tôi đang có waik của Shadow of Rome = tiếng anh , ai dịch được thì giúp tôi nhé Xin hậu tạ :hug: SHADOW OF ROME FAQ February 12 2005 Version: FINAL (may still add small things) ----------------------------------------------------------------- Walkthrough Chapter 1: The Wickedness of Men A few days earlier, Agrippa is close to the Germanian borderlands. They seem to be pushing towards Rome, thinking it's in a time of weakness and strife. Time for the Roman guard to teach them a lesson. You're the head centurion here! Agrippa is searching for a lost group of Romans that seem to have been taken prisoner nearby by the barbarians. And, one of them seems to have been a messenger, by what he sees in their old camp. It could be something important, so time to seperate and look for them in the woods. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germainian Forests Now's a chance to learn your map, although there isn't much on it. Talk to your men, search the tents for items, and move up to your goal. You may also break open any boxes you encounter, they often hold great items. You'll also need to note, you can remove headgear, and any items, by using the directional pad. Simply pick it back up if you don't wish to leave it behind. Now then, we move up the hill. Tell your second in command at the goal point on the map, it's time to mobilize. Here come some very brave, or very stupid barbarians! If you grabbed the shield from the box down below, you should just combo with it. left, right, right, left, etc. You may also grab fallen baddies weapons, shields, and helmets, should they fall unbroken. Don't back down from them, just attack attack attack! Your buddy will help you a bit, let him stab them while they're on the ground. Also, if a foe swings at you, right at the last moment press X (whilst locked onto him) and you'll roll behind him. Very useful the entire game. Now that that's over, you discover a map of the enemy fort on the guys you just slaughtered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Meanwhile, Octavianus saves a young puppy from being crushed by a mob. He is on his way to the Forum, where Caesar's body is being publically cremated. A mystery woman, who obviously dislikes the Senate, is in the crowd as well. Vipsanius, Agrippa's father, is put forth as the villan behind the murder, by the senate. How can this be? Antonius is introduced as the new ruler of Rome. The people seem very happy to have such an honorable ruler in power so soon. All save the mystery woman, and Octavianus. We discover much detailing Caesar's brutal slaying in the Forum. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forum Talk to everyone in the crowd before you speak with the mystery shadow man directly behind you at the start. You'll learn a few things, and words in green are hints towards your next destination. When you're done, speak with the shadowy figure at the exit. Time to head for the Senate House! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate House The doors appear to be either locked or under heavy guard. Speak to everone in this area to learn a few more things. Cicero has a few words for our young hero, and tells him to leave. He also let's us know he saw Vipsanius with blood on his hands the day of the murder. We discover Octavianus is Caesar's nephew as well, though not by blood. The mystery man is back, and willing to speak on the subject's plauging Octavianus' mind. His name is Pansa, and he is a very strong, noble, intelligent man. An old warrior, covered in scars, and very adpet at sneaking and spying. The plot thickens. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germanian Border 2nd time Agrippa and his men have found a group of nomads sleeping. We learn here that Agrippa can sneak, by crouch walking. Also, focus in on a man, and throw your weapon, for an instant kill. You can then rush to the tent near you, and grab another weapon, before anyone is even upon you. Then, charge it and remove the head from the remaining nomad. Not bad eh? Time to work your way down the trail in the forest full of wolves, to your goal, as marked on your map. We learn, here (well you don't, heh), that if an enemy is unaware of your presence, you can instantly kill him by throwing your weapon at him. You can autolock, or first person view to throw. I also recommend having your Gladius back for this, as it's much stronger than their stuff, and has a terrific throwing range. Keep moving on, and chop the tree in your path. Sneak up on the next idiot, and make him a victim. I recommend, again, throwing. Just to get used to it. Another, tree to chop, and then, a harder shot. Try throwing your weapon through the trees and into the man's back. Auto aim can do this, but first person might be better. Keep on running and you get a cinema. There's an archer near you. Most of the Roman guard has fallen victim to his sniping. Now, you have to take him on. You can go into first person to get him, and don't worry if you miss, simply keep well covered, and make your way to a ladder leading up to him, and beat him from there. You'll have to get fairly close to the wagon in front of you to be in range. Then you can use the up and down directional pad keys to zoom in and out. There are some rocks up on the ledge after using the ladder, bean him with those, if you need to. If you are shot while holding one, or climbing, you will lose your rock, or fall, so be careful of his shots. He's good. Snipers work in pairs, even in that time period, it seems. Drop back down to the ground, and be wary of what's behind the tall box. A nomad will jump out, but if you stay back and wait, you can bean him with a rock, or just shoulder ram him. Get his bow, let your men fight, and you shoot from a safe distance. Rapid fire is key. Be wary of hitting your pals, however. Inside the box is a piece of meat, in case you're wounded. Bad guys can use food as well, so be wary of that. Eat faster by tapping the button down. It's a life saver. You can find a Gladius near the dead Romans, too. Head back up the ladder, and follow the narrow path to a torchlit cave opening. Time to head in. You're at the rear of their fort! Sneak up slowly, and shoot the guard from a distance with your newly aquired arrows. He's got a key for the rear of the fort you need, and a shield also. I highly recommend you take the shield, your bow will run out of ammo very quickly this early in the game anyway. Head into the Fort. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Germanic Fort (interior) Ok, you're in. So far so good. The goal on your map represents where the prisoners should be held. You've got two foes moving around in front of you. Croutch walk up to them, and slay as silently as possible. Thrown weapons work if they aren't aware of you, but if they are, a few good hits and a ground strike will put them down. There is meat in a box nearby, too. Procure weapons from fallen foes, whatever works for you. There is a speedy scimitar on one, and a powerful axe on another. Round the corner, and things start to get ugly for you! Around 40 or more nomadic soliders want a piece of you! But then, out of thin air, reinforcements arrive. Lucky! You can help out your buddies for some fun, or just run to your goal. Learn the ways of battling in a group! If you'd like to get brutal, I suggest knocking a man down, then lifting him with the square button. He'll stand, dazed. Charge up your weapon, and let him have it! Learn this practice for the arena battles ahead! It's great to watch all your buddies murder the last remaining bad guy, so rush in and help them all, so that they overwhelm the nomads! Best to grab a new shield and the best weapon you can find, then head into the next area. Dodge around the archers, or, if you got a bow instead of a shield, take them out. Either way, fight some more, and make your way to the next area. A genius decides to rush Agrippa, the man slaying nomads by the hundreds. Combo him with shield and axe or whatever weapon you enjoy, and run up the platform nearby you. You'll probably need to break the next guys sheild. Be very aggressive, using both your shield and weapon, and when it's gone, take him out how you normally would. You may also have learned by now, downed foes throw dirt in your eyes. You can also do this when you are on your back. Next area! Take out the prison guard, and take note of the supply box near you. If you kill him by throwing your weapon, he'll drop his key, brand new shield, and brand new axe, just for you! Use the key. The messenger inside will tell you about Caesar's tragic death. This news shakes Agrippa to the core. The worst news is yet to come. The barbarian leader kills a few of your friends, and shows himself to you. This massive man is ready to kill you, and now he knows Rome is without a leader. Time to take him out! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Barca, the Germainian Tribe Leader!!! He has a huge hammer/axe. He has head protection. He's about four times your size. He'll kill your buddies pretty fast. Dodge his strikes like you did the last big guy you killed. Then, when he's off balance, sneak in and axe him twice, he'll step back. Repeat this as long as you can. Also, your shield will help you stay alive, although it breaks very quickly. The boxes nearby hold a meat for your health, and a Gladius blade for when your weapons run out. Just dart in and out, and keep him off balance, and this day will be yours, centurion! Be wary, he also has a vertical attack, that will shatter your helmet in one blow. Do your best to keep him in the middle of the area, so that you have room to dodge his mighty swings. Throw your weapon at him if you need some breathing room, but rush back in to retrieve it quickly! Eventually, his hammer/axe will break! Use this time to rush in and lay on the combo damage. He will make use of any weapons your dead friends dropped. But, it's still a more fair battle than it was. He will now also shoulder ram you, and has incredible power with the mace type weapon. Beware his multi hit swings of it, and keep up with the same battle tactic as before. Stay on him! Finish him off, and he'll be taken prisoner by you and your men. He begs for a noble, warrior's death, but today is not the case. He will be made a slave of Rome now. You've taught the barbarians quite a lesson this time!!! Good job! Time to head home, and mourn the loss of Caesar. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rome, Octavianus Save your game, and now you're Octavianus again. He is speaking with Pansa. Pansa warns him, entry into the Senate House will be risky, and frightening. For one so young, and inexperienced, he must be taught the ways of Pansa. He explains he was once Caesar's most trusted agent. He will teach you the ways of stealth, trickery, and spying. You see, your family rescued him on a battlefield, long ago. He feels it's time to return the favor. Directly on the floor in front of you is a Silver Fortunte Coin. These are good, and you should try to get as many as you can, if you're interested in purchasing things for Octavianus' home. Doing so can grant you many secrets and special options later, so I highly recommend it! Now, time to learn the map of Pansa's area. There are various folks about, and a few coins to find. Use your map to find the bright green dots, those are items of some sort, often coins. You can also find a hidden passage into a wall, by crouching walking through. Every time a scene shifts, or anything changes, always check EVERY nook and cranny of EVERY area around you, and you are guranteed many coins. Speak with Pansa to learn a few things, and then explore. When you're finished, leave this area. Also note, in Octavianus' little place (through Pansa's window, OR a small crack in the boxes on the street level), you can go to the closet and change your hair to something shorter. As you buy items at City Gates, with the Fortune Coins you aquire, more and more options will appear. You can cosmetically alter Octavianus in many ways. Some very cool, some very funny. Keep that in mind, whilst coin collecting, as you'll have to take many a risk later in the game to access some coins. Time to head to the Senate House, and do some sneaking! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate House Go the the Forum first. You won't be there long, don't worry. Some of the guards returning from combat in far off lands are agitated at a Senate member, because apparently they've been shorted some funds. As in, all of them. A strike is brewing. Speak to everyone there, and search for coins too, by using your map to easily locate them. Then, go to the Senate House. The Senate, the Roman Republic's primary governing body, is composed of 900 individual representatives. Control of everything from military affairs to economic policy was handled by this democractic system. It was devised in such a manner as to avoid entrusting too much power to any one individual. Still, Senators enjoy respect and prestige that commoners could only dream of... Speak with everyone here, including the guards. Of course, no one wants you in there. Haughty jerks, aren't they? No worries. Just head up and to the right, across from the front gate. The guard eyes you strangely. The tight security on even the storehouse must mean there is a senator inside! Gotta get in there... The guard wants you to state your business. Tell him you come bearing important news. Tell him of the trouble at the Forum. Tell him about the strike. Tell him it's about the wages. Tell him he should probably go there... Then convince him by saying they are just about to distribute the money. That always does the trick! He takes off and leaves the door wide open for you! He even tips you for letting him know! Head inside after you save the game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Supply House (interior) The Senator you're after is marked on your map, and he won't move from that spot. Look at your map and plan a route that suits you best. Make this a common practice as Octavianus. Take note of the large jars around you. Should you need to get away from someone, run there hop in, and DUCK down. Stay that way until the heat is off you. Now, head around the corner. Be sure to walk and croutch-walk any time you find yourself sneaking into a place like this. Running will call attention to you, and you can't have that. Head around the corner to find a yawning guard. Lazy guys are the best when you're trying to infiltrate! Woo hoo! The game will prompt you to hold L1 and walk. Hide behind the crate first, and as soon as his back is to you, walk calmly to the door he was guarding, and enter it. Croutch-walk up to the corner on the right, and hide behind the boxes you find there. If you want the coins in here, steele yourself and run fast to them. Grab them all as the guards give chase, turn around, and hide in the pot at the start, or just leave the area entirely and re-enter. Otherwise, just slowly make you way up and to the right, and down the hallway, ever closer to the Senator on your map. A guard patrols that hallway, so be wary. You'll learn about wall sneaking, even though you won't really need it here just yet. Just make a fast right when the guard ahead of you is yawning and facing away. Use your map to be sure he's not coming at you! You'll find another large pot back here. Use it if you find yourself in a mess of trouble and angry Roman soldiers. Otherwise, wait for the guard in the hall with you to turn back and go the way you just came from, and walk quietly to the door ahead of you. In the next room, step extra light, a Senator is within, staring at something in front of him. Sneak every so quietly over to the vase adjacent to your entry position, walk up behind him slowly, line up your shot to be safe, and let him have it with the vase. Search him with circle, and claim his toga for yours! While in disguise, be normal. Do as the person you are pretending to be would do. Do not wall sneak. Do not croutch. Do not pick up items (for some reason). These things will give you away as a spy, and your clothing will do no good then. Also, very important. If someone wishes to speak with you, do NOT run. Walk very calmly up to them, and pray you have a silken tongue this time. Avoid running as well. Only walk. You now have two options. You can go straight to the Senate House, or you can try to earn some extra cash. To do that, you must be very wily indeed. In your toga, grab an item. A tutorial menu will spring up, telling you how to set items down with the d-pad, and how to keep items hidden behind your back, by holding both L1 and R1. You have to find the items to knock out every guard, unseen. That will require alot of running and hiding eventually, but if you do it, the final guard you check the body of will yield a GOLDEN fortune coin, worth quite a bit more than a silver. This applies to every area of the game. If you do not wish to do that, then you can just walk calmly out, cross the street, and head to the Senate House entry. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate House (interior) Walk up to the gate guard, and speak. Then enter. Walk ever so carefully, in between the two guards, and do not run, no matter how much you want to. Enter the front door, to find yourself in a room with a jug, a guard, and a large statue in the middle. That guard will not let you pass. So, the best solution is to eliminate him! Naturally. To do this, pick a spot near the statue, and whistle. He'll come to investigate, because he's easily amused and curious I suppose, and that's your chance. With jug in hand, walk the OPPOSITE direction from where he's coming, and make your way around him. Once behind him, hit him. Or find a safe spot and wait for his back to turn, and walk very quickly up and hit him, though this is harder, as you do not walk as fast as he does. You also cannot run faster than these guys either, sadly. You'll learn that later on. Seeing as how he's the only solider in here, you get a golden fortune coin! Right on! Keep it up, and you'll have tons of coins in no time. Take his key and his armor as well. Head into the next room. Don't forget to look for items! Then head to the next room on your map marked as a goal. Creep up to the first door on your right, drop to your knee, and make for the door. You will have a peep option. You can learn some very interesting info this way. When you're done, continue forward. Be careful, and walk. Cicero and a man you don't know seem to be talking about feeling guilty for something. I wonder what? As you walk along, be mindful of the guards that may speak to you. If one tells you to get out immediately, tell him you'll do so right away. Then walk away from him. You'll be fine. Do not be rude or funny with these guys, however. They don't like that kind of thing. The room ahead on the left is the evidence room, and the inspector is busy inside with something. Just make a right down the hallway and keep going toward your goal. Another guard will tell you he thinks you're new. Be polite with the first option, and continue on. Take note of the two jugs nearby you two on this hallway. Hmm, the doors to the main area of debate have been sealed, as you are late for the meeting. Go back, and find the rope on the table. Be sure to keep it hidden behind your back by pressing the appropriate buttons, so that the guard doesn't assualt you. As soon as you're able, sneak up on him and strangle him. Hide his body near the sealed door if you wish, good habit to have. Now, with your newly attained rope, head back to the evidence room. You'll notice the guard is still there and all, but his back is to the left. Hide your weapon to be safe, and edge up to him. Strangle him quickly, and head into the room. There is a large jar in here for hiding, a guard, and some more weapons if you need them. Do your best to sneak up on him, and get behind him. When he yawns, strangle him. If he isn't yawning, he sometimes calls out for help. If that happens, finish him off very fast, and look at the desk to your left. It's against a wall that is also against a bookcase. Climb the desk, then turn right and quickly climb the book case. Duck down fast, and any help that comes in to wake your friend, shouldn't see you, your meter will drop, and all is well again in Rome. Now, look ahead and find the white outcropping on the pillars in front of you. Climb up to one, walk across is quietly, then drop down to the other bookcase in the room. From there, press onto the wall and croutch-walk carefully to the next opening in the wall nearby. Drop down verrrry carefully to the next space, and strangle the guard in the room. I hope you have enough rope with you! Then, read the letter on the desk directly in front of you. And don't forget to pick up all your coins!!! This letter is mighty incriminating. Sarcastic, of course. Vipsannius wrote to his dear Caesar, tell him he's heard rumor of an assassination attempt. So it seems fairly certain he did NOT murder Caesar. Now, turn around and climb over all the stuff behind you. Enter the door. You're in the main area of Debate. Cicero proclaims Vippsanius has been sent to the prison in Syracuse. Many demand he die immediately. But one man, Maecenas, secretary to Antonius, proposes gladitorial games to mourn the death of the leader, and celebrate his life. The Senate is abuzz with the possibilities, as Octavianus listens on, hidden. He says that qualifying rounds will be held in the surrounding provinces, with the champion chosen in Rome herself. The victor, will be allowed to slay Vippsanius. Antonius thinks it will distract the people from their troubles, and approves. Cicero asks what to do with Vippsania, wife to Vippsannius. It is determined by the Senate that she is to be publicly executed in the square. Octavianus can't let Aggripa's mother be killed! He rushes away, unseen, unheard. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walking in the square, wondering what to do, Octavianus runs into a returned Agrippa! They speak on the horrors of the murder, and it is revealed that his Father is accused, and his Mother soon to die. Aggrippa howls with rage and runs to the square, where his mother is. In the Square, a large man sits, lion head on his shoulder, with soldiers surrounding Vippsania. The mystery woman from the forum is also there. Just as they rear to kill his Mother, Agrippa enters, sword in hand. He ruhes the guard, and the lion man is amused. As they struggle, the mystery woman watches, turns, and goes. Agrippa is now faced by two spear wielding soldiers of Rome. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Forum Battles Beware their long reach. Once one is dead, this becomes much easier, naturally. Waiting for them to strike won't work, as before, because the spears do not leave you off balance when you miss. Just pick one man to attack, and rush him from the side, if possible. You can try a risky move. Throw your blade, when he is stunned, rush in and steal his spear. This may not work, however, and leaves you unarmed. I suggest just rushing one from the side and killing him with multiple slashes and ground stabs. Get his spear, and finish the other more easily. Agrippa turns to save his grateful mother, but as he unties her, and the crowd gets rstless, more guards appear. A sword pierces his mother's back, the lion man has slain her. Agrippa's mother is dead. The man is laughing. Time to battle this villan. Use your spear to do what damage you can, and avoid his super fast punches if possible. Eventually, you'll lose, as you must. Just hang tough for as long as you can. The Lion Man will best Aggrippa. It all seems to be over for our hero. The man taunts him, laughs, and leaves him to the guards. As he is taken away, with Octavianus watching in horror, horses sound. The mystery woman appears, in her carriage, and hits the guards. She loads up Agrippa and Octavianus, and off they speed, away from the city. Save your game. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The three make their way through the country side, and the woman reveals her face and name. Agrippa is in turmoil over his Mother's death, and emotions run high. The woman, Claudia, tells us the Lion Man is called Decius. Notorious for his cruelty and malice. Agrippa vows vengence. Octavianus thanks Claudia, makes introductions, and starts planning. It is determined Syracuse Prison is very nearby, where Vippsanius is held currently. Agrippa is ready to storm it one man army style, but Octavianus reasons, it's too risky to assualt. He promises he will sneak within, and signal them to enter later. He forms a bond of trust with Agrippa, and runs to the prison to secure a route for Agrippa to enter later. Claudia seems impressed by the two of them. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse Prison (Octavianus) (exterior) Well, here's your first real, and dangerous test of stealth. The guards here are malicious, and simple minded. You will not be arrested and tried if you are caught here. You will die on the spot. Check your map. The door at the far North is your goal. The key to that tower door is just to the lower left, the green dot. A single man is staring at that spot. So how to get it? Let's give it a try, and good luck to you! The first thing to do is head out to the left from the hall you start in. Watch the guard on your map, when it is safe, walk or croutch-walk to the crates near his patrol route. Croutch down until he has passed, and when it is safe with his back turned, make for the door on your left. Slow, quiet. He will turn if you run. Getting coins here is dangerous. Only go for what seems safe if you're confident. It's frustrating having to restart from scratch if you make it all the way with all the coins, and die right at the end. Use caution wisely, and you'll be fine. Now, you'll be in a long hall. Head all the way North, to your goal door. It is locked, of course. Now turn right again, you'll see a small door in the center of fences. Head for it. See the green dots in the upper right corner of your map? We're going for that. Head towards the center of the map from there, then go to the room with the green dots. Croutching is vital. Get any coins you feel safe about, and then get some rope. Avoid the jars, they are too loud. Take the rope back to where we came from, your goal marked door. You'll have the guard house near you, with the one man staring at that green dot. The area also has two other men near him, that's why we choose the rope and not the jars. Although, if you want a gold fortune coin, you must make use of every item here perfectly, not get hit, and learn to run and hide well. It's the only way to take them all out, but it's very hard to do this. I recommend you just sneak up behind the one guard facing your key, strangle him, get your key, and run to your goal door. Enter it for the next part of Prison. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse Prison (Octavianus) (interior) Ok, you're in. So far so good, right? Run to your left when you're able to. Avoid the middle of the room, and hug the wall to avoid the gaze of the enemy. Go into the first room you see. Put on the guard uniform you find. Now go back to where you started, and instead of going left, go right. Go all the way to the pile of junk and boxes. Find the silver fortune coin, then look for a nearby box to climb up. Do so, and make your way to the top of the room's far wall. Croutch-walk through the hole up top, and drop into the next area. Preeeetty smooth eh? The door on your immediate right is where you want to go, but, it's locked. No problem. Just stay to the right wall, and go in the next door on the right. Make your way around to your goal on the map. Go to where the map says a coin is. You should hear wind in this room. Climb up the stone outcropping near the wall, get your coin, and crawl through to the next room. Unlock the door you originally wanted to enter, then head up the stairs! Head left from here, and be wary of the guard nearby. Walk slow. Go into the furthest cell you can actually enter. It has broken bars on one side. Follow the only path you can from here, and try not to get punched too much by the jerks inside. Man, they really belong here. Ignore the pleas for freedom, and climb the ladder you come across. Save your game and get ready for a unique boss fight. Yeah, I said boss fight. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Arrow guards on the bridge!!! Although really, they aren't much. Just use the draw bridge for your cover, grab the nearest torch, and swat at the four ropes, two on each side. Then the rough prison guards get what's comin to em! Simple, just avoid getting hit...instant death and all. You can actually make them shoot the ropes for you, too. Just time your running about for when they're reloading, get in a few swings, and let them shoot where you just where, the ropes! You'll be done in no time. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Set down your torch, run across the bridge you made, and climb up the broken one they were on. In here, you let Agrippa climb up the rope of bed sheets, and it's his turn inside the prison! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Syracuse Prison (Agrippa) (interior) Agrippa speaks with his Father, who is shocked and happy to see them both. He explains what REALLY happend, after mourning his wife. He found Caesar just moments too late, and touched his body. The blood was on his hands when Cicero found him. So maybe Cicero really was telling the truth, and is just confused about what happend. Horror struck, Vippsanius could not defend himself, and looked guilty. Poor guy. Octavianus ponders Caesar's last words, "et tu, Brute?". The guards realize someone is running about, and it's time for Agrippa to fight his way out, with Octavianus in tow! Head back out the way Octavianus came in. Not too hard, right? Except now, they know you're in there! Octa isn't too hard to defend, just mind your own health. He even fights with a small knife some, but don't rely on that much at all. Be wary of a man hiding in the tight corridor you run down at first. Take him out and head into the next area. This area is a bit more tricky, but not much. Two guards, one for you, one for Octa. Kill the one with no shield quickly, get his sword, and finish the shield guy off. Grab it, and press on, quickly. The whole prison is aware of you now! This prison area is a bit worse. Just fight, keep your buddy safe, and be quick about it. Do ground stabs and charged blows to the unshielded guys. Use your sword and shield combo, and grab a helmet or two should you find one intact. Look right, kill one guy. Head left, creep up silently, throw your sword for an insta-kill! Keep going in that direction. Fight your way around the circle until a bowman. Kill him asap to get his bow with as many arrows as possible. Head into the next area, and finish the shield guy in the break room off before he reaches Octa. Then, use your arrows and sword when you are able to finish off the spearman. Get the Roma Helmet, the key, and if you want it, the spear. Otheriwse, just keep your sword and bow. You'll need the bow later on. Also note the meat, boxes, and large boxes (for large weapons, of course!) scattered about. They're yours for the taking! Then head to the next area, and your goal! If you recall, Octavianus got here by dropping from the ceiling. That means, you have to go through that central, watery, gated area. Kill the guard at the door as quickly as you can, he can hurt Octa pretty bad if you let him. Keep your arrows for the round, watery room. Get the key from the man you just killed, and enter. Rush down to the central platform to cut off the man from reaching Octa, and finish him fast. Here comes a shield guy! Throw your sword, grab a new one, and finish him as well, then turn your attention to the bowman harassing you and Octa. Use every arrow you have in auto aim if you're able, and hopefully he'll die. Other guards are rushing to meet you two. Head down into the ankle deep water and to the left, to some stairs. Meet the spearman head on, and finish him. Grab it if you'd like, and head up the stairs, and around to your goal. You are so close! Once outside, you'll be greeted by a cheery fellow with a sword. Don't let him get Octa, finish him however you wish, and make your way around to where Octavianus started this whole thing. Fight like I know you can, and have heart, it's nearly finished! You should only have one or two guards between you and the exit, unless you just wish to hunt them all like I did. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Agrippa and Octavianus sit outside with Claudia, pondering the meaning behind "et tu brute?"... And you too, Brutis? We know there was more than one murderer now, and that Brutis is one of them. Time to investigate! Octa volunteers to prove Agrippa's father's innosence. Agrippa ponders breaking back into the prison, but Claudia reminds him they'll be on full alert now. She then proposes he become a gladiator, much to Octavianus' dismay. Lower than the lowest slave, lonely, deadly. But Claudia is correct, following that path will lead to Agrippa's Father! He considers, and realizes she is correct. He himself, will be named Vippsanius' executioner. Of course, he would not. But he could save him! Octa wants him to back out. But Claudia insists her brother can get him into the games. Claudia's brother runs a gladiator stable in Rome! Also, she knows that Decius will be there, and that convinces Agrippa to go in, to avenge his Mother's brutal slaying at Decius' hands. Agrippa tells Octa he shall become a gladiator, and he will never lose. Then, barbarians attack them on the road! Bandits run rampant in that area! Octavianus runs off, at Agrippa's request, and Claudia and Agrippa must deal with five bandits together. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Bandit Battle Outside Syracuse Five against two, those odds are just fine, trust me. Although, these guys are much stronger and able to take more punishement than anything you've yet to face. Let her handle her side, probably three at once, while you take on two. You'll probably lose your helmet here, but no worries. I had a spear leftover from the prison, but if you do not, don't fret on that either. Just use your charge and two hand combo techniques like you've learned thus far, and don't let up. Flow from one bad guy to the next, and ground stab every chance you get. Also, you can wrest a weapon from the hands of your foes, or look around for nearby boxes that hold weapons and health meats. Stay sharp, and you'll stay alive just fine. You can also stand over a downed foe and pick him back up with your other hand, rather than stab. Then, charge your weapon and finish him even faster than stabs would have! Also, watch Claudia for a bit. She's got some skill on her, whoever she is!!! Be wary of the dagger/mace combo guy. Everyone else should be easy pickings for you! One final note. You may also realize that if you stand behind an enemy that is limping badly and wounded, and tap sqaure, you grab him from behind. Tap your buttons rapidly, and you'll suplex him. He'll break his neck from the force of the landing. Not bad, eh? ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudia makes sure Agrippa knows what he's about to get into, and he reassures her this is his only option. Save his Father, avenge his Mother. They leave to go see Claudia's brother. Agrippa vows to fight to the death. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2: Baptism By Fire Agrippa has arrived at the training stables of Claudia's brother, where men do battle with wooden swords and train daily. It is here you meet the gypsy looking Sextus. He enjoyed the story about Agrippa killing guards at the Forum. He makes sure Agrippa understands that this is a thankless and pitiful job, to cater to the crowd. Agrippa convinces him of his will and power, and he is accepted into the stable. Here, Sextus takes you to his training arena, where the underground battles take place. He pits you against the rapists and criminals he has imprisoned there. He wants you to kill them all, and with style! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- First, you learn how to attack arms and heads. If you take out the arms, especially the right arm, the enemy cannot wield weapons. Break them, take them off, it's up to you. But keep it in mind. Follow the onscreen tutorials to learn how to use weapons that break, and weapons that amputate. Then, be sure to amputate, and break a head open. You may amputate an arm. To do this, beat your foe as you normally would, then pick them up off the ground instead of ground stabbing. Charge up your weapon. Hit them. If it's a scimitar, it will remove an arm, sometimes two. Then, raise them again, to take the head. If you're using a blunt weapon, such as the mace, get them groggy again, charge it, and splatter their head. You must do these things in order for Sextus to let you pass his "gladiator school". I recommend going for the mace guy first. Hit him with a combo, and when he goes groggy, remove his head. Then, get his mace, and splatter the other man's head. There is plenty of meat for health down here, as well. Next round! Learn your two handed weapons here, with the great tutorial. Usually, square attacks are for multiple foes in a corner, and are quicker than X attacks. X attacks, in turn, are slow, but much more powerful, and use up less durability to damage. Charging is essential, to cut off limbs, heads, and even to sever men completely in half! Take out the guys however you see fit, but be sure you sever at least one in half. Removing arms can also be good for Sextus to see. Then, come the flea men. These little men are very annoying, and hard to hit with slow weapons. Just be calm, corner them one at a time, and splatter them with whichever large weapon you like best. Sextus also will toss you more weapons, should you require one. He's impressed by your skills as a solider, but now he wants to see how you handle his next training course. Specialized training is in order for you, my friend. He wants to teach you how to suplex your foes across the air like a catapult! Do what the tutorial tells you. Now you move on to the final round of training, to prove your worth as a true gladiator! Sextus will behave as the crowd would in an actual killing event. He wants you to work him into a frenzy from all the action, and then you must appeal to him when your Salvo guage is full. Use everything he, and I, have taught you up to this point, and when the meter is full, call for his attention with square and X at the same time! Keep at it, get big points like I know you can, and kill all your enemies! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sextus is impressed by your skills. And now, he pits you against his very best. Claudia. Time for a wooden sword bout! These swords handle much like the Gladius blades do. You should know them by now. Roll out of the way of her attacks, wait for her to leave you a good opening after he series of kicks, and hit her with a five hit comobo if she let's you. Punch, sword, sword, sword, punch. She will most likely block it midway though. Just keep at her like that, and look for good openings. Bait her into attacking if you must. Don't forget to block her regularly, and beware her kicks that can make you drop your weapon. Charge attack her as well, if you find a good opening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- After an awesome fight scene, Agrippa barely bests Claudia, and Sextus approves, and hires him into the slave stable. Agrippa shows good sportsmanship by helping Claudia up. Sextus gives you meager rags to wear, and tells you to look around your new home. He dubs you a gladiator. Below the lowest slave, never to leave the stable as a free man again. Then you're at the doors to the underground arena where you were just fighting. I highly recommend saving, going over to the desk guy, and enlisting to fight a few bouts under Novice. As you win, new bouts open up. Learn the ways of the game here, but know that if you lose, you die. So save each and every time you emerge victorious, ok? I have detailed strategies for all the earlier underground arena battles at the end of this guide, I suggest you read up on what they have to say. Where advice is needed, I have tried to offer my best. Fight all the way up as far as you're able. When you manage 300,000 Salvos, you'll get a special armor. Then another near the ending, at 800,000 Salvos. Speak to the man down there to learn what the underground is all about, then head down the hall and speak to the next man. Then, go upstairs. Speak with Claudia, and then your new "brother", Dama. Interesting fellow he is. Speak to all the men in their cells, and continue out into the training yard. Speak to the fashion designers there, and watch the training for a second. Then go to the gate that leads towards an area you've yet to see. Also, don't forget to speak to all the men in the mess hall, for kicks. The food seems... interesting. Rotted bread in stale water, food of champions right? Also talk to the cooks, you'll find them opposite Sextus' door. Upstairs is a bedroom, as well, overlooking a garden near the training area. Eventually, you'll stumbled across Sextus. After you feel you've learned your new home well enough, speak with him. He informs you the first of the preliminaries are about to be underway, and every major stable in Rome has declared they will win and take all the cash. Sextus wants in, so he's taken the liberty of signing you up for your first bout. When you're ready to go there, tell him it's time to go. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- South Italy, a small gathering, a small colleseum. The Republic of Rome boasts a vast array of entertainment, running the gamut from bath houses to theater. Perhaps the most beloved of these escapist activities is the spectacle of gladitorial combat. It is a well established Roman institution. Regarless of age or gender, the average citizen revels in the blood and gore of battles, executions, and macabre displays involving animals and humans alike. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Round I It's a battle royale, Sextus will inform you. You no longer fight for country or ideals. Now it's all for the crowds. You must appeal to their bloodlust, and call for attention when the Salvos run high. Then, they will award you with health foods and powerful weapons, with which to gain even more salvos and more weapons! Gold - 65,000 Silver - 40,000 Bronze - 25,000 Required Salvo Points at the finish: 15,000 Speak to everyone, and head into the arena when you're ready. This one is interesting. Grab ANY weapon you can find, although they may not come easily at first with so many men. None are your allies, once again, remember this. You will be the last man standing, or you will die. Try and keep away from weapon bearers at first. Kill all the unarmed as fast as you're able, and should a weapon guy come at you, try and steal his. Once you have a weapon, get to the gore for the crowds, so you can get a bigger one. Make sure you are the one that grabs it, however. Be as gory and fast as possible, and the 15,000 points should come easy. Don't forget to string as many Salvos together as possible, with the white in the upper right screen still showing, then cheer for the crowd to double it. Keep at it, you'll get it just fine. Just don't give an inch. You can bust at statues for weapons, or just watch for the crowd to toss stuff as well. Keep those eyes open! ------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Round II This is an elimination battle. The fans call them massacres, and for good reason! Gold - 65,000 Silver - 40,000 Bronze - 25,000 You must kill everyone, and they will all be against you and only you. Be sure to talk to everyone for tips, and then begin the battle! This time around, you may choose your weapon. This will be the norm from here on out. A real man needs no weapons will net you 500 Salvo points, for Big Roman Balls. But, naturally, having to procure a weapon in battle is tough, so be sure you know what you're getting into beforehand. Gladius or Mace is fine really, it's your own personal preference. Mace's can potentially kill slightly faster, as you can lift a dazed foe up and splatter their heads, but if you know how to do the Hole In One kill with the Gladius' forward thrust whilst the enemy is dazed, it's just as good. Kill the first guy however you wish, but stick to the right of the arena, for arrows will rain down upon you like hail stones if you are open. The archers are on the wooden platforms like the one you seen in front of you. After he's dead, scale the tower to take out the archer. She dies fairly easily. Get her bow and continue to kill as you see fit. I highly recommend you scale the middle tower. Turns out, it's like a bridge. Use your newly aquired arrows to kill or at least weaken the archer across from you. Kick the big guy off the ladder to slow him down, and break the boxes for items. Try and fight up there if the archer isn't a problem, the narrow area can help you. Of course, it can also hurt you, depending on how well your weapons are holding up. Try to get a big one from the crowd once up there, and you're all set. If not, stay low and use the open area to dodge around the big guy, as you fought the first boss, remember? After the first wave is dealt with, a new wave will enter. Any big weapons they see, they will go for. So be ready with one of your own. Also, try to get the big guy's helmet if you're able, it helps a bit. Remove every limb you can, to prevent them from being very strong. Also knock them off the ladder in the center, to keep your bonus up nice. the crowd should love you by then. Just hunt them down and finish them all off with any weapons you find or are tossed. And do it as brutal as possible, for maximum points. