100 games 2007 |url=http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_44.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414155645/http://top100.ign.com/2007/ign_top_game_44.html |archive-date=14 April 2012 |access-date=24 November 2008 |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis }}</ref> and G4 in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012 |title=22: ''Panzer Dragoon Saga'' |url=http://www.g4tv.com/top-100/488/panzer-dragoon-saga/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924064423/http://www.g4tv.com/top-100/488/panzer-dragoon-saga/ |archive-date=24 September 2015 |access-date=20 February 2018 |website=G4 |publisher=G4 Media}}</ref>

''Orta'' was critically acclaimed, receiving praise for its visual design, unlockable content, and faithfulness to the series, while reviewers criticized the short play time and dated, on-rails structure. Opinions of the controls and the increased difficulty were mixed.<ref>{{cite magazine|script-title=ja:Xbox — パンツァードラグーン オルタ|trans-title=Xbox — Panzer Dragoon Orta|magazine=Famitsu|publisher=Enterbrain|issue=732|date=13 December 2002|language=ja}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Panzer Dragoon Orta |author=EGM staff |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=163 |date=February 2003 |pages=156–157}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |title=Panzer Dragoon Orta |author=Edge staff |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future plc |issue=120 |date=February 2003 |pages=90–93}}</ref> ''Eurogamer'' called ''Orta'' "refined, well designed and intelligent", marking "a real progression in the genre",<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/r-pdorta-x |title=Panzer Dragoon Orta Review|last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=28 January 2003 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |access-date=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100105225006/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/r_pdorta_x|archive-date=5 January 2010|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''GamePro'' said that its complex and beautiful level design almost overwhelmed the senses.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27792.shtml |title=Panzer Dragoon Orta Review|date=16 January 2003 |magazine=GamePro |access-date=5 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050206184606/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox/games/reviews/27792.shtml |archivedate=6 February 2005 |url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Orta'' has been consistently listed as one of the best games for the original Xbox, by publications including ''GamesRadar'', ''[[Company:Digital Trends|Digital Trends]]'', and ''IGN'', the latter describing it as the "pinnacle of rail shooters".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/17/the-top-25-xbox-games-of-all-time |title=The Top 25 Xbox Games of All Time |last1=Perry |first1=Douglass C. |last2=Brudvig |first2=Erik |last3=Miller |first3=Jon |date=16 March 2007 |website=IGN |accessdate=28 October 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120823002359/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/03/17/the-top-25-xbox-games-of-all-time|archive-date=23 August 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/best-xbox-games-all-time/ |title=The best original Xbox games ever |date=11 June 2017 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=5 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726032510/http://www.gamesradar.com/best-xbox-games-all-time/|archive-date=26 July 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-best-original-xbox-games/|title=The best original Xbox games|author=Yadan, Joseph|website=[[Company:Digital Trends|Digital Trends]]|date=15 April 2021|access-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210416005407/https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/the-best-original-xbox-games/|archive-date=16 April 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Panzer Dragoon: Remake'' received lukewarm reviews upon release. Critics consistently praised the remake's faithfulness to the original's gameplay and the retention of the original soundtrack, but they were divided by the updated visuals and disappointed by the short play time.<ref name="NLife"/><ref name="PD:R Euro">{{Cite news|title=Panzer Dragoon: Remake review — flawed revisit to an off-kilter masterpiece|newspaper=Eurogamer|publisher=Gamer Network|first=Martin|last=Robinson|date=2 April 2020|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/panzer-dragoon-remake-review-flawed-revisit-to-an-off-kilter-masterpiece|access-date=26 May 2023|archive-date=26 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526135118/https://www.eurogamer.net/panzer-dragoon-remake-review-flawed-revisit-to-an-off-kilter-masterpiece|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="PD:R IGN">{{Cite news|title=Panzer Dragoon: Remake Review|newspaper=IGN|publisher=Ziff Davis|first=Mike|last=Epstein|date=11 September 2020|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/panzer-dragoon-remake-review|access-date=26 May 2023|archive-date=26 May 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526135118/https://www.ign.com/articles/panzer-dragoon-remake-review|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Nintendo Life'' found both the Saturn-era control scheme and an alternative added by the remake to be awkward,<ref name="NLife"/> and ''Eurogamer'' called the new environment art "just as often muddy as it is marvelous".<ref name="PD:R Euro"/> ''IGN'' found that the arcade-like structure of the game offered little replay value to a modern player.<ref name="PD:R IGN"/>

===Legacy===
Former ''Panzer Dragoon'' development staff worked on [[Social:Spiritual successor|spiritual successor]]s such as ''[[Software:Rez (video game)|Rez]]'' (2001) and ''[[Software:Crimson Dragon|Crimson Dragon]]'' (2013).<ref name="GamasutraPDhist"/><ref name="Kotaku">{{Cite web|title=How Panzer Dragoon Defined The Sega Saturn Era|first=Chris|last=Kohler|date=25 April 2019|website=Kotaku|publisher=G/O Media|url=https://kotaku.com/how-panzer-dragoon-defined-the-sega-saturn-era-1834305728|access-date=8 April 2023|archive-date=6 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190706083955/https://kotaku.com/how-panzer-dragoon-defined-the-sega-saturn-era-1834305728|url-status=live}}</ref> The ''Panzer Dragoon'' series and the Saturn received positive reviews but sold poorly,<ref name="Kotaku" /> and ''Panzer Dragoon'' has been described as "short-lived and beloved".<ref name="GamasutraPDhist"/> ''Kotaku'' wrote that it was "emblematic" of the Saturn, beginning as a showcase of the Saturn's technical abilities and ending, with ''Saga'', as an RPG to compete with the ''[[Software:Final Fantasy|Final Fantasy]]'' series.<ref name="Kotaku" /> Though it is rarely named as an influence by developers, it pioneered design elements later popularized in more successful games.<ref name="ringer"/> In 2019, Futatsugi said proposals for new ''Panzer Dragoon'' games had occasionally been made within Sega, and that he had considered approaching Sega to license the series.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kohler |first=Chris |date=2019-04-25 |title=How ''Panzer Dragoon'' defined the Sega Saturn era |url=https://kotaku.com/how-panzer-dragoon-defined-the-sega-saturn-era-1834305728 |access-date=2024-12-19 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref>
==Notes==
{{Notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{moby game|id=-group/panzer-dragoon-series|name=''Panzer Dragoon'' series}}
* {{anime News Network|OVA|190|Panzer Dragoon}}

{{Panzer Dragoon series|state=expanded}}
{{Sega Sammy franchises}}

[[Category:Single-player video games]]

{{Sourceattribution|Panzer Dragoon}}