Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance E3 2003 Preshow Report

Acclaim is working on a new third-person action adventure title that focuses on the last days of the Roman Empire. Set in the year AD 106, Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance will place you in the role of a slave in the capital city of Rome. Under the tyrannical rule of Emperor Arruntius, gladiatorial combat has reached bloody new heights, and you'll find yourself competing in these competitions for your honor and your life. Combat is not limited to the arena, however, as you'll also be exploring a number of other locales such as labyrinths and temples.

Throughout the course of the game, your gladiator's strength and fighting techniques will evolve and improve. You'll also have access to a number of standard and mythical weapons to do battle with. The combat system allows you to perform various combos, and the more elaborate a combo you pull off, the higher your blood meter will rise. When this meter is full, you can perform a variety of mythical feats, from demonstrating supernatural strength to harnessing the elements and even raising the dead to fight with you.

Acclaim says that the game will mix its action adventure gameplay with attention to Roman history, culture, and mythology. Furthermore, the game's production seeks to emulate the cinematic flair seen in epic films like Spartacus, Ben Hur, and Gladiator. The game is being released in America on the Xbox and PC, but the PlayStation 2 version will only see release in the European market. We'll bring you more on Gladiator: Sword of Vengeance as it becomes available.