# Azel: reverse engineering Panzer Dragoon Saga into native C++

> Reconstructs the Sega Saturn RPG Panzer Dragoon Saga as native C++, rewriting the game’s SH-2 routines for its kernel, field, town, battle, menu and audio systems. The rewritten code loads the user’s original disc files and reads their tables by Saturn address, rendering through bgfx and SDL with ImGui debugging views. README calls the project very early: the opening is semi-playable, with bugs, up to the Arachnoth battle, and no byte-matching rebuild is attempted.

- Type: Case study
- Targets: Game
- Category: Independent reconstruction cases
- Relationship: Independent reconstruction project
- Sources reviewed: 2026-10-19
- Added to the catalog: 2026-11-09
- Original resource: <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel>
- Primary source: <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/README.md>
- Catalog page: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/azel-panzer-dragoon-saga-reimplementation-case/>
- Record JSON: <https://awesomerea.org/resources/azel-panzer-dragoon-saga-reimplementation-case/record.json>
- Chinese version: [简体中文](https://awesomerea.org/zh/resources/azel-panzer-dragoon-saga-reimplementation-case/index.md)

## Requirements & limits

- Supply disc 1 files from your own copy of Panzer Dragoon Saga in data/; the game loads original .MCB/.CGB bundles. The README names no region or version.
- Windows builds use Visual Studio 2022, CMake, recursive submodules and vs2022.bat. The README reports the opening as semi-playable, with bugs, through the Arachnoth battle.
- The project is MIT-licensed; submodules keep their own licenses. The vendored aosdk includes BSD, zlib, GPL and an old MAME license that forbids commercial use. Original game files and sample music retain their rights holders' terms.

## Primary sources

1. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/README.md>
2. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/CMakeLists.txt>
3. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/.gitmodules>
4. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/.github/workflows/cmake-multi-platform.yml>
5. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/AzelLib/field/field_a3/o_fld_a3.cpp>
6. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/AzelLib/common_generated.cpp>
7. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/tree/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/PDS_Tool>
8. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/ThirdParty/aosdk/license.txt>
9. <https://github.com/yaz0r/Azel/blob/c52329fb257561abff05531a8335e34137d67098/LICENSE>

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## About this entry

The description was reviewed against primary sources.
Original editorial content: MIT. Linked projects, papers and assets retain their own rights and licenses.