DESCRIPTION

Summoner: A Goddess Reborn is a GameCube port of Volition's Summoner 2 on PlayStation 2. The game's narrative and play mechanics remain the same, although a number of cosmetic enhancements have been incorporated to take advantage of the platform it appears on. Developer Cranky Pants Games has improved the texture quality found on the character models as well as in the environments, which now exhibit such details as real-time shadows and reflective floors. Animation was another area addressed, and the frame rate now runs at an estimated 60 frames-per-second. Controls have been slightly altered to accommodate the GameCube's distinct configuration, and sound has been cleaned up for crisper effects and greater clarity in both music and dialogue.

Players control a three-character party, led by a female protagonist named Maia, from a group of eight warriors, mages, and healers as they engage hordes of creatures in real-time combat. A single character can be controlled directly while the computer AI handles the rest of the party, or players can switch between characters at will to better use their distinct talents. One of the game's key elements is Maia's ability to transform into a summoned creature, giving her added powers for a limited time. Defeating enemies adds to the party's experience, which leads to learning new skills and attributes. In addition to the main story, Summoner offers over 90 optional side quests. A total of 30 locales, ranging from an underground prison to an aquatic city, must be explored to fulfill Maia's destiny to become a goddess. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide