Fight For Fortune And Glory In This Roguelite Gladiator RPG

There are very few good gladiator games in the market, and "We Who Are About To Die" is one of them. This passion project from solo developer Jordy Lakiere is easily one of the most interesting indie releases this year, especially for those who crave blood sports.

"We Who Are About To Die" is a third-person action game with RPG and roguelite elements. Players get to equip their characters with various stat-boosting gear, and should they die in battle, all equipment is lost. However, some semblance of progression can be maintained through specific mechanics.

This game is set in a fictional country that's heavily inspired by ancient Rome. Players control a randomly-generated gladiator—each having completely different backstories and origins that affect their base performance and starting equipment.

For example, players may get an ex-soldier with high base combat stats and decent gear or a criminal with nothing but clothes and a brick hammer. Different characters also have different end goals such as accruing enough money for retirement or achieving absolution for past crimes.

Regardless, all are chained to the arena until they win or die. Battles range from one-on-one duels to all-out brawls featuring multiple teams at a time.

Combat in the game is difficult to learn and even harder to master. It uses a physics-based momentum system that calculates damage based on the speed of a swing similar to "Exanima." The awkward camera angle makes learning combat harder than it has to be, but mastering the control scheme is part of the game's overall experience.

Players get to pick from classical weapons like swords, axes, spears, maces and great weapons, and each has its unique movesets and properties. Enemies get progressively harder and well-equipped the higher a player climbs the ranks.

"We Who Are About To Die" is definitely not for everybody. Still, those who are dedicated enough to learn its complicated battle system will easily find the game extremely satisfying and rewarding. It's still in early access, so expect some form of jank every now and then as well as some balance issues regarding certain mechanics and AI difficulty tuning.