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Round III Starved tigers are after you this time around. Be ready. Gold - 9000 Silver - 5000 Bronze - 3000 Once you learn your variety of animal Salvo attacks, you'll easly net the gold, if you practice your speed and learn their timing and power. Learn which sound, movement, etc. means what attack, and counter strike it. After some practice, you'll be the best of the best! I would choose the Scimitar, for speed, it's four hit combo is nice. Don't bother trying to punch them, however, just use the four sword hit. The crowd will constantly supply you with random swords for this bout. So don't worry about breaks. Throw swords, use combos, stay agile, and always be aware of where BOTH tigers are at all times in this small arena cage. Never get sandwhiched. But try to kill one at a time. If you get pinned at the foot, or worse at the throat, just tap your attack buttons over and over to break free faster. Those jaws HURT. Keep at it, just as before in this game, when one of the two dies, it becomes much easier. Double your Salvo when you feel ready with the cheers, and hope for a spear, or some health even. Stay sharp, stay alive. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rome, Pansa's Home Octavianus and Pansa ponder Caesar's famous last words. Pansa thinks that Cicero might know something, because he has a protege named Marcus Brutus. Pansa suggests you check the Senate House for Cicero. First things first, make a habit of always talking to people in the area and searching out those elusive fortune coins! Also, don't forget the read the bulletin board under Pansa's place. It has all sorts of useful information each time you come back here. When you're ready, let's leave this area. Don't forget to check that hidden crawl space area in the wall! Head to the Forum to see what the bulletin board rucus was all about. Check your map out and be sure to get your coins. Then, speak to every person here to learn more about how the Senate is robbing the common man. Caesar promised 300 sertces to EACH citizen of Rome, should he ever pass. His vast fortune would truly help the working man and woman. But, the Senate claims it must repossess these wages, to account for tax and such. The commoners feel the Senate is just going to rob them, as they have the poor soliders the previous days ago. If you speak with the man by the entrance, he tells you you look like a charasmatic, good speech maker. Time to go to work! Look for a raised platform to the left of the crowd. Find steps on it and walk to it's front center. Press circle to start up your speech to Rome! Lend me your ears! Then say, your words ring true!! Then, the senate is to blame for this! Therefore, Why do you not storm the Senate House?! The angry mob leaves the Forum, and heads for the Senate House! Any pesky guards that would have been in your way, will be very busy satiating a mob now! But first, leave the Forum, and go to the City Gates... Vendors to your left, and to your right! A bar with talking patrons to pay heed to, as well as some loose coins to be found! Use your map, and be sure you speak with everyone here, and get all the coins as well. Then, look for a hay bale in a cart. Just behind it, is a small fountin. In between those two items, you'll see a crack in between the buildings... Flatten against a wall with Triangle and go back there for more shops (illegal ones), and some coins. Now you've seen the cost of everything in the game. That's how many Fortune Coins you'll need. If you beat EVERY enemy on maps, and add Gold Fortune Coins to the Silver laying about, you could buy every item in the game in one playthrough. That is very hard to do though, and I could hardly get half the stuff my first time through. But, not to worry! Everything you purchase, carries over to a new game! Essentially, you could just get the same few coins you've already found. Although, I don't recommend that, go for any you feel comfortable getting! Now then, leave, to the North on your map, and you'll find a whole other area with more folks to chat with, the little dog you saved at the start of the game in the cinema, and some coins. There are also frogs and rats here. If you throw them at females, they shriek and run away flailing like mad. Why do this? Well, later in the game, you'll have good reason. Now then, after buying some items, to get some secrets unlocked in your closet in your house at Pansa's House, it's time to leave here and go to the Senate House. Talk to folks, but take note of the back door to your immediate left. That's your way in, while the guard is distracted by the mob. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate House - Following Cicero You must follow him and see where he ends up, listening to who he talks to and what about along the way, but be sure you don't get so close that he sees you! Also, don't let guards see you either, or it will call Cicero's attention, and that's game over! Start out by running as fast as you can right from the start. Hug the far left greenery. The guard should yawn on your left and not notice you. If he does, change your plan to duck walk past the hedges, but keep up with your target! Stay low, he will turn around every now and again, and if he hears you, he will turn around double the amount of times her normally does. Follow him and croutch behind the box, and let him get a bit ahead of you. Learn your map to see where guards are and what they're doing. Sneak into the second opening in the hedges, right next to the box you ducked behind. Follow it northward on your map, until you can croutch walk up to where Cicero is talking to someone. Eavesdrop on them by low walking close until a cinema kicks in. Someone named the Teacher is looking for Ceciro, the man informs him. He tells him he is waiting in the second room inside. Cicero tells him make sure he is not seen, and the man promises he'll take this secret (we don't know it yet) to his grave. Follow Cicero inside. Brown nosers kiss up to him, as he swats them away verbally, uncaring. Worrying about what this Teacher wants, why he wants to know about progress in something. Grab some coins and take the first right, enter the door there. Turn the corner, a guard gets strict orders from Cicero not to let ANYone in until he comes out. Hmm... No disguise here then. Walk very calmly towards the guard, and take the first door on the left. Once in this room, you'll notice on your map it connects to the room your target is in. Go there. A man informs Cicero Vippsannius' execution is delayed, due to the gladitorial games. Cicero curses Machenas for always being in his way, and tells the man he wants a comprehensive list of all those protesting the execution. The reason is unclear, but most likely not good for the people that will appear on that list... He tells the man he's going to his student, Marcus Brutis. Head back out the way you came, and go back to the door you came from. Instead of making a right that got you here, go left, to a room with a single green dot (item) in it. Avoid the guard patrolling that hall. Investigate the closet to your right as you enter, there is a toga of the Senate inside, just for you! Put it on, and head out into the hall. Leave the way you came in. Watch Cicero on your map (white dot), and get any coins you want on the way. Follow him. A gaurd will ask you who you are. Answer, you've forgotten me already? Then go through the door ahead of you. Do not enter the guard room unless you're trying for that gold fortune coin. In the hall of Pompey, take a few steps out into the open, and a cutscene occurs with Brutis and Cicero. Marcus and Cicero both seem to have good reason to want Caesar gone. Good for them, vicious for others. They are both obviously conspiring together. Cicero berates Brutis for going to taverns every night, it's too open and might expose them to risk. Octa knows the tavern Brutis frequents, and that will be his next destination. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Round IV This will be Agrippa's first team battle! Basically, you have three statues, and so does your enemy. You'll have a blue feather in your hat, and the enemy will have red. The goal, is to pick one of your teammates, talk to him with circle, and guide him towards the enemy statues on your map. There will be a switch near the enemy statue. He will pull it for you, while you destroy the statue. See, the switch he pulls on, lowers the cage surrounding the statue. Get it? Now, realize your oppoenents' goal is the same as yours! So you're bound to cross paths at some point, be sure you let them have it. Don't worry about killing though, because the bad guys just respawn. Just hurt them enough to slow their walking speed drastically, or break an arm, and you'll be set. Your other team mate will stay behind at your main "base" and guard your final switch. With that in mind, let's head in! Gold - 25,000 Silver - 15,000 Bronze - 10,000 Also, time is a factor. But, it shouldn't be a major worry for you, if you don't get drawn into needless long battles. Just concentrate on getting your partner to the statues, and destroying them. Hide behind them to make your foes strike at their own statues to get at you as well! I recommend the Mace, as it does great damage to the statues. Pick your average size cohort, and leave the big man on your team to defend home. Climb the ladder leading towards the enemy, and then drop down the next one. Beware the big guy with the halbred. Throw your mace at him to make him drop it for you, or just dodge him. When the statue is available, concentrate on it more than your enemy. Then, head for the next ladder. While here, you can also slow down your foes by trying to remove their arms, but be very careful you don't destroy your own statue! Head for the next ladder. You'll meet much opposition on your way to the far end of this stoney bridge. Do everything in your power to kill or cripple them, and get your partner to the far end. He'll climb down, you stay up and wait for the gate on the statue to lower. When he does, destroy it. Cheering to the crowd for a good weapon is key here. Hopefully you've got at least a minute left on your timer. Now that you're so close to the end, kill every foe near you, if you can make it quick with large weapons. Guide your partner over to the eneymy respawning gate, he'll climb on top of it and lower the gate on the final red statue. Let your foes strike at it in attempts to get at you, and they'll double your efforts! After it's destroyed, you win! If you seem to be having trouble with this, remember to kill/cripple enough to get the crowd in your favor. Big weapons make the statues break easier, plus you can amputate foe's arms, to prevent them from using any weaponry. Practice makes perfect, and speed is key just as much as crowd favor. --------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Round V Sextus informs you that today's battle is a siege! Don't forget to speak to everyone for tips. Basically, there is a mock castle in the arena. Agrippa must kill the enemies within. They are on a team, against you, so beware that they will not harm one another. Once you enter the "castle", you must seek out and kill the leader of the place. No problem for one such as yourself, correct? Here we go... Gold - 65,000 Silver - 35,000 Bronze - 20,000 There will be bowmen that want to kill you right at the start, but I still recommend choosing the Gladius. You can choose bow if you wish, but I'll show you a nice way to kill off the archers nearby. On we go! Head for the pool of water to your left, dodging the arrows if need be. Search the pool for a hidden rock. Grab it, and rush back to the catapult you started beside. Load the rock into the catapult, and take aim at the archer on the tower directly in front of you. It may take two rocks to kill him. Another rock can be found in the pool to your right. However, make sure you do not lure an enemy to you until you have your sword and are ready for combat. Try to destroy the archer on the left first. Then, take on the little guy on the right. Leave the big guy at the closed gate for now. Fight the big guy using the same tactics you used on the first boss of the game. Just bait him to swing and miss, rush in, strike. Keep at this until his weapon breaks from your blocking, or until you need a second weapon from the guy you killed beforehand. When he is dispatched, (use the rocks to fight as well, if need be, but be sure ONE is still there), grab one rock, take it to the catapult, and shoot the large gate the big buy was guarding. Be sure to get the crowd to give you a large weapon if you're able. In this next small area, use a large weapon to disarm and destroy the large wielders. Use yours until it's gone, then use theirs, to finish them off. The next group of three will enter. Use the same tactics of disarming and crowd favor until you have enough weapons to disarm the rest of your foes. Get the key and whatever weapon you enjoy most, and head into the next area. Grab the meat hidden behind you on your left, then head for the ladder. Grab the bow and shoot the spearman, to get him to come to you. Save the woman for last, she's the master of this keep. Knock the spearman from the ladder to damage him extra, and finish him however you see fit. Use his spear on the mistress of the keep. Remember your fight with Claudia? She fights almost exactly the same. Just bait her and use crowd favored large weaponry, and then resort to the Gladiuses near her to finish the deed. She takes quite a bit of punishment before dying, so be prepared with the meat you found earlier, should you still have it. Hang in there, be wily, and lead her to another spot if you don't like where you're fighting. If you can suplex her from very high up down to the ground below, it will damage her considerably, and gain you massive crowd favor! So try for that as well. --------------------------------------------------------------------- City Arena Final Round You've done well to make it this far, friend. Hang tough. You will face but a single opponent, Sextus informs you, as he tosses his apple nonchalantly. However, he's made it as far as you have, so be wary. He must be quite good, just as you are. Gold - 10,000 Silver - 6000 Bronze - 4000 Speak with everyone, and you learn a few things about the monster of a man you're about to face. Apparently, where he's from, he once skinned men alive, and ate their hearts whole. Lovely. I chose the Mace and Parma, but bring health food if you'd rather, the crowd will supply you with a few items here and there. And now, Boss time! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Barca, part two!!! That's right, the man you wouldn't finish off, the germainian horde leader, is here for you. Be prepared, he's much tougher than last time you faced off with him, although he has the same weapon you're used to. When the battle starts, put alot of distance between yourself and the nomad. He'll begin kicking the rocks in the arena at you like soccer balls. If you can make him hit a collum, you'll gain a crowd favorite bonus Salvo, and hopefully they'll toss you a good weapon. Then, just bait him into hitting you with that large axe/hammer of his, as you did before, and hit him with whatever (hopefully heavy) weapon you have at the time. Keep at this for as long as you can, until his weapon breaks. He has 3 health bars, so you'll be in for a long battle here. Now, things get rough. Around halfway through his health, his weapon will shatter, leaving him unarmed, right? Wrong. He runs about the arena, destroying the collums within. He then begins to wield them like giant, marble baseball bats at you. One again, bait him into swinging for you, just beware his thrust attack, overhead smash. Otherwise, let him swing horizontally, miss, and be thrown off balance. Use this time to hit him once or twice, dart back out, repeat over and over. The collums break quickly, but there are many of them for him to use and destroy. Just keep at him. You'll notice some small, stone squares on the ground around the arena now. Eagle/men statues rise from them, holding various weaponry for you to use. Aside from the crowd giving you good weapons for high Salvo, try and make Barcus slam a statue or two as he swings at you. Not only does this destroy his weapons faster, it frees up good ones for you. Stay wily and this battle will be yours. Dart in and out, whilst trying to force him to shatter statues for you. Be sure to avoid his shoulder rams, should he run out of weapons. One large weapon from the crowd later, and this battle should be yours. Good job, he's a toughie! After the fierce battle between two gifted soldiers of opposing sides, Barca falls, wounded. Defenseless, beaten and ashamed, Barca once again begs you to kill him. The crowd wants his blood, and he cannot stand be be a shamed warrior, twice beaten by the same valiant man. Agrippa grudgingly closes his eyes, and thrust his mighty Gladius into the man's face, releasing him from a life of slavery and war. He then turns, eyes shining fierce at the crowd. "Are you not entertained?! Is this what you come for?!" He sneers, as they cheer him on, leaving the arena. Time for Sextus and his stable to head home, until the next preliminary battles are set up. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Octavianus follows Cicero in hopes of finding some clue as to the whereabouts of Marcus Brutus. As he watches his mark from afar, Cicero stops to greet a passerby. However, much to his suprise, the shadowy figure turns out to be none other than Marcus Brutis himself. In order to ascertain the details of Marcus' involvement in the assassination of Caesar, Octavianus decides to follow him to the tavern Marcus is said to frequent nightly. --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Tavern After saving, look ahead, a man has fallen. He slipped on a bananna peel. Wake him if you wish to chat, and be sure to speak with everyone in the area. Grab all the coins as well. Then, carry the bananna peel to the side entrance of the tavern, where a man complains bees stop him from delivering his honey. You'll notice he screams, runs, and turns back around to do it all over again. Set the peel in his tracks using the directional pad. When he falls, his honey pot breaks. The bees will hover over the spot on the ground briefly, and that is your chance to slip into the back door of the tavern. Take note that once inside, things get very serious. If you are spotted even once, by anyone within, the game ends. With that in mind, head through the door nearest you. Once in the main drinking area, you'll notice Marcus speaking with a man on the other end of the tavern. Your goal is to eavesdrop. But, a direct route to them, makes it impossible to hear what the guest of Brutis is saying. So, you must take the entire long way around the tavern. Crawl past the first table, around behind the booth so that the men cannot see you. Listen to them, they inform one another that the man with Marcus Brutis is Cassius. Make for the center of the resturant, and when the maid leaves, make a sharp, sharp left, to end up going on a hallway leading to behind the bar. You'll find yourself in the stock room, and on your way, stop to overhear many conversations about the Senate, and Marcus. Also, you will learn that the nearby neighborhood streets are rife with bandits. Keep that in mind for later. When in the storeroom of the tavern, grab the rat, and learn the path the maid walks on. Toss the rat from the safety of the storeroom, taking care the bar tender doen't see you do it. Duck and wait to hear her scream. She will cause a small scene, and run off, distracting a few patrons. Use this opprotunity to crawl under the bar, as the rat scurries along it's countertop. Crawl to the immediate left, and be sure you stay low at all times. You'll hear another conversation about a man being the illigetiment son of Caesar. Apparently, he got around. Is that Brutis they speak of? At any rate, make your way to their table now, and your goal. Cassius seems scared of Brutis, and Bru man is very angry about something. He storms out back of the tavern, with Cassius in tow, followed unseen by Octa. They argue within earshot about how the Senate believes Vippsanius may well be innocent. Brutis wants to know what they can do, angrily, and Cassius tells him he must take responsibility. They rush off down another alley. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Agrippa has emerged from his fated battle with Barca as the victor, but he draws no comfort from this fact. Pained by the bloodthirsty crowds and their savage pleas for Agrippa to kill the laguished Barca, Agrippa is angered adn confused by the heartless destiny he has been dealt, and moves to the next stage of slaughter with a heavy heart. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sextus' Stable Speak with Dama, and everyone else you can, before heading to Sextus. Also, now's a great time to fight in the arena, should you wish it. More details of the underground arena lie below this walktrhough, near the end of the guide. Sextus and a few of the other men explain the next preliminary round is up. You'll be heading up to the cold North. When you are ready, tell Sextus it's time to go, and you're off! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Rome Thanks to the exploits of many military campaigns in the Northern Regions, Rome had manage to procure an array of territories and colonies. With little serious resistance, Rome continued it's Northward expansion. The establishment of an arena in the Northern territories gave the denizens of these colonies something to keep their minds off their own misery, and they soon found themselves swept up in the spectacle of gladiatorial combat. Despite the harsh Winter, eager spectators have come in droves to catch a glimpse of mortal combat. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Round I Sextus has every intention of seeing his steadily growing stable to victory in these preliminaries as well. He hopes Agrippa is on the same page with him in that respect, as he explains what this mission brings. Today, it'll be a unique rescue mission. I hope you're just as good at defending as you are at killing. The hostage is held in a cage in the Southwest section of the arena, on a raised up platform. You can opt to break him free, injuring him in the process with your weapons, or play it safer for him, not you, and murder his captor holding the key. I strongly suggest you get it in you mind now that you are going to murder each and every man in the arena. By doing so, you clear a fine path to your hostage. Speak to everyone in the freezing waiting chambers to learn a few tips about this area, and then head in. Gold - 35,000 Silver - 25,000 Bronze - 15,000 I highly recommend the Mace and Parma to go in, get your man, and get him back to the entry point. However, you can opt to grab anything here really, it all works wonders. In this first field of blades, lure the flea man out to you, he can fight in there, you cannot do as well. Lure him back to the start point, and kill him. Grab his dagger if you wish, and move on to the next area, ducking the blades. Remember, you can duck them, most bad guys will not. Head inside the doorway. You can find hidden meats if you check your map. Save them for what comes. Ignore the man's cries for help for now, and eliminate every foe. For the two here, try using your Mace, throw it at the heavy weapoons guy. He should drop it just for you. Or, try to manuever unseen behind one of them, and insta-kill with your knife. Good bonus weapons in that, and Salvo will flow freely from here on. Get the man out of the cage by breaking it or using the key, and be wary of the stone tossers (one holds your key), be sure not to damage the man too much whilst in combat. Speak with him very briefly, and he begs you to get him out of here. Head to the ladder you used to get here, and more bad guys flood into the arena! The gate slams shut, and here they come from behind. Use a large weapon or two if you got em, and keep the bad guys off your hostage, at all costs! If you have carried the hidden meat beyond the closing gate, you'll have some health, but don't let the foes get at it! Kill off anyone that would dare climb the ladder with ease, and maybe even climb back up there yourself if you don't feel safe. Kill the first three men, and a giant and one normal warrior will enter. Focus on dizzying the giant, and splattering his head after. Then, pick off the remaining fool that keeps the gate locked, and you're off! Run carefully through the bladed area, and just get the man to safety! Run to the extreme left, and use the sling stones if you need to dizzy a flea man or two. Hug the wall to keep the hostage safe, and run him to the door. If you must fight, try to get a spear for it, and keep the hostage moving no matter what! You'll be done once he's safely at the entry/exit. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Round II Now it has begun to snow! Sextus explains this next battle is an elimination match. You vs. everyone, you must kill them all. There are two rooms, you may choose which in any order. You'll be locked within, until all your foes are dead. Use everything I have covered up to this point in order to emerge the victor! It should be little trouble for a gladiator such as yourself. There will be spiked pits all over the arena this time. Do try and Suplex a few unfortunate foes onto the spikes, the crowd will love you and give you much food and weaponry! Gold - 70,000 Silver - 40,000 Bronze - 25,000 --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Round III Today will be a most interesting Battle Royale! Finish them all off, in a unique way. You will find barrels and torches in this large, open space. Some barrels contain oil, Sextus informs you, and some do not. Let your enemies hit one another with oil, or you can hunt them down with it too, to speed things up, then take a torch to them to set them ablaze! Also use every other technique you have learned thus far to get the crowd on your side and yours alone. Then use the big weapons they give you for massive points. You must earn at least 5000. Good luck, and be careful if a torch gets near you! Stay away!! Gold - 20,000 Silver - 12,000 Bronze - 7000 Required Salvo to pass: 5000 Time for a good old fashion Roman Barbeque! Speak to everyone in the area and then begin! I chose Gladius blade and dagger, but the torch is also popular. Although you will find many on the field once the dying starts. Avoid oil on the ground, as it burns for quite some time, and try to hit the torch bearers with barrels often. Get a big weapon to finish up, and 5k Salvo should be within reach easily! If you have any trouble, try burning multiple people at once, although it's a bit trickier. