Spartacus Legends

 Xbox 360
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 87 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 32 out of 87
  3. Negative: 35 out of 87

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  1. TheChaser1985
    Jul 31, 2013
    6
    It's not bad for a free game. It's pretty cool. I like the idea. I like how you upgrade your characters. But the animations are pretty bad. I like what they were TRYING to go for, but it was far from executed. But again, not bad for a FREE game.
  2. SmartApps
    Jun 27, 2013
    6
    Server problems seems to be all resolved as of this writing. I am really enjoying this game. its actually some of the most fun I've ever had with a fighting game. I am also kind of a sucker for unlockables in games, which this one has many. I wont go into the details of the gameplay as you can get that elsewhere. I will say that my biggest problem with the game is its Free to PlayServer problems seems to be all resolved as of this writing. I am really enjoying this game. its actually some of the most fun I've ever had with a fighting game. I am also kind of a sucker for unlockables in games, which this one has many. I wont go into the details of the gameplay as you can get that elsewhere. I will say that my biggest problem with the game is its Free to Play mechanic, which does it in that terrible "randomized" way. charge people 5 gold to refresh what fighters you can buy, charge people real money for gold packs that only let you buy certain things at certain times. I hate that. I feel like free to play should basically let me pay money for the things I want, and not pay for the things I don't. For example, charge me money to unlock certain characters or weapons I'm interested in, or charge me money to continue playing after my character is defeated (or wait for a timer). Thats the way F2P should be. Not like this, and for that I give the game a 6. If the free to play mechanic was different, I would actually give this an 8 because it is really fun to play.… Expand
  3. gamer_crusader
    Jun 28, 2013
    7
    Enjoyable enough combat with nice weapon and armor customisation in a swords and sandals kind of way. Good thing it's free though, with all of the bugs and server issues, it wouldn't be worth it otherwise.
  4. AirDrifter77
    Jul 1, 2013
    7
    Its alright for a show that has been turned into a game, good for the fans that enjoy watching Spartacus on there T.V's. Gameplay wise is above average not that great but is still slightly fun
  5. mindforge
    Jul 11, 2013
    5
    Ok. I have played for awhile and it's an alright game but understand one thing THE GAME IS PAY TO WIN and while it might be free to play, just spending $10 will put you above your free playing opponents. Every loading screen you go through will tell you how much you can gain by spending gold. After playing for 5-6 hours online and offline here is my conclusions:
    1. It is Pay-to-Win.    Ok. I have played for awhile and it's an alright game but understand one thing THE GAME IS PAY TO WIN and while it might be free to play, just spending $10 will put you above your free playing opponents. Every loading screen you go through will tell you how much you can gain by spending gold. After playing for 5-6 hours online and offline here is my conclusions:
    1. It is Pay-to-Win. There are characters and items you cannot get without paying money. It seems like an older F2P model and most companies have learned that if you offer everything in the game but make it harder to achieve the free players stick around making the game better for the paying players.
    2. Within two weeks the game will be all pay players and then probably vanish. As a veteran game tester for dozens of games I have seen this happen to countless games. A great game comes out F2P and then the free players are not supported and the game vanishes leaving only the people that paid playing against other paying players... usually a game dies pretty quick when this happens.
    3. I like the idea of Gladiator Death... your gladiator can and will die. The amount you have to pay scales upwards with each death. One day after many deaths you will have to retire the character or keep paying real money to keep them alive.
    4. You will lose at later fame rankings if you are not paying real money for gear.
    5. Quick Match has horrible match making but you have to wait forever to play individual pvp. Ok. Twice I have had a rank score in the 50's and had to fight against someone 100 points ahead of me. Needless to say I was executed at the end every time. Losing gladiators is going to happen but you should lose them against similar ranked opponents. Outside of quick match you setup an individual gladiator for pvp... sometimes you will not get a match in an hour. The best way is queing for quick match at peak times.

