Summoner and it's sequel

[Shiendar]

For a short time, I had Summoner and I have just beat it's sequel, Summoner 2: Goddess Reborn.... and while I do love these games to peaces, each has their own flaws, some terribly glaring and major.

Summoner, with Joseph as the main character, while a graphic step above PS1 games, was pretty much a step below the other games that would shortly be released. it was unique however and did well enough. The feel of the game was in a sense classic and new at the same time. The environments were truely huge and a player could get lost in them. On the world map, you see whatever character you're controlling. However, the graphics were just barely par most times and the programmers and artists would throw in the oddest details.... I really liked the wide variety of armor and that it would affect your character's appearence.

The graphics were far more superior in the sequel, where you control Maia, Queen of Halassar. Each of the characters are very.... different. Whether it's the quasi-aquatic looking Sangaril or the immense Morbazon or cyborg Iari. (Yes. There is a cyborg in a fantasy setting and yes, it is justified.) There are others. I also felt kind of odd about Maia herself becoming her summoned creatures and the fustrating timer makes it ineffective until about halfway through the game. There is also basically NO world map.

As for continuity, you see three characters from the first game: Fleece (Without a voice), Yago (Now a PC!!) and Rosalind. Jekhar is also mentioned but never seen.

The fustrating part in Summoner was it's battles and the battle maps that would pop up on the world. They were fustrating but novel. Summoner 2 however makes it at once harder and easier with the elimination of the world map. Save often in either game.

....so has anyone else played these games?

[Andromeda]

I actually work for the company that made Summoner and Summoner 2. While I have not actually played them myself, I do think that Summoner was their first game or one of their first. I have been meaning to pick it up sometime. A little of what I saw reminded me of Baldur's Gate, which I enjoyed a lot. I'm afraid I do not much more about Summoner.

[midgarmako]

Ive played the first two Summoner games yeah and I didnt think much to them, the gameplay was rather lousy but it did have some good aspects such as the character backgrounds and stuff.