Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance - PlayStation 2

Fun game. If you like the whole gladiator style game, this is that right in the name. Watch a few videos of game play if you want to see if this would be what you want.

Ancient Rome and its barbaric gladiatorial arenas have intrigued scholars of history and laymen alike for countless years. Films like "Sparticus," "Ben Hur," and the more recent "Gladiator" have captured this period, and the phenomenon of Roman gladiators, in exciting form, but video games have only just begun to jump on the bandwagon - which is strange, since the setting lends itself so incredibly well to the medium. Unfortunately, most of those games have been disappointing, or just plain bad. "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance" breaks the mold by delivering a solid, action-oriented take on the material.The game owes more than a passing debt to Ridley Scott's year 2000 epic, the aforementioned "Gladiator," from which it borrows its visual style and much of its storyline. However, "Sword of Vengeance" includes elements of the mythic and supernatural, which will pit you, as the gladiator Invictus Thrax, against titans, deathless warriors, even gods. The story is a little thin, but it's still compelling and provides sufficient incentive.First, let me just say that "Sword of Vengeance" is a real looker. The graphics are splendid. In fact, the game features unusually solid production values all around. Even the voice acting is excellent, thanks in no small part to Sean Pertwee, the professional actor who voices Thrax. The game's musical accompaniment is all quite good for the most part, and so are the sound effects that accompany the action.Now that the superficialities are out of the way, it's time to get into the gameplay. In many ways, "Sword of Vengeance" is a sort of cutting edge ancestor to classic beat-`em-up games like "Double Dragon" or "Final Fight." You're forced down a fairly linear path from which you can scarcely deviate, and during that time you must pummel virtually everything that moves. Enemy gladiators, animated skeletons, and other creatures will attack in waves, and they will die in waves. Thankfully, combat, the very engine that drives the game, is quite satisfying. It is all melee-based, and it's suitably brutal (in keeping with the game's theme). Thrax will eventually be able to pick from three distinct weapons (sword, axe, or gauntlet blades), and each is significantly different than the other. The axe, for example, is slower than the sword but more powerful, and the gauntlet blades are faster but less damaging than the sword or axe. Three weapons may not seem like a lot, but you will frequently find upgrades to each weapon type that will increase that weapon's potency. Besides that, Thrax builds skill with experience. For example, if you favor the sword, it will become more powerful in Thrax's hands. If you neglect the axe, it will become harder to wield as the game progresses. Some magical powers also step in to spice up the combat, and do a fairly good job of it.Unfortunately, the game's targeting system is flawed. It is far too difficult to lock onto and engage a particular opponent in the midst of a crowded melee, and sometimes, for whatever reason, the game forces you to strike immobile objects during the fray, which is often a needlessly frustrating exorcise. Worse, it draws attention to the faulty targeting system. It's also worth noting that while Thrax can employ some very devastating and satisfying combos, it's often easier, and smarter, to just rap the square button, as it seems to provoke the swiftest, most powerful assault. That means the combat can become very repetitive, especially since there's so much of it."Sword of Vengeance" also suffers from some lopsided level design. The game begins and ends in the Roman coliseum, complete with cheering crowds and flesh-and-blood gladiators, and it's very stirring stuff. Strangely, most of the game takes place outside of the hustle and bustle of Rome, and most of the enemies you face are not human. I found human opponents and a public arena far preferable to the game's middle portion, which sends you traipsing through half-deserted, same-looking wastelands killing monsters and skeletons. That's not to say the middle section of the game is bad, but it pales in comparison to the epic gladiatorial conflicts that fall on either side of it.Boss encounters in the game are a not-so-welcome diversion from the kind of fighting you would rather be doing. What's more, there are really only two boss characters in the game, and both of them require similar, repetitive tactics to defeat. The endgame confrontation was a complete letdown as well.All in all, though, "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance" is a slick-looking action game that is well worth playing, especially if you're a hack-and-slash/beat-`em-up fan, even it doesn't quite live up to its potential. The setting, when utilized, is wonderful, but is ultimately underplayed. Still, it was a good romp, and I enjoyed most of it.Final score: B-

Super Best game I ever played love the blood and glory. You used get it

I've never played this game but I am really looking forward to October 17th (the release date). This game seems to be more like the real gladitorial battles than Gladius. I've played Gladius on a demo disc and I was really bored with it so I'm hoping this is more exciting. Although I haven't played it I've read the editorial review and it has a lot of cool features listed including:1)"In-depth characterization and intelligent and exciting plotting"2) " Variety of objectives, opponents and weaponry"3)" A rich mix of combat, adventure, classic history, culture and mythology " and much more but I'm definitely gonna get this game when it comes out.

I FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS GAME BY ACCIDENT, AND I'M SURE GLAD I DID ! BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME !YOU GET TO PLAY AS GLADIATOR '' INVICTUS THRAX '', WHO HAS TO BRING ORDER BACK TO ROME -AND AVENGE THE EMPEROR'S MURDER...YOU ARE TESTED BY THE GODS THROUGHOUT YOUR JOURNEY FOR REVENGE ..YOU GET TO KILL LOTS OF COOL MONSTERS AND ENEMIES , WITH A WIDE ARRAY OF WEAPONS LIKE: GAUNTLET , SWORD , OR BATTLEAXE !!BUT IF YOU COMPLETE CHALLENGES SCATTERED THROUGHOUT THE GAME , YOU EARN WEAPON UPGRADES , A BIGGER HEALTH BAR , AND OTHER STUFF TOO.MOST ARE EASY , BUT THE TIME LIMIT ONES CAN BE TOUGH , BUT STILL FUN.AND THE GAME IS PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD , SO YOU DON'T REALLY NEED A GUIDE .BUT REMEMBER TO SMASH VASES , TO GET GOODIES LIKE A MAGIC OR HEALTH REFILLS.PLUS THE POWERS THE GODS BESTOW UPON YOU IS A NICE TOUCH AS WELL!!WHEN YOU FILL UP YOUR CIRCLE , YOU CAN USE FIRE , LIGHTNING , AND WRAITHS TO HELP NAIL YOUR ENEMIES . AND DOING A KILL MOVE WHEN THE ENEMIES BAR IS RED IS A COOL FEATURE AS WELL!! .SO GET IT TODAY , AND PLAY ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT TOO.. CALL IN SICK TO WORK AND ENJOY ONE HELL OF A GAME !!

If you like mindless action and button mashing, you'll like this. I found the action repetitive. The graphics, so-so. I thought this would be like a gladiator dueling game. It's definitely not. It's roman gladiator (using many out of period weapons) meets bruce lee from that scene in Enter the Dragon where he fights 100 guards. Really lame.Shadow Over Rome looks cooler.

This game has some really good graphics and story. It doesn't last long and the sound is OK. Gameplay is repetative and isn't all that great. Very good rental. If you like the movie, check this out.