Arena Rex
Playability
Components
Writing
Art Direction
Replayability
Review: Where are my sandals and my sword?
May 25, 2018 by blipvertus 
Related Review Types
Supported by (Turn Off)
Supported by (Turn Off)
A game of gladiatorial combat in an alternate Ancient Rome timeline with elements of high fantasy, this game is all about performing for the crowds.
Absolutely fantastic miniatures mostly made of resin and some metal. Fair warning, some parts are extremely delicate.
Using an alternating activation sequence, you can push your gladiators to the point of exhaustion if you choose, and sometimes you’ll want to as it’ll set you up for future actions.
Combat is a simple opposing dice roll with net successes applied to a branching damage tree. Sometimes you’ll want to do maximum damage, sometimes you’ll want to push your opponent or reposition yourself.
You can take Beasts into your warband, both mundane animals like lions and bulls or mythical like Medusa or a Wendigo. You can also add hazards like pits and burning objects.
You can also gain the favor of the crowd and use that favor as an in game resource.
Just an absolute ton of fun, well worth a look.
Great review. Love the look of this game but it’s virtually impossible to get in the UK.