Getting the Most out of Panzer Dragoon Saga in 2018

Monday, January 29, marked the 20th anniversary of Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG’s original release in Japan. Panzer Dragoon Saga – as it would later become known to English-speakers in the spring of 1998 – impressed at launch with its expansive 3D environments, fluid battle system, and ambiguous mode of storytelling that kept players guessing until the credits rolled. But while Panzer Dragoon Saga is still revered by fans as one of the Sega Saturn’s greatest treasures, this post-apocalyptic adventure now lives in the shadow of its exorbitant ~$500 price of admission in 2018.

The worth of Panzer Dragoon Saga varies from one Saturn owner to another. For a Panzer enthusiast like me, owning items related to the series is fulfilling simply because they’re meaningful to me. I get as much joy out of seeing them on my shelf every day as I do using them! But in 2018, there’s absolutely no need to own a retail copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga to have a great experience playing it. Thanks to the always-advancing technology available to the Saturn community, it’s easier than ever to get the game running for an affordable price.

Starting Your Adventure

There are three ways to play Panzer Dragoon Saga on your Sega Saturn without breaking the bank:

1. Import: It’s possible to play the less expensive Japanese version of the game on NTSC-U and PAL consoles by inserting an Action Replay and using a corresponding code to bypass the usual “please remove the cartridge” prompt at startup. I don’t recommend it, though, because the text is Japanese-only, and this story-driven game quickly becomes incomprehensible if you can’t read the subtitles.
2. Modchip: Saturns with a modchip installed will boot a CD-R copy of the game just as if it was a retail one. Acquire reputable images and burn them slowly to high-quality media as you would with any other Saturn game, and you’re ready to ride! Disc changes pose no issue – just follow the on-screen prompt when it comes time for one.
3. Pseudo Saturn: Action Replays flashed with Pseudo Saturn 0.82 or Pseudo Saturn Kai will allow most Saturn revisions to boot a CD-R copy of Saga. If using the latter, choose the JHL loader at startup to avoid crashes. Changing discs is a bit different here – at the prompt, save your game, then reboot your Saturn with the next disc inserted and load as usual.

Tips for Playing

Now that you have Panzer Dragoon Saga up and running on your console…STOP! If you’ve never played the original Panzer Dragoon or Panzer Dragoon II Zwei, I strongly encourage doing so before continuing. There’s nothing preventing players from jumping straight into Saga, but those who completed the first two games (and paid attention to the cutscenes) will be richly rewarded with a greater understanding of the series’ overarching story.

Going into Saga with as much information about its world as possible is advantageous, because its narrative is far from forthcoming about what’s actually going on for most of the game. Unlike the other JRPGs of its era, Saga tells its story in an indirect manner, expecting players to piece together the perspectives of different characters and discover the truth on their own. Involving yourself is key to success!

With this in mind, there’s an approach to Saga that both new and returning players can take to unearth all its mysteries. Part of it is talking to NPCs – a lot. Every resident of the Panzer world is somebody; they have unique names, pasts, and knowledge that they’ll share with you if the conditions are right. Speaking to them at different times of day and after events that progress the story often prompts them to say new things. Also, reading the books and other documents that you acquire over the course of your adventure is highly advisable, as they reveal valuable information about the Panzer world’s past, present and future.

Like previous entries in the series, Saga grades players on performance at the end of the game. Exploring the map, breaking targets, encountering new enemies, and bonding with the dragon at camp all contribute to your result, and most importantly, allow you to discover everything the world has to offer. Panzer Dragoon Saga should be enjoyed at leisure, and its relatively short runtime allows for that. Full completion of the game takes about 20 hours.

After the End

“Your mission is completed. Yet, you still wish to remain?” Well, you should, because there’s a whole lot more Panzer Dragoon fun to be had after your journey with Edge and the dragon comes to a close! Panzer Dragoon Orta for Xbox (which the aforementioned quote references) pairs beautifully rendered rail-shooting action with a moving narrative that calls back to the events of Saga and before. It’s playable on NTSC-U Xbox 360s via backward compatibility when an official Microsoft hard drive is installed, furthering its accessibility.

For those who prefer to stick to the Saturn, Panzer Dragoon Saga’s original soundtrack provides easy listening outside of the game. Composers Saori Kobayashi and Mariko Nanba’s synth-laced ethnic score moves gracefully from console to real life in the form of the Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG Complete Album and its 2001 reprint, Azel: Panzer Dragoon RPG Memorial Album. And on Monday, January 29, Saori Kobayashi released a re-imagined selection of the game’s music entitled Resurrection: Panzer Dragoon Saga 20th Anniversary Arrangement, now available for digital download and streaming. The album can also be pre-ordered on CD and vinyl for an upcoming March-April distribution.

Perhaps the most enduring way to enjoy Panzer Dragoon Saga is to talk about it. For me, getting the most out of the game has meant engaging its community and sharing my thoughts on my beloved world with others who love it, too. So, whether you have questions about your setup’s compatibility with a CD-R copy or want to have an in-depth discussion about the nature of the dragon, reach out. With so many resources available and fans ready to share in your experience – This 20th Anniversary, You MUST Play PANZER DRAGOON SAGA!