Summon Night - Swordcraft Story 2 (USA) Gameboy Advance game

Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2, an action RPG developed by Flight-Plan and published by Banpresto (JP) and Atlus (NA) for the Game Boy Advance, launched in Japan on August 20, 2004, followed by a North American release on October 17, 2006. Directed by Takayuki Kinoshita and Hirokazu Kawase, with designs by Tomoyuki Murai and Akinori Sano, and character art by Shinichirou Otsuka, the game delves into a world where players, as Edge Fencers Edgar Colthearts or Aera Colthearts, embark on a quest to seal the violent Summon Beast Goura, awakening in an abandoned ruin.

The gameplay blends exploration, combat, and crafting. As players navigate the world from a top-down perspective, they encounter enemies triggering real-time 2D battles. Combat allows equipping up to three weapons, with durability depleting over time, necessitating repairs or switching to the hammer. Crafting weapons involves using Shapestones and craft materials, with upgrades and repairs being crucial mechanics.

Players encounter various characters, including Guardian Beasts like Exeld, Loki, Dinahi, and Arnokoi, each with distinct personalities and backgrounds. Alongside protagonists Edgar and Aera, characters like Blaire, Orin, Tatiana, Ryouga, and Lynnri contribute to the rich narrative.

Critically acclaimed, Summon Night: Swordcraft Story 2 received favorable reviews, praised for refined gameplay, graphics quality, and engaging dialogue. However, criticisms included a lack of story depth and excessive backtracking.

Notably, the game features gender-specific nuances in interactions, evident in characters like Lynn, who offers a kiss to the player, regardless of gender. With its immersive world and captivating gameplay, Swordcraft Story 2 stands as a notable entry in the Summon Night series.