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Release Date: November 22, 2013
Developers: Crytek
Publishers: Microsoft Studios
Platforms: Xbox One
Genre: Action-Adventure, Hack and slash
Players: Campaign: 1 Multiplayer: 1-2
Rating: ESRB: Rated M PEGI: 18

The gameplay is based on the control of a Roman general named Marius Titus. Players work with Roman infantry by giving commands to them as well as quick time event controlled finishing moves during combat on the easiest difficulty. Beyond this, gameplay consists of using strong block moves to break enemy combos and execution kills. While the historical component is highly inaccurate, it takes place in an alternate time-line and the developers claim to have drawn much of the inspiration for the game's combat and tactics from "...the innumerable Roman campaigns that led to the [modern] concept of total war". The story follows Marius' life from early childhood to becoming a leader in the Roman Army. The story is described as "an epic tale of revenge spanning an entire lifetime". Fifteen hero level characters were given full motion capture with the same detail as Marius.[2] Players control Marius using the controller, while simultaneously controlling his legion through Kinect voice commands.
There is also a co-operative multi-player mode,[3] where players team up to accomplish various challenges in a gladiator arena setting.

The story begins as you see the emperor fleeing from an attacker, an attacker that you can't see. After this cinematic scene, the player begins controlling Marius in Rome, whilst the barbarians are raiding the city. You must fight back the attackers and reclaim the palace. After halting the raid, Marius sneaks into the palace to secure the emperor. This is when the player begins Marius's flashbacks, where the majority of the campaign takes place.After completing the game, I loved the campaign. The action was great and the plot was stunning. I wanted more and hoped that DLC would be released. This game has the plot line of a perfect adventure game and the graphics that back it up.

Crytek took the Xbox One's newfound power and used it to make the most graphically-correct game I have ever seen. The blood, the cuts, the faces, the muscle tones, they were all realistic. This game could easily be made into a cinematic movie if somebody wanted to take the time. My only complaint about the graphics, and it really isn't a graphical issue but more of a game mechanics issue, the camera that follows your character can get into odd angles that make continuing combos a little tricky. However, the game is made that if you press the wrong button you can still survive, you just won't get as much experience as if you had a perfect combo.

Now let's talk multiplayer action. I just began playing multiplayer this morning and it is magnificent. The player may either play solo, with a friend or be matched up with a partner. The entire multiplayer segment of the game is based around the arena that you fight in during the last third of the campaign. If you choose to play solo beware, it is very difficult because you are pulling all "agro" for the surrounding enemies. When playing with a partner, you and your partner will play an arena with 4-5 objectives that will progress as you play. You may start out with "Kill the Carthinogens" then be tasked with "Destroy the catapults", then "Save the civilians". If you play the campaign, you will understand the multiplayer arena. The arena isn't that hard as long as your partner isn't dying constantly, if so you might not enjoy it as much as the singleplayer. There are series of maps for the arena as well. So you may choose one series that has 3 maps or another that has 2 or 4. It all depends on which series is chosen when joining. Each map typically take 5-8 minutes and a full series can last 15-20 minutes so beware about starting a game if you have to leave soon because your partner can't continue if you leave and they will probably not like if you make them lose potential experience. The multiplayer also has an experience system that you use to progress through "tiers" of gear. You have to buy "booster packs" with in-game currency, gold, to obtain new gear and consumables. This gear comes with stats that adjust your damage, health, focus, crowd ratings, and several other stats. Overall the multiplayer has been great for me and I love it.

The controls of the game consists mainly with 3 buttons, the right trigger and the left thumbstick. As long as you have average hand-eye coordination you should be able to play this game with ease. I'm really good at this game because I can do the things above with great ease so I am pretty good. I haven't found any bugs with the controls and I doubt I will as I have already put 15+ hours into this game and I can't find an control issue.

Overall: 9/10