Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars

 Xbox
Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars Image
Metascore
67

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
6.3

Mixed or average reviews- based on 6 Ratings

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  • Summary: As the FIRST and ONLY game to combine the classic themes of chariot racing and gladiator fighting, Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars brings the raw excitement of survival racing to the majestic coliseums and arenas of the Roman Empire. There is no other game like it!
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 26
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 26
  3. Negative: 2 out of 26
  1. GamePro
    100
    A no-holds-barred chariot racer full of originality and pee-in-your-pants combat.
  2. Maxim Online
    80
    CM earns laurels for putting players in simultaneous control of a driver and a passenger who can use a whip or a sword to turn opponents into Caesar salad.
  3. GameSpy
    76
    A fun game, but it could've benefited from more polish and a little more imagination.
  4. GameShark
    65
    You actually have to use EVERY button on the controller, pretty much all at the same time, or at least be able to access them quickly. The Xbox controller is large and the buttons are small, the game action moves fast. You do the math.
  5. Game Informer
    60
    Although it looks nice, this game has a number of problems; the fact that chariots are really slow and tip over very easily is the most glaring. [Apr 2002, p.83]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. G4 TV
    60
    The biggest problem is that despite the large number of tracks, the racing starts to feel the same after a while. The races are exercises in cutting off your opponents, grabbing the turbo power-ups at the right time, and learning to take curves properly.
  7. Electronic Gaming Monthly
    30
    Trust me, the controls are sheer, unadulterated nonsense. [Apr 2002, p.141]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 26 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 5
  3. Negative: 2 out of 5
  1. Shaustyn
    Aug 22, 2020
    10
    Please remake this game. It could be soo great. I would invest so much in it.
  2. lazerliteshow
    Apr 4, 2017
    8
    Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars = Pure awesomeness.

    Go through the first few Academy stages to begin, there is a brief learning curve. After    Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars = Pure awesomeness.

    Go through the first few Academy stages to begin, there is a brief learning curve. After all, you will be driving a chariot mostly along winding hazardous roads while simultaneously wielding a weapon via the warrior on back. Literally every button has a function, and most of them are necessary at some point in a race. For example, you may need to pull left trigger for that tight left turn, or pull the left stick back to duck under a low handing branch.

    If you want to dial back the complexity at any point you can 1) set difficulty level to Novice (easy), and the chariot will not tip over around sharp turns (tipping is avoided by leaning your warrior into the turn), 2) turn on auto-pilot during the match, so you can focus just on attacking with your warrior, 3) in multiplayer, have a buddy control driving or fighting with their own controller while you do the other. Regardless of your starting method, I've little doubt you'll wish to control more as you progress. The more you familiarize yourself with the game controls, the more fun you'll have attempting to juggle them throughout the race.

    Of course the graphics will lack compared to today's games but they are plenty good, and you'll be too engaged in the action to care. All of the interaction between chariots, road hazards, warrior attacks delivered and received, all feel very fair. If a chariot wipe-out leaves you confused as to the cause, the fun auto-replay of the crash likely clues you in as to what it was. Very rarely does the chariot seem to crash for no clear reason. The chariot wipe-outs are hilarious, with horses, chariot, and occupants all tumbling, sometimes flying.

    The core experience I've had with this game is one which rides a nice balance of challenge, entertainment, without being overbearing. I found myself consistently seeking to improve my ability to drive and fight at the same time, because I feel rewarded for doing so. Taking out an opponent in mid-race feels great, winning the race feels like an accomplishment. Even crashing or losing the race feels exhilarating because it's so much fun and there's a feeling that your controller skills progressed a least a bit more. You want to go back in and put those skills to the test.

    I bought this Xbox game many years back in a bargain bin and it is still a blast to play, solo or with others. You can play up to 4 at once (2 driver/warrior tandems fighting head to head). It can be played on Xbox 360. I'm not familiar with it's availability on other platforms.

    Nowadays everything is online, so the dream would be to have this game remade with that capability, as well as more tracks, along with customized and upgrade-able chariots/horses/drivers/warriors.

    I've seen some videos in recent years of people playing this on a whim, and then discovering what a diamond in the rough it truly is. I can't say enough about this game and hope that somehow it gets resurrected. It's a shame that it got a significant amount of negative reviews from some seemingly high profile critics who obviously did not go through the tutorial or read the user manual.

    If you have the slightest inclination to drive a chariot at high speed while simultaneously engaging in melee weapon combat on the back portion of said chariot, then you seek Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars.    … Expand
  4. HamishG.
    Sep 11, 2004
    7
    Not a bad game. Sure it's not brilliant but it is a good peice of time waisting fun and it's great in multiplayer. The controls, Not a bad game. Sure it's not brilliant but it is a good peice of time waisting fun and it's great in multiplayer. The controls, although most reviewers complain about them, I found them easy and quick to learn, I really don't know what all the fuss as about. So if you want a good bit of original car combat fun look no further but if you want depth, this isn't your game.… Expand
  5. caligula_king
    Oct 4, 2015
    3
    No lo disfrute cuando era pequeño imagínate a hora jaja . juego muy simplon , cutre , ridículo y que al principio haces dos o tres carreras yNo lo disfrute cuando era pequeño imagínate a hora jaja . juego muy simplon , cutre , ridículo y que al principio haces dos o tres carreras y después ya te aburrías . Juego bastante malo… Expand
  6. BenT.
    Nov 15, 2004
    0
    This is truly the worst game i've ever played. Seriously. Its no fun at all. Good idea wasted. Too bad.

Awards & Rankings

97
#97 Best Xbox Game of 2002
82
#82 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2002
53
#53 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2002