Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review

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(More customer reviews)Ancient Rome and its barbaric gladiatorial arenas have intrigued scholars of history and laymen alike for countless years. Films like "Sparticus," "Ben Hur," and the more recent "Gladiator" have captured this period, and the phenomenon of Roman gladiators, in exciting form, but video games have only just begun to jump on the bandwagon - which is strange, since the setting lends itself so incredibly well to the medium. Unfortunately, most of those games have been disappointing, or just plain bad. "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance" breaks the mold by delivering a solid, action-oriented take on the material.
The game owes more than a passing debt to Ridley Scott's year 2000 epic, the aforementioned "Gladiator," from which it borrows its visual style and much of its storyline. However, "Sword of Vengeance" includes elements of the mythic and supernatural, which will pit you, as the gladiator Invictus Thrax, against titans, deathless warriors, even gods. The story is a little thin, but it's still compelling and provides sufficient incentive.
First, let me just say that "Sword of Vengeance" is a real looker. The graphics are splendid. In fact, the game features unusually solid production values all around. Even the voice acting is excellent, thanks in no small part to Sean Pertwee, the professional actor who voices Thrax. The game's musical accompaniment is all quite good for the most part, and so are the sound effects that accompany the action.
Now that the superficialities are out of the way, it's time to get into the gameplay. In many ways, "Sword of Vengeance" is a sort of cutting edge ancestor to classic beat-`em-up games like "Double Dragon" or "Final Fight." You're forced down a fairly linear path from which you can scarcely deviate, and during that time you must pummel virtually everything that moves. Enemy gladiators, animated skeletons, and other creatures will attack in waves, and they will die in waves. Thankfully, combat, the very engine that drives the game, is quite satisfying. It is all melee-based, and it's suitably brutal (in keeping with the game's theme). Thrax will eventually be able to pick from three distinct weapons (sword, axe, or gauntlet blades), and each is significantly different than the other. The axe, for example, is slower than the sword but more powerful, and the gauntlet blades are faster but less damaging than the sword or axe. Three weapons may not seem like a lot, but you will frequently find upgrades to each weapon type that will increase that weapon's potency. Besides that, Thrax builds skill with experience. For example, if you favor the sword, it will become more powerful in Thrax's hands. If you neglect the axe, it will become harder to wield as the game progresses. Some magical powers also step in to spice up the combat, and do a fairly good job of it.
Unfortunately, the game's targeting system is flawed. It is far too difficult to lock onto and engage a particular opponent in the midst of a crowded melee, and sometimes, for whatever reason, the game forces you to strike immobile objects during the fray, which is often a needlessly frustrating exorcise. Worse, it draws attention to the faulty targeting system. It's also worth noting that while Thrax can employ some very devastating and satisfying combos, it's often easier, and smarter, to just rap the square button, as it seems to provoke the swiftest, most powerful assault. That means the combat can become very repetitive, especially since there's so much of it.
"Sword of Vengeance" also suffers from some lopsided level design. The game begins and ends in the Roman coliseum, complete with cheering crowds and flesh-and-blood gladiators, and it's very stirring stuff. Strangely, most of the game takes place outside of the hustle and bustle of Rome, and most of the enemies you face are not human. I found human opponents and a public arena far preferable to the game's middle portion, which sends you traipsing through half-deserted, same-looking wastelands killing monsters and skeletons. That's not to say the middle section of the game is bad, but it pales in comparison to the epic gladiatorial conflicts that fall on either side of it.
Boss encounters in the game are a not-so-welcome diversion from the kind of fighting you would rather be doing. What's more, there are really only two boss characters in the game, and both of them require similar, repetitive tactics to defeat. The endgame confrontation was a complete letdown as well.
All in all, though, "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance" is a slick-looking action game that is well worth playing, especially if you're a hack-and-slash/beat-`em-up fan, even it doesn't quite live up to its potential. The setting, when utilized, is wonderful, but is ultimately underplayed. Still, it was a good romp, and I enjoyed most of it.
Final score: B-

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Product Description:
In Gladiator: Sword Of Vengeance takes you to ancient Rome, where warriors' fates were decided by cold steel. You've been chosen by the Gods - now you must battle to restore the Empire!

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