Summon Night

Summon Night for Nintendo DS is the 2008 Japanese remake of Flight-Plan's first Summon Night, a fantasy simulation RPG originally released for PlayStation in 2000. Published by Banpresto in Japan on April 24, 2008, it returns to the series' setting of Lyndbaum, an otherworldly realm shaped by summoning magic. The story begins when a Japanese high-school student is abruptly drawn from everyday life into this unfamiliar world, establishing an adventure about finding a place in Lyndbaum while trying to understand the forces behind the summoning.

The game blends story-led scenes with isometric, turn-based battles. Before each encounter, the player organizes a party and then moves units across grid-based maps, choosing positions and actions according to the scenario's win and loss conditions. Physical attacks, support from allies, and summoned creatures all have a place in combat, so managing distance, terrain, and the order in which units act matters as much as direct offense. Its campaign advances through a succession of narrative episodes and tactical fights rather than through real-time exploration.

As the opening chapter of the main Summon Night line, this Nintendo DS version centers on a protagonist from the modern world and the relationships formed after arriving in Lyndbaum. The setting connects multiple worlds, making summoned beings an important part of both its fantasy atmosphere and its battle system. Dialogue scenes carry the plot between missions, while the player’s companions and choices in battle supply the practical side of the journey. This combination of character-focused storytelling and map-based strategy defines the game’s approach.

The DS remake was designed to make the original more approachable as well as to add material for returning players. Nintendo’s Japanese product information identifies it as a one-player simulation RPG and notes in-game guidance intended to help newcomers learn the tactical systems. The dual-screen presentation keeps battle information readily available, while the handheld release preserves the first game’s core campaign instead of replacing it with one of the series’ later action-oriented spin-offs.

Two additions distinguish Summon Night on Nintendo DS from the original PlayStation release. Summon Communication lets players build rapport with summoned creatures, allowing their level to rise and unlocking dedicated abilities when the interaction succeeds. Brave Clear rewards players who complete certain battles while keeping levels at or below a stated limit, giving an extra objective beyond simply winning. Those systems make the remake a return to the franchise’s starting point with fresh incentives for experimentation and replay.