Panzer Dragoon Saga is a game at some point dabbling in anything Sega or old console related you will have heard of.

The legendary game that never got the proper release it deserved. Suffered from an extremely limited release as Sega was burying the Saturn. Is and was the elusive, the rare game for most, that was out of their reach til emulation became more refined. And for some til the capability of a modded Saturn to play such burned games.

And for me, of course it was this game. If there was ever a game I had wanted to play in middle school, it was this game. I hadn't put my focus into it at the time so outside of playing a bit of a Japanese version, I never had made the push to properly play the game. And of course there's when my own eyes got to see a copy for sale at 800+ at a convention.

So years later, I finally get a Saturn once again and knew it got to be modded and even before getting it modded there was already two games I had burned and the first I ever burned was indeed Panzer Dragoon Saga. (the other was the 4 discs of Shining Force III) That was the game I wanted to finally play and beat. And finally check out the game that is inaccessible to so many.

After beating Panzer Dragoon I, II, and then Mini and it was finally time. Time to finally beat the eluded masterpiece that had never been rereleased. And I must say.. it does live up to the hype.

Without saying much about the story beyond that it makes the previous games look like kiddie fodder in comparison is that despite it being very untraditional as an RPG, it in turns lends for a more fun and lively time playing the game. And a battle system based on speed too. Encouraging more beating the enemy quick, and in return alot of exp. Perhaps it could be too easy but honestly I'd rather be spamming and blasting than in agony waiting for shit to get over with like in FF7 or even Burning Rangers lol.

And I haven't even started discussing the presentation. As a response to FF7, it utterly makes some good as hell use of the fact it spans 4 discs. Compared to FF7 where that game opted to have most of itself on the first disc then the last two mainly be the remaining bits. Panzer Dragoon Saga rather smartly has it spanned evenly so you not only have in game cutscenes that utilize lively motion capture but also FMVS that draw you in, and complete voice acting for every single piece of dialogue ever spoken outside of the main character's thoughts.

All of that and the game runs silky smooth 95% of the time with the only time being it chugs a little tiny bit but that's it. And absolutely smashes in the park the idea the Saturn is incapable of any good 3D. The haters have not seen this one yet.

In general, it's a game that to be honest out of the mostly 90's three rpgs for me (FF7, Mother 3 and this) yeah, Saga wins. It's a shame it didn't get the success it deserved at the time as if you ask me, while the devs argue it was from them not caring to make something mainstream, I'd say it had more to do with the Saturn being a console not as many people owned compared to a PlayStation where having your game on there would atleast get more attention. Saga could have used the rereleases in recent time but alas did not happen. Saga is a classic. Delicate. And I am glad and happy to have finally played such an enduring game.

As Dreams Dreams was about to kick in for the game's credits I was about to gleefully smile, before hearing childrent sing. Good to know the legends of "cuz I didn't get A ranks so I heard children sang" are the truth.

For whatever reason I hadn't gotten around to beating it back in Middle School, so now I have, and man did I not even try to improve then. I must admit, when thinking of NiGHTS, the thing that'd never come to my mind is Las Vesgas, Casinos, and Slotlights.. And I say all this because it is apart of her character and the game's gameplay. Whereas Sonic advocates for speed and getting it done quick, NiGHTS is about getting the essential 20 blue orbs first into a basket, then racking up as much coin and points as you can before cashing out right before the time runs out. I won't even lie, I get on the edge when that timers running out more than I ever did for Sonic drowning due to some bullshit in the Genesis games.

Story wise it is actually very sweet. I don't know why people have not brought it up, but NiGHTS is like Cat in the Hat. She comes in and sees these two poor kids that lack confidence in themselves and gives them the boost they need to be the best they can be. And by the time she's gone, they have changed their outlook remarkably. They have became better. And the both of their final levels reflect this too. Won't spoil what happens though.

Technically wise, a gem on the Saturn that proves it's a beast capable of much more than great 2d visuals. And compared to SA1&2, is better on it's original console as the PC port of the stinky 08 remaster, may have some mods here and there, but there's just not enough to overhaul the port to be the best way to experience the game, like SA1&2 have in their case.

And as the Saturn 3D Controller's Creator, definitely puts it to fair damn use. Even if the analogue of the triggers not so much. Do recommend putting the mid of your thumb to hold rather than the traditional tip.

Nights into Dreams really is a wonderful game. Not even remotely underrated (that'd go to Burning Rangers), and deserves the following and attention for sure. Is it my favorite Sega game ever of all time? Not necessarily but it is indeed a (not hidden) gem that I enjoy, and makes a great showcase of Sega's game design philosophy for sure. It was wonderful to have finally beaten a classic I had known for some time now. My favorite level was Soft Museum.

Dropped it for a bit there as I was playing some Panzer Dragoon games but after Saga and no Orta, picked this baby back up and even though Transformed improves on many things, the first game is pretty damn good. Despite the lack of achievements or online on Steam, it's still a worthwhile ride and especially as this entry has many things the sequel did not. Has all stars all unique to each character, characters that didn't make it in the sequel, and yeah. Will say right now I do think it's strange the tracks are mainly based on a set of games rather than one per game. Regardless, still a fun time yeah.

AND MAKE A THIRD SEGA ALL STARS RACING!!!! WITH MORE SEGA SATURN CHARACTERS TO BOOT!!!!!!!
and #BRINGBACKBONANZABROS

For what is essentially a demo, they really jam packed it with a whole lot to a point it could be considered it's own little game.

