important strategic options always loom, such as how much of your stamina to expend as you risk becoming fatigued.

The gladiatorial contests in the game offer a very detailed simulation of many aspects of the historical battles, but gameplay itself is not slow or tedious as a result. That is, despite an enormous historical fidelity, Gladiator: Quest for the Rudis plays quickly and easily like the best modern board games. This is due in large part to the innovative card-based game play. There are no dice, and for the multi-player game, no books full of tables to consult, no other resource whatsoever to consult except for the cards themselves.