The ramped up difficulty as compared to the demo was the first thing I noticed when I started playing last night...which is a good thing because the demo was a cake walk. Can't wait to play some more tonight!

I picked this up last night. There's definately more than 4 levels. I'm only at level 3, but I've read posts on another forum where people are beyond 4.

Overall, it's pretty good. I wasn't too thrilled at first and was wishing I had just rented it. I went back and finished the tutorial though and after learning more about gliding I went back and enjoyed it more (dang level 2 boss).

If shooter games don't interest you (or haven't in the past), definately rent this one first. That's probably obvious to most of us, but I think a lot of people are going to get sucked in by the hype (some justified, some not) and be disappointed.

There are 10 levels, plus lots of unlockables in Pandora's Box (including side missions with characters from the dark side).

There are 10 episodes total in the main quest of the game (with Orta). Once you unlock the "Sub-scenarios" menu in Pandora's box you will have access to a 7 mission side quest where you play as an imperial boy. Along with that there is a total of what appears to be 5 extra missions which allow you to play as multiple characters (one which I have unlocked allow you to play as Modo the Wormrider).

There is a ton of replay value here so no worries on the length of the game. You'll be playing for a good while.

This game is a lot of fun. If you don't have this game you should go buy it.

This game is such a tease. It had room for the original Panzer Dragoon, why not Zwei (the sequel) or Saga (the RPG)? Granted though, PDS took up 4 disks when it was on the Saturn!

*Spoiler*

If anyone's gotten very far in the game, you can unlock the cinemas from all 3 original games! the director of PDO said that if it's a success, the next game in the series will be a sequel to PDS. Yay! let's hope that they include that on the disk, being that it goes for $100+ on ebay.

Does anyone know where I can get the demo of this game that you all are talking about(without buying OXM, like how Toys R US had the Splinter Cell demo)?? Preferably free or cheap? Thanks!!

- Shawn

I played a couple minutes of this sucker and was very impressed. I love old school shooters and this seems like the best possible way to bring them into 3D.

Shawn - i saw the Xbox demo disk at various Wal-mart stores for $8, but i think it was free with any x-box game or system purchase.

Hmm..$8 is a lot. I think I'll rent the game first to make sure I like it, then buy it. Thanks superboyreturns!

Shawn

Been playing this game for the last few days and I LOVE IT!! One of the best games I own for my XBox. :D

I'm at the end and cannot figure out how to beat the last boss.

Let me guess? The lock on laser attack of his second form is pummeling you to the point of destruction eh?

****SPOILERS****

Its actually one of the easiest attacks to counter in the game. Change to your base wing form. When he starts to lock on (he makes a ringing sound) run the cursor all over the boss so that you lock on completely until the cursor is red (This will lock onto the tail and head that are the main cause of this attack). Now wait for the sound to end, as soon as it does, let go of the lasers and launch away. You will destroy the laser points before they ever fire. Rinse, wash and repeat.

Just make sure that you wait until the sound stops to fire all of the lasers off and his second form will all of a sudden become one of the easier boss battles in the game (Level 8's boss is by the far the toughest IMHO though with practice you can get by that fight without being hit).

If you need anymore help, please feel free to ask, I'm going on my third run through on Hard and I'm on level 6 so far (Beaten the game on easy and medium.)

I just got it yesterday. Most beautiful game ever.

so does it deserve #3 in all time xbox game rankings below halo and splinter cell?

http://www.gamerankings.com./itemran...pleratings.asp

OH HELL YEAH!
I like Panzer Dragoon Orta better than Splinter Cell, btw. The game is worth buying a X Box if you don't have one already. It's that good.

Definitely. This game kicks so much ass. Very challenging too.

:up:

Okay, so here's a question that has been bugging me. What do people mean when they say it's a "rail shooter"? I've heard that it means that there is one path(or something like that). Does that mean you can't turn to the right or left or something?! Heh, sorry, it's a stupid question, but I would like to know the answer. Thanks in advance!

Shawn

shawn, for the most part the game automatically moves you forward on a set path, I guess meaning you can't freely explore the envronment. While you're flying on that path you can move anywhere on the screen, blow up as many things as you can, but you can't deviate from the path set by the game. There are certain points where you can choose between canyon a or canyon b, but once you choose, the game scoots you right along as you blast away. But if you love shooters though, I wouldn't pass this one up, great game and for some reason panzer games tend to be hard to find later on.

This is really a AAA polished product. 480P WS Killer 5.1 and some of the trippiest visuals you will ever see.

It is really cool to see original product like this and I hope it sells well. Most Japanese stuff is to cutesy for me, not this though. It is mature in plot and so ethereal and trippy that it stands alone on the next gen platforms.

The demo WAS pretty junky and may turn away some, which is too bad. You owe it to yourself to at least rent it and get into the game aways before passing judgement. It gets cooler and cooler as you progress.

Was series ever big in Japan? Maybe between this and DOA:VB, the Xbox can come back from the dead there.

I don't like shooters at all, but I decided to rent this game because of all the rave reviews. I'm not so good at shooters, and I didn't want to spend too much time on the game, so I just played it on Easy and beat it in a little under 2 hours.

Despite my quick finish of the main game, there is actually a ton of replay value with different difficulty levels, sub missions in the Pandora's Box, and different routes in each level.

The game is stunningly beautiful. Not just great technical graphics, but the artistry is amazing. A lot of the times I just wanted to sit back and enjoy the scenery instead of having to focus on doding bullets and shooting down missiles. I would like to watch somebody else play just so I can focus on and enjoy the visuals. The music was appropriate and done well, and with DD5.1 it is really a great experience.

Like I said, I don't like shooters at all, so I'm not going to be buying the game, but I definitely think it was worth a rental. For people who are remotely into shooters, I think this game is a definite "buy."

I would give this game a 9.5 out of 10. Everything is done right.

This game is better that its short,nothing better then beating a game such as this 5-10 times easily,plus you can play the old one which many people missed,overall I give it a 8.6,fun game.

I'm not really into shooters, but this game is a blast. I was on level 4 normal, but I started a new game on easy. I was really stinkin' it up on normal. Easy is EASY but I'm having fun (on level 6 now I think) and I know I'll go back and try it again on normal.

So there are two levels of difficulty: easy and normal? Argh, I really want this game, but I can't understand the "rail shooting" part of it without renting it, and I don't have time to rent it now! For anyone who has never played a rail shooter until now, how do you like it? TIA.

Shawn