Summoner is an action RPG developed by Volition and released on PC in 2001. Players take on the role of Joseph, a young man marked from birth with the ability to summon powerful creatures using ancient rings. The game combines real-time combat, exploration across a large original world, and a narrative centered on destiny and power.
Gameplay
Combat unfolds in real time across open areas rather than on separate battle screens. Joseph approaches enemies and engages with melee weapons or ranged options like bows. Attacks chain together through directional inputs that extend combos, add damage, or apply status effects. Timing windows shorten with each successful link, rewarding precision and quick decisions.
Summoning forms a core system. Up to 16 different creatures become available over the course of the game, including minotaurs, golems, dragons, and other original fantastical beings. These summoned allies join the fight with their own abilities and can be controlled directly. Joseph also casts spells and equips various weapons and armor pieces that alter his effectiveness in battle. Exploration drives progression as players traverse a world spanning two continents filled with quests, hidden areas, and encounters that tie into the central story.
Game Modes
The game operates as a single-player experience focused on a continuous campaign. There are no separate multiplayer or competitive modes. Instead, the structure emphasizes story progression through exploration, combat encounters, and character development. Players advance by completing objectives tied to Joseph's journey, summoning new creatures, and managing party composition in real-time fights. Side content appears through optional exploration and interactions that expand on the world without branching into distinct game types.
Story and Setting
Joseph carries the mark of the Summoner, granting him power beyond emperors or gods. As a child he summoned a demon to protect his village, only to witness unintended destruction. Nine years later, invading armies from Orenia force him to confront a larger prophecy. The narrative unfolds across an original world created by the developers, with the ancient Khosani rings serving as the mechanism for summoning demons, dragons, and elementals. Control of these forces remains a central tension, as only the strongest summoners maintain dominance over what they call forth.
Is It Worth Playing?
Summoner suits players who enjoy classic action RPGs with real-time combat and summoning mechanics. The game features a complete single-player campaign that blends exploration, chained attacks, and creature control without requiring additional purchases or ongoing updates. Steam user reviews rate it Very Positive, with 86 percent approval from hundreds of ratings, highlighting the story, world design, and combat system as strengths. Those seeking a self-contained experience from the early 2000s era will find a focused title that delivers on its core loop of summoning and fighting. Newer players comfortable with older interfaces and pacing may appreciate the ambition in its creature roster and continent-spanning map.
