Panzer Dragoon - Gameplay

Gameplay

The player controls a flying dragon and his rider, and must face a variety of enemies (ranging from machines to monsters) in a 3D post-apocalyptic fantasy environment of barren landscapes and the mysterious ruins of a fallen civilization. The player is set along a rail of gameplay with the game moving forward at a predetermined pace. The only time the game pauses is during boss battles. The player has a small degree of control over the field of vision by moving the aiming reticle on the x and y-axis, but the overall direction of travel is predetermined. The dragon follows the reticle movements, allowing the player to avoid enemy projectiles and obstacles.

The player has a full, 360-degree field of view, and can quickly look left, right, forward, and behind the dragon. Enemies come from all directions, varying in size and health, and appear on an on-screen radar that monitors the dragon's surroundings in 360 degrees.

The player has two weapons: the hand gun held by the rider, which can be fired with a single button press when an enemy enters the aiming reticle, and the homing laser fired by the dragon, which can lock on up to eight enemies by moving the reticle over them while holding down the fire button. Some situations with a lot of enemies on screen require the use of the lock-on laser, while in some others, quick gunshots to weak spots will prove more efficient.

The game spans six levels, each lasting about five minutes, with a final boss battle. Bosses are encountered at the end of each level, with the exception of the sixth. Cut scenes illustrating plot details are placed between some of the levels.