WHY is Summoner Underated?

[Labyrinth2 0]

This Game (My favorite and first PS2 RPG game) came out in 2000 as PS2's launch title at the time. The only reason I came across this game was because it was my birthday present in 2001 along with that awful The Mummy Returns Game on PS2 and had I not gotten it, I wouldn't of known this game existed.

So for everyones thought, Why do you think this game is extremely underrated (especially as the launch title to the most popular video game console by the Guinness World Records)?

Was there another game the same year that literally buried Summoner to the ground or was there not enough mass appeal to it by advertising or lack of interest?

Also, if you bought the game back then, how did you come across this game other than here in Steam?

[Excifer]

I actually bought Summoner after having played Summoner 2 on the PS2. I distinctly remember when Summoner had been released alongside the PS2 launch lineup, but at the time, I was not interested in RPGs. I was more looking forward to platformer games (i.e. Jak and Daxter). After growing up a bit, I started to enter the RPG realm with games like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X (which came out some years later if I recall correctly).

In hind sight, I think the game was not marketed very well. I think it was banking on the fact that it was the only RPG out on the console Day 1. Having played Summoner 2 though, I was drawn into the back story and the enviroment that Volition had created. What I think held the series back however, was how Volition had essentially abandoned the series at its peak.

Despite how you think the second game compares to the first game, the series did evolve, not just in gameplay, but in the story-telling (where I personally think the series excelled). Once Volition created the Saint's Row franchise, it seemed like Summoner just became a cult classic. So with the lack of support that it had, Summoner only became popular by word of mouth. I would recommend it to friends, and they would instantly shrug it off, because it was not Final Fantasy.

So it's underrated because it was never given the chance it deserved. You can see that the title still has a fanbase, because it can be released on Steam, and a flock of users can assemble and discuss their experiences with the title. There are even threads asking for the sequel to be brought onto Steam. In all honesty, how many of you would support Nordic Games in reviving the series with a third installment? It may not happen, but it wouldn't hurt to think about it.

[Vaskur]

Originally posted by Excifer:

I actually bought Summoner after having played Summoner 2 on the PS2. I distinctly remember when Summoner had been released alongside the PS2 launch lineup, but at the time, I was not interested in RPGs. I was more looking forward to platformer games (i.e. Jak and Daxter). After growing up a bit, I started to enter the RPG realm with games like Kingdom Hearts and Final Fantasy X (which came out some years later if I recall correctly).

In hind sight, I think the game was not marketed very well. I think it was banking on the fact that it was the only RPG out on the console Day 1. Having played Summoner 2 though, I was drawn into the back story and the enviroment that Volition had created. What I think held the series back however, was how Volition had essentially abandoned the series at its peak.

Despite how you think the second game compares to the first game, the series did evolve, not just in gameplay, but in the story-telling (where I personally think the series excelled). Once Volition created the Saint's Row franchise, it seemed like Summoner just became a cult classic. So with the lack of support that it had, Summoner only became popular by word of mouth. I would recommend it to friends, and they would instantly shrug it off, because it was not Final Fantasy.

So it's underrated because it was never given the chance it deserved. You can see that the title still has a fanbase, because it can be released on Steam, and a flock of users can assemble and discuss their experiences with the title. There are even threads asking for the sequel to be brought onto Steam. In all honesty, how many of you would support Nordic Games in reviving the series with a third installment? It may not happen, but it wouldn't hurt to think about it.

this was one of those games that i never noticed much because it wasn't talked about or even metioned,i don't know how i found it but i guess i was bored one day and picked a couple of games"orphen scion of sorcery""gran turismo 3" and finally"summoner"the box art is what stood out the most to me, so i took it home played it and could not put it down, despite there been some noticible flaws like like poor map indercation"which i didn't really care about at that point"i still enjoyed it.

[Kalvix]

I don't even know how I ended up getting summoner, but its ended up being one of my favorite games, I don't like 2 really it took out everything I loved from summoner, the marketing for this game definitely wasn't great, I only happened to find it in a shop never heard anything about it and even to this day I'm not aware of it being a bit hit, but it should be.

