Gladiator Manager

About

Gladiator Manager is a single player sport game. It was developed by Eternity Games and was released on January 28, 2021. It received mostly positive reviews from players.

Overview Gladiator Manager is a sports management and tactical text-based battle simulation game. The player takes on the role of manager of a team of gladiators, trying to win a league and a cup. The back end managerial part of the game has similarities to games like Football Manager and Out of the Park and involves hiring new fighters by judging their potential and skills, training them, and th…

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player

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79%

Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

stability3 negative mentions

The game offers a deep and engaging management experience with a variety of gladiator classes and strategic options.
The developer is highly responsive to feedback and actively works on updates and bug fixes, enhancing the overall experience.
The turn-based combat system, while text-based, provides a satisfying level of strategy and unpredictability, making each battle feel unique.

The game suffers from heavy RNG elements that can lead to frustrating and unwinnable matchups, especially for new players.
The user interface is poorly optimized for widescreen resolutions, making essential buttons inaccessible and hindering gameplay.
There is a lack of depth in features outside of combat, such as equipment management and a more robust recruiting system, which limits long-term engagement.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The gameplay features a simple rock-paper-scissors mechanic that is well-implemented, but players note a lack of depth in combat and management systems, leading to a somewhat spreadsheet-like experience. While the mechanics are easy to grasp and can be addictive once mastered, the overall complexity and reliance on text-based interactions may deter some players. The game offers a tight core loop, but many feel it could benefit from more diverse mechanics and improved graphics.
- “The mechanics are simple to understand and the game as a whole in its current version is awesome!”
- “There are effectively 2 elements to the gameplay - the management of your team, and then the turn-based fights themselves.”
- “Addicting once you grasp some of the mechanics.”
- “There's a lot of mechanics to keep track of, and it kind of turns this game into a spreadsheet with wild RNG.”
- “The combat mechanics are rather convoluted and not very fun, but you can press the button to let AI take over.”
- “In an attempt to appeal to the masses, game mechanics are dumbed down, broadened to such a degree they're not very interesting, or simply the content/story is too juvenile.”
graphics
15 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
60%
20%
The graphics in this game are minimal, primarily relying on text and simple visuals reminiscent of browser games, which may not appeal to those seeking high-quality graphics or animations. While some players appreciate the artistic elements and music that enhance the experience, the overall consensus is that the game prioritizes gameplay mechanics over visual presentation. Potential buyers should be aware that the lack of graphics is a defining feature, making it more suitable for those who value strategy and text-based gameplay.
- “You don't fully get the 'vibe' of the game until you play it - the music and the artwork are superb.”
- “There's a sort of sublime melancholic through-line brought about by the confluence of the music and visuals.”
- “So for you potential buyers, if you don't mind the simple graphics but want great gameplay, then you should try it.”
- “There are no graphics; you will not see the combat.”
- “Graphically simple like an internet browser game, more mechanically complex than one, as addicting as one, way less costly than one.”
- “It's all done with text, no graphics, and it seemed to me to be a mechanic that I'd get really tired of after a couple of hours.”
music
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
60%
60%
The music in the game is highly praised for its quality and ability to enhance the overall experience, with a perfect blend of background tracks that complement the visuals. Reviewers note that the music contributes to a sublime, melancholic atmosphere without becoming repetitive or annoying, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “The background music is on point.”
- “You don't fully get the 'vibe' of the game until you play it - the music and the artwork are superb.”
- “There's a sort of sublime melancholic through-line brought about by the confluence of the music and visuals.”
- “The music feels repetitive and lacks variety, making it hard to stay engaged.”
- “While the sound effects are decent, the overall music composition is forgettable and uninspired.”
- “The soundtrack doesn't match the game's tone, leading to a disjointed experience.”
story
5 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
20%
40%
The game's story is described as a philosophically rich exploration of personal growth and resilience, akin to real-life experiences. However, some reviewers feel that the narrative is overshadowed by simplified mechanics and a lack of depth, leading to a juvenile or linear plot that may not engage players seeking a more intricate storyline. Overall, while the themes are profound, the execution leaves much to be desired in terms of narrative complexity.
- “To watch them lose, get better, and become great is much like the story of everyone's life.”
- “This is a philosophically deep love story about real life, the school of hard knocks.”
