Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance

 Xbox
Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Image
Metascore
65

Mixed or average reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 11 Ratings

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  • Summary: In the year 106, the Roman Empire is in terrible decline due to badly fought wars, famine, and plague. As herald to this age of degradation, the despotic Emperor Arruntius has destroyed large portions of the city of Rome to create the battleground for the bloodiest gladiator event everIn the year 106, the Roman Empire is in terrible decline due to badly fought wars, famine, and plague. As herald to this age of degradation, the despotic Emperor Arruntius has destroyed large portions of the city of Rome to create the battleground for the bloodiest gladiator event ever staged. You are but an enslaved combatant in this bloodsport; but with gory kills, fantastic stunts, and finishing moves, you can become a hero to the crowd. From the streets of Rome to the paradise of Elysium, become the champion of all gladiators and win your freedom.… Expand
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Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Official Trailer 1

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 25
  3. Negative: 3 out of 25
  1. Kombo
    85
    A great game hampered by a few shortcomings.
  2. Cheat Code Central
    80
    Still, the game does a good job of holding your interest without you having to learn the equivalent control configuration of piloting the space shuttle. When it comes to arcade-style games, it doesn't get much better that this.
    All this publication's reviews
  3. Next Level Gaming
    79
    There aren't a whole lot of games out there that you can just throw into your PS2 or Xbox and start hacking away at things. "Hunter: The Reckoning" is one, but how many other can truly "get medevil" on your ass? Looks like just one. But that is also something that can get old quickly.
  4. GameZone
    70
    Has some appeal, and it certainly has a lot of action, even if locked into a mixed bag of mythical overlays, and linear paths through the world. The graphical elements also vary from the very good to the average.
  5. Armchair Empire
    67
    Gladiator was on its way to becoming the sleeper hit of 2003… then the gameplay threw it into the bargain bin.
  6. Gaming Age
    58
    If the gameplay was a little more involved, with less button bashing and greater emphasis on using combos for effectiveness, it would provide a more fufilling experience.
  7. GamePro
    40
    It has some slick production values, and Acclaim goes all out on dreamy visuals, gorgeously detailed architecture, a Vikingly heroic score, and juicy sound effects, but skimps on any kind of depth and rewarding gameplay.

See all 25 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 5 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. DuncanF.
    Nov 8, 2003
    9
    Its plain old fashioned fun... you wanna kill Romans in the ancient world and smash a few skeletons to boot... this is the game for you. Fab Its plain old fashioned fun... you wanna kill Romans in the ancient world and smash a few skeletons to boot... this is the game for you. Fab graphics... fun gameplay... cool story and cool score. Buy it NOW!… Expand
  2. PhilH.
    Feb 23, 2005
    9
    Really good fun. Something you can dip into without having to spend hours trying to find your way round gloomy rooms. You can get rid of your Really good fun. Something you can dip into without having to spend hours trying to find your way round gloomy rooms. You can get rid of your pent up agression. Loved it.… Expand
  4. JakeT.
    Nov 14, 2003
    9
    Pretty cool hack n slash, very old school in that it's bitesize. No memorizing giant maps and coming up with strategies more complex Pretty cool hack n slash, very old school in that it's bitesize. No memorizing giant maps and coming up with strategies more complex than 'charge!' Graphics are jaw dropping in places, music is very atmospheric. Fighting feels surprisingly fluid, and the animations all round are very entertaining. Got to love all the blood too, especially since it and the bodies don't fade away.… Expand
  5. BenD.
    Jan 9, 2004
    9
    I really enjoyed this game. The game has captured the fun of the movie Gladiator. Truly a Hack-n-Slash Action fest. I was looking for an I really enjoyed this game. The game has captured the fun of the movie Gladiator. Truly a Hack-n-Slash Action fest. I was looking for an Action game with a lite RPG and I got that and more. … Expand
  6. dnaltiam
    Jan 24, 2017
    8
    Great combination of an amazing era with classic hack n slash mechanics. Real easy to get into and start mowing down those who stand beforeGreat combination of an amazing era with classic hack n slash mechanics. Real easy to get into and start mowing down those who stand before you. Simple mechanics but not boring, over all a fun game.… Expand
  7. BlueFalcon
    Feb 16, 2005
    4
    This game seriously nails the whole Gladiator (the movie) atmosphere. They even steal a scene or 2 directly from the movie. It's well This game seriously nails the whole Gladiator (the movie) atmosphere. They even steal a scene or 2 directly from the movie. It's well done. The gameplay on the other hand is terrible. It's button mashing in it's simplest form. You walk up to a guy and press a button over and over, this will lead to victory. Almost all the buttons on the xbox controller are functionless.… Expand

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Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed Xbox Game of 2003
11
#11 Most Shared Xbox Game of 2003