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Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance
Developer(s)Acclaim Studios Manchester
Publisher(s)
Producer(s)Steve Perry
Designer(s)Jim Bottomley
Programmer(s)Ged Keaveney
Artist(s)
  • Christopher Subagio
  • Carleen Smith
  • Alwyn Talbot
Composer(s)
  • Nelson Everhart
  • Ron Fish
Platform(s)
Release
Genre(s)Hack and slash
Mode(s)Single-player

Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance is a 2003 hack and slash video game for PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows. Developed by Acclaim Studios Manchester and published by Acclaim Entertainment, it was released for all platforms in North America and Europe in November 2003 and in Australasia in January 2004. In 2006, Throwback Entertainment acquired the rights to the game, re-releasing it on the Microsoft Store in December 2015. In February 2016, it was released on Steam.

The game tells the story of Invictus Thrax, the Roman Empire's greatest gladiator. When his patron, the noble and just Emperor Trajan, dies under mysterious circumstances, Thrax is summoned to compete in the Colosseum by Trajan's successor, the corrupt and despotic consular Arruntius. At the games, Thrax is murdered, finding himself in Elysium, where he is tasked by the spirits of Romulus and Remus with saving Rome by killing Arruntius and his two allies; Phobos and Deimos, the black magic-infused children of Mars.

Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance received mixed reviews.

Gameplay

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Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance is a hack and slash game in which the player character is Invictus Thrax. The game is played from a fixed-camera third-person perspective, with the camera's position automatically changing relative to the player's current position.[4] Thrax's basic abilities include two different swipe attacks, a defensive roll, magic casting, and finishing moves that can be performed on weakened opponents.[5][6] The player can also use context-sensitive manoeuvres in specific locations, such as climbing a rope, using a key, pulling a lever, or jumping from a ledge.[7][8] Thrax has access to three weapons during the game; a gladius sword, a two-handed battle axe, and bladed gauntlets. The sword is the default weapon, with the axe and gauntlets needing to be unlocked.[9]

As combat often sees Thrax competing against multiple opponents at once, the game employs an auto lock-on system. When combat begins, Thrax automatically locks onto the nearest opponent. If the player presses the lock button when already locked-on to a target, Thrax won't target anyone.[10] Whilst locked on, the player also has access to a secondary lock; when the secondary lock button is pressed, Thrax will switch his lock-on to another opponent.[6] As long as the button is held, Thrax will target this secondary opponent. As soon as the player lets go of the button, Thrax will re-target the primary opponent.[11]

During combat, by combining the two attack types in various configurations, the player can initiate combos. If the player combines attacking with rolling, or if they switch opponents mid-combo, the resulting combo can be made significantly more powerful than a standard combo.[12] The better the combo, the more it will charge the "fight gauge", a gauge which rewards the player with mid-combo bonuses. When the player pulls off combos, the gauge starts to fill up, with different markers distributed along its length. Once a marker has been reached, that bonus is awarded to the player. Bonuses include double armour, double damage, shield break, and reflect armour. These bonuses are only temporary, with the gauge emptying when the player is not in combat. Each of the game's three weapons has its own unique gauge with different rewards at different points, and each of the three gauges can be expanded four times to make available to the player more significant bonuses (such as quadruple damage, for example).[13]

The player also has access to "Olympian Battle Magic". Three such powers become available during the game; the Power of Hercules (increases Thrax's strength, speed, and accuracy and grants him temporary invulnerability), the power of Pluto (allows the player to tag enemies and transfer their health to Thrax), and the Power of Jupiter (sends out a lightening wave every time the player lands an attack, causing damage to every enemy in the vicinity).[8][14] To use a specific magic, the player must fill the "blood meter", a gauge which fills automatically as the player attacks enemies. It must be filled once to use the Power of Hercules, twice to use Pluto, and three times to use Jupiter.[15]

