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Reviews > Panzer Dragoon Zwei Review (PAL Version)
Rewritten By Solo Wing Dragon, July 2002
Team Andromeda looked over the first Panzer Dragoon took the good ideas and discarded the bad. They then went over the good ideas, improved them, changed them around until they were tweaked, and added all new concepts. The result - a sequel that was improved in every way with enough original features to be safely called a step forward in the series. The game was called Panzer Dragoon II Zwei.
Panzer Dragoon II Zwei was a sequel to Panzer Dragoon in the order that they were released, but story wise, Zwei (meaning two in German), actually takes place before the first game. As with all the Panzer Dragoon games on SEGA's Saturn, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei features an impressive opening FMV that explains how the story of the dragon began. The plot is more detailed than before and even has references to the game's RPG sequel, Panzer Dragoon Saga, which wasn't even in development at that stage! It shows how much thought Team Andromeda must have put into the game compared to the last, not just in storyline, but also planning ahead for Panzer Dragoon Saga.
The graphics in Panzer Dragoon II Zwei take a huge leap past the original's first generation looks, but it is the artistic style of the game's world that captures the imagination of the player and lures him or her into the world of Panzer Dragoon. Panzer Dragoon II Zwei was one of the first Saturn games that I played and although I hate to not rate a game by how it plays, I can safely say that the beautiful, unrivalled game world was enough to make me purchase a Saturn.
That's not to say the game doesn't play well. As I stated before, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei enhances every aspect of the original game design. The game now plays faster, and the controls have been fine tuned to make the dragon far more responsive. On the subject of movement, the player now has more control over the dragon in another respect. Panzer Dragoon II Zwei introduces multiple routes to the series. At certain points of the stage the path will split into two and by nudging the dragon towards one of them, that path will be taken, joining back on at the end of the level.
Another new feature is the Dragon Evolution system. Now there is a point to getting 100% shot down ratio on every stage. By blasting enough enemies out of the sky, the dragon sheds his skin and morphs into a more advanced form. While this doesn't change the gameplay dramatically, it's the new touches like this that make the game so good.
Of course the music is extremely well composed, as with all of the series. In my opinion, Zwei's atmospheric tunes are the best I've heard out of all the Panzer Dragoon games on the Saturn, even more so than Panzer Dragoon Saga's dramatic theme. It is hard to forget tracks like 'The Expected Enemy' and 'Giant Creature' because they are just so well done. The sound is equally brilliant, especially the use of the Panzer Dragoon language which makes an appearance one again.
Because of the increase of different paths and options, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei has very good reply value. Like the first game, Zwei is a bit short, but the fact that it plays so much better makes you want to continue replying the stages. After the game is completed, a new option appears called 'Pandra's Box'. The more the game is played the more extra options appear in the box. New weapons, dragon types, and secret modes to name a few. It'll take you hours to unlock them all.
So what would I say about this game overall? Well in my opinion it is one of the best, if not the best, 3D shoot 'em up on the Saturn. If you've played the original and liked it then I can tell you now, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei is at least twice as fun, impressive, and atmospheric. With the new Panzer Dragoon Orta coming out soon on the Xbox it'll be interesting to see if it can improve the series as much as Zwei did.
Graphics: 10/10
Visual Style: 10/10
Gameplay: 9/10
Controls: 9/10
Music: 10/10
Sound: 10/10
Length: 7/10
Reply Value: 9/10
Originality: 8/10
Storyline: 8/10
Overall: 9/10 (90%)
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Destroy the mutant stealing habits; it is the village's code. The Will of the Ancients is an unofficial fansite that is in no way supported or associated with SEGA or Smilebit. Panzer Dragoon, Panzer Dragoon II Zwei, Panzer Dragoon Saga, Panzer Dragoon Orta and all other official Panzer Dragoon content is © SEGA, 1995-2003. Everything else on this website was made or written by Solo Wing Dragon unless otherwise noted. Please ask me first before using any content on this website for fan or commercial purposes.
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