In a world full of conflict and gratuitous violence, I find myself longing for the calmer, more peaceful times of yore. When, exactly, were these calmer, more peaceful times? Good question—I have no idea. I’m just trying to write an intro to this post on gladiator video games.
For as long as humans have existed, society has been fascinated with blood, gore, and violence. Few civilizations embraced this more enthusiastically than the Romans, who built massive arenas to showcase executions and brutal fights to the death. These battles often featured humans from one place fighting against humans from another place—or, if you’re James Cameron, humans fighting other humans fighting sharks. You’re entertained, are you not?
We, living in modern times, like to think of ourselves as superior to the brutes of the past. But did we not just witness a sort of gladiatorial spectacle, a long-awaited clash of titans in the form of Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson. Perhaps unlike the Roman colosseum, this was a fight as authentic as reality TV. Jake Paul somehow emerged victorious, leaving us all to wonder: was it skill, strategy, or the producers’ love of a good plot twist? I’m not saying it was rigged or not, just that the real winner here was their bank accounts. Because nothing says “gladiatorial spirit” like a multimillion-dollar payout and a post-fight merch drop.
I think we are more like the Romans than we care to admit. So, while true gladiator matches are a thing of the past, let’s list out the greatest gladiator games out there so we can stop reading this drivel and just channel our inner Maximus.
A gladiator roguelite where physics-based combat meets the absurd drama of a reality show, and your biggest enemy is your own flailing incompetence.
We Who Are About To Die is a gladiator-themed roguelite RPG that throws players headfirst into the brutal, bloody world of ancient arena combat—and does so with the kind of innovation you’d expect from a team of developers, except it’s just one guy. Solo developer Jordy Lakiere has somehow managed to craft a game that’s polished and full of features—and it’s still in Early Access. Yes, this game is still in development, but you wouldn’t know it unless someone told you. Early Access in this case is a gift—you get free updates and polish to a game that already feels finished.
You start as a randomized gladiator with distinct traits and backstories. Some gladiators come with strengths, others with weaknesses that make you wonder if they even want to survive. Either way, all have a singular goal: don’t die. From there, you’ll hack, slash, and strategize your way through arenas of increasing size and difficulty, pleasing crowds, patrons, and occasionally yourself, if you manage to win.
The real star of We Who Are About To Die is its physics-based combat system, which Steam politely warns will require you to “re-learn how to fight.” How hard could that be? (Dear reader, it was hard. You’ve been warned.) Forget button-mashing or chaining combos with your eyes closed—here, every swing of your weapon is influenced by momentum, direction, and timing. “Imagine Mount & Blade meets QWOP, but you’re wielding a giant ax and fighting for your life,” one reviewer succinctly put it. “Physics swinging. Rogue-ish, Die-a-lot“. (Emphasis mine). If that sounds like chaos, it is. Glorious chaos.
But this isn’t just about swinging swords and hoping for the best. Between matches, you’ll need to manage your gladiator’s career. You can train skills, pick and upgrade modular equipment (pro tip: don’t skimp on armor if you value your limbs), and navigate random events. These events range from patrons demanding you train harder, to being robbed in a dark alley. It’s not just a game; it’s a roguelite soap opera. One reviewer highlighted this aspect, stating, “The scenarios that pop up could range from someone realizing you’re getting hurt more for some reason and then they force you to train with certain people… It shows the level of RNG a game could have, and this game used it well.” Translation: life as a gladiator is wildly unfair, but at least it’s entertaining. Like watching a YouTuber fight an elderly man.
The crowd isn’t just background noise either. The audience responds dynamically to your performance, which means you’re not just trying to win—you’re trying to put on a show. Land a devastating hit or survive against overwhelming odds, and you’ll hear their cheers. Lose pathetically, and, well… they’re not shy about letting you know.
The game has garnered an impressive 88% positive rating on Steam, with players praising everything from the combat mechanics to its addictive gameplay loop. It’s the kind of game where you’ll say, “just one more match,” only to realize it’s 3 a.m. One player perfectly encapsulated the experience: “I’d just lost my gladiator, so you have to start over, and I ended up getting a one-armed guy. Great fun, and he went real far…”
Sure, the graphics might not be cutting-edge, but who cares when the gameplay is this solid? One reviewer humorously noted the “jank level” is a respectable 7.5/10, but the fun is a staggering 12/10. Even in its early access state, We Who Are About To Die manages to feel fresh, challenging, and thoroughly entertaining.
If you’re a fan of roguelites, physics-based combat, or just like watching digital people get unceremoniously clobbered, this game is a must-try. And remember, as you head into the arena: to those who are about to die, we salute you.
