The Final Word game review

Panzer Dragoon -- Sega

Dazzling 3-D graphics, from complete rendered cinemas to texture-mapped play screens, highlight this action-shooter for the Sega Saturn. Fly through seven levels aboard the colossal white dragon on your quest to defeat the vile dark dragon who threatens to destroy your world with his insect armies. Full 360-degree camera views and CD-sound are finishing touches.

Ferrari Man
By far this is the showpiece of the Saturn. Whether you are showing off to friends, or like to be dazzled with a graphical frenzy yourself, this game delivers. Although I did not get too much into the gameplay, the shear wow factor of this game justifies its purchase. I would consider this a must have of any early Saturn owners.

E.Phoenix
The developers must have asked themselves, "how can we add life to the old point and shoot gaming genre?" Panzer is probably the most interesting answer I have ever seen. Beautiful graphics, multiple perspectives, interesting music (although the first level BGM sounds like the theme to a bad 70's drama) and fairly good control mask the repetitive game underneath... to a point. Once you realize that there is nothing more to the game than sighting an enemy and pounding on the control you will have probably become bored long ago.

R.I.P.
"WOW!", is the first word that I said when I saw this title, and I still feel that way... This game is the showpiece of this first batch of Saturn titles. The biggest pull to the game was the artwork designed by Moebius, which while I had guessed as much, was confirmed in the credits. One of the most fun shooters I've played in some time. Although I felt this game, like Clockwork Knight was much to short, and could have used an additional two levels at least, to round out the experience. Sound and music in this game are fantastic, and really enhance the game play. Also, while this game didn't allow you free reign on your travel in the game world, it's play dynamics were more akin to Star Fox than Silpheed. Also, the 360 degree rotation of your player that allows you to target any enemy, whether at front, side or back with no problem was excellent. You owe it to yourself to check it out.

Salamander
Ohh, this is the type of game that sells systems. Although I'm not much of a shooter fan - Panzer Dragoon, beyond the soothing scenery, is a still a blast-em-up - this game held my interest, mostly due to the graphics. In fact, almost entirely due to the graphics. The gameplay was good, but not out of this world. Sound was good as well. However, the cinemas included some incredible raytracing, and the playscreens, unlike most games, were virtually as stunning as the intermissions. Worth seeing.

>>>>> 82.5/100 <<<<<		Ferrari Man	E.Phoenix	R.I.P.	Salamander
Graphics		5.0	4.5	5.0	5.0
Sound		4.0	4.0	5.0	4.5
Gameplay/Control		4.0	3.0	5.0	3.5
Longevity/Playability		3.0	2.0	4.0	4.0
Overall		4.0	3.5	5.0	4.5
Total		20.0	17.0	24.0	21.5

(06/95)