    Overview
    It's a decent game with many flaws. It follows a failed F2P system which will cause the game to peak in a couple weeks and then you will only have paying players even new players to the game at that point will be slaughtered.
    There are many glitches and internet speed is all important as I don't believe the game compensates for slower internet speeds (such as CoD: Black Ops) and you will become frustrated as you get hit by invisible swords. I slowed my own internet to see how bad it gets and it got bad after playing youtube on a single computer and playing the game on my Xbox.
    The game is about your Ludis not your gladiators. You get to keep any gear you have and share it with all your gladiators. Gladiators will usually make much more than they are worth (unless you are paying gold for the cooler gladiators).

    About this F2P System
    This is a Pay to Win at an extreme. If you spend $10 you will be superior to all your opponents that didn't spend. Spend enough money and you can button mash your way to victory against all but the most skilled opponents. I understand the need for a game to make money but there are some great companies to follow for a good F2P system. Perfect World is a company that does it right. You pay money for skins, bonuses, cooler equipment but the barrier between paying clients and non-paying clients is not as wide. So, prepare to lose if you are not spending money on the game. Think of it more as a long trial period because once you get past the Fame 20 you will be getting executed. On the other side, if you like to spend a little real money of your F2P games be prepared to kill the non-payers.... for now. Games that have this much pay to no-pay disparity don't last long.    … Expand
  6. Sammydidds123
    Jun 26, 2013
    5
    This is a very average game, but can be very enjoyable game once you get into it. The problem is within the god awful servers. I'm not sure what's going on with them, but Im having zero luck connecting to the game. Ubisoft and kung fu factory have done practically nothing to help players that are having trouble connecting, and are just saying "the game is under maintenance." Well that'sThis is a very average game, but can be very enjoyable game once you get into it. The problem is within the god awful servers. I'm not sure what's going on with them, but Im having zero luck connecting to the game. Ubisoft and kung fu factory have done practically nothing to help players that are having trouble connecting, and are just saying "the game is under maintenance." Well that's just I've been waiting here for hours trying to connect. Despite the server problems, as I said; the games average, and isn't really persuading me to wait longer for the games fixes. All in all, the game is worth getting after maintenance fixes, and you shouldn't be in a rush to get this game, as you'll probably be sitting, twiddling your thumbs.… Expand
  7. Lothario
    Jun 28, 2013
    6
    So, not going to focus on the server issues as others have. Numerous times. I play this passingly, as opposed to focus on it and so don't normally find many server problems.

    Gameplay wise, think Tekken but with swords and shields, along with a large plethora of other weapons. Bear in mind that this also includes the incredibly annoying side to Tekken of large, messy combos with    So, not going to focus on the server issues as others have. Numerous times. I play this passingly, as opposed to focus on it and so don't normally find many server problems.

    Gameplay wise, think Tekken but with swords and shields, along with a large plethora of other weapons. Bear in mind that this also includes the incredibly annoying side to Tekken of large, messy combos with directional buttons and the CPU being able to roll these combos off like it's nothing spectacular.

    You will encounter problems with the CPU owning you due to this. You will get frustrated. You may even break a pad (or two) in the process. Unfortunately, this is the truly annoying gameplay of Tekken brought back but with a different game setting. Remember being stuck on that one fight you had to do a million times until you somehow managed to scrape a victory? It's the same as with this, albeit not quite as bad. Still annoying as heck though.

