Panzer Dragoon Orta

About Panzer Dragoon Orta

Panzer Dragoon Orta is a third-person shooter developed by Smilebit and published by Sega for the Xbox in 2002. You play as Orta, a girl rescued by a dragon from an oppressive Empire, tasked with taking down its bio-engineered war machines. The game blends fast-paced combat with a narrative about identity and rebellion. While it’s the fourth entry in the Panzer Dragoon series, newcomers can jump in with the included port of the first game. Set in a dystopian world of floating islands and ancient ruins, the story unfolds through high-speed dragon rides and cinematic cutscenes. The title leans heavily on reflexes, with minimal story exposition, focusing instead on explosive action sequences. It’s a shorter, tighter experience compared to its predecessors, clocking in at around 10-15 hours.

Gameplay

You control Orta’s dragon, switching between three forms that alter movement speed and attack patterns. The core loop is simple: lock onto enemies with a hold-fire button, unleash a charged blast, and dodge incoming attacks by tilting the dragon. Combat feels snappy, with enemies darting in unpredictable patterns. Missions involve clearing waves of drones, boss fights against dragonmares, and navigating environmental hazards like collapsing platforms. The camera sometimes struggles to keep up, making aiming tricky in chaotic scenarios. A secondary mechanic lets you collect “aura” energy to upgrade your dragon’s abilities, but progression is limited compared to open-ended shooters. The lack of multiplayer and minimal exploration keep sessions linear, with each level feeling like a self-contained battle.

What Players Think

Metacritic gives it a 90/100, but PlayPile’s data shows mixed completion rates, only 42% of players finish the campaign. Average playtime is 11.3 hours, with 68% completing under 15. Community moods lean polarized: 54% label it “thrilling” for its action, while 28% call it “frustrating” due to camera and control issues. Achievement completion is high (79% of players unlock 100%), but no trophies highlight story depth. One review on PlayPile notes, “It’s a wild ride, but the camera makes aiming feel like luck.” Critics praise its ambition but acknowledge dated design. The game remains a cult hit among shooter fans for its chaotic combat and bold art style.

PlayPile's Take

Orta is a flawed gem for fans of arcade-style shooters. Its lightning-fast combat and visual flair make it addictive in short bursts, but the camera and repetitive level design hurt long-term playability. At $20 for a used copy, it’s a low-risk pick for those who enjoy linear, action-heavy experiences. Skip if you prefer precision or deep storytelling, this is about thrills over substance. The included port of the original Panzer Dragoon is a bonus, offering tighter gameplay. Worth a playthrough for nostalgia, but don’t expect modern polish.

Storyline

The Empire has returned to power, using ancient technology to genetically engineer dragon-like bio-engineered weapons called dragonmares. A young girl, Orta, has lived all her life in a tower in a valley, imprisoned by the nomadic Seekers, who fear she is a harbinger of doom. One night, the Empire attacks the valley with its dragonmares, destroying much of the city. Before the dragonmares can harm Orta, a mysterious dragon appears and eliminates them. Orta flees the valley on the dragon. Evren, a general in the Imperial Army and leader of the dragonmare squadron, pursues her. She is saved by Abadd, a renegade imperial drone. He flies away and Orta asks the dragon to follow him. In her search, Orta meets Mobo, a friendly but reckless member of the wormriders. Mobo leads Orta through a river valley and a sea of ash to the wormrider village. The imperial fleet attacks the village and Evren's squadron engages Orta, but she and the dragon defeat them. Evren's dragonmare self-destructs and Orta and the dragon fall from the sky. The wounded dragon carries Orta on foot across a snowy land until its torn wings regenerate. They fend of an attack from a flying predator, but Orta feels remorse when she sees it has children. Abadd reappears and kills the family with a laser volley. He claims to have information about Orta's birth. They descend into the ruins of a tower and access the ancient information network known as Sestren. Orta finds a message recorded by her mother, Azel, saying that she formed using DNA she recovered from a human in Sestren. Abadd explains that he has learnt the secret of drone reproduction and intends to use Orta's body to replicate himself infinitely and conquer the world. Orta defeats Abadd's avatar and discovers that he is heading for the Cradle, an ancient monolithic artifact above the imperial city. She orders Sestren that she be transported there. Orta and the dragon find themselves in an imperial research facility. After they destroy several experiments, including dragonmare embryos, the facility collapses. They destroy an imperial defense unit and the Emperor dies within the explosion. The Cradle breaks free, destroying several Imperial ships and sending the dragonmares berserk. The wormriders, led by Mobo, attack the imperial fleet at the city, leaving Orta to fly towards the Cradle. After destroying the last of the dragonmares and the Cradle's shell, a cocoon-like object emerges from the Cradle's core. The cocoon erupts into Abadd's enormous dragon, which Orta and the dragon defeat. The dragon, severely wounded, flies to the ground and dies. The war over, Orta walks towards a mountain range with a baby dragon. Iva's Story