Sega Ages Panzer Dragoon...this is a joke, right?

[GateofThunderforceIII]

Please some one out there say that there is a 60 fps mode maybe after beating the game? If not, then this is a major bomb job by Sega. Admittedly, I only played up to almost the end of the 1st level, but that was all I could take. There is a Saturn mode (pretty much 100% Saturn version), and arranged mode, which, they only upped the resolution. Same crappy frame rate. Not even 30 for crying out loud. There is a glimmer of hope...there is a Pandora's Box option under the arrange mode with three spaces left blank. I'm crossing my fingers for a PROPER arrange mode for this classic. This game made me cry back to KOF Orochi Collection, which, the Saturn versions looked BETTER. What the hell happened in this generation? Laziness...

[Nei First]

This game made me cry back to KOF Orochi Collection, which, the Saturn versions looked BETTER.

Don't know about Panzer dragoon.... But as I'm expecting to have the KOF Orochi Collection within the next week or two, please explain how do the saturn versions look better? First I've heard of this.

[CecilMcW00t]

The only way the Saturn KOFs can look better than the Orochi collection is if you stretch the resolution in the options screen for a blurred mess. In the original aspect ratio the games look awesome. I noticed details I never saw in the saturn version.

[GaijinPunch]

My PD is on order (I went with slow shipping, as I'm busy w/ Okami anyway). Bummer to hear that Arrange mode is still in the low frame rate.

[Neon]

wouldn't the Xbalks one be in 60 fps? The unlockable first game I mean.

[GateofThunderforceIII]

No sir. Orta's Panzer unlockable, I heard, is just the PC version complete with the sucktacular frame rate. That was strike one with bringing back Panzer one. This (Sega Ages) is so bad, this may be two strikes in one swing...

As for the Saturn KOF's vs Orochi collection, amittedly, I played Orochi on a 27 inch Samsung via component cables. Saturn KOF 97, I played shortly on a (tated) 19 inch old ass (but still damn good) Panasonic via S-Video. As with pretty much all Saturn/PS1 vs this generation graphics for 2-D fighters, the last generations wins. The resolution looks more natural rather than pixelated. I'm not saying there are missing frames on the Orochi Collection, it's just that the Saturn version looks so much better.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Shame about Panzer Dragoon Ages (Have it on preorder as well).

But Shame x2 about the lack of people playing Orta. IMO it's the best in the series.

Mostly I'm buying this for the Perfect run vid (100% shot down) and developer interviews. I can deal with the framerate since admittedly there ain't much to look at and making it 60 FPS won't help too much.

[iatneH]

Is this just PD I and Zwei on this collection?

I have PD I already for Saturn, and Zwei isn't very expensive either. I also have Orta (but no Xbox). Anyway Zwei is on my "to buy" list..

[Ganelon]

This game made me cry back to KOF Orochi Collection, which, the Saturn versions looked BETTER.

Don't know about Panzer dragoon.... But as I'm expecting to have the KOF Orochi Collection within the next week or two, please explain how do the saturn versions look better? First I've heard of this.

I'm pretty sure he's referring to the faked high-res, an issue with all of these PS2 SNK emulations. I don't think it's that big of a deal since all the frames are intact in the PS2 version unlike in the 32-bit incarnations but some might care. I'm more upset myself that the only extras the games contain are color edit and an arrange soundtrack (just like Gekka no Kenshi 1-2). All the other "extras" (like language selection for 96&97 and playable Goenitz in 96) were already in the arcade versions.

[CecilMcW00t]

Also it's nice to finally have music that plays continually instead of restarting after each round in Team Play mode.

Back on topic, so like the other user asked, is it the first two Panzer games? Or just the first one on this Ages release?

[GateofThunderforceIII]

No sirs, just the original Panzer One. Here's a chance for Sega to properly do a 60 fps rerelease of Zwei. But in my opinion, the first one drastically needed a frame rate boost more than any other game in the series and Sega screwed it all up royally.