WWAATD is available on the following platforms:
- Microsoft Windows via Steam: Released on November 14, 2022

A gloriously absurd VR bloodbath where physics are optional, flailing is mandatory, and your enemies are as floppy as your sense of dignity.
GORN is a virtual reality gladiator simulator developed by the same demented minds behind such noble classics as Broforce and Genital Jousting. Released in 2019, it invites players to indulge in over-the-top, physics-driven combat, where the only thing more exaggerated than the violence is the floppiness of your enemies. Imagine a Monty Python sketch set in ancient Rome, but with more decapitations and fewer coconuts.
The gameplay is delightfully chaotic. Armed with an arsenal ranging from swords and maces to nunchucks and even your own dismembered limbs (you do what you have to do), players engage in battles that are as much about strategy as they are about flailing wildly. The physics engine ensures that every swing, stab, and accidental self-injury feels uniquely satisfying—or hilariously disastrous. It’s a game where precision meets pandemonium, and the results are gloriously messy.
Critics have largely praised GORN for its unrestrained fun and innovative use of VR. UploadVR described it as “a sublimely silly bit of VR violence.” On Steam, the game boasts a “Very Positive” rating, with 94% of over 7,300 user reviews giving it a thumbs up. Players often commend its cathartic gameplay and the sheer joy of causing cartoonish carnage without real-world consequences.
However, GORN isn’t without its critiques. Some players have noted that the game’s content can feel repetitive after extended play, with the primary objective being to dispatch waves of increasingly absurd enemies. Additionally, while the intentionally wonky physics add to the humor, they can occasionally lead to unintended frustrations—like when your weapon decides it prefers the company of the arena floor over your hand.
Look: GORN is a game where you can let off steam by pummeling hapless foes in a world where the laws of physics are more like loose guidelines. Is it for you? You tell me. Is it for everyone? Probably not. But if you’re looking for a game that doesn’t take itself too seriously and has extremely bloody gladiatorial combat, GORN might just be your perfect match.
GORN is available on the following platforms:
- Microsoft Windows: Released on July 18, 2019.
- PlayStation 4: Released on May 19, 2020.
- Oculus Quest: Released on January 28, 2021.
- PlayStation 5: Released on March 16, 2023.
- And on the PICO VR platform.

A medieval-fantasy strategy autobattler game where you manage pixelated gladiators, pray the AI doesn’t betray you, and discover that even the weather has a vendetta against your team.
Gladiator Guild Manager invites you into a medieval-fantasy world where gladiatorial combat meets strategy, simulation, and just a sprinkle of chaos. You’re tasked with running your very own team of gladiators, which sounds straightforward until you realize mid-autobattle that it’s essentially juggling with swords, spells, and occasionally weather patterns. Released in Early Access in 2021, and finally released in June 2024, the game has earned a “Very Positive” experience on Steam with over 3000 reviews, meaning people really enjoy watching pixelated characters get obliterated. You’re in for a good time.
At its core, Gladiator Guild Manager is all about building the perfect team. You’ll recruit warriors, rangers, mages, beasts, and probably some guy with questionable morals who’s really good with a sword. Then, you’ll assign them traits, teach them skills, and pit them against other gladiators in battles that are as much about your strategy as they are about your gladiators’ ability to not immediately fall over. The combat itself is automated—this is an autobattler game—so you’ll have to plan ahead, position your fighters, and pray the AI doesn’t make them look completely incompetent. One Steam reviewer summed it up succinctly: “RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH 10/10.” Truly insightful. Much like this list of the best gladiator games.
Between arena championships, you’ll manage your resources, take on quests from various factions, and deal with challenges like changing weather conditions that can affect your gladiators. Yes, even the rain hates your team. There are also boss monsters for your gladiators to test their mettle against—perfect for when you think your squad is ready to be humiliated once again, but on a grander scale. Replayability is high, thanks to branching allegiances, different quest lines, and a Tournament Mode for those who like endless challenges and leaderboard bragging rights.
Critics and players alike have praised the game for its humor, variety, and creative gameplay loop. One Steam user with 70+ hours called it “nothing but perfect,” which sounds like high praise—or an exaggeration fueled by a love of pixelated violence. Another suggested turning on low-violence mode if you’re not a fan of the cartoonish gore, which feels a bit like watching a gladiator match through rose-tinted glasses, or like watching Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson on Netflix. And of course, there’s the occasional naysayer who finds it “an annoying pile of hot garbage.” YMMV.
