PANZER DRAGOON ORTA (XBOX)

Publisher: SEGA.
Developer: Smilebit. 
Released: March 2003 (Europe).
Genre: Rail shooter.


Posted 21st December 2019.
By Shane Battams © 2019

​Even by a SEGA series’ usual standards, Panzer Dragoon would endure something of a tortured existence. Starting life on the mishandled Saturn, the series would see three releases, which would sell poorly despite garnering critical acclaim, with Team Andromeda closing soon afterwards. Panzer Dragoon Orta, coming from former Andromeda developers who would wind up at Smilebit, would also suffer setbacks, starting development on the Dreamcast before being moved to Xbox as a result of SEGA’s departure from the console market. Orta was worth the wait however, serving as one of the finest rail shooters ever made, and a technical showcase for Microsoft’s first console.

Returning to the rail shooter format abandoned by Saga, Panzer Dragoon Orta packs some immense action into its 10 levels. Taking place in a world ruled by the tyrannical Empire, Orta is a teenage girl who has been held captive, and dubbed a harbinger of doom. Said doom then comes to bear, with the Empire using monstrous creations to destroy the nomadic settlement. But before Orta perishes, she is saved by a mysterious dragon, who helps her escape. Together with a rogue drone Abadd, the pair look to find a way to defend themselves from the tyranny and their attacks. The story is told sparingly with minimal cut-scenes, but there’s a haunting ambience to the whole scenario, with the foreign language and dark tone proving alien, yet engaging.
Panzer Dragoon Orta Xbox gameplay
An Xbox exclusive, Orta makes full use of the hardware to deliver one of the best rail shooters available
But to be honest, the story takes a backseat to the action, which is fantastic. As Orta rides her dragon, players can either fire rapidly with her laser gun or lock-on to multiple foes at once. You can also turn 360 degrees, to contend with foes on all sides, which luckily, can be detected via a radar. Aiming can also swap perspectives, with left and right pushes of the stick changing the camera point-of-view. It can be overwhelming to deal with so much action at once, making Orta a tough challenge at points. But with the removal of the credits system, it also doesn’t force a complete re-do, merely requiring players to start the Episode again or, if far enough, at the Boss. Players also get a boon from Berserk mode, a powerful attack which can help clear the screen of foes.
It’s not unlike previous games, but some noteworthy additions have also been made. Orta’s dragon comes with three forms, each with their own benefits and can be instantly changed to. Base Wing serves as the all-rounder, Heavy Wing is more powerful with reduced mobility and Glide Wing is weaker but nimbler. Each can be upgraded with Gene bases collected from enemies, meaning varied use is more beneficial. There’s also the Glide mechanic, which lets you speed up or slow down. They can be used to charge through weaker enemies or avoid obstacles. Bosses, which are often much larger in scale, can also be navigated around using this mechanic, allowing you to attack from multiple angles. These new mechanics, combined with a refined base, make for a fantastic rail shooter, and one which compels multiple plays.
FOCAL POINT: OPENING PANDORA'S BOX
While a four-hour campaign may seem modest, Pandora’s Box extends the game’s lifespan immensely. There’s a treasure-trove of unlockables, ranging from curios like concept art and FMVs, to incredibly substantial extras. An entire second campaign, following a young imperial boy called Iva, is available along with several other one-off missions, Box Game lets you play through the game with adjustable settings such as health, costumes and starting areas, and you can even unlock the original Panzer Dragoon in a fully playable form. The great thing about Pandora’s Box is that unlocks can either be achieved through playing on harder difficulties or (for less skilled players) simply spending time in all the modes. It’s genius.
Panzer Dragoon Orta is also a technical marvel, buoyed further by fantastic art direction. Everything has a crisp, detailed look, featuring stunning lighting and expansive levels, ranging from wide-open forests to claustrophobic tunnels with ancient inscription. Whether you’re battling Empire battleships, giant jellyfish-esque creatures or ancient defence systems powered by machinery, everything is rendered beautifully. Performance never frays despite this, and even seeing Panzer Dragoon upscaled is a treat. The sound is also spot-on, with tremendous music that casts a wide net of instrumentation including synth, flute and drums. From the blood-pumping City in the Storm theme, to the goosebumps-inducing Gigantic Fleet track, the soundtrack is one of gaming’s finest. The effects are potent, with powerful laser attacks and explosive action, and the voice work is great.
Panzer Dragoon Orta Xbox gameplay
Panzer Dragoon Orta offers up some remarkable vistas and a tremendous soundtrack
Panzer Dragoon Orta is a sublime rail-shooter, and one of the Xbox’s finest games. Retaining the strong foundations established by Zwei while adding successful new elements to the core gameplay, it’s an exciting and enthralling experience which warrants replays. Coupled with a breathtaking presentation, an insane amount of content and a haunting atmosphere which puts it in the company of the likes of Ico, and it proves a must-play. Unless you’re majorly bothered by not being able to control your dragon’s movement, Orta should be experienced by all.
VERDICT
"Panzer Dragoon Orta is a sublime rail shooter, adding successful new elements to the core gameplay established in Zwei, making for one of the Xbox’s finest games."



OVERALL: 9/10