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Bandit Streets of Rome Octavianus has followed Marcus Brutus to the latter's nightly drinking hole, and has manage to gain entry. Once inside, he listens intently to Marcus as he speaks to Cassius. Their conversation reeks of conspiracy and Octavianus learns details of the plot to kill Caesar. Heartened by this new information, he resolves to continue following them both, and heads toward the quiet streets of the Roman night... --------------------------------------------------------------------- Head right from your start and two men in the nearby alley will tell you they saw Marcus and Cassius go that way, but be wary, there are scoudrels afoot. Head down the stairs. Look at your map once there. Now, there are many ways to handle this section. Look for the hidden coins, but know that many of the dots are just items like apples, stones, and jars etc. I will give you the most straightforward route to completing this trying section. It's much easier than it first looks. Go to the first right you see, with a guard right near the corner. Croutch walk behind him, and head for the center of the map. Stay BEHIND both bandits at all times! Before going down another alley on your left, look for some stairs to your left, and walk silently up them, to find a jar down the hallway on your left. From here, make a left and use that alleway, and make for the only sentry actually moving. Stay well hidden from his line of sight, and when you can, silently rush to the crate near his patrol route. Hide within it, jar in hand until he reaches you, and turns to patrol with his back to you. Very quickly, jump out and walk (silence is key) up to him. Hit him and just as quickly grab his mask and clothing. The guard up north of you two will come to see what the noise was, but if you have the bandit clothes on quickly enough, he'll be too distracted watching you walk to notice the nude body near you. Walk to the guard stationed at the end of the alley, he'll recognize "you". Say nothing "....." and he'll say, "ah yes, quiet as always eh?". Continue forward, walking, until he shouts for you to stop. Stop, and he'll warn you to be careful out there. Whew. Get the other coin near here, and leave this area. You'll hear Cassius scream. Octa rounds the corner to find a stabbed in the heart Cassius. Guess Brutus was pretty angry. Or was he? Guards come, Maecanus in tow, to discover the body as you hide behind a tree. He orders the guards to take Cassius' corpse and keep it well hidden. No one may learn of this. The guards agree and take the body away. Ole Mae seems to notice Oca is behind the tree, as well...yet he says nothing. Curious. Octavianus still says he doesn't quite get what's happening here, so there is more than meets the eye... --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Round IV Today is yet another statue busting, timed team battle! Get ready. Gold - 35,000 Silver - 20,000 Bronze - 10,000 Note on your map there are four now to destroy. Speak to your stable compadres, and head into battle when you're ready. I recommend the Gladius with Parma, but any combo will do. I took the little guy with me to assist, and left the big man behind to guard our base, but it doesn't affect things by too much in the end. You should hurry anyway, so that the enemy doesn't even hardly reach your base before you're done. Head up the ladder at the end of the alley you're in, with your partner in tow. Take the first right to avoid any enemy contact. It's all about speed here in this round. Use a five hit or higher combo and the statue will be gone before you know it. Then cheer to the crowd to double your bonus. Make that a habit after each break. Now, rather than head up to the middle where the other team is, head around to their next statue. Go left, past your own, then right to theirs. Break the second one, and be ready for a little flea man in red to try and slow you down. Kill/cripple him, and then head up the ramps to the central platform. Hopefully, you've avoided the other team entirely. If your time is looking really safe, go ahead and cripple them. Breaking arms so switches cannot be pulled really works well, and hurting legs also is good to slow them down drastically. After you've destroyed the upper area's statue, head to the enemies base, opposite the starting point. It's down a ladder, mind you. The enemies constantly respawn from this area, so if you kill one, be ready for a fresh one to appear. Try to get large weapons around here to end this very quickly. Hopefully, you're finished, while the enemy has two more of your statues to go. Practice makes perfect in this level, memorization of the enemy route taken, and where the statues are, along with speed, are definately key here. There are also hidden Gladiuses to be found near your base the the enemies. Don't forget the bottom of the arena is spike lined as well! Hang in there! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Round V Sextus explains that the next battle is what is called the Artus Dominus. It will test technique and finesse. This is a very fun battle, once you know how to do it. Basically, you are blue, a woman is red. You must beat her by killing more foes than she can, within the time limit. But wait, there's more! You also MUST gain 20,000 Salvo points from the crowd! Don't worry, soon you'll net over 100k here if you are a shrewd killer. Gold - 70,000 Silver - 45,000 Bronze - 30,000 From the start, run past red and go after the next enemy. Don't waste time trying to both kill a foe, as she will often steal the kill from you. However, if you can sneak up behind her and knock her over, then steal her kills, do it. Murder everyone using every brutal tactic you have picked up thus far, to gain the crowd. Don't forget to trap red AND your foes under the spikey areas. Hit the gong, and watch the crowd go wild as your foes are crushed. Red cannot die, but she is slowed down greatly by this. If you can crush more than one foe in a roe, you'll gain double Salvo, plus your double by cheering. Use every trick you know, and you'll have no problem with the points, or the killing ratio. Just learn the map, and make use of your weapon skills (amputate, bludgeon, etc.). Stay calm. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Northern Arena Final Round This final round is a battle royale, but, there is a suprise in store for the victor. So, stay sharp, and don't take too much damage during your first battle here. Be sure to speak to everyone to learn of Decius' assassin unit. Hmm... Gold - 40,000 Silver - 25,000 Bronze - 15,000 I chose the spear. When you get out there, do NOT use the food you find in the crates, and do not use the stones or catapults. Just fight how you normally would, and do your very best not to get hit at all if you can help it. These guys should be no problem. If they are, read some of my earlier strategies. Anywho, I hope you have the armor gained at 300,000 Salvos by now. The helmet is very helpful, if you do not let the halberd guy break it off you first. After you clear everyone out, guess who's watching you? Decius, your Mother's killer, sits in a box up high. He watches Agrippa, amused, and a vulture enters the ring. A large woman, with bird skull armor and feathers enters. Decius toasts his assassin, and orders your death. But, Claudia enters! Looks like you'll have some help! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Arcanas!!! Decius' top assassin... Ok. She's one tough gladiator, and the worst you've seen thus far. Get used to it, bosses only get harder from here! Her helmet IS breakable, using a mace, parma smash, or large maul weapons. After revealing her ugly face beneath, it gets easier. Of course, getting her to stand still is no easy task. She is very acrobatic, and uses very long range fire bow. You'll also notice columns have appeared. She'll jump on top of these from time to time to snipe at you. Do the same to her if you can. Throw something like the Gladius at her, and you'll get a huge crowd bonus for sniping her. Also, now is the time to go use those catapults. When you are SURE she's done leaping from column to column, let a rock fly from the catapult! You'll get a nice bonus for that, as well as a huge one for breaking the columns with a rock or large weapon. I recommend breaking them all throughout this long battle. Be sure to double any bonuses you get by cheering. Go for large weapons, and avoid her pet vultures. They throw rocks at you as well as oil filled barrels, so that her fire arrows can do real damage. Stay away and you'll be fine. Don't worry about Claudia, she can hold her own. You get big bonuses for killing up to three vultures at once, and a bigger one for tag team damaging with Claudia. Let her strike, then you do. Then cheer to double it. Finally, you can also grab Arcanas' bow if she drop sit, although it's hard to see. Eventually, she runs out of arrows, and comes at you with her quick kicks and damaging dagger strikes. Keep on her with a spear or maul, and the battle will end very quickly. Just outlast her ammo! You can find some cheese and bread in the boxes around the arena, and you'll constantly get meat and weapons thrown to you if you play the crowd right. Also, she'll beg for mercy at one point. Hit her for more Salvo bonuses. She's a toughie, but practice and you'll be just fine! Claudia congratulates you on a job well done, but Agrippa shoves her down hard. Why, you may wonder? Camera pans back up to him, he's holding the final dagger thrown by the assassin, palm bleeding badly. Claudia thanks Agrippa warmly, and he tells her they are even. They walk off, as Decius storms about his private box, breaking wine glasses. Now he recognizes you for sure, and wants to make you pay dearly. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Sextus tosses Agrippa an apple, and thanks him for saving his sister. Agrippa shrugs, saying he owed her a favor, that is all. Sextus wishes she'd quit fighting. Agrippa wants to know why Sextus won't stop him, but Sextus explains they only have known each other 10 years. Agrippa knows now they aren't brother and sister. Sextus gives Agrippa a good luck necklace, and tells him to send it Claudia's way. He then goes to attend a meeting. Well, time to go find Claudia. But first, I highly recommend you finish up the underground arena if you haven't already. It'll net you the Talon Aegis armor in the next section of story mode, most likely. You need 800,000 Salvos. Speak to everyone on your way to Claudia. You'll learn a bit more about the Valcross assassins from Dema, in your cell. Head up top. Claudia is in the practice yard. Agrippa gives her the necklace, and Claudia accepts it, wondering about Sextus. You explain Sextus is worried and wonders why she is even a gladiator at all. Claudia just says, she must become stronger. She lost her little brother to a roman solider, and couldn't do anything at the time. So now, she wants to be able to protect all she cares about. Agrippa apoligizes about her little bro, and she tells him they have more in common than he might think. She leaves. Meanwhile, Sextus makes a deal with some strange, Eastern twin girls, about a murder. He thinks it sounds easy. The girls say the Great One, their Mistress, will reward him greatly, if the hit is carried out perfectly. Sextus says he accepts. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3: Wrath of the Gods Pansa speaks with Octa about meeting Maecanes. He tells you you can find him in the square. Time to go ask him what is going on with all these murders! Don't forget to speak with everyone, search out hidden coinage, and check the bulletin board outside Pansa's. Buy things, if you'd like. Then, head for the Forum. On your immediate left, you'll find Marius! Agrippa's old buddy, that helped him fight off the Germanians, if you recall. Speak to everyone for bits of info, and harass the speech giver. Then, it's time to head to the Estate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius' Estate Antonius' residence was originally owned by Caesar's sworn enemy, Pompeius. When news of Pompeius' passing at the battle of Farsis reached Antonius' ears, he selfishly assumed control of the property and took over the estate. Four years later, upon his triumphant return to Rome, Caesar was outraged at the unjust plundering of the property and immediately demanded that it be returned to the descendants of Pompeius as it rightly should. Yes, even in complicated situations involving war and spoils, Caesar stood his ground and fought for justice. Ok. This is the new ruler's home. Security is tight of course. Here comes your little doggy friend! Anywho, speak to the apple man. Then, take one. Get the hidden coin, and then notice your situation. The guard has his back to you. A man is voraciously devouring an apple. Hmm... Toss your apple at the guard's head, and he'll attack the poor bystandard. Sneak into the estate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius' Estate (interior) Make your way to the left asap and to your goal on the map. Make your way into the guard break room. Gulp. Climb up the white wall directly to your right, turn left, and climb up onto the wooden rafter. Stay low, make your way under one hole and up into the next. Turn right, and hoist up into the attic. Triangle press onto the wall, and make your way along the outer rim of the attic, and find a small hole to drop down into. Stay very quiet, and drop off the wall you find, and go into the door opposite your entry. Go outside and find a ladder on your left, use it and follow the only path possible to your goal, getting the coin as you see fit. Enter the next area. Ok, in the Anteroom, save your game, and grab a dart if you'd like. They are strictly for making sounds and nothing else. You cannot kill anyone, no matter how many darts you use. However you do it, whether by running right away or distracting with dart on far wall and THEN running fast, get by the two guards and take the first door on your right to enter a new area. Very quickly, crouch walk on the maid's heels, and go to a walk when it looks safe. Hide in any pots you need to on the way. You'll be following her until you get behind the pool area, then head straigt into an open area in front of you. When it's safe to enter the room, hit the man on the back of the head with the nearby pot, and take his toga. Then get your coins and leave this area back to where you came from. Ok, good so far, yes? Now, take the only door near you you've yet to go through, and the guard will wave you right through because of your outfit. Take note of where Decius' room is, and head for your goal on the map. Climb the stairs to find Mae man. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Sextus is having a meeting with Maecanes. Antonius wants something done, but what? Agrippa comes inside. You learn of a mighty chairot race. Mae wishes you luck, you've become quite popular. Speak to whoever you wish to learn more of the plot, and then talk to Sextus to start up the races! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Circus Maximus This high impact, high velocity sport is enjoyed by many, feared by all participants. Risking life and limb for glory, many men die in the Races, all for the crowds. First one across, wins. Those that do surive, definately enjoy a life of luxury for a slave. Race I A veteran stallion has been arranged to pull you to glory, but don't get cocky. That just means the odds are evened, as you've never raced in your life. You'll control your horse with the reins. Beat repeatedly but beware the stamina guage. Never let it empty, or you've pretty much lost. See my section near the start of this entire guide for better details on racing. Gold - 11,000 Silver - 8,000 Bronze - 5,000 Listen to Sextus' hints, and learn your controls from him. Then speak to your team mates and foes to learn a bit about racing, and don't forget to speak to the weapons man behind the counter to learn about the new destructive implements you'll have access to. When you're ready to ride, speak to the reaper man! Don't worry much about slide attacks in this round, or braking. Just catch up to the men by repeatedly beating your reins, and enter battle mode when you're able. Watch your meters, and be wary of how your wheels do. If they wobble too much, don't hit them against walls or chariots any more, or you'll lose instantly. Just keep up with the pace setters for the first laps, and kill or severly wound the men/wheels that you're able, whilst letting the others harm one another as well. If you can double team a green wheeled pro with someone else, do so! Be wary of the green wheeled pros. Keep a sharp eye out for flea men near the finish lines of each lap, and get on the correct side of the weapons they hold to grab something new. I highly recommend the tridents. The whips are VERY strong, but leave you wide open and are too slow for the first two rounds. If you must use your default weapon, be sure to get in combos. Gain every salvo possible by getting ahead from last place, staying way in front, murdering the men, and comboing over and over. Practice makes perfect, and once you learn the ins and outs of racing, you'll have no problems with what's to come. Don't be discouraged if you lose at first, we all do. