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Panzer
Dragoon
パンツァードラグーン
(1995) |
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Moebius - original artwork for Panzer Dragoon (1) |
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One
of the greatest paradoxes of the gaming world is its
obsession with the new, and 'up to date'.
From a commercial perspective, this makes complete sense:
game companies primarily benefit from sales of their
latest wares, so this 'new is good' message is incessantly
pushed, not just through relentless advertising and
sequels, but also by the industry's dedicated press,
who to this day remain in the most part completely corrupt.
Brown envelopes are a core element of a game magazine's
budget, usually hiding under the moniker of 'advertising'.
Creatively speaking, this approach has doomed the art
of game-making. The market is now swamped with utterly
disposable products, while one of the most important
traits of a game - its durability - is seldom addressed.
So credit where it's due: Panzer Dragoon is
still a feast for the senses, fifteen years down the
line. In fact it is one of the greatest 3D shooting
games ever made; spiritual successor to the likes of
Sega's very own Space
Harrier (1985).
Shunned on its release and now worshipped as a cult
classic, Panzer Dragoon stunned players all
around the world with its polished art direction, rewarding
gameplay and breathtaking choreography.
So saddle up: now is as good a time as any to discover
what was once "the most expensive Sega game ever
developed". |
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The
development of Panzer Dragoon can be traced
back to early 1994, when producer Tomohiro Kondo of
Sega’s R&D Dept.#1 was set the difficult task
of creating a flagship '3D Flight Shooting' game in
time for the end-of-year launch of Sega's new console,
the Sega Saturn. His intention was to create a structure
where gameplay would be kept simple and straightforward,
and exotic settings would take center stage.
For this he decided to search for inspiration, choosing
the works of cult French comic book artist Jean 'Moebius'
Giraud, famous for his work on the (highly recommended)
'Blueberry' western serial, strips in 'Metal Hurlant'
magazine and concept designs for films such as 'Willow'
and 'The Abyss'.
Panzer Dragoon is directly based on a 1974
Moebius strip named 'Arzach' - a series of four stunning
short stories featuring a lone pterodactyl-riding hero,
whose mysterious experiences journeying across vast,
deserted landscapes presented not only a truly mesmerising
world but also a strong underlying existentialist theme.
Each tale is spread across no more than 4 or 5 pages
each, and told without a single written word.
Despite itself being directly inspired by Frank Herbert's
1965 sci-fi classic Dune,
Arzach caused an enormous stir in the comic
book world of the mid-seventies. It proved single-handedly
that high-quality design, meticulously detailed environments
and a deeply metaphorical story are all paramount in
creating a memorable fantasy-based, surrealist narrative.
Kondo knew he was onto something, and the project got
under way. Moebius himself was would later acknowledge
the game's legacy by producing two pieces of original
artwork for the packaging. |
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Moebius - original artwork for Panzer Dragoon (2) |
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The
result is a mish-mash of Arzach's mysterious
dragon rider, the desert landscapes (and sandworms)
of Dune and a barren post-apocalyptic future
reminiscent of Mad Max.
It
has been two or three thousand years since society was
at its peak... Throughout derelict landscapes, humans
are being hunted by their own creations: genetically
altered bio-mechanical beings, created millennia ago,
have taken a life of their own, and now run amok across
the land. The power-mad Emperor and his generals have
been trying to seize this power to use as their own,
but to no avail. Unbeknownst to them, one of their young
imperial soldiers is about to take the ride of his life.
Right from the outset, Panzer Dragoon draws
you in with a sumptuous introduction sequence, and the
game that follows is a tremendous achievement. Sega
managed to synchronize a phenomenal blend of aerial
battles, pastel-colored landscapes and staged set-pieces,
all choreographed by a heart-pounding classical score.
The gameplay simply involves shooting down as many mechanized
creatures and imperial airships as you can with either
the rider's firearm or the dragon's laser.
The dragon feels fluid, responsive, and even organic
as it guides you towards your mysterious destination,
and second to the quality of the gameplay is the wonder
and sheer desire to find out more about this unique,
dream-like world. A little more will be unveiled in
the sequel Panzer
Dragoon Zwei (1996), but for now, most is left to
the imagination - and that's the best thing about it.
Engrossing gameplay, mesmerizing environments, unforgettable
soundtrack... There is true creative flair at work here
- no fancy trickery, just a mix of fine ingredients
treated simply, by a team truly on top of their art. |
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Panzer
Dragoon
パンツァードラグーン
SEGA SATURN |
DETAILS
| Format |
Sega
Saturn |
| Released |
10
Mar 1995 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
GS-9015 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Sega's
Panzer Dragoon is
an extraordinary 3D shooting
game, by far one of the finest
releases of its generation.
Give it a try; it's still
quite cheap.
CD case, Sega Saturn CD-ROM
disc, inlay, large fold-out
instruction manual w/ poster
on verso, spine card. |
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Panzer
Dragoon Original Sound Track
パンツァードラグーン オリジナル・サウンドトラック
SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
25
Mar 1995 |
| Publisher |
Polydor
K.K. |
| Product
ID |
POCH-2219 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Complete
original soundtrack CD. Includes
every track featured on the
Sega Saturn version, along
with 'S.E. Collection' track.
CD case, 21-track audio CD,
8-page colour booklet, sticker,
spine card. |
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Panzer
Dragoon Kōshiki Guide Book
パンツァードラグーン 公式ガイドブック
TELEBI LAND WANPAKU No.149 |
DETAILS
| Format |
Guide
Book |
| Released |
30
Apr 1995 |
| Publisher |
Tokumashoten |
| Product
ID |
(no
ISBN#) |
| Size
(cm) |
21
x 14.8 x 0.8
(A5) |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.22 |
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Superb
'Official Guide Book' illustrated
by tons of official art, sketches
and concept designs.
