Pyramid Review
Pax Gladivs - Epic Swords & Sandals Adventvre
Published by Deep7
Written by Andrew Kenrick with James Stubbs
Cover by Todd Downing
13-page electronic document; $3.95
Pax Gladivs - Epic Swords & Sandals Adventvre is the latest 1PG title released by Deep7, the games publisher that specializes in little games with a pick-up-and-play quality. The idea behind them is that each of their components fits exactly onto a single page -- one for the players and character generation, one for the rules of play, another for the GM, and then one for each of the game's scenarios (usually five or six per title). The range of 1PG games to date covers a variety of genres that swing from the semi-historical, such as Daisho: Samurai Adventure and Six Gun: The Game of the Western, to those inspired by the movies, such as Full Clip: Hong Kong Action RPG and Disaster! Even then, the semi-historical 1PGs each has a movie-like quality to them in their play and plotting.
It is into the semi-historical camp that Pax Gladivs falls, being (as the title suggests) the 1PG of Ancient Rome. Behind Todd Downing's excellent cover, the game is explained as being one of defiance, liberty, and dramatic speeches in the face of dangers such as deadly combat and thrilling chariot races. It is inspired by, and meant to be played in the vein of, films such as Ben Hur, Spartacus, and Gladiator. But since Pax Gladivs is a 1PG, it should be played without emulating their epic length, and more with a sense of their epic . . .
This article originally appeared in the second volume of Pyramid. See the current Pyramid website for more information.
Article publication date: January 30, 2004
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