Plot

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The game takes place in an alternate history of the Roman Empire and is set in 106AD, shortly after the mysterious death of the noble and popular Emperor Trajan. With the despotic and sadistic consular Arruntius now on the Imperial throne, he ushers in an age of tyranny and destruction, turning Rome into a personal playground named Arruntium, with even the streets converted into gladiatorial arenas for the pleasure of the increasingly bloodthirsty crowds.[16]

The most famous gladiator, and formerly Trajan's champion, is Invictis Thrax, a Thracian who was taken from his mother and sold into slavery whilst still a baby.[17] Due to Thrax's popularity, Arruntius wants him to compete in one final series of games, promising him his freedom if he survives. Thrax does so, fighting his way to the Colosseum, but he is immediately attacked and killed by something unseen. Sent to Elysium, he encounters the childlike spirits of Romulus and Remus, who reveal that Arruntius assassinated Trajan with the aid of black arts and the rogue children of Mars; Phobos and Deimos. They tell Thrax that he has been chosen by the gods to act as their champion, with his goal being to kill Arruntius and prevent the demise of Rome.[18]

Setting out on his mission, he tracks and kills Phobos, before then pursuing Deimos, who flees back to Rome. The brothers resurrect Thrax, who follows Deimos to the Colosseum, where only moments have passed since Thrax was killed. Arruntius is horrified at his return, demanding Deimos do something.[19] After Thrax fights through waves of gladiators and defeats Deimos, Arruntius murders his own daughter as a sacrifice to resurrect Phobos and Deimos.[20]

Thrax manages to destroy them, and then kills Arruntius by throwing his sword into Arruntius' chest. Romulus and Remus congratulate Thrax on his victory before rewarding Thrax his freedom under the order of Jupiter. The brothers then inform Thrax they may need his services again in the future, but Thrax asserts his status as a free man, saying he will fight for Rome again only at a time of his choosing after he has explored life outside of the gladiatorial arena.[21]

He then recites a paraphrase of part of Canto IV of Childe Harold's Pilgrimage by Lord Byron;

Murder breathed her bloody steam,
And here, where buzzing nations choked the ways,
Here, where the Roman millions blame or praise
Was death or life, the playthings of a crowd,
Then in this magic circle raise the dead;
Heroes have trod this spot, 'tis on their dust ye tread.

Development

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Acclaim Entertainment announced the game as I Gladiator in January 2003, with an October release scheduled for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Windows.[22] At a press event later in the month, Acclaim made a non-playable demo available to journalists, citing as influences films such as William Wyler's Ben-Hur (1959), Stanley Kubrick's Spatacus (1960), and Ridley Scott's Gladiator (2000).[23][24] In March, Acclaim announced they had changed the name from I Gladiator to Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance.[25] At E3 in May, Acclaim announced that the GameCube version of the game had been cancelled, although no official reason was given.[26]

In the UK, with Acclaim promoting the game as the bloodiest ever made, an unusual advertising strategy was employed. Referred to as "Bloodvertising", poster adverts in bus shelters would seep 'blood'. In reality, cartridges of red dye were placed behind clear sheets of film and slowly released over a six-day period, thus making it appear as if the 'blood' was seeping out of the advert itself and spilling onto the street. Acclaim assured fans that they had their own clean-up crews to remove the dye from the street at the end of the six days.[27][28]

In Germany, the game was released in two versions; an uncensored version rated USK18 and a censored version rated USK12. The main differences between the two are that all finishing moves have been removed from the censored version, all blood effects have been recoloured white, and severed limbs no longer litter the battlefield during combat.[1]

Reception

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Sword of Vengeance received "mixed or average reviews" across all three platforms; the PlayStation 2 and Xbox versions hold an aggregate score of 65 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on 19 reviews and 25 reviews, respectively; the PC version holds a score of 69 out of 100 from seven reviews.[29][30][31]

2015 re-release

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In September 2004, Acclaim filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.[46][47] With debts exceeding $100 million, a trustee was appointed by the Bankruptcy Court to liquidate any remaining Acclaim assets, resulting in the rights for many of their games going up for auction in December 2005.[48] Several of these rights were purchased by Throwback Entertainment, including Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance.[49]

In May 2015, Throwback announced that Sword of Vengeance would be released on Windows, Windows Phone, and Xbox One later in 2015.[50] The game was released on the Windows Store in December, and in February 2016, it was made available on Steam. This re-release features resolution support up to 1080p, cloud saving, controller support, and achievements.[51]

References

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  1. ^ a b Kaurz, Paul (23 August 2003). "Gladiator: die Versionsunterschiede". 4Players (in German). Archived from the original on 11 May 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  2. ^ "Gladiator Sword Of Vengeance Ships". Acclaim Entertainment. 30 October 2003. Archived from the original on 17 August 2004. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  3. ^ "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance". Australian Classification Board. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  4. ^ Kasavin, Greg (20 May 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Hands-On". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  5. ^ "Controls: Control System Definition". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. pp. 7–8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  6. ^ a b Navarro, Alex (16 July 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Hands-On Impressions". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  7. ^ "Context Actions". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. p. 15. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  8. ^ a b Navarro, Alex (23 July 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Preview". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Weapons". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. p. 16. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  10. ^ "Controls: Control System Definition". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. p. 8. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  11. ^ "Controls: Control System Definition". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. pp. 8–9. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Controls: Control System Definition". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. pp. 9–11. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  13. ^ "The Fight Gauge". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. pp. 11–12. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Olympian Battle Magic". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. p. 13. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Olympian Battle Magic". Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Xbox Instruction Manual (NA) (PDF). Acclaim Entertainment. 2003. p. 14. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 August 2024. Retrieved 12 August 2024.
  16. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: Introduction. Invictus Thrax: After the mysterious death of the great and noble Emperor Trajan, the despotic consular Arruntius ascended to the Imperial throne, heralding in an age of tyranny, perversity and destruction. Rome would be levelled to make room for a new city...Arruntium, named after the madman himself. In celebration, Arruntius will stage the bloodiest gladiatorial event ever witnessed. Within the very streets of Rome, gladiators will butcher each other to appease the mob, rapidly becoming as crazed as their emperor.
  17. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: Introduction. Thrax: And who am I? My real name has long since been forgotten; ripped from the arms of a mother I could no longer remember and sold into the cold embrace of slavery. I was the champion gladiator of a good and just emperor. One who would have set me free.
  18. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: Elysium. Romulus: You have been chosen. / Thrax: Chosen? For what? / Romulus: Arruntius should not be emperor. The glory days of the empire are nearly at an end. The death of Rome draws close. / Remus: That murdering pig killed our beloved Trajan and upset the gods' plans. And so, bloody retribution must put things right. / Thrax: But why me? Cannot the gods punish? / Romulus: The vices of Arruntius have become the vices of the citizens; as the gods are neglected, their power wanes. A champion is needed, one who by heroic deed will restore the glory of Rome and the gods. / Thrax: What must I do? / Remus: You must face such monsters and forgotten terrors, spoken of now only in storytelling. / Romulus: The power of Arruntius is not his alone. He was aided in his deceit by the rogue children of Mars; Phobos and Deimos, the gods of terror and fear.
  19. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: The Battle of Hades. Arruntius: Thrax? THRAX? Again he arrives unwanted and still alive, spoiling everything and taking my glory. [to Deimos] You promised me that he would be dealt with, yet the Thracian grows in power. I can smell the stench of virtue even from here. / Deimos: Be still Arruntius. This beautiful, manufactured horror invigorates me and I too grow in power. More than a match for even the greatest champion. I will deal with him when the time comes.
  20. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: Rome: Vengeance. Arruntius: So the story draws to an end with the warrior chosen by the gods to restore the Empire. But there will be no glorious end, only my spectacular ascension, fed by the sweet blood of the citizens of Rome and their champion. / Thrax: You are a vain and arrogant snake Arruntius, a murderer of a good and just emperor. Know this, I am here to deliver you into the hands of Hades. / [...] / Thrax: There are no dark gods to protect you now. / Arruntius: So sure of that are you? An innocent's life is all I need to bring them back.