Gladiator Guild Manager is available on the following platforms:
- Microsoft Windows: Released on October 14, 2021.
- macOS: Released on October 14, 2021.
- Linux: Released on October 14, 2021.
- Nintendo Switch: Released on June 22, 2024.
- PlayStation 4: Released on June 22, 2024.
- PlayStation 5: Released on June 22, 2024.
- Xbox One: Released on June 22, 2024.
- Xbox Series X/S: Released on June 22, 2024.

A gladiator game of sorts for people who think combat is best fought with logic, robots, and the soul-crushing realization that the AI they’ve created is seriously stupid.
Ok, so this one is different. For one, it involves robots. And programming. Yeah, sorry. Gladiabots a strategy game that invites you to channel your inner programmer—minus the caffeine addiction and existential dread. Developed by GFX47, this game lets you design the AI for a squad of robots and then watch as your carefully crafted (or hastily cobbled together) code either leads them to victory or a spectacular, fiery demise. The best part? You don’t need a computer science degree to dive in; the game’s intuitive AI programming system offers millions of possible combinations without requiring actual coding skills. Much like using ChatGPT.
The gameplay is a delightful loop of creation, observation, and iteration. You assemble your robot team, program their behaviors using a visual editor, and send them into battle across various modes, including elimination, domination, and collection. As you watch your bots execute your strategies, you’ll likely wildly oscillate between feelings of “wow, I’m a genius,” and “Wow, I am so dumb.”
Critics and players alike have praised Gladiabots for its engaging mechanics and educational value. But as with most things educational, it’s not easy. One reviewer, referring to the initial learning curve, promises that “it will be very fun when you get over those obstacles.” A player shared that the game “got me into learning programming and led to me becoming a web developer,” showcasing its potential to inspire budding coders.
So yeah, among this list of gladiator games, Gladiobots may be the one that unleashes a migraine, but if you can get past a learning curve as steep as K2, this game could literally change your life. For a certain person, it will scratch that problem-solving itch and test your logical thinking skills in a fun and challenging environment.
Gladiabots is available on the following platforms:
- Microsoft Windows via Steam: Released on May 22, 2019.
- Android: Released on May 22, 2019.
- iOS: Released on May 22, 2019.

Domina is a pixel-art gladiator management sim where you balance brutal strategy, chaotic combat, and questionable morality—both in-game and from its developer.
Domina is a pixel-art gladiator management simulator that thrusts you into the role of a ludus owner in ancient Rome.
What in Caesar’s beard is a ludus, you might ask? It’s where gladiators trained, suffered, and occasionally ate meals while preparing for their inevitable deaths in the arena. In Domina, you’re the boss of this operation. A pretty cool concept for a management game.
Your mission in Domina? Train, equip, and strategically sacrifice—er, I mean, manage—a roster of gladiators to entertain the bloodthirsty masses. Balancing resources, appeasing patrons, and maintaining your fighters’ morale and health are all in a day’s work. It’s a bit like running a daycare, but with swords and significantly higher mortality rates.
The gameplay is a delightful blend of strategy and simulation, sprinkled with a dash of humor and chaos. You’ll make tough calls, like whether to upgrade your star gladiator’s armor or bribe officials to rig the next match. Because, as with most things in ancient Rome (and modern influencer boxing), fairness is optional.
Critics have praised Domina for its engaging mechanics and unique art style. Eurogamer Italia’s Davide Pessach awarded the game an 8 out of 10, stating simply that “the experience is really fun.” Fun is good. Fun is what I personally look for in a video game. Rock Paper Shotgun’s Nate Crowley described it as “ultra-brutal” with “wild balance issues,” not unlike Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson, but ultimately lauded the soundtrack as “fucking spectacular.” I can appreciate a good video game soundtrack. PC Gamer’s Christopher Livingstone found it to be “a lot of fun,” though he noted some quirks with the AI of allied gladiators.
However, we must address the elephant in the arena. Domina’s creator isn’t without its controversies. In September 2022, the game was removed from Steam due to transphobic comments made by the developer within the update notes. Since then, it has only been available for purchase on Gumroad. This incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of developers and the impact of their personal views on their creations. Players can decide whether or not to support the developer financially with a purchase of Domina. Personally, I advise anyone who has nothing nice to say about a group of people to just keep their mouth shut.
Domina is available on the following platforms:
- Microsoft Windows via Gumroad: Released on April 3, 2017.
Please note that as of September 2, 2022, Domina was removed from Steam due to controversies involving the developer. Since September 5, 2022, the game has been available for purchase on Gumroad.