Hack and slash dressed up in RPG's clothing isn't a bad thing, except when it's a bad hack and slash game. And while Summoner 2 isn't bad, per se, it shouldn't be anywhere near the top of your must buy list.
The sequel to the PS2's mediocre launch title, Summoner 2 throws you into a hodgepodge of a plot where, from what I gather, you are supposed to complete some sort of prophecy that those in power don't want you to complete. And you do this by cutting things up in a 3rd person perspective, in a party, similar to the recent Kingdom Hearts.
One of the biggest problems with S2 is, and I must sound like a broken record now, but bear with me, that it does nothing but strive to be a mediocre action game with RPG elements. Sure, there's a lot of game here (over 100 quests by some accounts,) but I highly doubt most with an IQ over that of the average AI script will want to stick with the tedium long enough to finish it. Here's advice for all developers, and I'm not just picking on Volition specifically: hell, their approach isn't even the worst I've seen in recent history. I just happen to be fed up at this point, so here's my advice. Ready?
An action game has to have a good combat engine. Even if your action game is a so called "action RPG."
Not a "decent" one, not a bad one that you "make up" for in other areas with, a good combat engine that will make people keep playing, and playing, and playing. Summoner 2 doesn't have this, and neither does most of this crap that gets shoveled out there. Despite its window dressing, despite the enormity of the game, and despite the spell system, equipment system, and whatever else, if the combat just isn't up to par, the game fails. And Summoner 2 fails on the most basic of basic levels.
-George
Editor's Comments (Scott's Comments)
I had to play this after George gave it the lowest score yet...Originally he gave it a 57. I have to admit that the combat should have been much better considering that is 90% of the game, but the game does have a lot of other good things going for it. The game is large, with plenty of side quests, puzzles and some really cool aspects, such as listening to petetions in your kingdom and then deciding what to do for the peasants. The graphics are actually my biggest complaint. They still have that strange look that Red Faction had. I can't explain it, but it looks like a PC Port, even though it is a PS2 exclusive. Also, why don't the character's lips move when they talk, isn't this a standard by now?
Basiclly, the game would have been in the high 80s for me if they had sat down with their game on one monitor and Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance or Onimusha next to it and said to the programmers, "Make our combat 'Feel' like that, instead of this empty feeling we have now."
Personally, I am having some fun with the title, while George completly hates it. Of course there are plenty of better games out there that you should finish first.
-Scott
Company Line
On a storm-swept ship, the sequel to one of the top-selling role-playing adventures on PlayStation 2 begins.
You are the Queen of Halassar. Thousands have fought and died for you. Millions adore you as the "goddess reborn." Your fate is written in the Book of the Prophets. You are the savior of all creation.
But your enemies are strong. The King of Galdyr wants you dead. Sinister factions plot your downfall. The armies of Urath march on your borders. Below Munari City, the mysterious Unseen weave a dark conspiracy.
And now one of your own has betrayed you. A thief robs your inner sanctum. Intrigue lures you to the Midnight Sea. In a howling tempest, your destiny begins to unfold.
Features:
Battle your enemies in real time with an all-new, party-driven combat system
Explore over 30 exotic and imaginative 3D locales, from the tropical isle of Teomura to the bizarre and dreamlike City of Masks
Fulfill Pava's prophecy through an immersive, character-driven story. Rule the Kingdom of Halassar and interact with hundreds of NPCs
Transform the "language of gods" into twelve powerful summons, from the Blood Juggernaut to the Blade of Sand
Control up to three characters at a time, and build your party from a roster of eight unique characters with specialized attacks and spells
Customize your characters using a flexible skill-point system. Learn to craft deadly poisons, cast a meteor storm, or devour your enemy's soul
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