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Shadow of Rome Review - PS2

There's no doubt that, lately, we've seen an explosion of games based on the macabre events that took place in ancient Rome - the standouts of said explosion being real-time strategy game Rome: Total War and insert title. Such eruptions in the industry can be worn thin fairly quickly, but in this case we're going to see quite a few more games yet focusing on the violent gladiatorial battles and large-scale wars of the popular turning point in history; Shadow of Rome proves it.

Shadow of Rome delves into the murder of the great Roman figure Caesar as tough military leader Agrippa and his skinny, shy friend Octavianus attempt to unravel the mystery of the murder and those responsible, all the while attempting to rescue Agrippa's father from jail after he was found in the wrong place at the wrong time covered in Caesar's blood.

Gameplay

In order to distinguish itself from the rest of the games out there based in ancient Rome, Shadow of Rome's gameplay alternates between both Agrippa and Octavianus. It's an abrupt contrast, though; one minute you'll be lopping off heads as Agrippa in bloody battles to the death while the next you'll find yourself sneaking through corridors and around guards Metal Gear Solid-style as Octavianus. While playing as Octavianus does have its high points - smashing jugs over guards' heads or strangling them with rope, for example - those of you who would rather be back in the arena as Agrippa will only find Octavianus's sequences impeding and frustrating.

On the other hand, though, the game's sneaking system - which, of course, only comes into play while Octavianus is being controlled - is well-structured and often innovative, not feeling tacked on as a last-minute addition to the game. Walking or crouching renders your footsteps silent; you can press against and peek around walls; you can sneak up behind guards and knock them out with a ceramic jug or a strangling from a thick rope; and you can utilise disguises in order to make your objective much easier to reach. Wearing a disguise does come with its fair share of drawbacks, though; if guards get suspicious they'll ask you a question regarding the current events in Rome or other such babble that the figure you're disguised as would have business within. Get it wrong and they'll do everything they can to chase you down and bash you to death with their shields and swords.

But alas, Agrippa and his sequences form the meat of the game, the action really picking up a short way in when he signs up to become a Gladiator in order to essentially win a chance to rescue his father. Here, the game's true structure comes into play, straying from the standard linear hacking and slashing of the first hour or so of gameplay, that being points known as 'Salvos'. These points are earned by pleasing the crowd and there's often a set number required to pass to the next event, helping (continued next page)