Shadowdancer reviews Gladius on Gamecube

[Shadowdancer21b]

Gladius was developed by Lucasarts for Gamecube, PS2 and XBOX. Remember those Halcyon days when multi-system games released for all platforms at the same time? Gladius is the only gladiator game on consoles. Ever. I, Gladiator was a platformer and Circus Maximus was a crappy chariot racing game. Gladius puts you in control of a stable of gladiators, recruiting more as you go on, roaming the countryside competing in leagues and tournaments for glory and wealth. There's a standard "Save the world from the Darkness" RPG plot going on as well, but it mostly stays in the background allowing the arena, the star of the show, to have the spotlight. There is a large variety of gladiators available. Want a bear? Got it. Want different kinds of javelineer? Got it. Want a yeti or satyr? You betcha.

But Shadowdancer, what about spellcasters? We got shamans, summoners, channelers and more! There is a balance system of light, medium and heavy unit types that are in a rock, paper, scissors balance with support units standing apart from the circle. Now, according to their system, light trumps heavy, but this is simply not the case. Heavy units do not necessarily have lower accuracy against light units and they certainly don't hit less hard. Light units have high mobility and accuracy with low damage and defense. This can be affected by some units abilities to do more damage via backstab or evasion abilities. But medium units for damn sure trump light units and heavy units hit medium units pretty hard, so the rock paper scissors almost universally works.There is also a damage bonus for having high ground but this is ignored by ranged attacks and magic so be forewarned, unless your ranged unit or spellcaster has the high ground then then damage bonus applies. The tutorial doesn't mention that.
There is a swing meter used in this game. You know, timed button presses for better damage? Thankfully you can turn it off and allow the dice gods to determine your fate. The swing meter ensures your active participation though as each different attack utilizes it differently. Combos, ranged attacks and spells especially.
Now the cool thing is that each unit has a customizable appearance. You can have team colors, or make each unit unique. Palette is limited, but how many colors do you really need? The graphics are solid for the time the game was developed, and the lip sync is even decent. Colors look a little washed-out depending on the lighting, but that's forgivable. I give the Graphics as solid 3.5/5.

The sound is very good. Music is epic and will change depending on the tide of battle-great touch that. The voices are good too, except for the male barbarian and male berserker, who sound like they are mumbling or have something in their mouth. Same voice actor I think. Otherwise good all around. 4/5

Gameplay is great. Each unit type except non-humans has a male and female version. Female units tend to have higher initiative and movement rates whereas males tend to have higher damage and constitution. Females do not have lower defense, just lower damage output and hit points. Nice tradeoff compared to the Final Fantasy Tactics "Women are weaker than soggy toast" design choice. There is a good variety of battles available here, none of which feel gimmicky. Even King of the Hill works nicely. I give gameplay a solid 4/5.

Managing your stable or, school as the game calls it is easy and works with a smooth interface. You can check your inventory separately from gladiator's equipment to monitor your gear. Also, shields can and will break so stock up! Weapons will affect your attributes as well. Some weapons will have higher damage, but will lower your accuracy, or defense, or both. Make sure you check the adjustments before purchasing to find the right choice. Also, you may want to wait for your gladiator to level up before you get that shiny new spear for him. Seems counter-intuitive at first, but the numbers are your friends and you want a good balance.

Complaints: Level caps based on rankings? Complete a regional tourney and unable to return afterward? Light units don't necessarily have higher accuracy or evasion against heavy units? Murmilos don't have giant tower shields? Murmilos THROW their shields? No beastmaster class?
I want very badly for LucasArts to make a sequel for the next generation. I think with a new coat of paint and fine-tuning of the system, people will seek this game out. I give it overall a 4/5. Great but can be improved. Make it happen!
Who am I kidding? The only non-Star Wars Lucas Arts game to get a sequel was Zombies Ate my Neighbors (It was called Ghoul Patrol and had a story!).
The ending is cool but for some reason prompts a save and your file after completing the game does not allow you to play the second storyline but instead simply loads up to show the credits again. Lamesauce.

Shadowdancer out!