Let us start from the top, with the helmet crest. The crest is described in the video as being a 'gothic arch motif', hardly inkeeping with the fairly utilitarian feel of most Roman armour, and is also placed the wrong way on the helmet - as a centurion, it should be transverse rather than longitudinal. Nor is the rest of the helmet exempt from inaccuracies, since it lacks the brow decorations which have been suggested to represent the Imperial eagle, and the strait edges of the cheek plates give it a completely different feel to the traditional image of the Roman helmet. While it may appeal to modern audiences more, for me the change in armour design barely resembles that of ancient Rome. |
My final major issue with the design of the armour is the sword. As a centurion, Marius should be carrying a gladius (although a certain passage of Caesar could be taken to suggest the length may have been slightly longer), however he has been given one the length of a Spatha, a sword which only came into use outside the cavalry regiments a fair while after this period. The reason for this change, so that Marius has a greater range, is indicative of the combat inaccuracy in the game. Often Marius fights separately from his century and can be seen twisting around and slashing away, as opposed to a thrusting and stabbing motion. While it may make combat more exciting, it lacks any real authenticity.
In some ways, I wish that I had an Xbox so that I could choose not to buy this game. In the design of the armour alone I've touched on several inaccuracies and problems and the storyline is even less accurate. While this could have been a fantastic game and generated real interest in the ancient world, instead the designers have produced what can be called at best a failed attempt to depict ancient Rome, at worst dishearteningly inaccurate.
Thank you for reading, if anyone's actually played the game or has an opinion on the game then do feel free to comment and discuss it.
Christopher