Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Critic Reviews

A great game hampered by a few shortcomings.

The stunning graphics, intuitive controls, fluid combat, and challenging gameplay were more than enough to keep me busy for many days of solid gaming and when I finally finished the game I found it to be a most satisfying experience.

Still, the game does a good job of holding your interest without you having to learn the equivalent control configuration of piloting the space shuttle. When it comes to arcade-style games, it doesn't get much better that this.

It's an uncomplicated romp through an alternate Roman history that, while a tad on the flawed side, turns out to be just as much fun as it is familiar.

The game takes hits for its often crappy camera angles. Still, it'll satisfy your raging blood lust.

If you aren't up for endless hacking and slashing, there's not much here. But for anyone who digs the genre, Gladiator is the most satisfying form to come down the Appian Way in some time, and is definitely worth a look.

There aren't a whole lot of games out there that you can just throw into your PS2 or Xbox and start hacking away at things. "Hunter: The Reckoning" is one, but how many other can truly "get medevil" on your ass? Looks like just one. But that is also something that can get old quickly.

Nothing adds to the atmosphere of a game more than ultra-realistic graphics, and Gladiator certainly proves this to be true.

Has solid gameplay, great graphics, and brings a little somethin' different to the beat-'em-up genre.

While the story and setting are interesting, the actual game isn't that compelling, nor is it well done.

Definitely has an intriguing storyline, but the repetitive gameplay and static camera hurts what could have been a much better effort.

Gladiator does have some shortcomings, as its simplistic and frequently flawed gameplay can prove to be problematic. However, some excellent production values and an intriguing plot ultimately make the game most certainly worth checking out.

Has some appeal, and it certainly has a lot of action, even if locked into a mixed bag of mythical overlays, and linear paths through the world. The graphical elements also vary from the very good to the average.

It's button-mashing at its best: not too simplistic, but not too complicated either. The RPG and adventure elements add a nice twist to things, though it isn't really enough to warrant returning for a second swing.

A brawler at its heart, Gladiator is not short on blood or action, but it is lacking somewhat in depth.

Gladiator was on its way to becoming the sleeper hit of 2003… then the gameplay threw it into the bargain bin.

Fix the camera! The ability to zoom in and out isnt enough. Add multiplayer as well, it would make the replay factor much higher.

Focusing on detail over substance is definitely an interesting design, but without a solid gameplay package, it amounts to nothing.

If the gameplay was a little more involved, with less button bashing and greater emphasis on using combos for effectiveness, it would provide a more fufilling experience.

A kinder control and save system would've been nice, but as is, Gladiator will test the limits of your gaming patience.