The story and lore is pretty damn cool its got a huge world the summons are awesome (especially how you level them though I wish there was more or a level 2 darkness summon), and the combat is really fun, oddly enough its this game which made me play dragonage as that whole game definitely got a LOT of inspiration from this one.

[Morganism]

Originally posted by War-Barney:

I wish there was more or a level 2 darkness summon

The second Darkness summon is the spirit of the Goddess Laharah, given to you from a a long, difficult side quest for eight pages and 4 horsemen slaying. :p

I believe Final Fantasy X was in 2001, maybe the hype for that put people off. I personally only bought summoner because of Diablo 2, where I found a love for summoning creatures to command. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was always (and still is) one of my favorite games I've played.

I sought out Summoner 2 after seeing the case for the Gamecube version (still getting the PS2 one though). I didn't play it for months when I found out the game's combat style changed so significantly, but when I did finally play it, I think I may have enjoyed it slightly more than the original, although it wasn't quite as memorable to me.

[ChevyNoel]

I got a PS2 very shortly after launch. The main games I got it for were DOA2 and SSX, but I also picked up Tekken Tag and Unreal Tournament. Those were my main games for a while. A friend of mine had Summoner, and I thought it was awesome, but I never picked it up for some reason. I'm looking forward to playing it now; I hope it hasn't aged horribly.

[Foolwolf]

Bought summoner for PC and absolutely hated it. Didn'y like it at all. I guess that Baldurs Gate and Planescape and all the other games had sucked me in to deep at that time. With the Fallout games and Diablo and whatnots - there were simply too many other games that much better to compete with and Summoner didn't do a good job at it IMHO.

[King DaMuncha]

Summoner is by far my favorite RPG. But I remember it sitting in the shop for about a year cause no one wanted it, before I finally decided to give it a try. I wasnt too impressed with the box art and put it off. But boy was the game good.

[Jirilius Maximus]

Originally posted by DaMuncha:

Summoner is by far my favorite RPG. But I remember it sitting in the shop for about a year cause no one wanted it, before I finally decided to give it a try. I wasnt too impressed with the box art and put it off. But boy was the game good.

Same for me.
On the PS2 the Box art in the UK was lacklusture (a picture of a hand with a blue background) it didn't standout among other games titles.

[Infected Shogun]

Summoner was my first game for ps2. I loved every second of it and still laugh at the entire ring thing.

[shadowflash]

Summoner on PS2 is underrated because unlike past and current generation consoles, PS2 had a lot of RPGs, i haven't finished even a half of my PS2 RPG collection, rest will take a few years, maybe 10 or so. Also from gfx point of view it can't compete with high budged JRPGs there.

It's not uncommon for game to sell badly when it just got released and become cult classic 10-20 years later.

[Drowning witch]

summoner is on gog for a long time. it's pretty much a cult classic.

[Labyrinth2 0]

Originally posted by Morganite:

Originally posted by War-Barney:

I wish there was more or a level 2 darkness summon

I believe Final Fantasy X was in 2001, maybe the hype for that put people off. I personally only bought summoner because of Diablo 2, where I found a love for summoning creatures to command. It wasn't exactly what I expected, but it was always (and still is) one of my favorite games I've played.

True, although I have to say the part I didn't enjoy was when the enemies KO your summoned creature in 1 or 2 hits.

[Meca89]

I hope everyone realizes that this game did get developed by the same people who gave us ♥♥♥♥'s Row aka Saints Row :) always found that astounding

[Vaskur]

Originally posted by dread_to_think:

I hope everyone realizes that this game did get developed by the same people who gave us ♥♥♥♥'s Row aka Saints Row :) always found that astounding

Violation? no ♥♥♥♥ their icon/ the THQ logo is still in the launcher! xD

[Meca89]

Originally posted by FlintDragoon:

Originally posted by dread_to_think:

I hope everyone realizes that this game did get developed by the same people who gave us ♥♥♥♥'s Row aka Saints Row :) always found that astounding

Violation? no ♥♥♥♥ there icon/ the THQ logo is still in the launcher! xD

Yea but some people like me don't take much liking to Sain't Row, so they might not make the association..... I also forget they do the Red Faction series.... At least they have a good range as a studio and they've all been pretty damn good.... But again I just don't like Saint's Row