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Gladiator Begins [PSP] hype thread: road to five copies sold (US release confirmed!!)

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radios shipping overview

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Colosseum: Road to Freedom, developed by Goshow and published in the US on PS2 by Koei, was one of my favorite hidden gems on the platform. It was a technical brawler that let you create your own gladiator and battle for phat loot, wealth, and fame. You could only save when your character slept for the night, so during daily bouts, the more matches you attempted to beat, the more you risked losing the stat upgrades, weapons, and armor you found along the way. The game had some awkward bits, but overall it was a lot of fun and placed emphasis on realistic visuals and equipment for the period. Goshow are clearly fans of the Russell Crowe movie, and it's uncommon to see so much detail and authenticity in a Western setting from a Japanese developer. However, as far as I can tell, about five people total played it.

A sequel, called Kentoushi: Gladiator Begins in Japan, has been announced for PSP. This will make use adhoc networked play to hopefully bring in the Monster Hunter audience. MH fans should hopefully feel at home with the game's nice variety of loot and character skills. The game now allows you to play as a female Gladiator, and it'll have DLC characters and items available in the PSN store.

This new game looks almost as nice as the PS2 version, and the characters in story scenes look better, I'm pretty sure. It'll be interesting to see how the controls are changed, as I believe the PS2 game used all of the shoulder buttons. Hopefully the controls will be simplified somewhat so that the game has less of a learning curve.

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There are Famitsu scans around with more screens, but I can't post them here, so look around for them.

http://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20090807_307854.html
Official site: http://gladiator.acquire.co.jp/
Famitsu.com article: http://is.gd/26Xfq
My writeup when I played the first game is here: http://namakoteam.com/news.php?id=138
Here's a video of an upgraded version of the PS2 game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_-SUndnD_k
A 1P match: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rg_2YrybIV8
A 2P match with exotic weapons: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7glz-Ewmyk

I don't expect this thread to get many replies, and I don't know if any western publishers will take a chance on the new game. But I'm excited about the sequel, so here you go. :p
 
I remember our conversation about this a few years ago. Totally forgot to import it afterwards despite my interest at the time. :lol

Looking forward to seeing more of this, and I'll hopefully pick it up along with a PSP[Go?] later this year. I just hope they successfully adapt the controls for the PSP and fix the camera issues you mentioned about the original.
 
OMFG this thing better come out in the US. Please for the love of god!

Loved the PS2 gem. Its such a great concept and fresh game. I will pay good money for a US version.
 
That's a fair take.

I haven't played Shadow of Rome, but from videos it seems to be fairly over-the-top in art and in battle, though it does look fun. I actually like how dry and restrained Gladiator can be, comparatively. Plus, it's all about the loot.
 
It's a pretty good idea to bring this to the PSP. I enjoyed the PS2 game, and it's clearly more of a loot/encounter sort of game rather than a story based narrative so aside from the setting I don't think it's really much of a comparison with Shadow of Rome. I doubt I'll pick this up since it doesn't look very different, but hopefully they'll be able to build a fanbase on the PSP and make a solid sequel somewhere down the road.
 
Triz said:
this makes me miss gladius...
Click to expand...
I tried the demo of that. Seemed pretty okay, if a little derivative. Voicework was not so hot. That one also went for more of a fantasy bent. What Gladiator/Colosseum brings, in comparison and disregarding genre differences, is grit.
 
Grimmy said:
So Aksys has confirmed that they'll be bringing this game to North America - hoorah!

http://www.aksysgames.com/2010/06/25/gladiator-begins-will-make-you-a-man/

There will be a demo 7/13
Click to expand...
Whaaaaaa!!!!!????
:D

I think this might have the "remix" featues aka Japanese re-release only features.

Please be priced correctly and work with CFW 3.50(or whatever it is) and I will buy :)

Edit: These are the Remix features

According to the latest issue of Famitsu magazine, Ertain is developing an upgraded edition of Colosseum: Road to Freedom for the PlayStation 2. The game is slated for release in Japan on September 1 under the title of Gladiator: Road to Freedom Remix, and it will be priced at 6,615 yen ($65).

