GameSpot recently spoke with Summoner 2 producer Anoop Shekar to answer some questions about the upcoming PlayStation 2 RPG. As has been reported, the game takes place 20 years after the original and centers on the exploits of Maia, queen of Halassar. It is prophesied that she is the human form of the goddess Laharah. Summoner 2 begins with the priests of Urath, led by Krobelus, igniting a holy war against Halassar. Like the original Summoner, the game should take between 25-30 hours to complete.

Whereas the original game's protagonist, Joseph, actually summoned various entities into being, Maia morphs into different creatures when her summoning power is tapped. She can turn into four types of summons, each of which has three levels. Naturally, each entity becomes more devastatingly frightful as they advance in level. To learn more summons, Maia encounters summoning stones, which activate her innate transformation abilities as her quest progresses.

Shekar cited fortress prisons, magical laboratories, aquatic cities, frozen wastelands and a haunted island among the game's myriad environments. He explained how Volition has consciously aimed for more variegated world design with the sequel. Some areas draw inspiration from science fiction, while the Kingdom of Halassar is based heavily on South Indian architecture.

The battle system gives players more control over their characters, said Shekar. Real-time button presses allow for two-three strike combos, and entering the correct string of buttons results in special attacks. In terms of cinematography, the camera has been lowered to align the perspective closer to the character.

All of Summoner 2's characters have individual abilities, and players can assign points to prioritize the development of desired skills over others. Shekar also promises the elimination of any noticeable slowdown and maintained that the game's levels are more lively and animated than the original's.

Shekar concluded by stressing that Summoner 2 is a much different game from its predecessor. The game is currently scheduled for a Sept. 9, 2002 release for the PS2 console.