[jiji]

They could easily have made it 60fps, but I think they deliberately chose not to. They were likely concerned about a higher framerate throwing off the feel of the game too much. Notice how they kept the remade version in a (semi-) low resolution, too - it runs at something like 640x240.

I won't argue that a 60fps and hi-res mode would be a nice unlockable, but I don't think it's included in any of the options still locked in your menu.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Sega tends to be sticklers about frame-rate. For example in their Virtua Fighter 2 ages remake they included a 52(or 51 I forget which) fps option as well as a 60 fps. The 52? fps option was closest to the arcade original and is more or less impossible to determine with the naked eye.

However to VF players the frames can be a serious issue with pulling off moves.

Putting Panzer Dragoon 1 at 60 FPS would have required the game to be completely re-programmed actually. Most games are designed with FPS limitations in mind so when the framerate is doubled in an un-natural manner(say via an emulator) then the game just runs at double speed and it screws everything up.
I assume Sega didn't think that this would be in their best interest so they passed on it. Personally having played the game for nearly a decade at that particular framerate I agree it would make the game more a lot more difficult if the 60 fps mode was poorly implemented.

[jiji]

Okay, now I've got a bone to pick with this package. There's no proper analog support. The original PD supported the Saturn's flight stick, and as a result the analog pad as well, though the latter is too twitchy with the way they have the controls calibrated. Now, did they adapt the PS2 version to use the very adequate analog stick properly? No, they mapped the D-pad's digital controls to the stick, with a huge deadzone. Sloppy and lazy.

[GaijinPunch]

It's a $20 budget release. We can't really expect a completely reworked game, although I will admit that it's not the most fantastic package of the Sega Ages 2500 series (it is far from the worst though).

I really forgot how much they improved in Zwei though.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

Yeah in all honesty the original Panzer Dragoon is a fairly weak game. The followups are excellent however.

Still waiting on mine though(With Dynamite Deka Remix). The mail carriers in my neighborhood change every few days so stuff gets mixed up in the process.

[GaijinPunch]

While I like the fact that Sega is leaving the original modes in these games, any Saturn game I like, I will already own. THat's not the case w/ MD games, so the Treasure Box was the best game purchase I've made in a LONG time.

On that note, I would REALLY like to see a remake of Azel, rather than a remake, as I own it.

[Ceph]

I don't think they'll remake Pazer Dragoon Saga; that would require way too much effort (at least for a budget release).

[GateofThunderforceIII]

I think the original Panzer would be that much of a better game if it can be made more playable and smoother. Really, it never was with its 24 or 10 fps or something. I'm sure it would have been easy to up the frame rate with the power of the PS2. They should have done that instead of wasted time in improving the resolution so minimally.

I'd take a strictly remade Azel just to see it in component. Though that may make it ugly.

My Dynamite Deka came with Panzer Ages, but Panzer got me down so much, I never bothered with DD yet. Still sealed.

[PepsimanVsJoe]

I dunno man. Dynamite Deka Remix is freaking awesome.

The arranged mode looks a hundred times better than Saturn mode. The game itself is good but the additional options just make it awesome.

There's a number of additional modes(which are really difficult because you get no continues) and each of them have different weapons, enemies, and costumes. For example in deadline mode(Which is basically beat the enemies before you run out of time) you can have the Bruce Willis lookalike dress up as Segata Sanshiro and the woman as that Dreamcast schoolgirl...thing. Also there's an Altered Beast mode(based off the PS2 game actually not the Arcade version) where you play as a Werewolf and try to get as far in the game as possible before your health runs out.

Also you can dress up as two of the characters from Golden Axe and fight Death Adder for one of the boss fights.

Honestly I'm starting to think they put more effort into the Dynamite Deka Remake than Panzer Dragoon. There's a lot more content to check out and the graphics engine has been entirely redone(as opposed to the PD remake).

Although Sega didn't up the framerate. It's still locked at 30 FPS. Personally I don't mind since the original arcade game was the same way.

