Gladius is one of those games that may not seem impressive as you go down the this-game-roolz! checklist: Graphics? So so. Voice acting? Painful in places. Sound? Not too hot, really. Plot & story? Nothing to write home about. Still the game is addictively fun if you enjoy turn-based tactical games, with plenty of variation, and a nice progression of more and more powerful abilities and equipment. Missions vary enough through a clever combination of different enemy attributes and skills that it really does matter which gladiators you bring to battle and how you use them. You will definitely find yourself balancing between your favorite fighters, gladiators who need some experience to level up, and those that have talents (like the seriously dangerous Peltast who throws javelins) that will come in handy.
It's not terribly hard, but not so easy that it undermines any gratification from surviving the various challenges. It's not the sexiest title in my current pile of games, but I find myself reaching for it over more highly regarded games because I know I'll enjoy spending an hour in the arenas of Gladius.
I'd be very enthusiastic to see someone do a sequel with beefed up graphics and sound.
(Originally posted at: http://www.epinions.com/content_146096754308) Lucas Arts’ Gladius, for the GameCube, Playstation 2, and X-Box, is indeed a tale of two heroes, along with their trials, tribulations, and triumphs... Read Full Review
Game studio LucasArts - the brawn behind many of the Star Wars videogames nowadays - has recently begun to branch out from its intergalactic roots and try fresh new projects. Two of the standouts for the Xbox were Armed ... Read Full Review
