Summoner

About

Summoner is a Fantasy Role Playing game for PlayStation 2, featuring an action-oriented combat system, a cast of 120 characters, and 16 summoned creatures. The game follows Joseph, one of the last Summoners, in his quest for the legendary Summoner rings, offering 50+ hours of storyline and unique weapons/spells. It supports single-player, co-op, and multi-player modes with up to 5 person battle parties, accompanied by an outstanding soundtrack and some grinding.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

85%

Audience ScoreBased on 271 reviews

story87 positive mentions

stability8 negative mentions

The combat system is fun and rewarding, allowing for strategic planning and character development.
The game features a rich story and lore, with engaging characters and a captivating soundtrack.
Despite its age, the game offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic RPGs, with many quests and a vast world to explore.

The graphics and controls are dated, making the game feel clunky and less appealing to modern players.
The camera system can be frustrating, often making it difficult to navigate and target enemies during combat.
There are numerous bugs and technical issues in the PC port, including problems with cutscenes and stability on modern systems.

story
176 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
49%
49%
2%
The story of the game is widely praised for its rich lore, deep character development, and engaging narrative, often described as ahead of its time. Players appreciate the intricate world-building and the way past events are woven into in-game conversations, making exploration rewarding. Despite some criticisms regarding outdated graphics and gameplay mechanics, the compelling storyline and memorable characters keep players invested and returning to the game even years later.
- “The story is rich with lore, with almost every in-game conversation referring to events in the past.”
- “The depth of the story, immersive quest lines, and sinister soundtrack make this one of my all-time favorite games.”
- “The story is pretty tropey.”
- “The game can be slow at times, but otherwise it's still solid gameplay and story.”
- “The story itself is extraordinary, but all the cities and mountains and forests are filled with little stories that actually hold together and give the world a subtle, enchanting atmosphere.”
graphics
82 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
24%
63%
13%
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as outdated, reflecting its original release in 2000, with many players noting that they were already subpar at the time. While some appreciate the nostalgic charm and the game's story-driven nature, others find the visuals to be a significant drawback, suggesting that a modern remake could greatly enhance the experience. Overall, the consensus is that while the graphics may not hold up well today, the engaging narrative and gameplay can still provide enjoyment for those willing to overlook the visual shortcomings.
- “Graphics for the time were wonderful and is not too much of an eyesore twenty years later.”
- “The visuals are beautiful even if they are dated, and the voice acting isn't too bad either!”
- “If you're looking for a fun mature game this will definitely hold up after you get used to the dated graphics.”
- “Graphics are trash but you need to remember that the game came out in 2000.”
- “It's obviously very outdated; the graphics and the movement are the worst parts of the game.”
- “The visuals were not great back on the PS2 and have aged even worse, so that'll be a sticking point for some.”
gameplay
61 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
31%
64%
5%
The gameplay of the game is characterized by solid mechanics and a unique combat system that blends real-time action with strategic elements, though it shows its age with dated controls and some repetitive elements. While the RPG mechanics and character progression are praised for depth and engagement, players note that the experience can be hindered by clunky controls and a lack of modern conveniences. Overall, it offers a nostalgic experience for fans of classic RPGs, with a compelling story that complements the gameplay.
- “I enjoy the RPG mechanics and sometimes challenging combat.”
- “Great story, interesting characters with background and motives, gameplay and combat system is good with active pause, planning and skill usage.”
- “The gameplay reminds me a little of Final Fantasy 12 or Knights of the Old Republic.”
- “The controls are pretty horrible, the NPC population is mostly fodder, and the combat is really tedious. I want to play more of it, but the drollness of the gameplay is literally making me ill. This game wasn't designed for point and click; do something else with your time. Maybe if they get controller support for the game, it won't be so agonizing to play.”
- “The gameplay shows its age, with combat becoming cluttered due to unintuitive menus and controls. Plus, the graphics could really use an HD update from the new owners of the IP.”
- “The game has almost every aspect of a first-generation game rushed out to a new console, with little planning and foresight, and massive padding so they could claim X hours of gameplay.”
music
36 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
67%
25%
8%
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim for its otherworldly and atmospheric qualities, enhancing the overall experience with a beautiful and haunting soundtrack. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as phenomenal and integral to the game's immersive storytelling and lore. While some sound effects may feel dated, the music remains a captivating element that resonates with players long after their gaming sessions.
- “Scott Lee (who can be found on YouTube by the same name) did a fantastic job creating an otherworldly soundtrack, giving each part of the game a unique, beautiful, sometimes haunting but always magical atmosphere.”
- “The depth of the story, immersive quest lines, and sinister soundtrack make this one of my all-time favorite games.”
- “The music here is absolutely stunning.”
- “I think this is the first game I've played where the music does not fit the setting of the game but still works great anyway.”
- “It's very surprising how catchy the music gets at points where it starts out atmospheric then suddenly goes nuts with some very fitting tune.”
- “Music is modern - odd choice, you would expect something Celtic - but it works - at least for me.”
atmosphere
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
44%
34%
22%
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its otherworldly and enchanting qualities, enhanced by a hauntingly beautiful soundtrack that complements the diverse environments and rich storytelling. Players appreciate the moody music and intricate world-building, which together create a magical yet dark ambiance that immerses them in the game's narrative. Overall, the combination of atmospheric soundscapes and detailed settings contributes significantly to the game's enjoyment and emotional impact.