    That aside, the management side of your gladiators is what really catches me. I gotta admit, I love management of stuff in games... cities and armies in Total War esque games, heroes' gear and abilities in RPG games if you enjoy that stuff, then it's worth a shot at enduring the irritating gameplay. Though if you're liable to get mad at games where the CPU brutally mauls you due to humans not being able to roll off combos and dodge attacks and grabs etc etc quite as easily as a CPU... I'd advise to play this game with caution. Or not at all. At least with the first hint of irritation, abandon ship and play something else.    … Expand
  8. Jackt
    Jun 27, 2013
    5
    This game is a enjoyable game, it has its moments of annoyance during the game like, getting beat, lag, and me getting very passionate with loosing and shouting and cursing. But the main problem of this game is actually GETTING ON IT! It's a shame, ubisoft have made a good game here, and sticking with the show, with the characters from the series, but we'll never know what the story has toThis game is a enjoyable game, it has its moments of annoyance during the game like, getting beat, lag, and me getting very passionate with loosing and shouting and cursing. But the main problem of this game is actually GETTING ON IT! It's a shame, ubisoft have made a good game here, and sticking with the show, with the characters from the series, but we'll never know what the story has to offer because of the stupid god damn servers are horrible, it's f*cking annoying!… Expand
  9. pkarapan77
    Jun 27, 2013
    7
    A decent game. Pretty standard "build up your character" by purchasing new equipment, etc. They've incorporated aspects from the TV series that feel at home within the context of the game. My only complaints would be that the fighting mechanics (which form the core of the game) could be a little more sophisticated, there is no local versus mode, and I'm not a big fan of the "pay2win"A decent game. Pretty standard "build up your character" by purchasing new equipment, etc. They've incorporated aspects from the TV series that feel at home within the context of the game. My only complaints would be that the fighting mechanics (which form the core of the game) could be a little more sophisticated, there is no local versus mode, and I'm not a big fan of the "pay2win" business model.… Expand
  10. Bullseye71
    Jun 30, 2013
    7
    Gladiatorial goodness, for free...almost. First off, this is an arcade title, and as you can see from the asking price, it is not going to have the same bells and whistles as a full priced, mass marketed title. What you get is a fairly competent fighter in a very cool Ancient Rome setting. I recently bought Injustice: Gods Among Us, and it's already been retired by this F2P. The combatGladiatorial goodness, for free...almost. First off, this is an arcade title, and as you can see from the asking price, it is not going to have the same bells and whistles as a full priced, mass marketed title. What you get is a fairly competent fighter in a very cool Ancient Rome setting. I recently bought Injustice: Gods Among Us, and it's already been retired by this F2P. The combat is a little simpler, but somehow more engaging. I'm not understanding all of the hate being leveled at this game. It's free. No one is making you buy the the equipment, which is attainable by playing the game anyway. Sure, if you want to play MP, you'll encounter people that spent money that will beat you. Who cares?

    Graphics: Nothing special, and definitely on the lower end of what consoles can do, but decent enough to enjoy. They have an almost watercolor painting look to it, that is if the painter used blood as his color base. There are plenty of blood splatters and the graphics do a good job of representing a level of gore with out being just gross. A nice touch are the slashes and open wounds, viewable on your fighter at the end of a match.

    Sound: Serviceable but spartan. The clash of metal and impact noises are good; the announcer annoying; and the rest average.

    Gameplay: The combat involves light, heavy, and a close range attack, plus a grab (very useful on an opponent who's blocking).. There's plenty of button mashing, and combos, but they aren't overwhelming like MK and SF games. You fight in 3 dimensions, so you can actually circle your enemy to a limited degree. One can perform blocks, dodges, parries, and rolls to gain an advantage or get out of trouble, but it drains your defense meter--run out of defense meter and you'll be sword sponge. What adds to the depth is the weapon style matchups. Each gladiator has a weapon specialization (sword & shield, dual swords, dual daggers, 2 handed sword, trident, hammer, spear & shield, and unarmed). Certain weapons seem to work better against others. Finding out what works well and matching up your fighters accordingly is part of the challenge. Then there's the executions. Play to the crowd, and you might get the option of eviscerating, dismembering, and good old fashioned beheading your fallen foe. There's something oddly satisfying about lopping off the head of that overpowered spearman that gave you such headaches. Taunts and good tactics fill a crowd meter, which if it's high enough results in a fatality. Of course, your enemy also can do this, and your prized fighter might lose his head. Luckily, you can spend some silver to resurrect your hero. First "save" is free, 2nd is 500 silver, and then it ramps up to 2000 and more. It gives you a small safety valve before your perma-death. Nice touch.

    Story/content: You fight different battles in various parts of the city, working your way up to some Prima matches. Primas are more elite opponents that once defeated can offer your fighter a perk. Defeat all the Primas and fight against a Legend from the TV show. Defeat the Legend and you can then recruit them. Winning fights increases your earnings and level which unlocks weapons, new fights, new primas, etc. Those Pay2Win weapons and armor become buyable with in game currency as your level increases. The equipment is varied and can be used by all of your gladiators. You'll be able to buy new gladiators as you go, so you'll be able to try all of the weapon styles eventually. The more expensive fighters give you 3 and 4 perk slots, which are important for surviving in the arena.

