The Summoning

This is one of the games I really wanted to play as a kid, but I did not have access to a PC back then. So, like many games I read about or saw in stores, it became a dream that faded into a distant memory. That is, until I got on Steam and made it a personal quest to try and play as many of these games I unfortunately missed back in the day. That being said, this is pretty much exactly what I wanted it to be. But man, it's unforgiving and tough. I like that though, and I expected it. I've always had a soft spot for isometric dungeon crawlers and this one does not disappoint and for a game of its era, it's very playable and less cumbersome than similar games. Ultimately, this is definitely a recommend if the things I described are your cup of tea.

It's so cool seeing a game from 1992 come to Steam. Despite being an antique it works flawlessly thanks to SNEG and the DOSBox-like launcher they hooked it up with. I'm sure you know what you're getting into if you're looking at a game that is coming up on its 35th birthday, But, I think the UI for The Summoning is probably a lot better than many old games because of how simple it is and you'll find this more accessible than a lot of its contemporaries. But there are a some things to be cautious of. First, this game is from the time when adding text that would explain the game was actually a consideration when it came to file size. So games from this era launched with big manuals that you were expected to have open while you played it. A lot of "how was I supposed to know X" the answer is - you were expected to have read it in the manual before you played, which I know hasn't been a thing for decades. You can find a .pdf of it online that's great quality, as well as old strategy guides that I would probably recommend for any genuine new players. The second thing to be aware of is this game is long. There is a lot of dungeon here, a lot of teleport circles that zap you all arou…

Played this back in the day. Love this game, but at this point it still freezes and and crashes. Lost hours of game play because I forgot to save. My fault, but shouldn't crash. I die thats 100% on me.

The Summoning, developed by Event Horizon Software and published by SNEG, is a classic isometric action RPG that reflects an era when games prioritized depth, experimentation, and player-driven discovery over convenience. Originally released in the early 1990s and later reintroduced to modern audiences, it offers a dense dungeon-crawling experience that feels both ambitious and uncompromising. Rather than guiding players through a clearly defined path, it throws them into a vast labyrinth and expects them to find their own way, creating a sense of adventure that is as rewarding as it is demanding. The game is structured around a massive, multi-level dungeon that serves as the centerpiece of the experience. Each floor is filled with enemies, hidden areas, and puzzles that often require careful observation and trial-and-error to overcome. Progression is rarely straightforward, and the lack of clear direction can initially feel overwhelming. However, this design gradually reveals its strength as players begin to understand the layout and logic of the world. Exploration becomes a meaningful activity, where every discovery feels earned rather than handed to you. The dungeon itself feel…

An absolute banger. Gave me chills in my childhood.

a cool underrated classic dungeon crawler, this one has some really dope music, dude was killing it with the soundblaster