Road to Freedom Remix will feature a number of changes made in response to feedback from players of the original version. First and foremost, there will be a pair of additional playable character types. Players will now have the option to challenge the game as a powerful tribal warrior skilled with spear fighting or as an agile Middle Eastern warrior. Gamers will also be able to unlock and play as the rival characters, famous warriors, and drill instructors in the game, which pushes the roster of selectable characters to more than 30. There will also be a female warrior in the game, who should likewise become a playable character.

Road to Freedom Remix will implement a newly refined fighting system that lets players power up their weapons and armor. Players will be able to pick up items dropped by enemies on the Colosseum floor and use them to strengthen their arms and gear at the weapon shop. Brand-new weapons and armor will be included as well.

In terms of the actual fighting, Road to Freedom Remix has added in new skills for each of the fighting styles. The game no longer has a limit on how far players can build up their "style level," a tweak that allows for the creation of extremely strong gladiators. Furthermore, players who defeat the game will be able to use their saved character to go back through the game again at a harder difficulty level.

In other convenient additions, Road to Freedom Remix will let players retry lost battles by parting with half their money. The game also keeps track of various records, which players can check in their warrior's room.
Click to expand...

(+After the fight, the crowd would either throw rocks at you or flowers/items at you based on your performance)

Hope they are in this game.
 
demo is really good. definitely on my watch list, afraid it's gonna be too repetitive too, hope there's plenty of match type, and various skill and weapon to keep the combat fresh
 
Whoa. This sounds really interesting.
Might have to look into picking up the PS2 version before the PSP game hits.

I too wish there was a Gladius 2.

Edit - Actually. PS2 order placed!
 
I'm glad everyone is enjoying the demo! :D

Just be sure to keep your save data from the end of the demo because you can start off where you left off and retain your items from the demo, if you load up your save in the actual game ;)
 
The demo is pure fun, I don't even know how much fun a PSP game can get. I can't believe this game doesn't get around. The graphics look great on a PSP and the amount of customization is what kept me playing. The chick at the end, did anyone beat her? Man, and to know that the demo save file can carry over, I'm gonna have to go pre-order the game right now. Gonna have to start making my own Russel Crowe.
 
It seems like quite the missed opportunity, I'd much rather wait longer and get the most definitive version of the game.

The concept of the game is really interesting to me but all the Remix additions are what really got me interested in the game. I know Aksys isn't opposed to re-releases of games but I think it would have been wiser to just start with the complete version.
 
I finally downloaded the demo today; it was really, really good. I didn't really know what to expect, but thanks to this thread, I know I'm getting this game when it comes out.

The woman gladiator at the end, this was asked before, is it possible to beat her? She keeps picking my equipment apart and her combos are too fast when she gets going. Although, maybe it's just my character? I leveled everything up together to be well rounded. Anybody try leveling up their strength really high to have a chance at damaging her?
 
Gladiator Begins debut trailer is now up on GameTrailers. Concerning the she-gladiator at the end of the demo, the guys from Gamefaqs said it was possible. I couldn't stand a chance against her.
 
The PS2 game came in a few weeks ago, but I've yet to play it.
Still, this PSP release will make a nice, niche little addition to the surprisingly great line-up the PSP has been enjoying in recent months.
 
It reminds me how good and underrated was Capcom's Shadow of Rome.

You were able to splice your enemies and use some parts of them as weapons. More than awesome feature. :lol
 
The game is really great as an arena combat game. If you're looking for anything else, you'll be disappointed though. But the combat is solid. I really wish there were people to play online with.
 
The demo was alot of fun, though I found the female gladiator to suddenly be an actual person (who doesn't much fit into her costume) to be rather odd.
 
Augemitbutter said:
this looks interesting.

how is the combat? button mashing musou style, or do you have to be good to survive?
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Combat is pretty deep. The triangle button is for upper attack, square and circle for left and right attack, and X is for low attack. You can assign special skills to those buttons too. And when you attack the opponent, you'll have to really know where you're attacking because you have to knock off their armor first to deal more damage to their skin.

Also Aksys Games has some new screenshots.
 
tried the demo for this (from the US store). i think this game is incredible, graphics are awesome, gameplay is deep and rich. it really feel like a true gem.

any news on it hitting PAL shores?
 
Why wasn't I paying attention to this before? Will totally buy it this week. It's awesome that Gamestop Canada's website has it listed for $64.99 :lol
 
1 of 5 copies successfully sold and delivered!
Got mine from Amazon today.

Instruction manual cover art has boobies.
Just thought you should know.
 
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