Panzer Dragoon Saga (review)
It all sounds easy enough on paper, but in reality combat always keeps you thinking on your feet. Many enemies have weak spots located in red-colored defense zones, forcing you to choose either an aggressive offensive strategy or a conservative defensive one. You also have two main weapons, Edge's gun and the dragon's laser, as well as a series of different special attacks. Unless upgraded, Edge's gun only hits a single enemy, while the laser hits many foes, but for less damage. On top of that, some enemies can't be hurt by all of your weapons, and it's usually up to trial and error.
Oh, and did I mention that your weapons need to charge before you use them? Or that the power bars won't charge if your dragon is currently moving? You have three bars that can be filled. Basic attacks only use one bar's worth of energy, while more powerful special attacks or spells can use two or three. Also, late in the game your dragon gains special abilities (such as regeneration) that are triggered if you allow your dragon to sit at full energy. It's risky, though. You're basically a sitting duck during this period, and more powerful enemies will likely tear you to shreds.
I could talk about the combat until I'm blue in the face, but you won't really appreciate it unless you try it for yourself. Boss battles are truly the highlight of Panzer Dragoon Saga, because they are intense and, unlike many recent RPGs, genuinely tough. Dodging in and out an enemies red-zone in an attempt to quick hit its weak spot. Constantly moving hoping that the foes' attack will miss and leave you an opening for a strong counterattack. Figuring out how to keep certain enemies' counterattacks from hitting you. And best of all, racing the clock as you try to destroy a missile headed for a nearby town. All of it helps the game each a level of sheer, adrenaline-induced excitement I didn't think was possible in an RPG!
Alas, not everything is perfect. The subtitles often times go by too fast, making it difficult to read them at times. The graphics, while solid, are a little choppy and the game suffers from some slowdown. It doesn't hurt, but it does make you wonder what this game could've looked like on the Dreamcast or PS-2. A few of the game's plot twists, such as the identity
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