Anyone remember Gladius on PS2? Is this game anything like it?

[Vazzaroth]

It was one of my favorite tactical rpgs at the time, and I haven't found a similar game outside of maybe Battle Brothers. Anyone out there that can compare the two before I buy?

Edit: oh, Gladius also reminds me of Mordheim. So as a secondary question, how similar is this to Mordheim and Battlebros?

[sgt.greywar]

Gladius was somewhat similar as I recall... it has been quite a while though.

This game focuses a bit more on the management aspects than Gladius did and has fewer special abilities and attack types than Gladius fielded.

The graphics are not a focus here either.

[Vazzaroth]

Are you controlling your fighters, or are they AI? Do they progress, get skills/abilities?

[tora75]

You have the option to control your gladiators via a hex grid. They do have different skills depending on their ratings and what they specialize in, but I haven't made it far enough to know if they actually gain abilities or if there are any skill trees.

You also have the ability to watch the match play out via hex or text, and also auto-sim.

[Captain_Narol]

You can control your fighters or let the AI do it and just watch (in 2D or Text), but it's much more efficient and interesting to control them.

They don't really get new skills or abilities when they level up, but you get points that you can spend improve their caracteristics and tailor them the way you want, and you also unlock each level one specific bonus of your choice in a set list.

The management aspect of the game is quite deep and challenging, you have to be very careful with money in early game.

[Chief]

Gladius had a world map with random events. The battles were more tactical. A bit of Arcade, RPG, Real Time, Art, Fantasy, Management, Rankings. I remember me a great game.

Age of Gladiator is mor sim, RPG, textbased. Specifically you manage ludus and train gladiators. It's a realistic gladiator game. There is everything that a gladiator school needs. Staff, market, league, fights, training, research, perks, buildings, events, etc.

[rssmith_4]

Interesting fact - if you own a PS3 you can still buy a digital download of Gladius from the PS3 store, and for a very reasonable price.

The turn-based graphical combat in this game is more basic than Gladius (and Mordheim) but still quite fun and there is a deep, text-based management aspect to AOG which is addictive. Gladius has all the trappings of a high budget console game (for the time) whereas AOG is more of a niche PC game with similarities to some of the football manger games out there.

I am currently switching between the two and enjoying both.

[lahoward]

Originally posted by rssmith_4:

Interesting fact - if you own a PS3 you can still buy a digital download of Gladius from the PS3 store, and for a very reasonable price.

If you look more closely it's for the PS VITA not PS3. I have checked off and on for the past few years to see if it's available. Haven't checked in a couple months but pretty sure it's the VITA version you saw.
Edit: Just checked VITA no longer available now.

[rssmith_4]

Er, no, it is definitely available on PS3. I was playing it earlier today. Could be you are in a different region? Maybe not all regions are the same. I purchased it on the UK PS3 store. It is the original PS2 game repackaged to run on PS3.

https://store.playstation.com/en-gb/product/EP1010-NPED00277_00-GGLADIUSXX000001

Anyway, since this is an AOG II forum let me just say that although I like both games, one aspect where AOG II wins is that it is more grounded (generally at least) in realism with no reference to elemental powers, mythical creatures etc. Which is good. And after each fight there is a real chance that your fighters might be fatigued, injured, permanently crippled, or dead. Which is also good.

[Pookie The Krogan]

no not really the same. I have it for xbox still actaully. but yeah no the only thing that is the same is the fact your fighting in a arena

[Super Chan]

survival management with a hint of melee xcom if u want