With the resurgence of vinyl, and many classic game soundtracks seeing a re-release on the format, the Flickering Myth writers look back at some of their favourites; next up is Emma Withington with 1995’s Panzer Dragoon…
Turkey Dinosaur fueled junkie that I was in my early years (with a penchant for rusks), I latched onto the Sega Saturn like a limpet, quickly becoming obsessed with the demo for Panzer Dragoon Zwei at the age of four – playing Episode 3 over and over again. Something about it was hugely engaging and I needed, not wanted, needed more. After obtaining and completing Panzer Dragoon Zwei it wasn’t long before the original Panzer Dragoon entered the building and along with it a soundtrack so powerful it is permanently embedded within my earliest memories.
From Team Andromeda, Panzer Dragoon is set in a post apocalyptic world in which humans live in tribal communities and dangerous, genetically altered creatures dominate the earth; the result of a bio-chemical war that took place in the time of ‘The Ancients’. A clan called ‘The Imperials’, in an attempt to create safety and stability so that the human race may thrive again, become consumed by power and desire to rule the world.
So much more than what is ostensibly an arcade style rail shooter, Panzer Dragoon presents a rich 3D world. An adventure that boasts cinematic quality by combining strong art direction, complex narrative, orchestral soundtrack, and fast paced gameplay; wrapped up in a tasty Sci-Fi/Fantasy package. Only with age has Panzer Dragoon gained cult status and proven itself to be a staple in gaming history.
The Sky Rider Falls…
With an opening worthy of a summer blockbuster, Panzer Dragoon had my undivided attention with it’s perfectly crafted sound design. Not only does it have a grand orchestral score by Yoshitika Azuma, worthy of cinema, but a strong understanding of the importance of atmosphere and soundscapes. Every detail is taken into account, from the echoing winds across the desolate landscape to the iconic cry of your dragon.
In true post apocalyptic style you soar through crumbling ruins and sparse landscapes, punctuated with the remains of a land that once thrived. It’s exhilarating, zooming along your predestined path, the soundtrack enhancing your experience tenfold! ‘Flight’ in Episode 1 is what freedom would sound like if you could hear it. Pan pipes, flutes, soaring strings, and tribal notions accompany your first flight, as you bond with the dragon in exotic locales across a vast seascape. Sounds tranquil, really!
However, Panzer Dragoon is far from being a tranquil game, what with the continuous shooting, but the soundtrack gives your continuous (occasionally breakneck!) rail speed a sense of pace, where the intensity of gameplay alone could feel overwhelming and repetitive.
A sudden pause. An instant change in atmosphere, an awareness of your dragon’s strong, beating wings. A splash, crumbling scenery. The suspense…
What is that? Oh God, the polygonal mass of doom!
AKA. some form of airship.
Enter the boss and the first battle track, ‘Sudden Change’ (apt) in which peaceful pan pipes are thrown aside to match the intensity of the confrontation, containing heavy beats and a heroic backdrop. This shift in tone progresses throughout the game, becoming what sounds like the lovechild of John Williams and the team behind the soundtrack for Labyrinth, David Bowie and Trevor Jones, bringing a synth pop/ambient vibe to the orchestral grandeur.
This combination creates some incredibly dramatic music. The cave environments tend to sound like rooms full of crickets, allowing the echoes of your laser fire and the slow, heavy beating of the dragon’s wings to dominate. The track ‘Departed Spirit’ in Episode 4 merges this ambient with the synth and orchestral ingredients, and can only be described as chaotically haunting.
In Panzer Dragoon this cocktail of styles propels the story to new heights and knows how to keep the player’s attention. This momentum, and in all honesty, feeling epic as hell, is what keeps you engaged. This soundtrack holds a special place in my heart and I will always remember when my post-toddler self was the Sky Rider!
Emma Withington
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Originally published March 25, 2016. Updated April 15, 2018.
