Circus Maximus
Circus Maximusby Encore Software
Platform: Xbox
ESRB Rating: Teen
ASIN: B00005V6BL
Check price @ amazon.com
Amazon.com Product Description: Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars is a brutal mix of racing and combat set during the height of Imperial Rome. The Great Circus provides entertainment to thousands of cheering crowds throughout the Empire. The greatest champions from the furthest reaches of the Empire have gathered to compete in the tournament to determine who is the greatest in the known world, and who will receive recognition from the emperor himself.
As one of the many charioteers in Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars, you will strive to earn glory while racing through settings in the ancient Roman Empire. Compete in the northernmost expansion of the Empire in Britannia, or the cold, harsh lands of Germania, all to reach the ultimate arena, the great Circus Maximus. There is room for only one champion of the circus. Second place is the first loser, and, oftentimes, the first casualty.
Fighting and driving are equally important. Each team has a warrior to protect the driver during the race, and these warriors are proficient in dealing out damage to any who stray too close. Prepare for racing thuggery as you attempt to survive and conquer Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars.
Customer Reviews:
Always wanted to be a gladiator, October 17, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Sacramento, CA United States
I loved this game. I rented it at a competitor's establishment and loved it so much that I went out and bought it.
First, while it isn't that difficult, there are some sections (such as the one wheel training challenge) that are maddening. The single player gameplay isn't terribly taxing, unless you are on the most difficult setting.
The real value of the game is in the multiplayer. So many tracks and handicaps that you can place upon yourself along with quite a few characters and harness setups make for some even playing ground. If you don't have any friends, don't buy this game. I hope they either make a sequal or release Gladius soon.
GREAT Gameplay, VERY Satisfying, September 5, 2002
Reviewer: tiffanieleigh from ATLANTA
I bought this game yesterday after reading the reviews. I am very pleased with the action and challenges it offers. TRUE, having to control the driver AND warrior is mind-blowing at first, but it makes the game more challenging for a bit until you get the hang of it. My boyfriend and I LOVE playing two player driver/warrior team. It makes the game more exciting and fun, you may also race agianst other player for A bigger two player challenge! The game offers death matches, unlockings of new courses, horses, warriors, drivers AND chariots. You have a Hall Of Fame, training levels that unlock new things, arcade races, and of course, the tournament play. There are 22 driver/warrior combos, 19 tracks, multiple power ups, deadly weapons and lots of special moves. The down-side? NOT enough blood (actually, I can't think of a bit of blood), only seven different environments, and I would like to see the warriors engage in better battle from the chariots.
BOTTOM LINE: This game is loads of fun for me and pretty challenging. Its not exactly A RPG type, but it satisfies my thirst for a bit of fun for the type of game it is. I have to say, the best feature by far (in My opinion), is the two player co-op racing. The fighting isnt too brutal (PITY), so i recommend this game for ages 10 and up. You can also have up to 4 players!
Don't bother even renting the game!, August 7, 2002
Reviewer: KodiakInteractive from Salt Lake City, UT USA
Okay, to put it in a few simple words, "WCW Mayhem, WCW Backstage Assault, Stratosphere!" Circus Maximus is no exeption to the rule, the game play is incredibly monotonous, the Front End (Character Selection) is a joke, and the training missions; c'mon guys!
Good Idea / Poor Follow-through, July 18, 2002
Reviewer: gasscrazy from Midwest, USA
When I first read about this game I was fairly excited. I'm a huge fan of the Gladiator and Ben-Hur films, and I'm fascinated by this era in mankinds history.
At first glance this game is great. Beautiful graphics, huge sprawling levels, great chariot to chariot racing. I'd never played anything like it, and as far as I know, this is the first chariot racing game ever, and definitely the first chariot game on any of the next generation systems (Nintendo Gamecube, Playstation 2, Xbox).
