Post by Bytor on Jul 3, 2009 15:47:17 GMT -5
-Visuals- 8/10
The graphics themselves are very clean, especially considering the fact that it is one of the older games for the PS2. The characters still are not eh best looking in the gaming universe, they at times appear a tad too sharp without enough curves, think back to older games where it looked like blocks stacked on top of blocks. The backgrounds over all look pretty good, very nice 3D graphics and interactions between the characters and the surrounding environs is very nice, once again do realize that the game came out in 2000. Now, here's the absolutely horrible part. Often you will not approach a forest or a building or even an enemy so much as they simply will appear in front of you, not getting closer as you approach but instead suddenly there as if they were magically transported.
-Sound- 7/10
This is a case of the good and bad. First the good, the sound track itself is very nice and fits the game play well creating a nice ambiance, it doesn't over whelm but it certainly compliments. Now the bad..the sound effects are for the most part nonexistent in so much as they simply do not add anything whatsoever to the game.
-Gameplay- 8/10
This is a RPG, however it is certainly even more than that. The story line itself means that you will often have to read many, many lines before preforming any actions whatsoever. Normally this could become tedious, but the story is so well written it does not detract at all, instead it actually adds to the game. The battle system itself is also not typical, not only can you play with any of the characters and have total control but it actually benefits you to switch back and forth. The battle system is also actually a combination of turn based and real time actions, requiring not only some strategy but some nice hand eye coordination as well. Now, there is one aspect which is a combination of both story line and gameplay which detracts from the game a bit. I like long beginnings, especially if they add body to the beginning of the story and set the stage, Summoner in my opinion does not. It simply takes way to long before you can do any of the more enjoyable attacks and this time is not spent wisely, instead I just found the beginning to be really tedious.
-Story- 9/10
You start out as Joseph, who has the special ability to control powerful entities through using a set of rings. You and your friends must fight to stop Murod from unleashing a horde of demons upon the world. You will find yourself engrossed in the story...if you make it through the first few tortuous hours. The story line itself is not that original, but what gives it it's strength is the depth and development of the characters
-Overall- 8.6/10
Another game where the sum is not equal to the parts, while the game does have some noticeable faults it is still over all a very fun game to play and will certainly keep you occupied for easily 30 hours or so.