Great help in increasing your
'Shooting Down Ratio': it
breaks down every stage wave
by wave, enemy by enemy.
98 pages, full colour, Japanese. |
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Panzer
Dragoon Original Full Sound Version
パンツァードラグーン オリジナル・フル・サウンドバージョン
ARRANGE SOUNDTRACK |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
June 1995 |
| Publisher |
NEC
Avenue |
| Product
ID |
NACL-1181 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Official
'arrange' album featuring
11 extended tracks from the
original soundtrack.
CD case, 11-track audio CD,
4-page colour booklet, 2x2
fold-out poster, spine card. |
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Panzer
Dragoon Power Remix D-RAM
パンツァードラグーン
パワーリミックス / D-RAM
INSTRUMENTAL |
DETAILS
| Format |
Audio
CD |
| Released |
21
Sep 1995 |
| Publisher |
NEC
Avenue |
| Product
ID |
NACL-1190 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.2
x 12.4 x 1 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.10 |
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Obscure
and hard-to-find 'Remix' CD
from D-Ram, featuring three
extended instrumental medleys.
CD case, 3-track audio CD,
2-page booklet, spine card. |
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Panzer
Dragoon I&II
パンツァードラグーンI&II
SEGA SATURN |
DETAILS
| Format |
Sega
Saturn |
| Released |
13
Dec 1996 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
GS-9124 |
| Size
(cm) |
14.5
x 12.7 x 2.2 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.20 |
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2-in-1 Sega Saturn 'Double
Pack' that includes both:
- Panzer
Dragoon [GS-9015]
- Panzer
Dragoon Zwei [GS-9049]
Both games are identical in
every way to their original
releases, they simply come
budled together inside a cardboard
box featuring original art. |
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Panzer
Dragoon
パンツァードラグーン
SEGA PC |
DETAILS
| Format |
PC
CD-Rom |
| Released |
14
Mar 1997 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
HCJ-0107 |
| Size
(cm) |
? |
| Weight
(kg) |
? |
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Two
years after its original Sega
Saturn release, Panzer
Dragoon gets itself a
high resolution overhaul on
PC CD-Rom, as a part of the
Sega PC range.
The intros may have lost a
little clarity, but the game
looks fantastic.
Now completely out of print,
and very hard to find! |
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Panzer
Dragoon
パンツァードラグーン
SEGA AGES 2500 SERIES VOL.27 |
DETAILS
| Format |
PlayStation
2 |
| Released |
27
Apr 2006 |
| Publisher |
Sega |
| Product
ID |
SLPM-62718 |
| Size
(cm) |
19
x 13.6 x 1.8 |
| Weight
(kg) |
0.17 |
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Excellent
Sega
Ages 2500 re-release featuring
both the Saturn and hi-res
PC versions, an expanded 'Pandora's
Box' option screen, illustration
galleries, movie theatre (including
a 100% run), and audio commentary.
PS2 case, PlayStation 2 DVD-ROM
disc, 'Sega Ages' note card,
colour manual. |
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PANZER
DRAGOON
TACTICS for SEGA SATURN |
Sadly, the SS Panzer Dragoon doesn't have a 'Save'
feature - it doesn't keep a record of your favourite settings
or best 'shoot down ratio'. This is a real shame and a missed
opportunity by Sega, but yet the game kind of makes up for
it by offering a ton of secret codes and hidden features.
To boot:
MOVE SEGA LOGO MAN
When the Sega logo man appears after the initial loading screen,
press
X + Y + Z + START on controller 2
[A rotates, X & Y changes light, A+B+C resets, START on
controller 1 exits]
GAME OVER / RESTART
This one is very useful if you are seeking the 100% ratio!
If you miss an enemy and with to restart the level, input:
A + B + C + L + R [anytime during gameplay]
REMOVE PAUSE TEXT
[during pause] X + Y + Z
The three codes above are for general use; the ones below
work from the game's title screen.
Press START to get the NORMAL GAME / OPTION prompt, and enter
any of the following:
VIEW ENDING MOVIE
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VIEW 'HARD' ENDING MOVIE
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EPISODE SELECT
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- X - Y - Z
EPISODE 0
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- L - R
INVINCIBLE MODE
L - L - R - R -
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(no ending)
WIZARD MODE
L - R - L - R -
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(extra fast game)
ROLLING MODE
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(or just rotate the pad clockwise)
This one is very useful: tap any diagonal twice to perform
a barrel roll - hold fire to lock-on every on-screen enemy!
SPACE HARRIER MODE
(For this to work, the Saturn's internal language setting
must be set to German [Deutsch])
- X -
- X -
- X -
- X -
- Y - Z
DRAGON MODE
(Must enter MASTER CODE first)
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- L - R
MASTER CODE
(Enables new intro, DRAGON MODE and WEAPON POWER UP codes)
- X -
- Y -
- Z -
- Y -
- X
WEAPON
POWER UP
This one is essential, especially if you want a shot at the
100% in HARD mode.
First enter the MASTER CODE, then press & hold any two
of the following during the 'EPISODE ...' loading screen.
Repeat for every level. Y (Rapid Shot) and
C (Heavy Laser) come most recommended.
X
Normal Shot |
Y
Rapid Shot |
Z
Power Shot |
A
Normal Laser |
B
Orbital Laser |
C
Heavy Laser |
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Art
Gallery - Ending Images
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'Panzer
Dragoon', 'Sega Saturn' and 'Sega' are registered trademarks of
Sega Corporation
'PlayStation' and 'Sony' are registered trademarks of Sony Corporation
Panzer Dragoon TM & © 1995 Sega All Rights Reserved
Page content, design & layout © 2008 www.Jap-Sai.com |
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