    In the end, this a fun and satisfying fighting game that's free. There's enough depth to the fighting system and equipment choices (builds) to make one stick to it. Being a Lanista has never been more enjoyable. The negatives, is the online only aspect, limited customization, the repetitive fights (yeah there's some grinding to be done) and the fact that there are people out there that will drop $150 to be unbeatable if you're into MP. The horrible server problems I've yet to encounter (I D/L the game on launch day and stayed away figuring the servers would be overwhelmed for a couple days).    … Expand
  11. GameFan365
    Jun 29, 2013
    7
    The clash of steel, the sound of tearing flesh and the roar of the crowd as the cheer with glee when another fatal strike is landed. This is the world of the gladiator, a harsh and violent existence, one that the team at Kung-Fu Factory has managed to recreated with very pleasing results. Enter the world of Spartacus Legends.

    Spartacus Legends is a free-to-play gladiatorial fighting    The clash of steel, the sound of tearing flesh and the roar of the crowd as the cheer with glee when another fatal strike is landed. This is the world of the gladiator, a harsh and violent existence, one that the team at Kung-Fu Factory has managed to recreated with very pleasing results. Enter the world of Spartacus Legends.

    Spartacus Legends is a free-to-play gladiatorial fighting game available now on XBLA and PSN. That's right, you heard me I said free! The game places you in control of one gladiator at the beginning, with this first recruit you fight your way through several tutorial matches and then are off on you're own to become the most renown fighter in all of Capua.

    Read the full review at www.GameFan365.com    … Expand
  12. SuperLlama
    Jun 26, 2013
    6
    Spartacus Legends has some major problems, the always online aspect is awful, especially when the servers are temporarily down, also because of this, menus take up to five minutes to load.
    The gameplay is okay, I haven't got the full grasp of it yet but unarmed combat is damn fun, the sheer amount of equipment in the game is impressive, however I can't help feeling that some gameplay    Spartacus Legends has some major problems, the always online aspect is awful, especially when the servers are temporarily down, also because of this, menus take up to five minutes to load.
    The gameplay is okay, I haven't got the full grasp of it yet but unarmed combat is damn fun, the sheer amount of equipment in the game is impressive, however I can't help feeling that some gameplay aspects have been sacrificed for this.
    The game did take me around half an hour to load due to the always online, but I'm sure that release jitters are over, the servers should be fine.
    I've had fun with it so far and for a console free to play, its pretty good    … Expand
  13. fuqua45
    Jun 27, 2013
    6
    even though it came out June 26 there are some minor bugs, but there are some things that make this game more fantasy. There are things that make this game enjoyable, but in all honesty i believe that they should have released some patches before the game incases like mine "The Spartacus Legends service is not available. Please try again later"
  14. KingCaden138
    Jul 1, 2013
    5
    I would say this game is pretty average and can be very fun! However, this game can also be a challenge and really test your skills as a gamer. I would not recommend this game if you are quick to anger, because it can really make you want to rip your hair out! I have tried playing online a couple of times and it seems the servers just aren't up to par, so you don't connect that often. II would say this game is pretty average and can be very fun! However, this game can also be a challenge and really test your skills as a gamer. I would not recommend this game if you are quick to anger, because it can really make you want to rip your hair out! I have tried playing online a couple of times and it seems the servers just aren't up to par, so you don't connect that often. I mean I'm absolutely thrilled to get to download a free arcade game, but it really needs a few adjustments.… Expand
  15. NeedForsleep
    Sep 26, 2013
    6
    This game is very sub-par, graphics look muddy and out dated but the 360 somehow lags when playing it takes alot of time to find a match if you're lucky you will find one immediatly but besides all that it's a pretty fun game but it's one of the best indie games on the 360!
  16. triston80
    Dec 6, 2013
    5
    I like the game a lot, but it lacks a couple of things that would make it fun. For instance, me and all of my friends want to duel each other, but we can't we always end up fighting other players. Maybe add a "Private Match" area where you can duel friends. Maybe make the Spectacula section of the city give double the Fame it does, cause getting only 750 Fame each fight at my level doesn'tI like the game a lot, but it lacks a couple of things that would make it fun. For instance, me and all of my friends want to duel each other, but we can't we always end up fighting other players. Maybe add a "Private Match" area where you can duel friends. Maybe make the Spectacula section of the city give double the Fame it does, cause getting only 750 Fame each fight at my level doesn't do much at all.

