On each typical in-game day, you entertain the bloodthirsty crowd by bringing other gladiators to within an inch of their lives in events that include one-on-one, two-on-two, battle royal, and other formats. All in all, there are five possible patrons, and while these storylines aren't that fleshed out, they do lend the ancient Roman setting of Gladiator Begins a sense of romantic intrigue and political tumult. You might become the personal assassin of a noblewoman who has strayed from her husband with many men and wants you to take care of the problem you could even end up defending the life of Rome's next emperor. As you make a name for yourself, various nobles will take notice of you and ask you for help. Then you start your arduous climb from the lowest ranks of gladiatorial slavery, fighting for coin and glory in bloody arena combat with the hopes of one day earning your freedom. You begin by creating a male or female gladiator, tweaking a decent variety of appearance options, and pouring points into your three attributes: vitality, endurance, and strength. The story stands on its own, though, and no experience with the earlier game is necessary. Officially, this is the follow-up to 2005's Colosseum: Road to Freedom for the PlayStation 2, and if you've played that game, the structure and gameplay of Gladiator Begins will immediately feel familiar. Unfortunately, repetitive combat and other frustrating elements prevent Gladiator Begins from being a satisfying re-creation of those bloody battles that once thrilled the people of Rome.Р”В«lood is plentiful but fun is lacking in these gladiatorial battles. Gladiator Begins is a return to that glorious era of swords and sandals, casting you as a gladiator who must rise through the ranks to earn your freedom. While boxing, ultimate fighting, and other contemporary contests can get brutal, when it comes to sheer potential for injury and death in mainstream entertainment, the ancient Romans have the modern world beaten.

Gladiator begins level up