Panzer Dragoon : Remake

Panzer Dragoon originally launched in 1995 by Team Andromeda on the Sega Saturn and was one of the six launch titles. Since that time, there have been 4 iterations in the Panzer Dragoon Series……..Panzer Dragoon(1995), Panzer Dragoon II Zwei(1996), Panzer Dragoon Saga(1998), and Panzer Dragoon Orta(2002).

Panzer Dragoon is an ‘On the Rails shoot em up’ type game. Playing as Keil the Hunter, you take over for a fallen warrior who leaves his Dragon to you as he takes his last breath. Your Journey begins as you and your fearless dragon take on hoards of enemies, trying to unravel the mystery of the second dragon rider. Will you be able to stop the warrior from reaching the Black Tower?

Panzer Dragoon : Remake is available on the Nintendo Switch and is developed by MegaPixel studio. I must say that I am pleasantly surprised with this version. From the very first mission, it seemed as if I was transported back in time to when I played the original. The Switch version not only has updated graphics, but MegaPixel studio has managed to keep the story line intact. The Switch Version of Panzer Dragoon offers 2 control methods, Classic Control and Modern. Classic Control is the method we all grew up and fell in love with, where you use the shoulder buttons to make 1/4 turns while using the radar to keep an eye on the enemies. Modern Control allows you to use the left analog stick to move, while the right analog stick is used for aiming your crosshair. You can also assign shots to the left and right Z triggers. I would suggest playing with Classic Controls, simply because that was the way the game was meant to be played. There will be a Patch to the game that adds Saori Kobayashi’s additional soundtrack. The patch will be made as soon as possible, but for now you can enjoy the original soundtrack in all its glory.

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Panzer Dragoon : Remake consists of 6 levels with a Final Boss fight that technically makes it 7 Levels. The Game is very challenging on the harder levels, but if you have played the Panzer Dragoon games before, you will have no trouble getting through this title in a short amount of time. There are plans to patch the game with additional content, with the possibility of adding Gyroscopic Controls.

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Panzer Dragoon : Remake is a welcome addition for any fans of the series as well as a pleasant surprise to Gamers who are new to the series. The game is not perfect, as it has its flaws……… The Graphics are in HD, but could be much better in my opinion. That being said, it is an improvement over the originial Sega Saturn Version. As I was playing this game, I was smiling from ear to ear…….it just has that classic vibe that I long for. If you have a Nintendo Switch, you can purchase the game for $24.99 on the Nintendo E-Shop. The physical release will retail for $39.99, and the Collector’s Edition for $59.99.

Panzer Dragoon : Remake 7/10

Reviewed by John Place ( AKA TechnoFabulous)