Seemingly overlooked by some,but definately worth it.
The different style of turn-based strategy used in the game threw me off at first,but I began to appreciate it,as it added in something you don't find much in such games:the utilization of a player's skill on top of strategy..
It provides a diverse selection of gladiator classes to build your school with,ensuring that everybody's school is built differently,depending on the player's preferences,and the ability to take your custom school of gladiators against another's is a great addition.I've spent hours battling my friends under varying combat conditions,testing different combatants against each other.
The skill system is great,allowing you to customize the combat abilities of your gladiators to your liking,with the only limitation being the points you have to spend,which you recieve at every level up.This makes sure that most gladiators in your school are customized to your preferences.The way that the game is laid out ensures that you can still complete the game no matter how you build your school,with very little school modification ever needed to progress.For example,I went through the game with a school build that focused on medium and light units,only adding one heavy unit towards the end of the game.
Don't get me wrong though,the game is not perfect.Once you reach higher levels,there are some balancing issues between different classes.And there are classes such as the Galdr and the Satyrs,which are just about useless.The heavy classes at higher levels are often overwhelming,no matter how well equipped the opponent,despite the weight class advantages which earlier in the game are critical to acknowledge.Another balancing issue is that only two classes in the game have available to them weapons that have the chance of killing instantly.
However,the above flaws in the game do not kill the great gaming experience that is Gladius.If you like turn-based strategy games or RPGs I recommend purchasing this title.