Summoner
- March 12, 2014
- Volition
- 30h median play time
Get on Steam"Summoner" is a single-player Role Playing Game with an interesting plot and splendid gameplay. As a Summoner, players can control up to 16 different creatures, such as minotaurs, golems, and dragons, while traversing a beautiful world spanning two continents. The game features a delightful soundtrack and intense combat, but be prepared for lots of grinding. Players with the mark of the Summoner must confront the prophecy they were born to fulfill and challenge gods and emperors.
PC
Windows
Reviews
- Fantastic story and setting with lots of detail and fleshed out lore.
- Nostalgic experience that brings back great memories from the PS2 era.
- Engaging gameplay with a unique combat system and the ability to summon creatures.
- No controller support, making it difficult to play on PC compared to the original PS2 experience.
- Graphics and mechanics feel dated, which may deter modern players.
- Occasional bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay, including issues with cutscenes and camera control.
- story187 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 48 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The story of "Summoner" is widely praised for its depth, engaging characters, and rich lore, with many players noting that it remains compelling even two decades after its release. While the narrative can take time to unfold—requiring a significant investment of 30+ hours to fully appreciate—its intricate plot and character development are often highlighted as standout features. However, some players mention that the dated graphics and limited cutscenes may detract from the overall experience for modern audiences.
“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 game has an amazing story and rich lore.”
“Game isn't perfect though, and I suspect many modern audiences would chafe against the almost lo-fi manner in which the story and characterizations are presented.”
“The huge yet aimless world to explore and very loose guidelines on how to get from point A to B in a quest left me very confused at times.”
“The story is pretty tropey.”
- graphics85 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely regarded as dated and clunky, reflecting its age since its original release in 2000. While some players appreciate the nostalgic charm and the game's artistic style, many agree that the visuals do not hold up well by modern standards, often detracting from the overall experience. Despite these shortcomings, the game's compelling story and gameplay can still provide enjoyment for those willing to overlook the outdated graphics.
“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 can look past the graphics, it's a story-driven game that I personally loved when it was on the PS2.”
“The graphics are dated, and you may notice that the cut-scene animations are clunky, but that's about what's wrong with this RPG.”
“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.”
- gameplay62 mentions
- 34 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is characterized by a mix of dated mechanics and nostalgic charm, offering a blend of real-time combat and strategic elements that can feel clunky at times. While some players appreciate the depth and unique mechanics, others find the controls frustrating and the combat repetitive. Overall, it remains an enjoyable experience for fans of classic RPGs, despite its shortcomings in graphics and user interface.
“The story was exceptionally good for the time and it seems to hold up today, and the gameplay, while dated, is still enjoyable.”
“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.”
- music35 mentions
- 66 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 9 % negative mentions
The music in the game is widely praised for its stunning and atmospheric quality, enhancing the overall experience with a unique and haunting soundtrack that complements the story and world-building. Many reviewers highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, often describing it as beautiful, immersive, and even essential to the game's appeal. While some sound effects may feel dated, the overall musical composition is considered phenomenal and memorable, making it a significant aspect of the game's charm.
“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.”
- grinding10 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players generally find the grinding aspect of the game to be a mixed experience; while some appreciate the rewarding loot system and frequent leveling that enhances character progression, others criticize the repetitive and tedious nature of grinding for experience and items. The combat can be enjoyable, but the overall gameplay is often marred by frustrating controls, tedious travel, and issues with NPC interactions, leading to a sense of fatigue for many players. Despite these drawbacks, the game still offers varied gameplay and a compelling plot that some players find worth the grind.
“I put 66 hours into one playthrough and most of it was spent grinding experience and exploring the levels looking for items on the ground.”
“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.”
“Maybe people more used to this genre of game might get more mileage out of it, but I just found it too tedious to keep going.”
- stability8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
The stability of the game has been widely criticized, with users reporting numerous bugs, significant frame rate drops, and random crashes. While some minor glitches are noted as infrequent and not game-breaking, overall, the experience is marred by unresolved issues from its original release, making it feel like a problematic re-release rather than a polished version.
“The port runs great, so I hope I get to that same point and remember to save.”
“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.”
“All in all good, save the fact the resolution is a bit buggy; no matter which resolution I choose, parts of the screen are cut off.”
- atmosphere7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its otherworldly and haunting qualities, enhanced by a captivating soundtrack that shifts from magical to intense. Reviewers highlight the moody music and dark, immersive environments, which contribute to a rich and engaging experience that resonates with players both emotionally and nostalgically. Overall, the combination of unique soundscapes and atmospheric storytelling creates a memorable backdrop for gameplay.
“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.”
“Music is amazing, atmosphere is amazing.”
“However, the moody music, dark and gloomy atmosphere, and overall story arc make this one of the most enjoyable games I've ever played.”
“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.”
- humor4 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by a blend of nostalgic D&D vibes and quirky, lazy wit, reminiscent of childhood campaigns from the 90s. Players appreciate the clever writing, which balances humor with serious moments, and highlight amusing glitches and memorable scenes, particularly one involving a demon and a humorous post-credits moment. Overall, the game's comedic elements enhance the storytelling experience.
“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.”
- character development4 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- -50 % neutral mentions
- 75 % negative mentions
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 narratives and development opportunities.
“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 is lacking in character development.”
“There is a noticeable absence of character growth throughout the story.”
“Character development feels shallow and underwhelming.”
- replayability1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
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 makes each playthrough feel fresh and exciting.”
“I love how different strategies can lead to completely different experiences every time I play.”
- optimization1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -500 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
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 without sacrificing quality.”
“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.”
“The optimization is so bad that loading times are unacceptably long, even for simple tasks.”
