It was pretty fun back in it's time

This game was my childhood. Absolutely incredible, just wish it was a little more in depth

So, this is essentially "PUNCH OUT!!" but with gladiators instead of boxers. Not gonna lie, the game is pretty entertaining, it may not be a landmark game or something that stands tall above the crowd, but for it's purpouse (meaning casual gaming to ease the most boring parts of your day) it's amazingly functional. When I made the comparison with PUNCH OUT!! is because it's nearly a copy paste experience. You enter tournaments, each one divided in 1 on 1 battles, with both characters static and facing each other. Gameplay wise, it's very similar, as your defensive manouvers you can parry, shield block or evade attacks, and when the opponent shows an opening you can strike with your sword multiple times by sweeping the screen. And again, just like in PUNCH OUT!!, your opponents have a series of stereotyped combo flurries that you have to counteract (either by parry, block, evade), after you prevent the last strike of the combo, your opponent is left wide open for a combo of your own. So you see, it's all about memorization and muscle reflexes, carefully learning the small movements that give away your opponents next combo, as well as learning which strikes can't be blocked or parried. You also have a filling meter with 3 levels, that you raise to deal special ublockable blows (yes, PUNCH OUT!! all over again). Hell even your character is notably smaller than the rest of the gladiators, probably an obvious reference to Little Mac. There are though some things that separate this title from the classic game I've mentioned before: your shield has a blocking value, meaning that you can't abuse it, otherwise the enemy will break your guard eventually; you have healing, and buffing potions that you can drink mid battle; you have RPG elements, having 3 basic stats to level up (HP, attack, block), and several pieces of equipment to improve such stats. Graphics are pretty decent and the game itself is very fluid. The only reservations I have for it are the lack of enemy variety (overall 4 enemy tipes with different skins: hulking brutes, regular sword/shield, dual wielding and spear wielding), and the fact that every now and then the game feels unresponsive: sometimes it gives the feel that it lags, othertimes the game reads your input wrong and the character does something you didn't order, and this tendency is more aparent in the most crucial moments. Some of the items are also pretty much out of your reach unless you use microtransactions, since they are bought with very rare golden coins, which you only get one at a time each time you level up. Some of the stronger equipment is an obvious choice to give this VIP treatment, however, you can only roll your eyes when you realize that healing and buffing potions also have this restriction, making them a consumable that's sooooo precious that you will never use. At the end of the day Blood and Glory is a nice little gem to make you company on the long waiting lines, in the bus stops, and why not, during your work breaks. Even when on my house, every now and then I play the damn thing when I feel like beating the out of something. If you like me have android making you unable to test the superb "infinity blade", then this is as good as it gets, casual and effective entertainment for FREE