    Also, what would be appreciated is 2 other things 1: A Silver-to-Gold conversion system. 10,000 Silver to get 1 Gold piece. I got over 800,000 Silver(Maybe over 900,000) but I can't use it I've bought nearly everything I could with Silver. Also, you should be able to bulk up your character by buying some extra Health and Defense for Silver OR Gold after so much. For the first extra 20 Health and 20 Defense it's 25,000 Silver for 1 stat on one of them so spending 100,000 silver will give you +4 health or +4 defense or mix it around. And you can get up to +10% extra Damage from that for 25,000 Silver for +1%. After that it starts to cost Gold. The MAX stats you can buy is +50 Health, +50 Defense and +25% Damage. This makes people USE all their cash, instead of building it up and wasting it. Maybe add a arena where people can go to get MASSIVE amounts of Silver and Fame, but it's a level 25+ only area. It'll give up to DOUBLE the Silver Insulae gives(The Pits), and up to 50% more Fame than Spectacula gives.

    Also, please FIX the servers. It's laggy and glitchy, and easy to Hack/Glitch it. Make each different section of the game give different types of Perks as well. Maybe let us buy an extra Perk slot for a character(If you lose him so does the extra perk)for either 100,000 Silver or 25 Gold for it. You can choose between both for it. I did this survey with roughly 75 different players on Spartacus Legends. ALL of them agreed with me on getting these type of updates. We ALL at least want a Silver-to-Gold Conversion system AND Private Matches. ALSO some of us want a "FULL Fledged Arena fight" where UP TO 10 people fight at once in EITHER a Free-For-All OR a Team-Deathmatch. They can choose between the 2 but it's NOT Legends Mode, it's the "Arena Mode" for that. You can do survival against Tigers and Bears on there alone, or side-by-side with a friend or 2(Up to 4 people at once working together in Survival). This would make it interesting AND Hard. Survival should give you specialty gear as well. Survive 5 rounds, you get a "Common" Item in compairison to your gladiator. You can ask it if you want an Armor-type specialty item, or a weapon, or a Perk. If you survive to round 10 it's an 'Uncommon" one(AKA Green Name). "Rare" is a Blue one at round 15+ survival. At 20+ is a Super Rare(I call it a Legionary) weapon/Armor at 25+ and at round 30+ is a Legendary.

    Everyone I ask wants a LOT of this added into the game. If you want to ask my friends, you can just contact my triston8080800 account on the Xbox LIVE and I'll prove it.    … Expand
  17. ITZZZPERRY
    Dec 19, 2013
    5
    Spartacus Legends is not a fun game to play. Rough servers and bug issues plague the game from beginning to end. Do not waste your time if you have no patience.
  18. Thewarrior43
    May 9, 2014
    6
    It was a okay game but some enemies are too strong and could require thousands of silvers to defeat and when the defense is broken you can not move you have to stand there and let them beat the **** out of you it gets pretty annoying and that most gladiators to buy require gold but the fighting is amazing and graphics are okay along with the executions. so in my opinion its a okay game
  19. Lhuer
    Sep 23, 2022
    5
    man the loading time was really really long and the graphics are average at best

Awards & Rankings

38
#38 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2013
45
#45 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2013

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
45

Generally unfavorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 0 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 8
  3. Negative: 3 out of 8
  1. X-ONE Magazine UK
    Aug 16, 2013
    20
    It's a bad game compromised further by awkward monetisation. [Issue#101, p.84]
  2. Everyeye.it
    Jul 30, 2013
    60
    Better exploitation of the license would allow Spartacus Legends of becoming a title unavoidable at least for fans of the TV series.
    Read full review
  3. Games Master UK
    Jul 29, 2013
    48
    Legends has missed the point of the business model entirely, giving unfortunate players a choice of grinding through shallow, unfulfilling and downright ugly combat, or forking out substantial amounts of real money to bypass said mediocrity. [Sept 2013, p.71]
See all critic reviews »