While its core gameplay is the very definition of old school, Panzer Dragon: Orta is much more than a shooter on rails. The dragon that Orta rides can shift into three forms: light, medium, and heavy. Success depends on a player's ability to quickly shift between forms in order to take advantage of the particular abilities of each. The medium form is useful in most situations. The light form is fast and maneuverable, ideal for quickly shooting down swarms of projectiles or attaining a favorable tactical position. The heavy form presents a slow, big target, but sports the most damaging weapons in the game. The shape-shifting aspect adds depth to the game, especially considering that each form can be upgraded with power-ups and enables a unique special ability.
Clever shifting strategy and a sharpshooter's eye earn a player much more than victory and power-ups. Skilled players are rewarded with extras such as passages of Panzer Dragoon fiction, concept sketches, additional playable characters, extra missions, and even the original Panzer Dragoon game from 1995. The goodies celebrate the rich history of the Panzer Dragoon series, and fill in the background of the game's unfolding story.
The story is worthy of praise. The game tells the tale of Orta, a young woman who is freed from lifelong imprisonment at the beginning of the game by a wondrous shape-shifting drag
