VGC writes: "High Voltage Software has become a key developer for Nintendo's Wii, filling in major genre gaps in the lineup. With The Grinder and The Conduit set to satisfy Wii gamers' FPS cravings, they've set their sights on another fairly underserved area-the fighting game. Gladiator A.D. is one of two titles from High Voltage software that we got a close look at this past E3. Taking on a decidedly, different gameplay style than The Grinder or The Conduit, Gladiator is a one-on-one fighter set in a coliseum in ancient Rome."
From the review:
"Originally known as Gladiator A.D., we were teased with tough-looking warriors dismembering each other in an M-rated bloody gladiator arena. Looking like something straight out of Frank Miller’s 300 and featuring an in-depth storyline in which the outcome is shaped by your character’s development, the game appeared to provide a realistic and hardcore edge that has largely been lacking from the Wii. To say the least, it was disappointing when it was announced as changing to Tournament of Legends with a strikingly different visual style, toned down violence, and a new story that involves mythological personalities. Deciding to make the game a bit more teenager-friendly is understandable, but the move has left a bitter taste in many mouths. However, this is a review of the finished product and not the original concept, so let’s try not to dwell too terribly much."
I can't say I'm particularly surprised that this didn't live up to expectations, but of course it's always disappointing when that is the case. A someone with great affection for the ancient legends this is attempting to build on, I can only hope we get some better representations of them in the future.
it looks great, but the premise seems outdated and overused. Also; no online play? What is this the 80's?! Having no online play is like setting your game up to be dead in the water. The possibilities of fun now seem minuscule since a fighting games are better with another person. A 6 out of 10 seems like a decent score with a game that has so many flaws.
Good article btw.
CoffeewithGames.Blogspot.com says, "High Voltage Software and Sega still haven't released any video footage of Tournament of Legends, but I noticed a few things about Tournament of Legends from the few screenshots they have released.
It appears they are using some of the same levels from Gladiator A.D. in Tournament of Legends. The level names below are how they appeared in Gladiator A.D. I'm listing some differences I've noticed between each games' levels, and including the screenshots as well."
I really wish the style was the same as Gladiator A.D. instead of the new look for Tournament of Legends!
If you could just wait like 30 minutes, I would have submitted this for you!!
On topic: I think that HVS really lost the vision for this game.
Like Readi stated! Give us time, we may not stay on the comp 24/7!
I agree with everybody though, Gladiator over Tornaments.
I know. You both know I don't have a patience though! I figured you were both busy being it Saturday and all.
lol Rumor alert the new platform is a new controller for the wii that is also a portable wait for it GC that uses dsi carts. Think the Ipad yet used as a controller on the wii??? Maybe high voltage is PMSing over not getting dev kits yet lol.
LOL then you'll have pokemon on the wii also LOL.
Hey but word is they are morphing the new hardware to be more download friendly and get more people to network their wii. Word is also that will be indie friendly....hmmmmmmm
These are just rumors though. Sounds crazy but such a thing would be crazy. On top of this he points out that it connects to the tv or thur the wii.... I was all set to get an ipad if i could use it as a phone lol I got big pockets lol!
Any ways I had a good laugh at least till we get to see it at GDC man I was going to ditch it this year to work not any more. I could use some more zbrush tricks.
Gladiator AD sounded fun, a Motion Plus RPGish Online fighter!
It also look graphically and artistically impressive ! I know a lot of people who were going to get it.
Tournament of Legends though looks and sounds horridness, I doubt it will sell very well and then HVS will blame us and say core games don't sell well on the Wii.
I really don't know what happened with HVS on this game. They lost their vision, or they couldn't get a publisher to publish Gladiator A.D. the way it was...I'm tending to think it's the latter portion though.
Lets be honest, from the start this project NEVER looked that impressive.
Yes it has changed its color, but good call on HVS? Both versions would have sold the same amount, chances are this game has a bigger chance of sell since its not so gory.
All i want from them is an impressive Conduit 2 since they got all the criticism from the first game, they cant go bad this time around. However if thats the case then HVS just doesnt have it.
The fighting mechanics from the videos for Gladiator A.D. showed they needed some improving, not changing the setting.
The Conduit wasn't a bad game, but it wasn't a great game.
I think The Conduit's main problem was its broken online play.
Gladiator A.D. had a great style, for what they were going for. I think they changed a lot due to Sega thinking this would help it sell better.
I don't know any other reason why they would change it other than that reason alone.
If the publisher says to change something, of they won't publish the game, the developer has to listen, or risk not getting the money for fund the project.
Gamervision reports: A few days ago, we had a chance to sit down with High Voltage Art Director Matt Corso, where we talked about Tournament of Legends, the Wii-exclusive fighter that replaced Gladiator A.D. on the May release calendar. When we first talked about the game back at E3, the developers seemed ready to support the Wii MotionPlus, and explained how it would help the melee fighter add variance to attacks to break up "could possibly be seen as mechanical attacks." Now, a few months later, they've rescinded those words, and removed support for the Wiimote attachment.
They are better off releasing half this game as a wiiware title and continue development or shelve it till they get it fixed. Right now they are putting it up against punch out and they will loose. Then we have a ton of great art coming to the wii this year. Maybe that's what happened they panicked. They should have stayed their course yet if they release this game as is it will be a mistake based on current screens. This assuming the game play is the same.
Then we have a ton of great motion plus games coming, red steel2, Zelda, dynamic slash. Then we have the wii strong release list yet. A hardcore gamers dream come true last story, metroid m, sin and punish2, sweet sequels from the past. We are actualy a rough sell so they better bring their a game. I see why they are going hd because review hype equals sales right? I guess they will find this out.
Better yet why not port this game to hd also?
Agreed.
Gladiator A.D. was an online-focused, Motion Plus-based fighter with some side missions and light RPG elements.
Tournament of Legends is a single player, CC-based (re: button mashing) brawler.
If HVS thinks they're going to fund the multiplat versions of Grinder with the Wii sales from ToL, they have another thing coming.
Someone suggested to me that the game could be a Trojan horse but it's like conspiracy theory stuff. They claimed that HVS know the game won't sell and it's going to be used a justification for scrapping the Wii version of The Grinder.
Sounds pretty silly to me.
Spoony if your right it would only hurt them and give us more reason to buy some thing else. If they are not careful
they will be the next midway. Now if the wii's grinder gets a down grade in graphics from what I've seen or ethier scrapped then you right. I really hope they don't play this game with their publisher.
I also hope they understand that success on the wii would actualy hurt most publishers because they believe it would hurt hd game sales which is untrue. It's a sad time to be in the industry for sure unless you are making kick azz wii games of course.
Would love to see PS3 get a port of this for it's motion controls.