Gladiator Manager

About

"Gladiator Manager" is a text-based sports management game where players act as managers of gladiator teams, competing in a league and cup. Players hire and train fighters, selecting the right combination to gain tactical advantages in simultaneous turn-based combat. Fighters have unique characteristics based on their origin stories and can hybridize by selecting perks from other classes, with over 100 perks and 30 special moves available.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

80%

Audience ScoreBased on 99 reviews

gameplay4 positive mentions

optimization3 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 text-based combat system provides a unique and immersive way to engage with battles, allowing for tactical decision-making.

The game suffers from significant RNG elements that can lead to frustrating and unpredictable outcomes in battles.
There are persistent issues with UI scaling, particularly on widescreen monitors, making the game unplayable for some users.
The lack of customization options and additional features, such as equipment management or a transfer system, limits the depth of gameplay.

gameplay
21 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
19%
67%
14%
The gameplay features a simple rock-paper-scissors mechanic that is well-implemented, but many players find it overly complex due to the numerous management elements and convoluted combat mechanics. While the core loop can be addictive once players grasp the mechanics, the text-based interface and minimal graphics may deter some. Overall, the game offers a mix of strategic depth and repetitive elements, appealing to those who enjoy management and turn-based combat despite its simplicity.
- “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 the 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 superb music and artwork that enhance the overall experience, the lack of detailed graphics and combat visuals may lead to a sense of monotony over time. Overall, the game is more focused on gameplay mechanics than visual presentation, making it suitable for players who prioritize strategy over aesthetics.
- “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 which 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 sublime melancholic tone that complements the visuals. Players appreciate that the background music is fitting, non-repetitive, and contributes significantly to the game's atmosphere, making it a pleasant surprise.
- “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 design is 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 love story that mirrors the struggles and growth of real life, but some players feel it lacks depth and linearity, with a focus on gameplay mechanics over narrative. While it offers complex choices, many reviewers note that the overall plot is minimal and may not engage those looking for a more traditional storytelling experience.
- “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.”
- “There is 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 affect gameplay. While some players express a desire for deeper functionality, the current enjoyment and immersive combat experience suggest a promising replay value, though its long-term longevity remains to be fully assessed.
- “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 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).”
optimization
2 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
150%
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 and efficiency of the game leave much to be desired.
- “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.”
- “The game runs poorly on even high-end hardware.”
- “Frequent frame drops and stuttering make it unplayable at times.”
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 rather than engaging battles contributes to a sense of monotony.
- “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.”
stability
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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 unplayable.”
- “I experience constant lag and stuttering, which ruins the overall experience.”
monetization
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
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, or upgrade the stadium to bring in more fans in the future.”
- “The monetization system feels exploitative, as it limits progress unless you spend real money.”
- “It's frustrating that the game heavily encourages microtransactions, making it difficult to enjoy without spending extra.”
character development
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
300%
The game features a manager-style approach similar to sports manager games, allowing players to start from the lowest division and develop their team through recruitment and training. It incorporates RPG elements that enhance character development, adding depth to the gameplay experience.
- “The game features a manager style similar to sports manager games, where you start at the bottom of a 5-division league and have the opportunity to recruit and train your own team into potential league winners, incorporating character development RPG aspects.”
- “I love how the character development is integrated into the gameplay, allowing players to see their team's growth and evolution as they progress through the leagues.”
- “The RPG elements of character development add depth to the game, making each player's journey feel unique and rewarding as they improve their skills and abilities.”
- “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 all seem one-dimensional and predictable.”
- “The choices you make during character development don't seem to impact the story or gameplay in any significant way.”
humor
1 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
300%
Reviewers highlight that the game features a clever blend of intricate stats and combat mechanics, leading to both challenging decision-making and amusing, unexpected outcomes that enhance the overall humor.
- “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 moments of pure silliness, making every encounter feel fresh and entertaining.”