And honestly all of the FPS in the world can not save the original Panzer Dragoon. This game has not aged well at all. Also wish there were subtitles to the director's commentary track so at least I could attempt to translate it.

[dave4shmups]

Well, the Treasure Box certainly sounds like the best so far, although I'd really love to hear some feedback about the Sega Ages Memorial Selection, as well as the volume with Quartet and SDI. Those are definately the two volumes that I'm most interested in.

And, speaking of the Panzer Dragoon series, why do some fans consider the XBOX version to be crap?

[jp]

How does Panzer Dragoon have a director's commentary? Who is speaking on this? Is it an old interview from Tomohiro Kondo? I was always under the impression that he had passed away right after PDSaga...

Yoji Ishii maybe?

[GaijinPunch]

How does Panzer Dragoon have a director's commentary? Who is speaking on this? Is it an old interview from Tomohiro Kondo? I was always under the impression that he had passed away right after PDSaga...

Yoji Ishii maybe?

He looks alive to me, as this was published last week.
link

[Specineff]

Well, the Treasure Box certainly sounds like the best so far, although I'd really love to hear some feedback about the Sega Ages Memorial Selection, as well as the volume with Quartet and SDI. Those are definately the two volumes that I'm most interested in.

And, speaking of the Panzer Dragoon series, why do some fans consider the XBOX version to be crap?

Story-wise, it's the weakest.

SPOILER ALERT:




The dragon Orta rides on is the original dragon reborn, but without the spirit that made him the blue dragon. And dies after seeing that "spirit" who bids him farewell at the end of the game. So that was a let down for fans of the series. It's the weakest, but that doesn't mean it sucks.

[jp]

How does Panzer Dragoon have a director's commentary? Who is speaking on this? Is it an old interview from Tomohiro Kondo? I was always under the impression that he had passed away right after PDSaga...

Yoji Ishii maybe?

He looks alive to me, as this was published last week.
link

Is that Tomohiro Kondo? All I see are a bunch of question marks... and since I don't read Japanese or question markese...


Edit:
Actually, Tomohiro Kondo wasn't the director of the original. That was Yukio Futatsugi. I believe he also directed PDSaga(he also made Phantom Dust on the Xbox). Kondo only directed PDIIZwei. Though he produced the whole series. In fact, the only other game he ever headed up was Panic! on the Sega CD...

So I don't think that is Tomohiro Kondo. Though the online translation isn't really telling me anything. In fact, its listing Hiroshi Satoshi... and that name totally doesn't sound familiar...


Edit2:
Actually, Yukio Futatsugi works for Microsoft Game Studios Japan. Why they don't have him making a 360 game is beyond me...

[Ceph]

The page says that they just conducted an email interview with Tomohiro Kondo, who was the director of "SEGA AGES 2500 series Vol.27".


Edit: I misread. He was the director of the SEGA AGES

[jp]

The page says that they just conducted an email interview with Tomohiro Kondo, who was the director of Panzer Dragoon. Doesn't sound like he was involved in the remake.

Huh, weird.

Hey Ceph, what does it say at the bottom about Azel Panzer Dragoon RPG?

[Ceph]

In the question it says that many people would like a Sega Ages version of Zwei and Panzer Dragoon RPG.

His reply is that he would also like to continue remaking the series in Sega Ages, his highest priority being Panzer Dragoon Zwei. He says "Please Sega-sama, I need your help." Then he thanks the people who liked and still like the Panzer Dragoon Series.

[GaijinPunch]

In his profile, it says he was the director of "Project Andromeda" which was the original PD on the Saturn. He also did level design of it as well.

The bottom part says what I mentioned earlier in this thread, that he'd love to do the whole series if it were possible (IE, if sales were good enough and Sega gave the go ahead).

[dave4shmups]

I wonder what the chances of seeing another Sega Classics Collection over here would be? As many home systems as Congo Bongo (for example) was ported to, I think Sega Memorial Selection would do quite well over here.