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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Gladius
Generally favorable reviews
Based on 19 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 11 votes
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Game Info
Publisher: LucasArts
Developer: LucasArts
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game, Action
Players: 4
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: November 3, 2003
Summary
An Epic Gladiatorial Saga Comes to Life. The darkness of the Great War has passed and the lands of Gladius are peaceful once more. Now combat takes place only in the gladiator arenas, where schools from around the world compete for the title of Imperial Champions. Follow the grand saga of two young heroes, Ursula and Valens, as they recruit and train a team of warriors and compete in the gladiator games. Battle with deadly weapons and powerful magic as you learn vital combat tactics while you enhance and customize your own characters. Strategies are nearly endless, with 16 character classes and over 100 unique character types from which to choose. But be warned. Evil is on the rise again. And a new hero must step forward to vanquish the threat. So train well, for the dark must not prevail. [LucasArts]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Games Domain Preview GameSpot Preview(s) GameSpy Preview Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Game Chronicles
I whole heartedly urge you to pick up this title if you have even the smallest interest in RPG’s, or strategy gaming or are just a LucasArts fan.
Read Full Review >GameSpy
It's a must-buy for anyone with even the slightest interest in the genre, presuming they can handle the lack of super-deformed character design.
Read Full Review >eToychest
It’s easily one of the deepest games I’ve played in a long time, and will last you a while too.
Read Full Review >Game Informer
Finally, LucasArts had the foresight to surround the game's finely tuned combat with engaging story interludes, sidequests, and more content than you can imagine. [Oct 2003, p.130]
Game Over Online
If you’re looking for a game with a ton of depth, replayability and a solid storyline, look no further. Gladius is stockpiled with a ton of features that will appease everyone from the beginning adventurer to the hardcore strategist.
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
A slow starter, but once you're on your way, it turns out to be an excellent strategy RPG. [Dec 2003, p.139]
1UP
Unless you seriously have a thing for turn-based combat and having to really work for your progress, the game isn't for you. But if you do, Gladius is one of the better examples of the genre on the system.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
A highly addictive SRPG that appeals to veterans with its complex battle system and skills tree, while allowing one to customize and micromanage to their heart's content. The amount of things to do in the game is absolutely astounding.
Read Full Review >GameZone
One of the best strategic turn-based RPGs out there, and its length (40 hours?) makes its value skyrocket. If you’ve always been interested in testing out the turn-based RPG market, Gladius would be a great starting point.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Some aspects of the game could have used some more polish, but these shouldn't deter anyone looking for a deep, involved, great-looking, and memorable RPG from getting Gladius.
Read Full Review >GameCube Europe
Gladius isn’t a game for everyone, only the RPG enthusiast will fully appreciate the gameplay, which with 2 story modes, good for at least 45 hours each, is a time-consuming endeavour.
Read Full Review >Gaming Age
A great-looking, incredibly deep and satisfying combat role playing game. It's complicated and has a steep "getting started" curve, but the investment of patience pays off.
Read Full Review >IGN
A wide range of attack options, character customizations, tactics, and battle requirements put fresh faces on what would otherwise be a repetitive match structure. Most importantly, the swing meter is just enough action to stave off the usual turn-based boredom.
Read Full Review >Yahoo! Games
While Gladius isn't going to convert haters of RPGs or turn-based strategy, it's got the same hard-to-define addictive hook as its older peers, "FFT" and "Tactics Ogre." The battles are fairly brief and the next goal is always reasonably close at hand, so it's hard to resist the lure of "just one more" brawl before quitting.
Read Full Review >Game Revolution
Many action-oriented gamers arena’t going to like this game at all, but you strategy buffs will be pleased that Gladius is such a strong contender, because you really don’t have any other options. There are no other games like it.
Read Full Review >Electronic Gaming Monthly
Tremendously deep warrior-customization options and rich strategy elements make Gladius absolutely worthwhile and fun, but prepare to invest serious time. [Dec 2003, p.185]
games(TM)
A brave game that deserves recognition. Gladius rises above its initial shortcomings and delivers a lengthy and enjoyable experience. [Dec 2003, p.112]
Worth Playing
While the battle system is intuitive and deep at the same time (which I feel is the best formula for a Strategy RPG), the rest of the game suffers. The story is long-winded and uninteresting, the world map segments are bad both graphically and control-wise, and the load times are too frequent and too long, to the point of being almost intolerable.
Read Full Review >Armchair Empire
With superior games like "Disgaea," "Fire Emblem" and "Final Fantasy Tactics" out there, all of which are more interesting on pretty much every level, Gladius remains a merely competent title in a field already full of magnificent experiences.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 8.5 (out of 10) based on 11 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
[Anonymous] gave it a7:
Good for a while then gets really repetitive.
Mike W. gave it a 9:
Amazing... the game is one of the best ive played. The only real problem is some of the computer opponents take forever to move. And this should have included a multiplayer aspect too it.
[Anonymous] gave it a 10:
I'm a 22 year old mother and still find time to play this game i love it!!!
Evan E. gave it a 10:
Awesome thats all the best game ever.
Stuart J. gave it a 9:
Genius. not really a big fan of tactical games i was so surprised how good it was when i slammed it in my cube. adictive gameplay and likable characters (except ursula u'll know what i mean WHEN you buy it) and a very deep game. then is so much to do and it is fairly difficult and will keep me/you entertained for at least 50hours plus i guess. bump that grade up to a ten if ya have a friend willing to play with ya because the co-op mode is superb and a lot of fun and you have to work together to beet the opponents and progress to the end. in short: underrated game of the century amazing on ya own, amazing with somoeone else, amazing all round the field.
Harper K. E. gave it a 9:
There is something beautiful and mysterious about the free flowing, skill developing, weapon collecting goodness of this particular tactical RPG that will keep you both entranced and enthralled. Gladius delivers in almost every respect; crafted with such an exceptionaly highl replay value, it is truly a game in which your enjoyment is bounded only by the limits of your own imagination!
Matt S. gave it a 10:
This is a great game. A RPG based on Mythical Rome, where you travel to Barbaric lands, Asia, and Africa. The combat system actually makes you think, which is unusually for a game that is generally a hack and slash. Very Entertaining story and game play.
