Summon Night:Sword Craft Story(GBA)

[AdamJW]

Finally got my copy if this new GBA ActionRPG from my VG+. I hope they don't muck me about with my SRW pre-order next weel. They said I was one in the first ten orders so I should be ok there.

I am playing as the girl character Pratty and got Zantek the robot as my partner. I'm just starting off at the moment and it seems great so far. A really good humoured old school RPG charm. Its the first new game I've bought in ages. Looking like a good one, so far.

[AdamJW]

I'm starting to think I must be the only person in the UK who likes this sort of stuff.

Anyway Summon Night is a classic top down retro style RPG dungeon crawler for GBA, and typical RPG fair with big-eyed big-haired characters. The battles are side on and very reminiscent of the Tales Series... and the idea behind trying craft swords out other material is nothing new aswell, and is simlar to the Atelier series, but my point is why should it have to be something ground-breaking or innovative just to be accepted by the west.

The thing that this game does is do more of the same but it does it very well in its own imitable style and is the one of the best action RPGs I've seen on GBA for ages. I'd definitely give it a thumbs up after the first 3 hours.

I'll post more later if anyone is bothered. surely there's some other lovers of these types of game out there??

[thebuddahman]

Actually, I was looking at this over at VG+ the other day as I was looking for an RPG for my Micro. Really helpful comments mate; if you still think this is excellent when you've played a few more hours I MAY be persuaded to buy it! *tries to ignore the umpteeen other unplayed portable games he's got lying around at the moment*

Are there any "mainstream" reviews knocking around for this just to gain an overall picture?

[AdamJW]

I think there's one up at IGN thats quite favourable. I just don't trust their reviews I'm afraid. I haven't seen any on any uk sites as of yet, but I may submit one here myself yet after I've bagged more hours on it.

I'm quite enjoying it upto to press there's a really simplistic 'no nonsence' (John Smiths ad) approach to the fun element, and that to me is something all gamers can appreciate I'm sure and its seems to be close to banprestos own gaming philosophy. Mind you I was just chuffed to see the 'Banpresto' & 'Atlus' start up logos, so it was one I would have bet my house on being pretty decent anyway.8)

[ryodi]

I ordered my copy from VG+ last night for my new backlit SP and will probably order Super Robot Taisen: Original Generation when it is released next week which should fulfil my portable RPG needs for the near future. Without wishing to sound incredibly shallow AdamJW but was it a US version or a US/CAN with French text on the box that VG+ sent you?

[Mayhem]

I'm guessing it was a US box, possibly with a French insert double shrinked around it. This game is being published by Atlus, low print run kings. If you want it, best order it now before it goes. Which is what I will probably do!

[AdamJW]

I'm guessing it was a US box, possibly with a French insert double shrinked around it. This game is being published by Atlus, low print run kings. If you want it, best order it now before it goes. Which is what I will probably do!

You're only half right. Nearly though. There were no french insersts with the first orders this time. They came straight from the US apparently and had US boxes. They were held up in customs before the first batch got delivered to VG+ according to Sidney, so it looks like they got the first ones out pretty rapid to try and make up for lost time. I'm guessing the next batch will more than likely have the double seal and photocopied French inserts - maybe maybe not, but by the sounds of things they are coming from suppliers in the US and not Canada this time.

[fdsbh]

Summon Night (GBA)

I've just got my hands on a copy of Summon Night last Monday.

I must say, this game is fantastic. I've been playing bits here and there (as have been busy with work) but every time I play it I'm hooked and can't put it down. I've clocked over 5 hours and am up to Level 25 as my character.

It's really simply put-together - graphics are not outstanding and nor is the music - but the gameplay is second-to-none. It reminds me a little of the Zelda games, mixed with the RPG fighting elements of Tales and Final Fantasy etc. The weapon creation part is brilliant as I'm sure everyone who plays it will have a preffered weapon, rather than choosing the same old tool all the time.

I can thoroughly recommend this game to anyone as it has an excellent learning curve with plenty of play for the experienced RPG player.

fdsbh

[AdamJW]

Are you stuck or something? or Have you just been running round the Labyrinth?

I'm only level 30 and I am over 15 hours in. You should be able to beat the bosses easy at that level and only five hours in.

[fdsbh]

Summon Night (GBA)

Stuck? No, not yet - have just beaten the Sea Monster and am just onto the Summon Creature for the Vortex land. I'm only playing 20-30mins at a time! I haven't got the time to do the all-night gaming sessions of old....more's the pity!

What are the later levels like? Are they any good?

fdsbh

[Destrukticor]

i have also got this and am enjoying it in an old school type of way

charming i'd call it

[AdamJW]

Stuck? No, not yet - have just beaten the Sea Monster and am just onto the Summon Creature for the Vortex land. I'm only playing 20-30mins at a time! I haven't got the time to do the all-night gaming sessions of old....more's the pity!

What are the later levels like? Are they any good?

fdsbh

hee hee I was just joking. It does get better to be honest and more travelling comes into it, but I'm the same as you with half an hour to an hour bursts here and there. Thats the beauty of it. The whole old school charm and modern-ish systems married together really work well - for me.

There's plenty of depth aswell if you want to hang around and go for making all the weapons, or you can just progress the story if needs be, but the variety in friendship thing is cool aswell. I've personally tried to hang around and to make a good supply of weapons together to try and use every single weapon as its intended and to get myself prepared for any situation. Its a good game, and like destucktor says its charming. Its charming the pants off me.

Mind you I have all the other TRPGs anyway, and they're very good to. Its all good though, and I have been informed the follow up is even better. Can't wait for that now.

[Mayhem]

My copy arrived today so let's see if I can find time to plough through it

[ryodi]

My copy arrived this morning and after a couple of hours play I'm really enjoying it. The banter between the characters is good and the combat system is a lot quicker than I expected, especially in comparisaon to the relatively glacial Tales of Phantasia. I haven't played a good GBA RPG since Riviera so I'm looking forward to putting some time into this game, especially as the sequel is out in a few months time.

[vertigo]

I love ARPGs so am dead interested. This is in English, right? Any idea how long the game is roughly?
I still haven't got Riviera either which looked interesting in a "doesn't include all the boring crap" kind of way.