Though Volition started as a PC game developer, the last couple of games from the company debuted on the PlayStation 2. In fact, Volition's first two PS2 games--Summoner and Red Faction--did a lot to help the system's then-meager software lineup, providing it with both a solid role-playing game and a first-rate first-person shooter. Between these two games, Volition justly earned a good name for itself among console gamers, much like it already had among PC gamers with its superlative FreeSpace series of space combat sims. Now Volition is back with an original sequel to its first PlayStation 2 game, and with this latest release, the company should further improve its reputation. That's because, despite some rough edges, Summoner 2 is by and large a very good adventure role-playing game, with a memorable cast of characters and plenty of pure action.

Maia is the queen of Halassar, and the heroine of Summoner 2.

Summoner 2 is more of a successor to the original than a direct sequel. The game has only a loose connection to its predecessor, so if by chance you've never played Summoner, there's no need to worry. And if you have, you'll appreciate its handful references to the original and also find that Summoner 2 makes a number of departures from the first game's formula--particularly with its new action-oriented combat system--while retaining the original's focus on telling a good story. Summoner 2 actually features a new cast of characters and an original plot: This time, the story focuses on Maia, a free-spirited queen of a proud nation whom prophets claim is a goddess reborn.

That actually might sound pretty generic, and what's great is that even Maia herself seems a bit bored by the idea at first. Much like the first game, Summoner 2 soon goes into much more interesting territory than its seemingly straightforward fantasy setting first implies. During the course of her journey, Maia will join forces with a variety of other memorable characters, whose own intentions will eventually be revealed. Sometimes the story is difficult to follow, as characters are introduced quickly and some of the people and places in Summoner 2 have decidedly tongue-twisting names (the characters actually comment on this at one point). Nevertheless, the game's story is the real driving force behind Summoner 2. You'll be compelled to press through the occasional frustrating or repetitive combat sequence just to see what happens next.

The new action-driven combat system gets off to a bit of a slow start.

The game is played almost entirely from a third-person perspective, and at first, you can't even tell that what you're playing is actually a role-playing game. Summoner 2 opens with a sequence in which Maia is defending her ship against a pirate attack. This encounter will allow you to learn the basics of combat, but it'll also be your first exposure to the problems with the camera and the combat itself. You can use the right analog stick to adjust the perspective, and you'll often have to in order to get an angle on enemies attacking from different directions. Maia and other characters animate somewhat awkwardly in battle, and the game's collision detection isn't depicted very well, sometimes making it seem as though attacks are harmlessly missing their targets even though they may be dealing grievous damage. The good news is, you will get used to the combat and the game's somewhat unrefined graphics, and soon you'll be introduced to some of the deeper aspects of combat, such as the ability to have up to three characters in your team at once.

It isn't long before Maia finds some traveling companions. As your party grows in size, you'll encounter situations in which you'll need to control only certain combinations of characters at a time, and Maia herself may or may not be among them. Even when you have three in your squad, you control only one character directly, though you can switch to the others instantly using the shoulder buttons on the Dual Shock 2. Those characters not under your direct supervision will fight and follow you autonomously, and you can choose from a few different behavioral options for them that emphasize their fighting, casting, or supporting skills. Your computer-controlled companions will do a decent job of watching your back in the middle of a tussle, though sometimes they blunder headlong into certain disaster. Other times they'll fare even better than you will. A good strategy is to take command of the weakest character in the bunch and keep him or her out of trouble and in a supporting role while your computer-controlled brethren take to the front lines.