Metascore
59 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 21
  2. Negative: 5 out of 21
  1. It may not be particularly beautiful to look at, but it's tactical and challenging enough to keep you occupied. [June 2007, p.64]
  2. A game with a different and effective spin on an old idea.
  3. Wannabe "Age of Empires". [July 2007, p.82]
  4. Lacking. It lacks original gameplay. It lacks excitement. It lacks anything that might set it apart from any number of entirely uninspiring RTS games that have come out in the last 2 years. And most of all, it lacks the level of interest required to have me write another word about it.
  5. If you stick with it, though, and you don't mind your games on the slow but strategic side, you should find a fun and inventive title hiding under all the faults.
  6. Sparta doesn't have much meat on its bones - we've all been there and done that, just maybe not as Spartans. [Sept 2007, p.62]
  7. Don't expect any grand, over-the-top treatment of Spartan history, as Sparta: Ancient Wars is a very generic real-time strategy game.
  8. A very generic RTS game. It's graphically appealing, but in terms of gameplay, there are many better RTS offerings out there.
  9. 60
    None of the presentation, unit design, tactical options, or factions were interesting enough to capture my attention and when an RTS junkie like me doesn't want to jump back in for another skirmish, there's definitely a lack of substance, style, or both.
  10. If you want to jump in with the current "300-craze" and play it your way - this will sate your cravings with no regrets. However, if you have a shelf of BC themed RPG titles, you won't feel like you have anything new.
  11. Grossly predictable. [June 2007, p.84]
  12. A by-the-numbers RTS that offers few surprises.
  13. However, it hasn’t been patched yet, six months after its release, so it’s unlikely it ever will be. Sadly, this game is thus doomed to end up in the bargain bin.
  14. There really isn't a lot going on in Ancient Wars: Sparta in terms of strategy. That said, it's not an easy game to play, but you have to play by a specific set of rules - rules that would rather have you collecting resources than employing strategies on the battlefield.
  15. For a brief play it serves a purpose well enough, but if you really want to get the most out of this exciting period of ancient combat then you'll want to wait until something more inspired comes along, because Ancient Wars is just a bit too spartan to give you the experience that you are hoping for.
  16. 50
    Given the intriguing nature of the narrative and the potential for development in such a plot, it's surprising to see such a bland title. 300 offered a glimpse of what could have been created with a little imagination and it is a shame that Ancient Wars - Sparta, despite the innovative unit management system, fails to deliver overall.
  17. If you have the sheer will power to push on through the vast mire of early drudgeries, there are jewels to be found buried deep within Ancient Wars: Sparta, but whether you’ll still be motivated enough to really enjoy them is another matter.
  18. Instead of the kind of solid, varied combat which the RTS genre has been steadily evolving towards over the years, Ancient Wars: Sparta falls back on resource management for its core gameplay. Distressingly, this is a sub-"Age Of Empires" affair which rapidly becomes a chore.
  19. A slower, less colorful Age of Empires. None of the research trees make much sense (you need to go through multiple steps just to get a spearman) and by the time you get to the cool weapons like scythed chariots and elephants you won’t care very much.
  20. 40
    Ancient Wars: Sparta just isn’t an enjoyable game. The only reason it’s not getting one star is because technically, the game is very proficient and quite polished.
  21. There's no option to edit the keyboard layout; the way your soldiers navigate the terrain can be erratic; tight map designs feel tactically restrictive; building armies is a slow process; and the overall presentation is extremely rough around the edges, including clumsy dialogue and grainy cut-scenes. "Total War" or "Supreme Commander" are better options.
User Score

Mixed or average reviews- based on 14 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 4 out of 7
  1. MazLaghos
    1
    The game is entirley un-original and all the aspects can be traced back to one game or another.

    I.E The warcraft interface/rescource collec
    tion, preatorian design/dawn of war combat/gladiator unit customization.

    Yeah thats right, the exact interface and options for unit customization were used on a 2001 game called gladiator.

    Its not an rts, its a "mine gold for three hours untill we have enough to produce twenty decent men, then throw ourselves at the enemy and watch give minutes of combat.

    But the worst thing is - That when i invade an enemy base i fuind my self chasing builders who are trying to rebuild the town centre, or having to destroy every pathetic little building like a granarey in order to win.
    Full Review »
  2. AlexQ.
    10
    Exquisitely crafted with exceptional beauty and easy flow of Graphics. Although it may be a little hard to follow at first, and the overwhelmingly customizable might shook some people. But it is over all a solid RTS Old-places game. Full Review »
  3. TristanH.
    1
    It Sucks. The graphics is nice, the Requirments to get up the Tech tree are Lame. The Plot could use some work, bigger maps. and better work on the economy, i spent 9/10 of my time Collecting Resources then marching over enemies. Full Review »