by Capcom
Platform:
PlayStation2
(43)Buy new: $47.00
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Generally, games that try to bunch together multiple gameplay types fall prey to a handful of frequent issues – illogical control schemes, lack of depth in a particular gameplay mechanic, and/or unbalanced coolness between the main characters. Capcom's Shadow of Rome still loses steam in certain areas because of these common pitfalls, but does do an exceptional job of avoiding them on most occasions.
The premise, for those who haven't been following the title, is to set players in the time immediately following Julius Caesar's assassination. Frequently, the game will switch back and forth between two characters: Caesar's nephew Octavianus, who handles the stealth side because he's kind of a weenie, and Agrippa. This character's father has been accused of the murder and his mother was killed because of the scandal. He has turned to the life of a gladiator in hopes of saving the father and avenging the mother. It's heady stuff, and the friendship between these two is the main reason that players will want so desperately to be successful – we'd really like to make them both heroes.
While Octavianus' covert portions of the gameplay mix work well enough, distracting the guards through whistles is never really a sure thing, and the level design doesn't really help to make these sections more compelling or rewarding. Most of the segments are a welcome relief from the intense action (more on that later), but lack the finesse shown in the combat portions. Climbing down from a box shouldn't require a hotspot-enabled action button press. Overall, they aren't bad or broken, but they do suffer from some dull spots.
While Octavianus is creeping around, Agrippa (a military muscleman) is recruited as a gladiator. This is where the game soundly earns its mature rating. You will beat men to death with their own arms, you will burst heads like ripe melons, and when you've caused enough spewing blood, you will cheer for the crowd and they will shower you with affection. And all of that is mighty fun – not entirely because of the gore, but also because gladitorial combat is much more complicated than one would first guess. Simply beating enemies isn't the hardest part of a bout, appeasing the crowd and fueling their bloodlust is. With that in mind, Capcom developed the Salvo system, which rewards players and gauges the crowd's response by setting certain moves at a higher value. More often than not, it's much harder to entertain the morally bankrupt spectators than just survive.
While this is historically accurate, there are few games in memory that caused me such a moral dilemma. It's a blast, and the combat is a great balance between a wrestling and a fighting game, but I felt like a terrible human being. I guess that's the price you pay for being a gladiator.
Concept:
Mix gladiatorial combat, stealth action, and a quasi-historic look at ancient Rome
Graphics:
Really sharp and nicely colorful – characters pop off of the screen
Sound:
The music is pretty subdued and I feel like it could have made more impact during the gladiator combat, but the voice acting is generally good
Playability:
Switching control schemes between gameplay types is done well, with each having their own quirks and strong points
Entertainment:
A blood-spewing good time, if you can bend your moral code a bit while you play
Replay:
Moderate
Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Lisa Mason
Issue: February 2005
2nd Opinion:
Beating foes with their own limbs to the crowd's roar made every demented cell in my body scream with joy. But man cannot live on death alone, and Shadow's stealth is fun in its own right. However, killing the weak and stealing from the dead in battle is your true love. The fact that weapons break makes you constantly adjust your playing style. The phrase: "Don't make me break a sword off on your ass" was coined in Rome many years ago. I would like depth through character upgrades and a better targeting system, but then again you are just a gladiator – you will kill on command and you will like it.
Rated: 8.5 out of 10
Editor: Matthew Kato
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The year is 44 B.C. The grandeur of the Republic of Rome has been tarnished by political corruption and society has been overrun by unruliness and violence. Julius Caesar advocates for drastic reform but he is met with opposition and murdered. The horrific news finds its way to the ears of one soldier, Agrippa, whose father is accused of the murder. Unfortunately, time is running out for Agrippa as his father is to be publicly executed by the winner of the next gladiatorial event. Venture throughout ancient Rome with the help of Agrippa's best friend, Octavius, and a female gladiator named Claudia. Shadow of Rome will automatically switch between Agrippa and Octavius, each of whom have their own area of expertise, to rescue Agrippa's father and uncover the truth.
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