Gladius | Gladiator VR Sword fighting
Released Oct 2022
Gladius is an immersive VR sword fighting game set in ancient Rome. As a gladiator, you will choose your weapons, train against different enemies, and finally fight for your freedom in an epic battle against the mightiest warriors and mythical creatures of the time. Win the crowd and you will win your freedom.
73% positive · 302 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to buy
Steam $14.99
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Evaluation
Gladius launched into Early Access in early 2017 and received a long series of major content updates over the following years — adding campaign days, new weapons, new enemy types, game modes, and engine upgrades. The developer shipped the final 1.0 release on October 29, 2022, which included the completed 7-day campaign (including Day 7 as the final boss encounter), a proper ending sequence, a full physics overhaul, mod support, and hundreds of other improvements. The 1.0 post explicitly thanked players for their patience "during the whole Early Access period," signaling the game's transition to a finished product. After launch, the developer shipped two feature patches — version 1.1 on May 14, 2023 (adding achievements and visual improvements) and version 1.2 on July 8, 2023 (fixing physics and locomotion). These were maintenance and polish updates rather than new content expansions. The last developer communication on record is from July 8, 2023. There are no unreleased DLC entries, no announced future content, and no post-launch pattern of major content releases. The game shipped as a complete product at 1.0 and has received only polish updates since.
Evidence
Gladius v1.0 launched with the completed 7-day campaign including the final Day 7 boss, a full ending sequence, physics overhaul, mod support, and hundreds of improvements. Developer thanked players for their patience 'during the whole Early Access period,' marking this as the game's full release.
Gladius 1.2 released with physics fixes, animation improvements, and bug fixes. This is the last recorded developer communication.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
VirtualAge
Achievements
—
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Not rated
Players
Single-player
About this game
Gladius is an immersive VR sword fighting game set in the ancient Rome. As a gladiator, you will choose your weapons, train against different enemies, and finally fight for your freedom in an epic battle against the mightiest warriors and creatures of the ancient world.
KEY FEATURES:
- Sword fighting: Hold weapons directly in your hands, block enemy strikes with your shield or sword, throw your sword at the enemy, and cut their limbs and heads! The longer you play Gladius, the more you'll hone your skills.
- Bow and arrow: If swords are not your thing, you can still open your way in the arena with a bow. Use your arrows wisely as you have a limited number of them!
- Ten different enemies: Gladiators, Legionaries, Praetorians, Barbarians, Archers, Tigers, Lions, Skeletons, Mummies and Minotaurs.
- Four locomotion options: You can either teleport, sprint (dash), arm-swing, or use the trackpad movement.
- Energy system: allows you to teleport and to slow time for spectacular moves that will wow the crowd.
- Armory: Unlock new weapons, shields and helmets in the armory as you progress through the levels.
- Dynamic crowd: People in the stadium react to your actions, they root for you if you do spectacular moves, they get bored, and throw you food if you deserve it. Win the crowd, and you will win your freedom!
GAME MODES:
- The Games: Survive for 7 days in the glorious Colosseum fighting the most formidable enemies in a variety of themed stages (Egyptian Temple, Naval battle, Maze, …).
- Arena: Compete on the global leaderboards on 5 different challenges (endless, weapon master, bridge defense, market and chariots) and become the best gladiator in all of them!
- Training: Completely customizable sandbox where you can choose weapons, enemies, and duration of the game. Players can fight solo or even in teams with other NPCs.
- Community mods: Play scores of community created mods, from deadly beach ball guns and giant spoons, to ancient pyramid reconstructions or forge arenas.
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 27, 2026
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