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San Antonio Express-News Chris Quinn column [San Antonio Express-News](San Antonio Express-News (TX) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Aug. 03--There are two great myths in video games. One is that there is a special mode in "Super Mario Bros. 3" where all the characters are nude and speak in metaphors. The second is free-to-play massive multiplayer online games are, in fact, free to play. While "free-to-play" games can be extremely fun, what starts with a free download can soon become a wallet drain that gamers have coined "pay-to-win." Want that fancy new sword or gun? How about a set of awesome titanic armor? Need a new equipment slot? Well, this is where "free-to-play" becomes "pay up." All "free-to-play" games usually give the player some kind of basic set-up at the start. This set-up is usually just enough to get around without dying every three minutes. But if you want to compete at higher levels or play the latest campaigns, you will have to hit the game's online store. There some exceptions, of course, but one recent free-to-play game now on PlayStation Network and Xbox Live is one of the worst offenders I have ever played. While unique and quite fun, "Spartacus Legends" will put you on the street faster than a Countrywide mortgage. Based on the popular Starz television show about the legendary gladiator, it is the best gladiator-styled video game to ever hit the gaming world. It takes place after the events in the TV series. You play as head of your own school of gladiators, or ludus. You must buy, train, equip and deploy gladiators in fights across the city of Capua. The more you win, the better the fights, fame and money earned. There is also multiplayer where you can pit your gladiator against someone's online. Combat in the game is uncomplicated and just verges on fluid. There are two main attacks in combat, the light and strong strike. Grabs and bashing can also be used. Then there is a special attack to break through an opponent's defense called a pankration. There's also a series of defensive moves. While combat mechanics are straightforward, the type of gladiators you can purchase and manage are varied. Choices range from the murmillo and dimachaeri, to the retiarius and secutor. There are games with better fighting mechanics, but few that look as good as "Spartacus Legends." There is a depth to the animations that, along with the game's sound effects and very premise, will engage all of your mind while playing. The armor and weapons look true to their historical form as well, so you can tell the developers put in some research time. Also true to history, most gladiator fights in the game don't end in a grizzly death. But here is where things get expensive. To compete in this game you need the best gear. That costs game gold and silver. You earn gold by leveling up and silver by participating in fights. But you never earn enough to really be able to get the good stuff. You either have to head to the game bank, and pay real money for specific amounts of gold, or spend hours grinding out matches, most of which you will lose. Currently, the exchanges start at $4.99 for 50 gold and go up to $149.99 for 3,000. Players are charged to open up new gladiator spots on their rosters and to switch out perks earned during combat. But the most grievous and stingy charge is when you are recruiting gladiators. You are shown about 5 to choose from, if you want to see 5 others, bam! Cough up 5 more gold. Not to buy, mind you, but just to view. This nickel-and-dime garbage grates on every nerve, especially since this game is so fun to play. I would much rather have paid the cost of a new game up front, instead of the mockery of "free-to-play." Because of these Scrooge McDuck-type charges, "Spartacus Legends" is one of the most fun games you will end up not wanting to play. Ubisoft; PlayStation Network and Xbox Live; Free-ish; Fighting; Mature+; Now available. [email protected] ___ (c)2013 the San Antonio Express-News Visit the San Antonio Express-News at www.mysanantonio.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |