Finally a great gladiator game. This is one of the best hack and slashers on the PS2 and shouldn't be missed.
The gameplay is great. It is split up into three sections. The first section, gladitor combat, is the best and features the most. You play as soldier who's father is wrongly accussed of murdering Cesar. So you enter a gladiatorial competition to free him. The gladiator sections are great. You can get various weapons such as maces and swords that you use to kill and dismember. The weapons themselvels are varied and in great number. This offers different styles of combat which is nice
The second section of gameplay is a stealth adventure. You play a friend of the gladiator previously mentioned that is trying to prove that his friends father didn't commit murder. This section although being quite good is arguably the weakest. Because the combat sections are fun you find yourself loathing having to complete the stealth parts. At least the stealth is functioning and the controls are easy to learn.
The third section is a breif charioting campaign. This consists of 5 chariot races. These races are very, very fun and it is a shame there are only a few.
The graphics are really special. The floors of the arenas are covered in golden sand and the fierce sun shines down unmercifully. The blood displaced is great with it covering the sand making a gritty arena. The palaces, markets and buildings in the stealth sections are beautiful and believable.
The sound is great. The original score goes great with the Roman setting. The voice acting is of a very high quality also making for an engaging experiance. The sound effects are also above par.
The story is engaging and long with varied gameplay. The story will take about 15-25 hours. Sadly there is no multiplayer or co-op which is a bit of a letdown, but at leats you can play your favourite battles and races in arena mode.
This is a really underappreciated game. If you see it at all you should get it. It is very rare, cheap and so very, very good. The most rewarding hack and slasher of the year.