Summoner

 PC
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. Yahoo!
    70
    Its plot is dramatic and ambitious, its gameplay involving, and it features some absolutely fantastic locations.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  5. PC Gamer
    81
    A very competitive RPG, if not quite up to BioWare caliber. [July 2001, p.65]
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  6. 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.
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  7. 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.
  8. All Game Guide
    70
    The particle effects for the spells and treatment of the landscapes are well done, but graphics alone don't make the game.
  9. 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.
  10. Happy Puppy
    80
    Even with its shortcomings, it's a fun fantasy romp with plenty of hacking, slashing, and casting.
  11. IGN
    76
    For all its solid gaming, there's one big problem with Summoner, however. The bugs. Oh, the bugs.
  12. ActionTrip
    80
    Beautiful locations, excellent gameplay, and, basically quite a good RPG.
  13. Daily Radar
    88
    More than any other single factor, the story and scripting are what make Summoner stand apart.
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  14. GameZone
    80
    While keeping the very essence of RPG without having to learn all the nitty gritty details, Summoner can give you a good show for your gaming money without causing beginners to take Gaming Math 101.
  15. Computer Games Magazine
    70
    Summoner's biggest fault is the party AI. Sometimes your party members seem incredibly intelligent; other times they seem to have trouble outthinking the average lab monkey.

Awards & Rankings

60
#60 Best PC Game of 2001
81
#81 Most Discussed PC Game of 2001

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 38 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 38
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 38
  3. Negative: 2 out of 38
  1. 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.… Full Review »
  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.… Full Review »
  3. 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.… Full Review »
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