Summoner

 PC
Summoner Image
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 37 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
Rate this:
  • 10
  • 9
  • 8
  • 7
  • 6
  • 5
  • 4
  • 3
  • 2
  • 1
  • 0
  • 0
  • Summary: Volition's first RPG, a truly 3-D RPG played from a third-person perspective which was praised as a launch title on the PS2, features Joseph, a young summoner who learns to use and control his powers while attempting to overthrow the evil tyranny that has beset his world.

Trailer

Play Sound
Please enter your birth date to watch this video:
You are not allowed to view this material at this time.
Summoner Movie 21

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Daily Radar
    88
    More than any other single factor, the story and scripting are what make Summoner stand apart.
    All this publication's reviews
  2. GameSpy
    82
    It offers a lot of character interaction and an interesting storyline that will keep you guessing. Even a quirky camera system, a few minor graphical glitches, and flawed character logic can't bring this title down.
  3. Voodoo Extreme
    82
    Summoner isn’t flashy or revolutionary, nor does it try to be these things – it’s just a fun RPG with a strong story and engaging gameplay.
  4. Game Over Online
    78
    The greatest tragedy that befalls a game is not inconsistent visuals, as these can be easily overcome by compelling gameplay, but rather, poor direction.
  5. GameSpot
    76
    If you can tolerate its problems (inadequate camera options, its unreliable party-member AI), you'll find that Summoner is a game of hidden depth; a game with an interesting combat system, an intriguing story, and an enjoyable multiplayer mode to boot.
  6. IGN
    76
    For all its solid gaming, there's one big problem with Summoner, however. The bugs. Oh, the bugs.
  7. GamePower
    62
    The design is visually engaging. The character and combat system are simple but with enough detail to give the player a sense of control. And the side quests keep things from getting too linear.
    All this publication's reviews

See all 14 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. ArchangleM
    Mar 13, 2014
    10
    The game in my eyes was very well done as the glitches can be bypassed by regular saves. Then the story line is well done and though theThe game in my eyes was very well done as the glitches can be bypassed by regular saves. Then the story line is well done and though the sequel Summoner 2 was less impressive in my eyes. The A I was horrible for allies but could be very useful when used as a benefit. Also who cares if they took something from another game such as fight method. If it works it works.… Expand
  2. Creolur
    Mar 7, 2019
    9
    One of the best western RPG in its time, I almost discovered all the secrets by myself and even achieved the level caps (level 50!), manyOne of the best western RPG in its time, I almost discovered all the secrets by myself and even achieved the level caps (level 50!), many years have passed but I really cherished the time I played the game.… Expand
  4. Kai82
    Apr 13, 2020
    8
    A RPG with great story and characters but also ugly graphics and some bugs. Lets start with the good things: The story is engaging. You playA RPG with great story and characters but also ugly graphics and some bugs. Lets start with the good things: The story is engaging. You play as Joseph of Ciran who has the gift of summoning. When he was a child his home town Ciran was attacked. To safe his home he used his summoning abilities but he was not strong enough to control the Demon that answered his call. Many innocent got slaughtered and he left and abandon his skills. But faith does not care about your decision. Years later he is draw into the events of the game. The main story has many good twist, plots, revelations and surprises. His companions Flece, Rosalind and Jekhar have their own personalities, quests and agendas or better said goals. Especially Flece story is maybe equal epic than Josephs. The character development system is adequate. You can form the characters but not change them to different roles from what they were intended. The battle system has a combo system like Vagrant Story. You can chain different attacks for the character you control to combos. Then there are the side quests. Some are really awesome but there are also fetch quests. I must at last mention the lore. The game does a good job in creating interest for the world and its history. Now to the bad parts. The graphic was even at the time of release not up to date. Joseph looks like a Necromancer. It doesn't bother me that much but it is so noteworthy that I must mention it. There are some bugs but overall it was O.K. There are 3 points of no return in the game. You will not be warned. Overall a good and slightly different game for its time. Maybe to outdated or outperformed by latter titles.… Expand
  5. Ben
    Aug 8, 2004
    7
    Solid plot and graphics, with a neat engaging Combat system. Plenty of interesting things to go-but the bugs are numerous and kill the game. Solid plot and graphics, with a neat engaging Combat system. Plenty of interesting things to go-but the bugs are numerous and kill the game. How can you play Summoner when it crashes every 20 minutes???… Expand
  6. iseeall
    Dec 10, 2015
    6
    It was a pretty nice RPG/Action game where you control a group of 4 characters in classical roles: mage, rogue, warrior and a mage-warriorIt was a pretty nice RPG/Action game where you control a group of 4 characters in classical roles: mage, rogue, warrior and a mage-warrior mix. The graphics were nice for the time, the quests interesting and varied, and the fights challenging. What however breaks the game on PC is that the camera and the character control system. The camera will always try to move by itself as your character moves around, picking strange angles and mostly positioning itself at the side of the character instead of behind him. You give movement orders by clicking on the ground like in an RTS game, but since the camera is constantly moving, it gets very clumsy. So, the controls can be a deal-breaker for most PC gamers.… Expand
  7. Giovanni
    Jul 15, 2001
    5
    Apparently, a lot of these magazines and .com critics are blind to the senses. I look upon the ratings that were given for this game and I Apparently, a lot of these magazines and .com critics are blind to the senses. I look upon the ratings that were given for this game and I feel possessed with contempt. This game was very poorly thought-out considering its slew of bugs, but that isn't saying much considering THQ's history of pathetic games; the one exception I would say is "Wrestlemania 2000," a shocker to say the least. Getting back to Summoner, the fact that the fighting engine was pretty much 'jacked' from "Vagrant Story" and the intro music sounding very familiar to "Unreal Tournament's" intro casts some doubt to THQ's sense of originality and any semblance of creativity. To make a long critique short, I would urge anyone who would consider buying this game to think long and hard. Why not check out something else worth your while, like "Diablo II" or any other Blizzard game? … Expand

Trailers

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PC Game of 2001
79
#79 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001

Current PC Games

Full List »
94 Elden Ring
93 God of War
92 Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker
91 The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe
90 Rogue Legacy 2
88 NORCO
88 Final Fantasy VI Pixel Remaster
87 Monster Hunter Rise
87 OlliOlli World
86 Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade
85 Tunic
81 Exo One
80 Halo Infinite
78 GTFO
78 Wytchwood
77 Dying Light 2 Stay Human
74 Martha is Dead
65 Thunder Tier One
61 Praey for the Gods
46 Babylon's Fall
All Current Games »