100% it and unlocking everything was a blast. And it was great to finally check out the famous Sonic the Hedgehog into Dreams, his debut in a 3d space. Strange it's not in the remaster or the rereleases for it. It's his first time ever in complete 3d.

And I will say, makes for a great exercise before getting into the main game since oh boy does the game have quite the unique gameplay. Especially as it hasn't been rereleased as often as the OG Sonic games. Must admit, made me adapt and properly hold the analogue stick correctly. Using the mid of my thumb rather than the top like any other stick. It's a comfy controller for sure.

And definitely a game that proves the Saturn is indeed capable of handling quite the gorgeous games.

Even if it's a demo, still worth the play regardless. It is as jam packed as a main game.

I guess it was great to learn the hard way why this game is underrated.

So back in Middle School for me, I was introduced to the game as being among the more elusive and pricy games for the Saturn alongside Panzer Dragoon Saga. So getting a legit copy was never really in my reach. I did however have the pleasure of seeing a complete copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga for sale at a convention, but alas it was over 800 dollars.

When mangling with Saturn emulation off RetroArch here and there I did give the game a shot, and after getting too bewildered, I gave up. The only game I recall ever completing by emulating the Saturn was Mega Man 8.

So flash forward to now. I was ecstatic. I have a modchipped Saturn to play burned games. I was eager to finally give the underrated gem, the overlooked gem a fair shot. Especially for something with such style, and a theme that fits the definition of Jam.
I ended up being left with a product of Sega's time frame.
Wanting the Saturn to die a lonely death.

The main menu alone speaks it all. There's a major gap of something missing. Is there something to unlock? There was. There was a multiplayer mode, a subgame mode, but alas they were removed. Probably to save time. But they didn't have enough of it to make up for the loss.

And the game itself is interesting. You have a tutorial that attempts to teach you. Even if it doesn't teach you it all there is. No mention of the dodging siding mechanic, or the fact putting out green fire gives 5 crystals. That and green fire can also shoot at you.

Then afterwards you have only 4 levels to go through. All of them are lengthy but alas, don't make the game as long as it should be. Sometimes for me playing the levels just makes me linger for more. You feel the lack of refinement, and even the feeling of the developers wanting to polish it some more, but.. Could not.

The first level I'd add admittedly does not make a good showcase of the game as the later ones have a much better handling of the framerate while the first gives the player an awful impression, assuming the whole game is just a big space.

I'd argue the game could've been more polished on the Saturn and heck, would've been a great 1999 release rather than a rushed out the door 1998 one. The Saturn is capable of the 3D. It's just the game in the state that it is, honestly makes it look like a bad example. But when it's not suffering, it can look remarkably incredible.

What I do utterly agree with everyone on however, is that this game absolutely deserves a second chance. It is unfair that Nights, a game that was literally perfect and had no issues on Saturn, was given a touching it up shit remaster treatment, while you got the other Sonic Team Saturn game that's pretty much rotting Anakin Skywalker. I'd describe the camera system in this game to be fighting with a cameraman that happens to be a roaring drunk bear. And another major thing is that despite the Analog Stick offering 360 degree movement, there is no percise movement offered by the stick (walking) WHICH IS A BIG ISSUE TOO IF YOU'VE PLAYED THE PLATFORMING BULLSHIT IN LEVEL 3 AND 4. Doesn't help that Nights and even Sonic World (from Sonic Jam) offered it.

The lack of music isn't too bad in my opinion. As it fits the atmosphere of being a Space Firefighter in a building that's burning down, BUT the bosses go down too bloody easy. They have lively boss themes but just die as quick as Napoleon pleasing his wife if you know what you are doing. The fish one in particular, is literally Proto Chaos 4 from SA1.

And another major issue is definitely the lore BEING ONLY LEARNED IN THE BLOODY MANUAL. For a modern gamer, they aren't gonna understand what the hell is the deal with Tillis or Shou when they talk about certain things, and that's because all of that was in the manual. Atleast with Nights, the basic lore you needed to know was within THE GAME. As it was told visually. With anything regarding what was up with the kids were both cutscenes at that too. The important information that Shou became a Burning Ranger because one sacrificed his life to save him as a child, and that Tillis became an orphan due to a fire taking her parents, was all not mentioned within the game. And even the other rangers have lore too that goes unmentioned in the game. One being that Chris' father was a Burning Ranger, and probably being the very one that saved Shou and died.

In general the game suffered indeed. It has an incredible world. A remarkable concept. Takes the bravest job there is, and gives it a Sega flair. But it suffered. It suffered from being made in a time in the company when rather than keep going, it was to abandon ship and make a wholly new console, despite it's fine library, really a short term answer to what was changing. using CDs, having one stick. Sounds like something against the N64, but was actually against the PS2.

Regardless of it's background, Burning Rangers is a unique game. And due to it's style, it's grace, it's groove. I give it a 4. And it is a replayable arcadey game for sure, despite it's nasty warts. Had it been able to go further and beyond, doing what it wanted to accomplish with its concepts and ideas.. It could have been another exceptional masterpiece from Sonic Team. But alas.. That unfortunately is not what happened.

So please Sega.. Revive Burning Rangers for Christ's sake. They can put out the fire that is your debt.