So I beat this game again on Xemu, after having previously beaten it two times on my Xbox Series S. Once on normal, again on hard - but deathless. This is it, my comfort rail shooter. Featuring the most gorgeous visuals of the early 6th gen, even better on the Series S/X. My only real gripe with Orta is it's short, but in the amount of time it takes to complete, you're taken for an impeccable thrill ride through some of the most gorgeous landscapes and satisfying rail shooting action.
Ah, Smilebit. How I miss that studio. Part of Sega's restructuring following the demise of (my beloved) Dreamcast and the company's exit from the console manufacturing side of the video game market, Smilebit produced numerous titles for Microsoft's original Xbox. One of which was a follow-up to Sega's Panzer Dragoon series, unseen since the days of the Saturn. While it wasn't a direct sequel to Panzer Dragoon Saga, the RPG-infused installment of the franchise, Orta did reintroduce gamers to the impeccably designed world and unique dragons and characters featured in the series. It doesn't reinvent the mechanics of the previous action-oriented titles in the franchise, but what it does achieve is solid gameplay, excellent visuals and music, and an interesting and mysterious storyline. I wish we could see another sequel, but I can't see it happening anytime soon. Now that Sega's reinvigorating older series, perhaps there's some hope? I suppose we shall see.