Panzer Dragoon Orta

Deeko

It's amazing mixture of finely tuned game mechanics, mind-blowing graphics, and stupendous soundtack will leave you nothing short of amazed. It's one of the best shooters ever made and it's LOADED with extras.

G4 TV

With an excellent story, complex yet intuitive gameplay, and a dragon-size helping of extra features, the game is a joy to play. The only downside is that it eventually ends.

GameNow

A plethora of ultrasweet unlockables. [Feb 2003, p.45]

Into Liquid Sky

This is the possibly the best game to grace the genre in years. With tons of things to unlock, and considerable replayability, dedicated gamers will enjoy this title for years to come.

Gaming Age

The simple yet addictive gameplay, amazing and strategic boss battles, and wonderful sense of style make it a keeper and a must have for any Xbox owner.

Maxim Online

Looks beautiful, and is one of the best shooters we’ve ever played.

Play Magazine

Art is at the core of Panzer Dragoon Orta, and it permeates every facet of the game, from the gross to the subtle. [Jan 2003, p.24]

GamerWeb Xbox

One of those games that keeps sucking me back in to play on harder levels or try to get farther in the alternate missions.

Gamezilla!

The graphics are beautifully rendered, offering enough scenery to nearly distract from the utter chaos that makes up much of the game and the sound supports Dolby 5.1 which means a surround sound that actually helps you locate enemies in gameplay.

GameZone

While some might say the game is short, you are going to want to play it over and over and over. Add to that the slew of unlockables in this game, and you have one amazing title that will keep you busy for a long time.

Media and Games Online Network

What makes all of the killing and such so exciting is the detail put into their deaths. Once you blow up an enemy you are treated with tons of particles flying around and colors that will make more than a few eyebrows rise.

Gamer's Pulse

May very well be the most gorgeous console game ever made. The game maintains the classic gameplay basis of the original, while introducing enough new aspects, such as dragon morphing, to keep the series fresh.

GamingTrend

This game has tons of gameplay to be had if you give it a chance. Smilebit certainly went the extra mile with the extras in this game.

Official Xbox Magazine

A stunning beauty with deep gameplay to match. [Nov 2002]

GameReviewer

One of the best shooters ever crafted for the Xbox or any system, a graphical delight with enough depth that even after you've completed it once or even a few times, you'll be likely to come back for another play.

IGN

Addictive, fun, and fantastic, this one is a true demonstration of the power of Xbox. You couldn't ask for a more beautiful game, and you won't find a better rail shooter anywhere.

XenGamers

I shudder to think of what it looks like on HDTV... The gorgeous presentation here will likely win all the critical accolades, but there is a tricky genius to Orta’s gameplay as well.

Game Revolution

Even as a shooter, its superior control, astounding visuals and all-around enjoyable gameplay come together for one hell of ride.

GameCritics

Those susceptible to motion sickness be warned: Smilebit were able to devote very convincing flight physics to the camera and movements, some of the best ever captured in a videogame cartridge or disc.

GameSpot

An outstandingly well-executed game, featuring gameplay that's easy to grasp but rewards continued practice, exceptional graphics and sound, a good story, and a lot of worthwhile extras.

Xbox Nation Magazine

The most beautiful shooter we've ever played. In fact, it's a work of art. [Feb/Mar 2003, p.74]

Total Video Games

A welcome addition to the Panzer Dragoon series, and can rightly hold its head high as one of the finest shooters ever created.

GMR Magazine

It's Pandora's Box, a treasure trove of bonuses including extra modes and characters, CG movies, detailed stats, and the original Panzer Dragoon, that will keep gamers coming back. [Feb 2003, p.69]

Cheat Code Central

Sure, rail shooters may be considered old-school, but Panzer Dragoon Orta is the definitive rail shooter. It's what rail shooters have long aspired to become; it's an evolved specie.

TeamXbox

Quite possibly, one of the best games available on any console. THIS is what happens when games are Xbox-exclusive.

eToychest

Another aspect of the controls that could have been painful, but instead turned out flawless and elegant is the camera.

GamePro

Like taking a trip through a modern art museum…except all of the paintings are moving, all the sculptures are breathing, and every display is shooting swarms of genetically enhanced laser missiles at the thoughts inside your head.

TotalGames.net

Rather than confusing the player with endless pages of stats or making the controls overly complicated (something Smilebit did with "GunValkyrie"), the company has achieved just the right balance of gameplay, visuals, atmosphere and story line.

Electronic Gaming Monthly

Hardcore gamers will savor every beautiful moment of Orta, and they'll keep playing it religiously to unlock the vast trove of amazing secrets - hidden stages, riders, cinemas, and an entire separate game. [Feb 2003, p.157]

AtomicGamer

Panzer Dragoon Orta is a fine action game in a classic style with some new bits of gameplay thrown in. If you are a fan of arcade-style shooters, stop reading now and go buy this game.

GameSpy

Simply gorgeous. From both a design standpoint and a technological one, Orta is one of the richest experiences you can have involving both your Xbox and your eyes.

netjak

Unfortunately, Panzer Dragoon Orta came up short, literally, with it's complete lack of actual gameplay. This game felt like more of a coin-op than an actual console game.

Game Informer

Orta actually comes packed with a few surprising enhancements, injecting some depth into the gameplay. [Jan 2003, p.105]

Entertainment Weekly

Orta harkens back to the play style of classic arcade games but blends it with visual panache to become an addictive fantasy novel brought to life. [17 Jan 2003, p.87]

Eurogamer

A beautiful game - and stands as a landmark 3D shoot 'em up; a refined, well designed and intelligent title and marks a real progression in the genre.

All Game Guide

While it is still reasonable to expect a game released in 2003 to feature complete freedom of flight, Panzer Dragoon Orta is perhaps the finest example of its type on any console released to date.

Adrenaline Vault

The sound and music don’t particularly damage this offering, but could have been a lot better considering the quality put into the gameplay and graphics.

Electric Playground

The game delivers everything you want in this kind of action game--great visuals, replayability, and enough button tapping action that I now have a green circle with a white A permanently tattooed on my thumb.

Yahoo! Games

Often the game throws ten or twenty enemies on screen at once, together with goodness knows how many bullets, but the framerate is pretty much solid throughout.

Games Radar UK (Pre-2006)

Most lamentable of all is the fact that the game's final boss is entirely nondescript. [Edge]

FHM

Beautiful and inspired, but too short.