Outstanding Action-Adventure game with a really cool setting! Finally, a good gladiator action game!

User Rating: 8.6 | Shadow of Rome PS2
By hightower8655 | Review Date:
Shadow of Rome is the kind of game I've waited for since I played the impeccable Gladius. Gladius is an amazing game, very lengthy, and has tons of great strategy and stable management options. However, what that game doesn't offer is white knuckle action pacing and viscerally disturbing (yet indicative of that particular time period and form of "entertainment") battles that make you actually feel like you are fighting for your life in the arena. Shadow of Rome delivers this in spades, as well as offers up a few average to above average stealth sequences that give your hand a much needed rest. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying Gladius is a bad game (far from it, if you check out my previous reviewof that game), I am simply saying that both of the games will probably appeal to different crowds. To put it into perspective, Gladius makes you feel like you are an owner of a stable of gladiatiors, while Shadow of Rome makes you feel like the gladiator himself. If you still haven't made up your decision, let my high and low points assist your decision making process.

HIGH POINTS: Graphically, this game is pretty awesome. The game really lends itself to the dark and sinister look of the arena, and nails the time period wonderfully. The sound effects and music also set the mood well, and keep you locked into the game. Also, the story of the game, though not historically or Shakespeare-ally (probably not a word) accurate, the story is an entertaining one, and it ties the game and the action together really well. If you enjoy intenses action that is more than mashing buttons, you will have a really hard time finding some thing you don't like here.

LOW POINTS: Game length. The game is pretty short, and with a game as fun as this one is, you will be left wanting more after the credits roll, and that is unfortunate. Also, the weapon list is pretty good, but still a bit of a disappointment. Many of the weapons operate exactly like other weapons, and I felt like the variety could have been a little better. Finally, the control scheme is one of the most carpal-tunnel inducing arrangements I have crossed since my 20-page term paper. You basically HAVE to hold the target button (R1) to hit anything, and if you do this for any amount of time at all, your hand will cramp worse than a whore in church. It's not like I'm a newbie to gaming either, so that's no excuse! Luckily, the stealth sequences give your hand a rest, but thats about all they are good for. Sure, the stealth is a decent test of your wit, but its pretty frustrating to go from destroying armies of gladiators to becoming a wimp who dies after one hit. Jeez!!

THE SCOOP: Though this game is by no means perfect, it is an incredible game that anyone who is a fan of the genre or the time period will definitely enjoy. The stealth is a bit of a letdown from the action, but the control scheme will make you glad to see these sections come up. However, do not let the Low Points detract you from playing this game if you are really interested. This game is one of the best action games on the PS2, and deserves to be played, just make sure you know what your getting into.

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