After an hour I found some pretty significant downfalls to the game. Firstly, the controls are confusing and complicated. You control both the driver and the fighter, which means you have to steer, accelerate, brake, and fight all at the same time. This isn't so bad after a while, once you've gotten the hang of it, but it's a steep learning curve nonetheless. Also, the courses get a bit old and repetitive. Some of the smaller courses require 12 laps, and this is really boring, seeing as it's just an oval.
All in all this game would make a decent rental. If you need to get a dose of chariot action then by all means get this game....but if you're like me, and you're on a budget, or if you just want to wait, Lucasarts will be releasing Gladius in early 2003, which will be a gladiatorial arena type game.
Not worth it, June 29, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer from Tokyo
I rented this, hearing all the hype for it, and was sorely, sorely disappointed (as I was with most of my XBox games). I didn't like the gameplay, I didn't like the sound, I didn't like the story. (?)
I almost regret the [price] I payed to rent this game, so I wouldn't even consider buying it...
But of course, that's just me.
1.75 thumbs down, June 21, 2002
Reviewer: A gamer
I thought this game stank on ice. I wouldn't spend good money on this game. The game is too simple, too cartoonish, too boring. There are some times that it was amusing, but not enough to justify spending money. I found myself returning the game the same day I rented it. This game should have been released for the PS1.
John schmidt,The x-box pro(A 10 year old kid), June 8, 2002
Reviewer: A 10-year old gamer
This game is awesome!When I first got this game i crashed all the time it takes time to get the hang of it.but after a while you"ll get the hang of it .The graphics are mild and thats the only bad thing about it.It has about 20 awesome leveles of challenging action!You get to fight and race you can nock other raceres right of the edge of Mountaines and there are 2 leveles with snow,ice,and lots of secret passages but the last 3 leveles are raelly easy except that you haved to keep doing the same course about 1 million times before you have enough money to go to the next level the multi-player is also cool I like the cooperative mode where you get to be on a team.I guarrenty you will like this game.
Monotany, April 16, 2002
Reviewer: ver0na from United States
This game has great graphics and the scenary, and it is a very creative approach to gaming BUT, it gets old real quick. Once you get the hang of the controls it is simple, you can win any race with hardly any effort. I give it 2 thumbs down.
Probably not worth your money....., April 2, 2002
Reviewer: A 1-year old gamer
Just to let you know i'm 15. I bought Circus Maximus thinking it would be the cool because it was kinda different looking. I must say I'm impressed with the graphics but as far as overall fun goes, it's another story. If you become an expert on the controls in a few hours like I did, you get ahead of everyone else and YOU DO NOTHING BUT DRIVE! And when you do fight there's nothing exciting about it for long.
Pros:
Great Graphics
Good sound
Controls could be a challange (for once)
Multiplayer mode is almost better than single player
Crashes can be interesting
Cons:
If your good, the whole game will just get boring!
Not too many tracks
Very limited gameplay
So far the Xbox has no impressive games as far as overall fun goes. I've never played HALO and I heard it was the best. We'll see, as for this game, SATISFACTION NOT GUARANTEED!
Circus Maximus Makes Men out of Boys, March 27, 2002
Reviewer: caesar12 from New York City
If you want to play this game well, you have to start around 7am. It will take you about 4-5 hours to go through all the training rounds. By noon, you will know how to speed up, slow down, throw daggers, duck, sway, dodge obstacles, ram gift stands and run over innocent bystanders all at the same time. In an era of instant gratification, players have to remember to practice because Rome wasn't built in a day. This was the first game for any of the consoles (xbox, ps1-2, sega, nintendo or gamecube) that I had ever played. Not only can you learn to work the scary mass of buttons, but you can astound your friends...This is the game to play if you want step by step training in working every button and doodad on the xbox controller. It's especially fun when Marcellus, the trainer, screams insults at you like a drill sargeant each time you err. Proferring such exhortations as, "you aren't paying attention," "I didn't teach you that," "not the way I would have done it but not bad," Marcellus transforms the player from a slimy-twinkle toed newby into a master charioteer. You will earn Marcellus' highest praise, "done like a true Roman" if you persist in your efforts through the training. *****
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