Summoner Review (PS2) | Push Square

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Summoner is a party-based CRPG that launched on PS2 in 2000, and it was recently given a new lease on life thanks to a re-release on PS5 and PS4 via PlayStation's Classics push. Developed by Volition (later Deep Silver, of Saint's Row fame), the studio's ambitious and expansive effort was marred by a lack of polish and technical issues despite shooting for the moon with its storytelling, world-building, and relatively unique chain combat system. Summoner remains quite rough. Still, it's never been more accessible, and the standard suite of quality-of-life improvements like save states, rewind, and display options make playing it a more palatable exploration for gaming archaeologists.

Players are cast as the titular Summoner, a humble villager named Joseph, and thrust into a surprisingly gritty world of demons, dragons, and warring empires. Born with the mark of the Summoner, Joseph awakened to his powers during an invasion by the Orenians in his childhood. He brought forth a mighty demon but quickly lost control, resulting in the deaths of his friends and family, as well as the attacking soldiers. Now an adult, Joseph finds himself again having to call upon the power of the Summoner as the Orenians are on the march, and dark powers begin to align.

Throughout a lengthy, 30+ hour adventure, Joseph will gather a party of companions who will fight by his side, adding texture to events and allowing for more mechanical flexibility. Flece is a quick-witted thief from the capital city of Lenele with a mysterious past, employed to do the work of the shadowy King of Fleas. Rosalind is a student of the language of Creation with links to Joseph's childhood and a powerful spellcaster in her own right. Jekhar is a soldier with unfinished business of his own with Joseph but is compelled to help him by circumstance and his oath of allegiance.

Summoner shines in the depth of its game world and the lengths Volition went to fill it with characters and backstory. In addition to the