I do feel that many of the reviews for this game are moderately unfair, with it being compared to another series that has very different objectives than this. While many of the mechanics are shared with the Gladiator games, this doesn't even attempt to compete with them.
Ultimately though, I do come to the same "Not Recommended" conclusion.
This is a multiplayer 3v3 arena fighting game using similar mechanics to the classic Gladiator series. You pick up and equip each hand separately, armor defends specific body parts, loads of skills to learn in multiple fighting styles, and there is a variety of timed parries, animation cancels, i-frames and other advanced tech to allow the skilled player to control the battlefield.
The major new addition here is the “Magic” skills that allow you to activate AOE attacks, buffs or debuffs. This leads to a genuinely cool new support role that overlaps with your traditional fighting skills. Even a caster primary will have standard weapons, armor and the skills of a traditional fighter. This mechanic is clearly built to encourage teamwork with each player bringing their own skills or spells to the fight and is a really nice addition.
This magic system is a clear indicator that the game is designed -specifically- for teams of 3 to play online together against the campaign or other players. This is the intention, this is the expected manner of play and this is how it'll play best.
If there was a 1v1 duel, it couldn’t work for an online campaign because some players would have to sit it out. Each mission is designed so that 3 players will face off against waves of 3 fighters in one or more totally-not-an-arena rooms. You fight together, you respawn, and you live or die as a team.
After each fight, the heroes level up, make money and collect fallen equipment that they can use to upgrade their characters in the lobby. You alternate between 10 minute long battles and a breather where you can upgrade. For a group of 3 players that enjoy the Gladiator format, I could see myself having a blast with this title.
But while these mechanics worked for a gladiatorial situation, they don’t always feel quite right here. So much of the game is designed around having armor to cover body parts and having skills that let you block or parry attacks… that even a sliver of health becomes nigh impossible to finish off. It just plinks off the armor, weapon or shield until they drop it... and promptly pick it back up.
In a 1v1 duel, this is exciting and strategic… but 3v3 becomes an exercise in frustration. People constantly preventing your killing blows and allowing them to regain all the lost defense. Just imagine how bad it becomes when you have five waves of 3 to deal with. (I suspect having a human team would allow you to better control aggro or focus attacks but I’ve only played single player)
This is all made worse by having a grind focused character growth system that requires you to farm and fuse weapons to get stronger. I find myself hitting progression walls both as I reach enemies that require higher level gear, but not being able to carry said gear because it requires higher strength… only earned by fusing more gear. It’s a bad cycle.
Overall, I do like this game and I’d love to find people to play with. But outside, “to play a dumb fighting game grind with friends”… I can’t see any reason I’d recommend it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s selling for less than a cup of cheap coffee and it’s worth that, but you won’t miss anything by looking elsewhere.
