Crimson Dragon has great music.

This Panzer Dragoon spiritual successor has such a great soundtrack, in fact, that I mention it now, at the beginning, before things get terribly, terribly dark. So, let it be said: Crimson Dragon is a misguided, frustrating, confused game that I didn't enjoy whatsoever and would recommend to only the hardest of die-hard Panzer Dragoon fans.

But man, those songs.

The story is nonsensical and communicated almost exclusively with text walls over matte paintings and static character models. Here are the key plot points that I present without connective tissue because whatever you come up with is likely to make as much sense as the actual game: Dragon planet. Mysterious virus called "Crimsonscale." Government conspiracy.

No, Crimson Dragon is far less invested in storytelling beats than getting you onto the back of a soaring, fire/laser/missile-breathing dragon. Why it's in such a rush is a mystery, because what sounds like it should be an exercise in pure exhilaration is rarely more than a grueling chore.

Crimson Dragon is on rails, always pushing you towards the end of a level, save for when you come up against a boss and the reins come off. You do have a limited amount of control over your dragon as he flies, allowing you to use the left stick to dodge enemy fire or grab beacons for extra points.

With the right stick you aim one of a wide range of weapons, from lock-on missiles to large square reticles that kill everything caught in their frame.