Panzer Dragoon II Zwei (1996) Online

Back in 1996 there weren't many titles that could compete in terms of gameplay, graphics and fun with the game that started it all, the original Panzer Dragoon for the Sega Saturn. Nevertheless, Team Andromeda (a subdivision of Sega) developed one of the most anticipated and beautiful sequels of that time; Panzer Dragoon Zwëi, which like in the previous game, features a dragon rider who must destroy an entire army of enemies and monsters.

It should be known that although Zwëi is a sequel to the first game, it's plot serves as its "prequel", where we are explained the origins of the mythical creature and how it became a legend inside the magical world of the series. The story revolves around a young coolia (a beast of burden and riding) breeder of a small village in a post-apocalyptic world, that one day discovers a new born coolia with wings instead of forelegs. The creature and the boy forms a bond of friendship that leads them to discover the final purpose of the strange animal.

In this second installment of the Panzer Dragoon series, the graphics experimented a major enhancement with respect of the original title, like the rippling effects of the water, the increased polygon count (notably the level bosses) or the real time lighting, now more detailed and remarkable.

Changes were applied to the playability also, since the dragon no longer was limited to fly, but also could run by the floor in different episodes of the game. In the same way, it was possible to choose the path to follow in some places (feature re-used in the later panzer Dragoon Orta) and the player was rewarded at the end of every level with a possible mutation for the dragon, depending on how well he/she did and how many targets they destroyed along the way. This mutations would change the looks of the dragon and its battling characteristics.

Overall a great software for the time of its release and platform, with very solid 3D graphics and developed surroundings. Everyone that owns a Saturn should play this video game at least once to behold the beauty and magic that Sega pulled off in its 32-bit hardware.