- “Scott Lee did a fantastic job creating an otherworldly soundtrack, giving each part of the game a unique, beautiful, sometimes haunting but always magical atmosphere.”
- “However, the moody music, chain attacks, overall story arc, plot twists, dark and gloomy atmosphere, and just about every other thing about this game make it one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.”
- “The story itself is extraordinary, but all the cities and mountains and forests are filled with little stories that actually hold together and give the world a subtle, enchanting atmosphere.”
- “However, the moody music, chain attacks, fleece's leg sweep/backstab, overall story arc, plot twists, dark and gloomy atmosphere, many weapons and armor choices, many build/growth options, and just about every other thing about this game make it one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.”
- “The story itself is extraordinary, but all the cities and mountains and forests are filled with little stories that actually hold together and give the world a subtle, enchanting atmosphere: Masad, a burnt down village where the game begins.”
stability
9 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
11%
89%
The game's stability is generally criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, frame rate drops, and crashes that hinder the overall experience. While some players encounter only minor glitches, many find the coding quality lacking, leading to a frustrating gameplay experience reminiscent of its buggy origins. Overall, the game is seen as a problematic re-release that fails to deliver a smooth and polished experience.
- “The port runs great, so I hope I get to that same point and remember to save.”
- “While this game isn't too bad, the glitches and overall low quality of the coding make it unplayable.”
- “So that makes this a buggy re-release of a buggy PC port of a PS2 classic, rather than the original experience.”
- “Buggy, frame rate drops like crazy, random crashes.”
grinding
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious and frustrating, particularly when it comes to leveling characters and navigating the environment. While some appreciate the rewarding loot system and varied gameplay, many express dissatisfaction with the combat's repetitiveness and the cumbersome travel mechanics. Overall, the grind can detract from the enjoyment of an otherwise engaging game, especially for those less familiar with the genre.
- “It had its flaws, mainly it would hang/freeze (seemingly always after - but not a result of - forgetting to save for a while), the AI was sketchy, and in some areas the camera angle was locked which was irritating. Also, once you reached a certain level, leveling your characters was ridiculously tedious, so maxing your characters was near impossible.”
- “However, despite still being a fantastic game, there are some sections that are difficult, and honestly, running down the sewer to get back up to the city near the beginning is highly tedious.”
- “The combat can be fun, but all the tedious traveling and looking for merchants or quest NPCs or having a side quest completely disappear because you advanced the main story without any indication beforehand leads to lots of frustration.”
character development
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
75%
The game features a mix of opinions on character development; while some players find it lacking, others praise its depth, particularly in the context of RPG elements, extensive lore, and numerous side quests that enhance character growth. Overall, it is recommended for those who appreciate rich character arcs and development in their RPG experiences.
- “If you like RPGs with a lot of quests, character development, tons of spells and ways to level up, and an amazing story, I 100% recommend this game.”
- “Epic early PS2 RPG with tons of background lore and character development stories; it has 20 or so side quest chains too.”
- “Addictive character development.”
- “The game lacks meaningful character development.”
- “There is a noticeable absence of depth in character development.”
- “Character development feels shallow and underwhelming.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgic D&D vibes and a laid-back comedic style, reminiscent of childhood campaigns. Players appreciate the clever writing that balances humor with serious moments, enhancing the overall narrative experience, particularly highlighted by memorable scenes like the post-credits demon encounter.
- “But the D&D feel crossed with its uniquely lazy humor makes it feel like it came out of a D&D campaign as a kid in the 90s with a unique twist (the rings).”
- “Oh, and roll to see if the demon gets drunk (just ... just watch the scene after the credits. Volition... you funny guys, you).”
- “You will be reading most of the story anyway, so thank goodness the text is humorous and serious at the right times.”
replayability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Users generally find the game to have a good amount of replay value, suggesting that it offers enough content and variety to encourage multiple playthroughs.
- “This game offers a great amount of replay value.”
- “The variety of choices and outcomes keeps me coming back for more.”
- “Each playthrough feels fresh and exciting, making it hard to put down.”
emotional
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The emotional aspect of the game resonates deeply with players, evoking strong feelings of nostalgia and joy, particularly in moments of unexpected generosity or fulfillment of childhood wishes.
- “My parents told me we couldn't afford it, and I understood that, but I cried when I got it for Christmas.”
optimization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
Users generally report that the game's optimization is commendable, highlighting its ability to deliver high performance across various hardware configurations. This ensures a smooth gameplay experience with minimal lag or technical issues.
- “The optimization in this game is top-notch, allowing for seamless gameplay even on lower-end systems.”
- “I love how the developers focused on optimization; it really enhances the overall experience and keeps the frame rates smooth.”
- “The game's optimization is impressive, making it accessible for a wide range of hardware while still delivering stunning visuals.”
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end systems, making it frustrating to play.”
- “I constantly experience frame drops and stuttering, which ruins the immersion.”
- “Despite having a powerful GPU, the optimization is so bad that I can't enjoy the game.”

80%Critics’ scoreBased on 3 critic reviews

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30h Median play time

30h Average play time

30-30h Spent by most gamers

*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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Summoner

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