Customer Reviews

Circus Maximus

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I have read all of the negative reviews about Encore's chariot racing effort. The only kind word anyone has about Circus Maximus is that it is different. Well, it is different and it is fun. Admittedly, the game has its flaws- graphics being the main culprit- but it also has some dynamic gameplay when in the 1 player or 2 player co-op modes. Let's take a look...

Gameplay- 8 (out of 10)
One of the biggest complaints is that you have to use every button on the XBOX controller. You do and it is great! Once you get the hang of it, you will never look at the controller again when using the white or black buttons in other games. The biggest drawback under this umbrella is the steep learning curve on single player. It is tough because you have to simultaneously control both the driver and the warrior. There is a auto-drive option, but this is useless because the CPU driver cannot keep up with the others and you will fall hopelessly behind, thus it forces you to become quite skilled at button mashing.

Multi-player- 6
This is where I have the most complaints. As in most recent games, the creators (due to lack of memory or whatever reason) choose not to allow sims/CPU-controlled opponents when in multiplayer mode. 2 players in co-op mode is so fun because your team is battling 3 other sim teams. In 3 or 4 player, you have to go head-to-head.

Graphics- 6
The graphics are a bit blocky, but the scenery of the Roman Empire landscape almost makes up for it. Another drawback for sure, but one I can live with.

Overall- 4 stars (or 7.5 out of 10)
Overall this game is quite fun, and mostly because it is different. The first time you use the "rear view mirror" button and see the CPU teams charging up to you for battle, I think you will find it fun also.

I bought this game yesterday and am extremely pleased with it. I was going to wait to read GamePro's Review of it (I heard it got all 4.5s and 5.0s) but after seeing the comments here I decided to just go ahead and pick it up. It's an amazing game. The controls are complex, but after playing for an hour or two I didn't even notice. What I did notice was solid graphics (not the best ever, but good clean textures), a fitting soundtrack, funny voiceovers (I don't think they really yelled "I'm gonna kick your @ss in ancient Rome), and engrossing gameplay. I'm just embarking on my career mode so that I can unlock the hidden teams (I want the Minotaur). For loads of fun race w/ a friend and let him drive while you fight. It's greatk!! Just make sure your friend knows how to drive the chariot. Mine kept crashing and we'd end up losing, so I chopped his head off w/ my Trident. Ok maybe I'm a little too into this game!!

This is a great game for 2 players either working together or against each other. One person drive a chariot the other tries to kill off the other oppenents. Ripped from the center of Rome circa 100 AD and brought to you in the comfort of your living room. Its a real hoot. Not quite as much fun by yourself.

The word in most forums is that this is a sleeper hit. This game is so much fun thats its crazy. Some (where the bad reviews are comming from) are having problems with the controls, it does take a little getting use to. But once you have it down you'll love it

Overall this game rocks. Very high replay value.

Heres what I think:
Graphics - 8.0
Fun - 10
Control - 10 (Once you learn it)

9 overall on a 10 point scale

I like this game for it's idea. It certainly is different from most other games out there.

This game is great to play when friends come over. It isn't too hard at first, and even good players won't pull too far ahead, nor will bad players fall too far behind, making this a great party game.

Unfortunately, this is also the problem with this game. No matter how good you are, you can not manage to pull ahead. Eventually, the fighter on one of the other charriots will make you crash. You can catch up pretty easily, but it really is a matter of luck to be ahead at the end of the race. Perhaps the best strategy is to stay in the last position for the majority of the race, and attack towards the end, hoping to move by without getting knocked out...

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. *****

If you want a game with a story and in-depth characters, look elsewhere. If you want a game based on getting in there and doing, look no further.

The controls are a tad bit difficult right off the bat and controlling the chariot at the higher levels can tend to aggravate the most sedate of players but, the utter fun of the game makes up for it. This game is perfect for those people who enjoy racing games but, find themselves enjoying putting opponents into the wall a bit more than is ethical. Ethics are counter-productive in a game that encourages you to run over pedestrians for monetary gain, as this games does.

The world may not be the most graphically intense but its scope can fully be appreciated if you use the d-pad during a straight-away and look to you right and left. You can see the cliffs and shore of Cyprus, the sandy dunes of Alexandria, or the blood-thirsty crowd of the Circus Maximus.

This is a game that you find yourself playing again and again. Sometimes you play it with setting a new lap or race time record in mind, sometimes to see how many kills you can rack up but, play it you will.

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!

I say this game is very very good to play. It might be hard to catch on but you will get use to it. Well it is hard to aim and hard to drive (for me) but it will get easier. This is my reveiw.

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.