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Race II Gold - 13,000 Silver - 10,000 Bronze - 7,000 Here we go again! On two sides of the track, it narrows, so be ready for that. Speak to everyone, and head in! Ok. One more added foe, more laps this time to kill them all in. Keep on the lookout for those narrow track sections, and do your best to ram your foes into them using the slide techniques. Also, go for the best weapons you can find, so that your wheels stay in tact from distance fighting. The whip here is good, if you know how to use it correctly. With a little luck and a lot of practice, this race will also be yours! To get the gold, simply murder everyone, and do your best to gain pole position rankins and room to breathe salvos at least twice each. Hang in there! --------------------------------------------------------------------- In order to decude the degree of Maecenas' involvement in the murder of Cassius, Octa has followed him to Antonius' estate. Once inside, Mae is found... --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius' Estate (interior II) If you watch your map very closely, you'll note a maid goes in and out of your goal room. She is bringing wine to someone. So, to get in, you must look like a maid, and have wine on you! No problem. Take the back way, around the guard, and into the large room. Find a weapon and take him out, making extra sure to hide his body behind the red tarps. Get his clothing. When the maid returns, get behind her and take her out as well. Then, be sure she is well hidden. Now, head all the way south on your map to the small room with green dots. Be sure you are in guard armor, and with Roma helmet. Take out the guard very, very silently in that room, with the nearby wine flask. Then, look around for the maid's Bandanna. Now, you must run past the guards VERY quickly. They will not chase, as they are stationed to watch the room. Haul back to the room with the maid and guard in it, and find the maid dress on a sofa nearby. Put it on, and along with the bandanna, you make for a pretty lady! Sort of. Head back to Antonius' room, and be sure you have a wine flask in hand. They will let you in. Once inside, you'll overhear Decius speaking with Antonius. Aonto embarasses Deci by speaking of his assasin dying so easily. They remember Agrippa, and his mother and father, and Decius says he is disgusted by him. Anto says he's desperate, because he lost his elite to a lowly gladiator. Decius begs to let another Valcross assassin compete in the chariot race. Anto agrees, and Decius leaves. Octa knows now Agrippa is a target. He hides and continues to watch out for Maecenas. He sees him in a hallway, and continues his pursuit. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius' Estate (tailing Maecenas) The tail gauge is explained here. Don't lose sight of your man until it's gone, or you lose. Also, don't let your mark see you either. This part is tricky, but with practice you'll get it. Much like tailing before, your target will turn around randomly, AND if he thinks her hears you. Just follow as best you can, never letting the guage get too too low. Watch your map. A man will appear soon, crossing paths with your target. Hide and let him go into the room he desires, and get Mae back into your sights. Make a "camp" of sorts at the corner of the long hallway. Mae will take his sweet time down it, and you'll need to hide yet again as a new man enters the hallway. Do so, wait for him to go back where he came from, and get Mae back in view once more. Stay well behind him still, as he'll turn every now and again. Take the second door on the right to avoid a man (first guy) coming out yet again. Wait for him to pass you by, and then get Mae in your sights once more to keep your guage full. Pulling your hair out yet? Hang in there. Keep going down the hall and follow Mae. Round the corner, and a maid will tell Mae where Niger's room is. Duck back into the room you hid in. That will let you avoid the incoming maid, but don't go too far into the room or the man you missed earlier will find you. Continue following your mark. Note the pot you can hide in if need be, although hopefully you won't be chased by guards, as Mae often discovers you in the uproar. Wait for him to get far ahead, being sure to step out just enough to refill your tail gauge. At the left corridor, you'll find the man that hid someone's body for Mae. Probably Cassius. Hang back and let the body dumping guy walk right by you, unnoticed if you're quiet. Follow Mae again. Dart to the opposite end of the hallway, glancing to keep your guage up, and wait for the senate member to pass you by. Hurry after your target, as your guage will nearly be depleted by this time. In the next room, a man gripes to Mae about funding for the games, and Mae tells him it's not his problem. How rude. Now, you must HURRY. Walk quietly to the small room on your immediate right to find a toga. Don't let the man in the room hear you put it on, and head down the hall after your target. Now, others may see you, but remember, Mae will still recognize you if he sees you. Be wary of him still. A guard will ask you why you are in this private area of the Manor. Tell him either the first or third thing, seemingly easier to tell him you're lost, as for some reason Mae will not turn around and spot you. Follow him to the next room. In here, you try to fool him out of hiding by using a woman's voice. Wow, good spy work! He really sounded like the maid. Of course, Mae is one step ahead of you, and has found you out. Octa may be in trouble. But no, all he does is tell you to leave right away. Octa begs to know why he hid Cassius. Mae simply says he does not know who killed him, but that the body had to be hidden to preserve Rome's collective sanity, after the turmoil caused already. He wants to protect his games. He tells you to stop prying or you will regret it, and then leaves you alone in the Estate. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Race III Back to Agrippa at the Cirucs Maximus! Sextus tells you that you've made such a name for yourself that this arena is your own personal stage now. People rush in as if on fire to see the mighty, murderous Agrippa! Not much further now to take it all... Speak to your fellow racers to learn what little you can about racing. The track will be a bit more crowded this time, and there are now THREE sections of narrow area to contend with. Use the previous tactics you've learned in this guide from the earlier races, and definately double team if you get the chance. Gold - 15,000 Silver - 12,000 Bronze - 9,000 Ok. Five men, five laps. Do what you must, kill them all, but be wary of your wheels, as time is against you here. If even one breaks, you lose. Get long range weapons after the first lap and do NOT let up. Wall ram, and kill from afar. Keep the salvo bonuses coming to take home glory! Kill the men in front of others to force the corpse chariots to get into their path, that will buy more than enough time to snag a whip. Do your very best not to get ran into walls or sandwhiched, they will use the same tactics you enjoy. Become leader of the pack and hit a nice speed zone at the tinish for more salvos. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Race Uh oh. Sextus informs you your final foe in this arena is another Valcross assassin. He's top notch at racing, and has the best TWO steeds Rome can offer, as wells as a mighty whip of thorns, and the crowd on his side. He's a pretty boy, in sheer white, with golden hair, and a rose between his teeth. He'll pull WAY ahead, but taunt you for the crowd, so that's your chance to strike him. Do not plan on winning this race unless you're lucky, by speed. Your best bet is to murder him before the final lap ends. Gold - 15,000 Silver - 11,000 Bronze - 7,000 Speak to everyone, and enter the race. Gulp. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Narcalese!!! You enter the arena with much fanfare, but your foe has twice as much. The pretty boy enters and sneers at you, as you take notice of Decius viewing you from his private box. He gives you the thumb of death, and your foe smirks at the race begins. I highly recommend you stay away and race your best until you get a better weapon. Whip is best but take anything at first. Get in close and start hacking away at the huge health bar. Block his powerful strikes, they are very slow. As he gains major ground on you, he will toss flaming cocktails that shatter and burn up the track. Definately avoid them at any cost, as they not only hurt you, but they slow your horse badly as well. Keep up until you get a weapon! Move in as he taunts and falls back to attack. Watch your wheels, his are double deadly with spikes. Yours will fall off long before his can. Keep those eyes open and your reflexes sharp to beat him to death, finally. If you don't want to kill him, do your best to ram him into a wall during the final lap. Preferably one very near the ending. Then, speed way up and pray he fell enough behind that you can take the win. There are good Salvos in either tactic, but I find killing him to be easiest, where as outracing him is more luck in the final lap than anything else. After, Narcalese is taken to Decius' box and the man greets him with a warm smile. Narcalese eases up, just as Decius stabs him in the stomach for failing the hornor of the Valcross unit. He breaks his wine goblet and curses Agrippa yet again. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Back at your home, you'll notice most everyone sleeps. Speak to everyone you can. Finish up your underground arena if you'd like more Salvos for special armors, and then head to Sextus' room. Claudia is enraged at Sextus over the deal he made with the Mistress and Antonius. He says it's best for them, but she thinks it's terrible. He kicks her out of his room, she runs into you, enraged. She then runs off crying at the sight of your face. Uh oh. Sextus asks you to leave him alone for now. Out in his private gardens, you find Claudia, worridly pacing about. She explains Sextus is not her blood brother. She was very young, sold as a slave in Rome. Sextus bought her, as he saw his dead younger sister in her eyes. He raised her. She respects him and honors him. But, lately she questions his motives. He is no himself. Save your game. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Octa explains Marcus has dissapeared. He searches the Senate House to find the mentor of Brutus. Cicero. Before you head there, be sure to speak with Pansa and everyone else. Read the bulletin board to learn of Brutis' accomplices in the slaying of mighty Caesar. Find the coins around all the maps, and purchase any items at the Gates for special costumes. Head to the Forum first. On your immediate left, speak with Marrius again. He speaks of how even fair Cicero has been taken to the Senate House as a prisoner for conspiring against Caesar. As others are killed before your very eyes, speak with Marrius on the matter of a spy entering. Tell him you'll speak to Pansa. Then, tell him you'll speak to his pupil (you). He is convinced this "pupil" can do it. However, if he finds out it's you, he won't talk with you. After convincing him the pupil can handle the mission, he'll give you a gold fortune coin and tell you to speak to the guard there about him. Go to the Senate House. Speak with everyone, then seek out the rear door guard and tell him you've been sent by Marius. He'll allow you entry. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate House (Part II, saving Cicero) This section is definately one of the MOST frustrating, so don't feel bad and never give up if you have a hard time. Learn the guard's paths more than anything, and the good hiding spots. Good luck! Ok. Look at your map. There are coins and rocks about. Your goal is guarded heavily. Not to worry, it's quite simple when you know what to do. Make your way to the central hedges, and duck under them to make your way northward unseen. It is very important not to be under alert. Go Northward on your map, and hide behind the boxes and trees. When the moving guard is VERY far away, throw a rock near the stationed guard. Be sure it's far enough away from him that he'll walk away, leaving the door wide open for you. You must have NO alert guage for this to work. Use your key and head inside. This next area his many paths and ways to finish, but I'll give you the quickest and easiest. Be wary of the geese in the center of the map, they alert guards to you. Head straight up north, and go for the small stone area of walls, sort of like a little maze. Good hiding spot. When the coast is clear, head East then North, and be sure to grab a stone or apple anywhere along the way. Hide from the guards using the columns and walls and all the tactics you have learned thus far into the game, and when the timing is perfect (guards all away from stationed goal guard), use the stone to make a sound, forcing him to leave his post briefly. Just like last time. Head inside. Coins abound in this area, but you must use every stone there to fool the guards. Or just run and grab them all and hide. Either way, save your game. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Agrippa has now defeated members of the Valcross Stable twice: once in the frigid Northern Arena, and once again within the dusty and blood spattered walls of Circus Maximus. Several days after the race, Agrippa receives word that Sextus wishes to speak with him concerning the next round of the tournament. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sextus' Stable Speak to Dema and everyone else around the Stable to learn a bit about where Sextus is sending you. All the men seem to be training a great deal more, inspired by your recent vicotires over the Valcross stable. Also, do the Underground Arena battles if you want some Salvo points for special armors. They will be invaluable in the coming rounds. Be sure to see my advanced underground strategies below if you need any pointers on the tougher foes at this stage in the game. