Panzer Dragoon Saga - Story

Story

Chronologically, Panzer Dragoon Saga’s story is the third in sequence. It takes place after Panzer Dragoon Zwei and the original Panzer Dragoon, and before Panzer Dragoon Orta.

As with other Panzer Dragoon games, the story takes place in an unspecified post-apocalyptic environment where hostile mutant creatures roam unprotected areas, and disparate human factions compete for land and resources. The largest of these factions is the Empire, built upon the buried technology of the Ancients. "The Ancients" is the generic name given to the people that once controlled a world-spanning, hyper-advanced civilization, thousands of years before the events of the series. A mysterious cataclysm, hinted at as being a terrible war, caused the downfall of this civilization and almost destroyed the planet, leaving the survivors to eke out a bleak existence among the remains. Eventually, the Ancients and their works passed into legend, attaining a sort of godlike respect, and a horrific regard, among the people. The remnants of their technologies are used in the development of much of humanity’s machinery, weaponry, and vehicles, such as the floating ships that are a staple of the series.

The protagonist of the story, and the character whom the player controls, is Edge, a young soldier of the Empire. The story begins with him on duty protecting an excavation site where Ancient artifacts are being recovered. After helping to fend off an attack from one of the wild mutant creatures within the cave where the excavation is being made, Edge discovers what seems to be the body of a young woman buried in a wall.

Before he can react, the excavation site is attacked by a faction of mutinous Imperial troops. Craymen, the faction's leader, orders his troops to take the girl. Edge and the rest of his companions are shot. As Edge is hit, he falls from the top of the cliff where he saw them take the mysterious girl, into an underground reservoir. He is apparently unharmed and manages to locate a gun to defend himself with. Then, attempting to find a way out, he is intercepted by a flying dragon. The dragon seems to be communicating with him on some spiritual level and, with its help, Edge escapes the cave. Upon returning to the excavation entrance, he discovers his dying Captain. Distraught, Edge vows to take revenge upon Craymen, and decipher the mystery of the mysterious girl.