"Summoner is an absolute must have game for PS2" -PS2 IGN

[Julius Seeker]

Ha! What a load of shit, this is easily THE WORST RPG I have ever played, and among the worst games I have ever played, probably the worst game I have played since the 16-bit era.

The price tag on the game said $4.99, but I would throw this out for free (if it were mine).

PS2.ign.com gave it an 8.3, where do they get this from?

8.0 Graphics
The visuals are very clean, there are no significant problems with jaggies or flickering and some of the texture work is amazing. Conversely, there's a huge draw in problem that can't be ignored.

Maybe if your only comparison to the game is Cruisin USA. No mention of how the game runs at about TEN FRAMES PER SECOND,

9.5 Lasting Appeal
This is a massive RPG that will take a long time to beat. When you add this to all of the game's numerous mini quests and hidden items, you end up with plenty of long term play value.

Really? I got three hours of one of the worst gameplay experiences I've had in the last 10 years.

[Tortolia]

It's IGN. You don't just need to take their reviews with a grain of salt, you need to take their reviews with the entirety of the Dead Sea.

[Andrew, Killer Bee]

Obligatory PA link:

http://penny-arcade.com/view.php?date=2005-02-18&res=l

[Zeus]

It was also a launch or close-to-launch title, which always get better reviews

[Julius Seeker]

It was also a launch or close-to-launch title, which always get better reviews

I think that in the case of this game, it doesn't really justify the score. It's not like Super Mario 64 or FF7 that when they were released they were the best. When Summoner was released, there were plenty of better games available; whether you are looking at graphics, story, music, sound effects, gameplay, or anything.

Actually, that is not the worst thing ps2.ign.com has done; Shadow Hearts received a 5.5. I almost think they did it because of the Publisher, which was Midway. Needless to say 5.5 is WELL below the average reader review, and average press review (in fact, the next lowest review is 7.0 by Gamepro). Shadow Hearts Covenant got a 9.1 by ignps2; it is a must have RPG for any RPG fan, but I very highly recommend playing the first one first because the two are linked. The first one takes place prior to world war I, and the second takes place during World War I; and yeah, all of the major historical figures come into play. Of course, it is fantasy, so the plot is not accurate to history, but I like that fantastic edge it has given to the history.

[Nev]

I'm a little wary of any site that lets just one reviewer come up with the site's official score anyway. I like reviews where a few people's scores get averaged...

[SineSwiper]

Ahhh good. I've got that game out of a used pile, and never touched it.

[Julius Seeker]

Ahhh good. I've got that game out of a used pile, and never touched it.

Shadowhearts? So did I actually, needless to say I was INCREDIBLY surprised. Shadow Hearts: Covenant, that game is the one you want to play (though finish the first one first, it is very important so you can gain an attatchment for the characters and references which take place in Covenant), it (Covenant) is, in my opinion, easily the best RPG on PS2.

[SineSwiper]

Nope, not that. Summoner. I'll grab Shadow Hearts when I see it somewhere, but probably after a take a break for a little bit. (Just finished through Xenosaga 2 and Katamari Damacy.)