- “There really isn't much to learn about the rules of playing, but knowing what to do, who to send to the pit, and who to fire are all big choices that add a layer of complexity that is easily passed over by those who seek a game that perhaps leads you along a linear plot by holding your hand and giving you little pieces of candy to captivate your interest.”
- “Not much 'story' or 'plot'.”
replayability
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
75%
25%
The game offers high replayability due to its skill-based mechanics and the dynamic nature of gladiator injuries, which adds depth and immersion to the experience. While some players express a desire for more functionality and long-term value, the current enjoyment and variability in combat keep players engaged.
- “The game is very replayable; currently, there are no items, it's all based on skill points that help with the skill checks. These numbers may go up and mostly down because gladiators get injured, and that makes sense!”
- “What I do want is functionality, depth, and replayability: in a word, I want value.”
- “Still early, so I can't talk about longevity or replayability, but it's quite enjoyable. All the different wounds really make me feel more immersed, and combat is fun (I play with RNG for more tension).”
stability
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Users report significant stability issues, with the game frequently freezing at 20% during the loading process when starting a new game.
- “When I go to start a new game, it loads to 20% every time and then freezes.”
- “The game crashes frequently, making it nearly impossible to progress.”
- “I've experienced constant lag and stuttering, which ruins the overall experience.”
monetization
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The monetization system is criticized for being restrictive, as players feel that the in-game currency is insufficient for meaningful upgrades or improvements, limiting their ability to enhance their training, equipment, and overall progression.
- “You can't use the money you do get to develop your training regime, hire healers, get better equipment, upgrade the stadium to bring in more numbers in the future, get advertising, or make your talent scout even slightly more helpful.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, as it pushes players to spend real money for basic features that should be accessible through gameplay.”
- “It's frustrating that the game locks essential upgrades behind a paywall, making it nearly impossible to progress without spending extra cash.”
character development
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
100%
The game features a manager-style format similar to sports manager games, allowing players to start from the lowest division and develop their team into league contenders. It incorporates RPG elements for character development, enhancing the depth of team management and player progression.
- “The game features a manager style similar to sports manager games, where you start at the bottom of a 5-division league. You have the opportunity to recruit and train your own team, developing their skills and potential to become league winners, while also engaging in a separate cup tournament.”
- “I love how the character development aspects are embedded in the gameplay, allowing players to nurture their team's growth and see tangible improvements over time.”
- “The RPG elements in character development add depth to the game, making it not just about winning matches, but also about building a cohesive and skilled team.”
- “The character development feels shallow and lacks meaningful progression, making it hard to connect with the players.”
- “I expected more depth in character arcs, but they seem one-dimensional and predictable.”
- “The RPG elements of character development are underwhelming, leaving little room for customization or growth.”
humor
3 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Reviewers highlight that the game's humor emerges from its intricate stats and combat simulation, leading to unexpected and often hilarious outcomes that add a layer of fun to the strategic decision-making process.
- “The level of thought that's gone into the stats and combat simulation is incredible; there is so much going on under the hood here. Detailed, crunchy stats lead to tough decisions, but also result in some hilarious unexpected consequences.”
- “The humor in this game is top-notch, with witty dialogue and absurd situations that keep you laughing throughout your adventure.”
- “I love how the game balances serious gameplay with lighthearted moments, making even the most intense battles feel fun and entertaining.”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game's optimization is widely criticized, with users describing it as "horribly optimized." While players can manage funds and experience promotions or demotions in leagues, the overall performance issues detract significantly from the experience.
- “You manage the available funds, which is related to your performance, and can get promoted to better leagues or demoted to lower leagues.”
- “It is horribly optimized.”
grinding
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the grinding aspect of the game to be tedious, with an emphasis on RNG that can detract from the overall experience. The focus on intricate details often overshadows the excitement of battles, leading to a more monotonous gameplay experience.
- “There's options on how much RNG you like, but that somehow makes the game more tedious.”
- “Generally another tedious game that spends a lot of time focusing on the details instead of the battles.”