Released for the Nintendo DS, Summon Night: Twin Age is an action RPG that brings a fresh, touch-screen-centric approach to Banpresto's long-running Japanese role-playing series. While predecessors in the franchise often relied on side-scrolling views and random encounters, Twin Age differentiates itself by implementing a real-time combat system designed specifically for the DS stylus. Players embark on a lighthearted journey through the world of Clardona, navigating through dungeons to uncover the mystery behind a sudden corruption affecting the world's elemental spirits.

A Tale of Two Protagonists

The story centers on Reiha, a young human girl with an innate aptitude for the magical art of summoning, and Aldo, a "Summon Beast" brought into her world following a childhood accident. Having grown up together on the tropical island of Jarazi among the Kascuza—a race of beast-like humanoids—the two share a bond akin to siblings. Their peaceful life is interrupted when the Nature Spirits begin acting erratically, signaling a dark imbalance in the world.

As Reiha and Aldo set out to investigate this corruption, their quest leads them away from the safety of their island and into the human lands. Along the way, they must navigate the complex tensions between humans, who seek to enslave summon beasts, and the Kascuza, who wish to live in harmony with them. While the narrative follows familiar anime tropes, it offers an engaging backdrop for exploring the characters' forgotten pasts and the truth behind the catastrophe that first brought Reiha and Aldo together.

Real-Time Combat and Deep Customization

The gameplay of Summon Night: Twin Age moves away from traditional turn-based mechanics in favor of an intuitive, touch-focused battle system. Players can switch freely between Reiha and Aldo during quests, utilizing each character's unique strengths:

  • Aldo: A melee specialist capable of devastating physical attacks. His combat style is highly customizable; players can choose different weapons—such as swords, axes, or spears—which fundamentally change his skill sets.
  • Reiha: A powerful magic-user focused on elemental abilities. Players use the stylus to target foes with fireballs or draw lines through enemies to create walls of lightning.

Combat is streamlined via a customizable command palette that lines the sides of the screen, allowing players to select skills and items without constant menu shuffling. Beyond simple attacks, the game features deep progression systems, including impressive skill trees reminiscent of classic RPGs like Diablo II. As characters level up, new abilities are unlocked, and players can choose to upgrade existing skills or invest in new ones.

Dungeon Crawling and Crafting

The core gameplay loop involves exploring dungeons where players guide their protagonists through various maps to confront bosses. To aid in the grind of dungeon crawling, the game includes quality-of-life features like an autorun option. Success in battle provides more than just experience; defeating enemies and breaking environmental objects yields money and essential materials.

These resources are vital for the game's robust crafting and upgrading systems. Players can use collected materials to:

  • Upgrade weapons and armor to increase combat effectiveness.
  • Manufacture new armor sets for both protagonists.
  • Create essential recovery items to replenish health and spirit points.
  • Spawn new Summon Beasts to aid in the journey.

Summon Night: Twin Age appeals to fans of the Tales series and players looking for a cozy, accessible dungeon-crawler. While the experience is relatively short—often completed in under 20 hours—the combination of character customization, elemental magic, and tactile touch-screen combat provides a charming adventure for handheld RPG enthusiasts.