We Who Are About To Die

I've always been a really big fan of Gladiator games since I had an obsession with Colosseum: Road to Freedom on the PS2. It was janky as hell, the control scheme was rough for a kid to learn and some of the systems were very unforgiving. But whenever you did learn the controls and get to do some fun builds, got good armor and weapons ... it was a super fun fighting game that could be very challenging and downright unfair at other times. So you can imagine that whenever I discovered this game, not long after they added the 3rd person camera, which is my preferred way to play, I was elated. My childhood obsession renewed with a new game that was still in development. I typically like to wait for games to be either close to release out of Early Access or out completely, but I saw this on YouTube and immediately purchased it. My first initial impressions were almost the same as Colosseum to be honest, as I learnt the systems, how to best strike opponents with certain weapons, targetting armor to wear it down to more easily kill opponents, etc, I had a ball. I struggled very hard to complete my first run for some time, just trying to learn the game and get better at the combat, which does feel incredibly rewarding in just about every facet somehow? Whenever I did have that run, it was relieving in a way few games are after the road there. I find just as much as fun whenever I'm a struggling slave fighter who's got no gear and is having to desperately pick things up off the ground to claw his way to victory at the start or when I'm a famous gladiator who's close to retirement and takes an easier match to rest for the week, cleaving his way through easily. Overall, I am extremely excited to see what 1.0 will bring and I am desperately trying to keep myself from playing out every bit of content before then, but every update since I purchased it has brought me back to play it for a whole day or two before I force myself to stop.

This game had sooooooo much potential, but everytime i come back to play it seems it gets worse and worse and worse. Today I could'nt even pass the tutorial with my gamepad it was that frustrating!!!! Not because the controls are hard, they are a buggy mess!! Why Jordy! Why! You had such a good game for a while and then.... People, don't waste your money. there are better gladiators style games out there!

The swinging mechanic is just ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ and inconsistent with when it will register connecting. The overall game design is well done, but we don't need a bennet foddy esque combat feature in a gladiator game. It's simply a bad mechanic with an unnecessary extra layer of difficulty that only appeals to the dudes who think slamming your ♥♥♥♥ in a drawer makes you a badass.

I want to love the game so bad, it has everything that you could want from a gladiator game. if you love gladiator roguelites then buy this game. however... The problem comes from how clunky the camera is, it always seems to be center on the players body from behind so i can barely see the attacks, plus if the map isn't completely open and flat its impossible to see. Also the character seems to be always out of breath and super slow. Which wouldn't be an issue if the enemies weren't always on top of you, no like they are always engaged but they are constantly like half a foot from my face so none of my weapons do any damage cause i can't get any acceleration nor can i hit with the actual sharp apart of the blade. lastly the weapons, which are very fun and unique, but the player character doesn't swing straight, if the weapon isn't two handed the character just flings it from the side with no blade alignment so its trajectory is just a mess. all of these issues just pile up to make a very frustrating game that is otherwise fantastic.

How does the combat get harder and worse? Loved the rest of the updates, but rag doll hits and thrashing is what this game has devolved into? Miss the old combat system :(

Really excellent experience. Lots of variety based on character traits and weapon skills, and the draft mode is a great addition to mix up the gameplay. Each of the victory conditions presents its own challenge. Very satisfying but not overly complex combat system, feels very weighty and the additional throwing mechanic is good. Huge variety of armour and customisation with a relevant but not overbearing durability system. More accessible than Exanima. Good game.

was better a year ago