  21. ^ Acclaim Studios Manchester (2003). Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance. Acclaim Entertainment. Level/area: Rome: Vengeance. Romulus: You have done well Thrax. Rome is restored. Truly, you are Invictus Thrax. You will not go unrewarded. Mighty Jupiter grants you life and freedom. / Remus: Yet be ready Thrax. The gods will again have need of their newest champion and many battles will yet be fought. / Thrax: You chose me, knowing that a slave would be conditioned to do your bidding. But I am a slave no longer and will not readily swap one arena for another. If Rome has need of me again, then if I choose, I will be ready. But first I will see what kind of life exists outside this place of death.
  22. ^ "Acclaim Release Schedule". IGN. 13 January 2003. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  23. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (27 January 2003). "I Gladiator First Look". IGN. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  24. ^ "First Look: I Gladiator". GameSpot. 27 January 2003. Archived from the original on 2 September 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
  25. ^ "I Gladiator, New Name". IGN. 14 March 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  26. ^ "E3 2003: Gladiator Leaves Cube". IGN. 16 May 2003. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  27. ^ "'Bloodvertising' to hit UK streets". Ananova. Archived from the original on 18 July 2007. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  28. ^ Bramwell, Tom (1 December 2003). "It's murder at the bus stop!". Eurogamer. Archived from the original on 7 September 2024. Retrieved 7 September 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance (PC)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  30. ^ a b "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance (PlayStation 2)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  31. ^ a b "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance (Xbox)". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  32. ^ a b Byrnes, Paul; Fielder, Joe; Baker, Chris (January 2004). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PS2, Xbox)". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 174. p. 108.
  33. ^ Reiner, Andrew (November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (Xbox)". Game Informer. Archived from the original on 5 June 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  34. ^ Navarro, Alex (22 December 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PC)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  35. ^ Navarro, Alex (1 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  36. ^ Navarro, Alex (1 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (Xbox)". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  37. ^ Meston, Zach (7 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PS2)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  38. ^ Meston, Zach (9 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (Xbox)". GameSpy. Archived from the original on 12 October 2008. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  39. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (18 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PC)". IGN. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  40. ^ a b Dunham, Jeremy (3 November 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review (PS2, Xbox)". IGN. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  41. ^ Baker, Chris (December 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. No. 75. p. 162.
  42. ^ "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review". Official Xbox Magazine. No. 25. December 2003. p. 92.
  43. ^ Klett, Steve (April 2004). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on 18 October 2006. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  44. ^ a b Fiechter, Bradley (December 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review". Play. No. 24. p. 85.
  45. ^ Dunham, Jeremy (Christmas 2003). "Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance Review". PlayStation: The Official Magazine. No. 79. p. 48.
  46. ^ Perry, Douglass C. (30 August 2004). "Acclaim to File for Bankruptcy". IGN. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  47. ^ Feldman, Curt (1 September 2004). "Acclaim bankruptcy now official". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  48. ^ Feldman, Curt (7 December 2005). "Acclaim artifacts up for auction". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  49. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (7 July 2006). "Throwback picks up Acclaim properties". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  50. ^ "Throwback Entertainment Unleashes Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance on the World of Windows". Throwback Entertainment. 6 May 2015. Archived from the original on 25 July 2024. Retrieved 25 July 2024.
  51. ^ "Throwback Entertainment releases Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance on Steam". Throwback Entertainment. 1 February 2016. Archived from the original on 6 September 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
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Official website (site dead; Archived 3 August 2004 at the Wayback Machine)

Category:2003 video games Category:Acclaim Entertainment games Category:Beat 'em ups Category:Cancelled GameCube games Category:PlayStation 2 games Category:Single-player video games Category:Throwback Entertainment games Category:Video games about gladiatorial combat Category:Video games about the Colosseum Category:Video games based on Greek mythology Category:Video games developed in the United Kingdom Category:Video games set in the Roman Empire Category:Windows games Category:Xbox games

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