Gladius - PlayStation 2

At the heart of Gladius is a unique mix of dynamic game play that requires players to develop and manage a school of gladiators who, over time, gain experience, learn new skills, improve their abilities and finally test their might in epic battles. Players fight with deadly weapons and powerful magic, learn vital combat tactics, and enhance and customise characters.

The overall scope of Gladius offers an estimated 36 hours of play in each of the game's two story lines, which take players on a challenging journey across four diverse geographical regions. Each land contains a variety of warriors that players must recruit and train. Battles occur throughout the game's 20 arenas and 12 other locations. Players control a school of gladiators that can come from 16 unique classes, including the powerful Imperial Legionary; the witches of the Galdr class, who can sing magical songs and chants; and the javelin throwing Peltast class.

In all, the game offers more than 100 customisable character types, hundreds of skills, and over 400 unique weapons, helmets, shields, and other accessories with which to equip warriors.

In Gladius players may choose to take on the role of Ursula or Valens. Ursula and Valens join forces and travel across many lands, competing in gladiator tournaments where they recruit a variety of warriors. They also become immersed in the evil plot to revive the dark god. Once this wicked plan is put into action, the gladiator games cease and the small band of fighters go on a challenging quest to solve the mystery of the dark god and defeat those who would bring him back to the land of the living. Gladius features a story mode as well as exhibition battles against computer-controlled opponents or up to four players in cooperative mode.