Colosseum: Road to Freedom
Encyclopedia
Colosseum: Road to Freedom (originally Gladiator: Road to Freedom in Japan) is a video game for the PlayStation 2
console
. It is a hybrid fighting
/RPG
game loosely based on the Roman Empire
around the time of the Emperor Commodus
.
Depending on the player's performance, it is possible to pay off the character's debts and still remain a freeman gladiator. The game allows for multiple endings depending on the player's performance over its course.
All special fights in the Colosseum pit the player's character against other named gladiators.
On September 1, 2005, Ertain and Koei released Gladiator: Road to Freedom Remix which contains a few updates to the game.
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
console
Video game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
. It is a hybrid fighting
Fighting game
Fighting game is a video game genre where the player controls an on-screen character and engages in close combat with an opponent. These characters tend to be of equal power and fight matches consisting of several rounds, which take place in an arena. Players must master techniques such as...
/RPG
Role-playing game
A role-playing game is a game in which players assume the roles of characters in a fictional setting. Players take responsibility for acting out these roles within a narrative, either through literal acting, or through a process of structured decision-making or character development...
game loosely based on the Roman Empire
Roman Empire
The Roman Empire was the post-Republican period of the ancient Roman civilization, characterised by an autocratic form of government and large territorial holdings in Europe and around the Mediterranean....
around the time of the Emperor Commodus
Commodus
Commodus , was Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. His name changed throughout his reign; see changes of name for earlier and later forms. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded...
.
Gameplay and story
Colosseum: Road to Freedom has the player take on the role of a slave that must partake gladiatorial games in order to earn enough money to purchase his freedom. The majority of the game is spent training the player's character and fighting in arena battles. The story in Colosseum takes a backseat in order to allow a higher degree of open-ended gameplay. Players have the freedom to tailor their game avatar to their liking depending on how they answer questions prior to gameplay.Depending on the player's performance, it is possible to pay off the character's debts and still remain a freeman gladiator. The game allows for multiple endings depending on the player's performance over its course.
Gladiator weapons
- Swords: Traditionally balanced weapons perfect for first-time players.
- Clubs: Clubs inflict heavy bludgeoning damage, which can often knock armor off of an opponent, or even render them unconscious.
- Axes: Combining the weight of a hammer with the sharpness of a blade to deliver the most damage to an enemy.
- Polearms: Heavy weapons with long reach, but difficult to use in close quarters and low weapon durability making it easy to disarm.
- Hammers: A weapon which relies on its sheer weight to inflict damage. Due to the high weight of the weapons it is very difficult to disarm an enemy with a hammer.
- Chains: A rather uncommon weapon in the arena, they deliver a powerful blow.
- Shields: While not exactly an offensive tool, shields can be used to push away enemies.
- Knuckles: short ranged weapons ranging from fists to bladed knuckles, very fast attack but hampered by lack of reach.
Characters
- NarcissusNarcissus (murderer)Narcissus was a Roman athlete, likely a wrestler, from the 2nd century AD. He is best known to history as the assassin of the Roman Emperor Commodus, by whom he was employed as a wrestling partner, and personal trainer in order to train Commodus for his self-indulgent appearances in the Colosseum...
- CommodusCommodusCommodus , was Roman Emperor from 180 to 192. He also ruled as co-emperor with his father Marcus Aurelius from 177 until his father's death in 180. His name changed throughout his reign; see changes of name for earlier and later forms. His accession as emperor was the first time a son had succeeded...
- Laetus: An associate of Marcia, whose true colors will be revealed on later in the game.
- Marcia
- Magerius, Gnaeus, Decimus, Celadeus: Magerius is your owner for the majority of the game and he runs a gladiatorial training facility. Gnaeus, Decimus and Celadeus are responsible for your training.
All special fights in the Colosseum pit the player's character against other named gladiators.
Reaction
While reviewers commended Colosseums open-ended gameplay, the lack of additional scenarios had some impact on its image.On September 1, 2005, Ertain and Koei released Gladiator: Road to Freedom Remix which contains a few updates to the game.