Gladiator Begins

 PSP
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 9 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 9
  3. Negative: 0 out of 9
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  1. GameCritics
    Jun 12, 2011
    75
    Although it's too bad that Gladiator Begins landed with nary a whisper, it's clear to see that the title would never have found a large audience to begin with-it's aimed at a certain hardcore niche, and for those outside of that niche, there will be little here of interest. However, for players who love to take a zeroed-out character and build them up into an overwhelmingly powerful force via grinding, creative equipping and numeric management, this combination of swords, sandals, and statistics is an experience not to be missed.
  2. IGN
    Oct 20, 2010
    65
    While the deep equipment options and versatile combat are appreciated, the random difficulty highs and lows, practically (and perhaps, blessedly, I suppose) non-existent story, and eventually tedious lack of any real gameplay variety make it hard to recommend.
  3. Pocket Gamer UK
    Jul 21, 2011
    60
    Fans of historical pseudo-realism will find the format intriguing but a disappointing fighting system nestling at its core scuppers much of the potential of Gladiator Begins.
  5. GameSpot
    Oct 20, 2010
    60
    Being a gladiator in ancient Rome probably wasn't much fun, and it's not much fun in this repetitive fighting game, either.
  6. Joystiq
    Oct 20, 2010
    60
    Gladiator Begins' smaller successes still can't compensate for its significant problems, and the game as a whole never quite gels in an effective way. Brutality, splashes of blood and gigantic swords might look and feel great, but I feel like Caesar wouldn't have mercy for this fighter's incompetence and missed marks.
  7. Destructoid
    Oct 20, 2010
    55
    A brawler with a weak combat system. Had the combat been tighter, then perhaps I could have given this a glowing review, but when the heart of a game is flawed, all of the other components are going to suffer.
  8. Play UK
    Jun 26, 2011
    52
    A thumbs down, we're afraid. [Issue#206, p.94]
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  9. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jun 19, 2011
    50
    Not good enough to be set free, not bad enough to be tossed to the lions. [July 2011, p.95]
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  10. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    Oct 28, 2010
    50
    The game feels like one big grind and even the eventual showdowns with tigers and elephants offered few thrills during our feeble quest. [Dec 2010, p.79]
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Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Best PSP Game of 2010
14
#14 Most Discussed PSP Game of 2010
20
#20 Most Shared PSP Game of 2010

User Reviews

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User Score
7.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 74 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 60 out of 74
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 74
  3. Negative: 8 out of 74
  1. AlexFili
    Mar 28, 2013
    9
    While not a direct tie-in to the “Gladiator” film by Ridley Scott, there are a few similarities. For starters, there are mentions of MarcusWhile not a direct tie-in to the “Gladiator” film by Ridley Scott, there are a few similarities. For starters, there are mentions of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. There are is also the main plotline which is a slave rising up in the ranks to be a powerful gladiator. You start with an absolutely gigantic amount of debt, which is deducted from the winnings from tournaments. As well as this, you get to keep some credits for medical purposes, buying weapons and armour and improving weapons.

    You start by creating a character. In comparison, it bears resemblance to Monster Hunter and Gods Eater Burst in that you choose a male or female character, hairstyle, athetic build, skin tone and more. There is no voice acting so your character’s name is mentioned frequently. The phrases and terms used match the historical references to real-life gladiators and roman soldiers. The plot is a typical rags-to-riches story and isn’t particularly imaginative, but does give the player some context to work towards.

    The range of weapons is good, with staffs, swords, daggers, axes, knuckledusters and more. With shields you have small circular ones, large rectangle shaped ones made from a variety of different materials. You also have helmets, arm braces, leg braces and the clothes you wear under your armour. You earn a couple of weapons from each battle, and can use these to increase your arsenal of weaponry.

    As you progress through the game, you level up a variety of different skills. One which needs to be improved is the skill governing weight, as this is what you need to carry the more heavy and better defensing equipment. You can also increase the amount of health you have and the stamina your character has. Stamina effects how many swings of your weapon you can make before you need to recover.

    Graphically it is on par with some of the PSP’s best games. The armour looks realistic, the character faces look good and the animations are fluid enough for it to be believable. The music and sounds are good and reflect the era well. Battles take place in small circular arenas in a sandy environment. Typically there are fence posts or metallic grates on the side of the arena which prevents people from leaving. Battles themselves consist of either 1v1 fights, battle royale survival matches or team based battles. Most of the enemies are fellow Gladiators, but there are some animals as well (presumably for special battles).

    There is blood in this game (as weapons come in contact with flesh rather than armour), but it is not exceptionally violent. There is no dismemberment and it can be assumed that most gladiators survive to fight another day. The language in this game is suited to that particular era and so does not contain any modern colloquialisms or swear words.    … Full Review »
  2. CaptainObvious
    Mar 19, 2012
    9
    Extremely entertaining, all it takes is a few minutes of playing around to get the interface, which maybe overwhelmed the feeble brains ofExtremely entertaining, all it takes is a few minutes of playing around to get the interface, which maybe overwhelmed the feeble brains of games magazine reviewers. This game is available for download on the Vita for $10 and in my opinion (and judging by the playtime it has gotten) it is one of the best value titles available. Especially good for anyone who likes customizing a fighter and climbing up the ranks. The combat is fun and requires skill to defeat the harder gladiators. recommended… Full Review »
  3. Hudli
    Jan 16, 2021
    10
    Do you really expect me not to attack you physically for disliking this game? Buy the damn game already, it's $7.99 on the PS Store!
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