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Africa Sextus explains these are the finals in the preliminary matches! There is a well established trade route in the otherwise desolate African lands, and this is where the last of the qualifying rounds will take place. A City in Africa In colonial Africa, the naval port of Carthage shone like a jewel in the continent's polished crown, and was an indispensable asset to trade and commerce. During the Punic wars, Roman forces pummelled Carthage for over a century until it was reduced to rubble; a mere husk that bears little resemblance to it's glorious past. Thoroughly mined of salt by the Roman conquerors, Carthage is now a barren wasteland, inhospitable to even the sturdiest of man and beast. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Round I Today's match is a Battle Royale, my favorite! Ok, there are three sand pit traps, large circles spread about the arena. On those slippery slopes of sand, men easily slide toward their doom. You will find switches near the traps. When a man, or many men, are at the center of the sand circles, triggering a trap will spout large geysers of flame up onto your foes, effectively cooking them in the desert heat. They all must die. You will need a certain amount of points to pass this trial by fire. Sextus is looking forward to a spectacle! Gold - 50,000 Silver - 30,000 Bronze - 20,000 Required Salvo Points: 15,000 Speak with everyone for tips (as if you need them by now!), and begin. I chose to use a Power Scimitar. It is best for hacking two handed weapon users into nothing! Note the weapons are all upgraded in power and speed. But your foes also have them. Meat is also highly recommended, but keep it for yourself! When the battle begins, I highly recommend finding the group of enemies going at it within a firepit. Find the switch that corresponds to your pit of choice, and light them up! It will severely wound but not kill your foes. Double your bonus with a cheer as usual, and set into destroying the nearest couple of foes, whilst the others continue to wear one another down. If you merely wish to survive, let them. If you want the Gold in THIS round, however, you need to hack them all, as differently as possible, for the best Salvo possible. To do this, get all their attention by running by and even striking at them. From here on, treat this fight as you normally would any other Royale. Simply murder as quickly as possible, and don't let up, even for a moment. Use the pits to your advantage, while doing so, but above all else thin the numbers as quickly as you are able. The fewer foes, the easier it is to survive this battle. Use as many insta kill from dazed moves as you can muster, and trip those harder to kill foes into the firepits! Procure any armor you may wish from burnt foes, but get out of those pits quickly! You should be done with this one in no time. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Round II At this point, you may well have the Talon Aegis armor. If you do, this will become much easier than without. This time, friend, more wild beasts are sent after you. Tigers, and men as well. There will be sections of wood shielding located about the arena also. Sextus suggests you use them wisely, and I second the notion. Gold - 20,000 Silver - 10,000 Bronze - 5,000 Speak to your friends to have your confidence shattered, and then start the match! All the weapons are exellent choices, but for points and maximum efficiency, stick to the Power Gladius with Spike Shield, or the Spear if you feel lucky and know how to use it well against quick moving targets. Head to the tiger of your choice with the intent to kill it before the others get a chance at your hide. You will become quickly surrounded, so make it fast. Hide from the group, and draw them away from the man for now. Use the wooden barriest to section off your weak prey from the fresh Tigers, and finish it as quickly as you can. Continue to seperate each tiger from his group until they are all down, and do your best to keep away from the man. Bear in mind both your wild flailings, tiger lunges, and the man's spear can destroy the wooden barriers very easily, so stay on the move. Should you find room to breathe, use rocks to harm both man and beast. Wrest the spear away from the man if you can, and appeal to the crowds bloodlust for better weapons and healing foods. You will only have five minutes to complete this difficult task, but keep your wits about you and remember not to get surrounded as before and you'll have them all killed down to the last minute. Make use of every barrier, rock, and weapon given to you here. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Round III Sextus informs that in life, you have two things you have no say in. Your opponents, and the weather. Puddles mar the ground from a recent shower, but it doesn't do any good to lessen the firece heat and humidity. Today, will be another team battle! Be ready, this is the hardest one yet. All three of your statue targets are to your left on the map. One South Westerly, and the other two to your North West. Speak with everyone to learn a few tips, one important one on the fuction (sort of) of roses, and then choose your weapon. I recommend a Grand Mace for statue bashing puposes, but anything is useful here, even the dagger if used correctly to insta kill a weakend foe. Gold - 30,000 Silver - 15,000 Bronze - 10,000 Bring whoever you like with you for the win. Big guy will watch your back and also easily defend the base for a short time, where as shorty will be of use to you either way through his agility. Head to the first statue, very visible and right next to your "base". Intercept and wound your foes, don't waste too much time or weapon power. Mostly just swat away the man after your group. Make your way around the raised platform area and climb either ladder. If you played your cards right, your foes are still stuck on your first statue. Your partner will pull a switch up top, you wreck the statue there. Now your partner will run down to a platform with a switch you have yet to pull, nearest the first switch pulled at your camps. If he won't go there alone, you may have to run down there with him to goad him into using it. Destroy the final statue for the win, and wound/cripple as many of the opposition as need be in the alotted time! Cheer for nicer weaponry to end this even quicker. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Octavianus has managed to make his way past the unwavering eyes of the guards and has succeeded in entering the Senate House. Can he continue on to the depths of the Senate Offices to rescue Cicero, who is held within? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Senate Offices (interior) Save your game, and be at the ready for a semi challenging section. Follow the guards, walking quickly but silently behind the loner, up towards a window to your right. Two guards break off, lost in conversing over the "pathetic" general Agrippa's battles, and the single will lead you to aforementioned window. Once inside, Grab the Pen off the table, and jump right back out that window you used to enter. Throw the pen away from the guard, to force him to leave the path you wish. That path would be to your left, so toss the pen far to your right, but not so far he cannot hear. When he leaves you, head out into the garden area, sticking to the left. Stay low if you must, but be as quick as possible, there is a patrolling guard nearby. Immediately in front of you is a window with something sparkling on a desk. Get it, it turns out to be a key to the Inner Offices, and something you must have. Now that you have it, go to the next room on the path. You'll find a silver fortune coin. Continue to the next door, and use your key on it. Crouch walk slowly and quietly to the bookcase immediately in front of you. Flatten up to it and edge towards the guard. This is the part people tend to find troublesome. You will need to WALK, not croutch, behind him. Learn his direct route and walk on his heels. As his body turns, be SURE you are going the opposite direction of his turn, and break into a run should he turn toward you. Immediately make for the wall opposite of him. You will most certainly be seen, but before he can draw his blade and kill you off, Octa should be able to flatten to the wall and slide between it and the bookcase. Be quick. It may take multiple tries, but it is very possible to pull this off, so hang in there! Climb up the nearby boxes. Then, make for the tiny wall hanging ledge nearest the connected case. Flatten onto it with Triangle, and go around the entire room, being absolutely certain to CROUTCH at all times. You'll end up on the other side of the room, and able to reach your next section. Get your coins... MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And drop... into the back room to find Cicero, stabbed and bleeding. He falls and asks Octa if he's still searching for answers. Octa raises him into his arms and tells him he'll get help. Cicero waves it away, and explains niether Vipsannius nor Marcus killed Caesar. It was "THEM". He explains there is ANOTHER Brutis. He sends you searching at the Shrine for further information, and dies in your arms. Someone wanted him quieted. Octa foolishly touches the murderweapon, and is seen by a maid. She raises the alarm, to Octa's dismay. END MAJOR SPOILERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Save. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Round IV Another Artus Dominus. Sextus tells you it's very important, of course, to kill more foes than your enemy, but doubly important if not more so to appease the crowds thirst for blood. Be ready. Gold - 80,000 Silver - 50,000 Bronze - 35,000 Required Salvo Points: 20,000 See my other Artus Dominus round for more strategies. Speak with everyone for some assistance, and pick your weapon. Any is good, depending on what you've mastered thus far. You'll also have a couple of presses to make use of in this large arena. Your enemy is very big, with a huge weapon that will claim many lives. Try to trap him WITH your foes under a press if you can. It'll slow him greatly. Go wherever he does not, at first. He will head up the slope, so you stay on the ground and kill down there as quickly as you are able. Use the presses too. Get the big weapons asap for the high Salvo bonuses that severing bring, and use the pressed as well! Your foe is a wrecking machine, be sure that you are a slaughter house. Your enemy will often stay right on your tail in terms of kills, but do not give up hope, this will be a close match. You should have the required Salvo you need by 10 kills with ease, make murder your first and only major concern. Cheer for nice weaponry, but be wary of your foe getting it first. You may lose if he does. Keep at it with insta kills and presses and you should come out on top. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Round V It grows hotter by the minute! Today's battle is yet another elimination battle. You vs. all of them. There are four fire pits placed strategically around the arena this time, note them on your map. Make use of them well to survive this powerful onslaught of enemies. You've earned quite a reputation, many want your head! Gold - 75,000 Silver - 45,000 Bronze - 25,000 Speak with everyone, then choose your best slaying tool. I like to go with Grand Mace and spike shield, for defensive purposes, but if you're comfortable with the larger killing implements, use the spear or maul by all means! Get past your first foe to make good use of the fire trap straight ahead of you. Burn him or destroy him, and get ready for the big man in the evil black armor to come at you with his maul. By this time, you hopefully have some nice weapons to maim and break your foes with. Do so, and go for the big Salvo bonuses by burning multiple foes at once! Circle round the bottom and try to take as little damage as possible, for as you kill and burn, a new wave of larger foes will emerge, armored and well armed. Use the same tactics, and don't be afraid to climb up top and use that to your advantage as well, knocking foes from it's heights and ladders. Also use the foe's power to your advantage by forcing them to break the weapon bearing statues up to for your use. Grab the weapon fast and send more foes flying! Do not forget to break and amputate arms to destroy your foe's chances at using your large weaponry! Use every trick you have learned thus far, and the fire traps and heights when needed, to your advantage for the win! It may take a couple of tries, but you'll soon carve and bludgeon your way through these waves with ease! Do not forget that this is a level where the Magnum Salvo can be easily obtained with proper planning, and doubled for well about 50k Salvo BY ITSELF!!! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Desert Arena Final Round Sextus informs you if you survive this round, you'll be in the major events! The last Valcross is waiting for you, and he has some sort of animal with him. Not many know of what it is, or from where it came. Be extra careful... Gold - 40,000 Silver - 25,000 Bronze - 15,000 Speak to everyone to gain info on this assassin, and head inside. I enjoyed the Halberd for this task, but meat is also nothing to sneeze at, when entering a powerful boss battle. And so, Agrippa enters, to a smiling Decius in his private box, with woman in tow. He treats her roughly, and motions for the doors to open. They are huge, and from it, a giagantic, painted elephant enters. A strange little shaman covered in furs and a tribal mask dances atop it, laughing madly. Agrippa realizes this is the final Valcross, and knows he cannot die now, so close to his Father! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Elephant!!! Ok. Tough guy, but don't worry, he IS killable. Avoid his charge at the start, and from here on don't distance too much from him. He'll do it, and it takes away half your health! Staying to the SIDES of the elephant is key. In front, he'll wrap you in his mighty truck and squeeze life from you, or gore you with his powerful tusks. From the rear, he'll tail swipe you and back kick mightly. The annoying little Valcross man up top will constantly pelt you with flaming vials of liquid no matter where you stand, hopefully you have some good armor. If not, just keep on the move, swatting at a particular leg ring on the elephant or two, your aim is to shatter his armor, so that his tough hide is exposed to your mighty swings and thrusts. Continuously cheer when you break a ringlet, the crowd will give you many large weapons. Don't forget to kick the elephant also, a number of strange things here will gain you Salvo and crowd favor! Keep at it, and use charged attacks on the exposed leg(s). Avoid the elephant's frontal stomps and rear kicks and do your best to use a spinning halberd for a ten hit fury salvo. This will get the crowd so worked up that you will never run low on large weapons, nor want for food again. Keep at him and do try to take as little damage as possible...this is only part one of this tough fight. If you manage to take out all four of your enemies leggings, you'll gain the four on the floor bonus salvo as well! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle Part TWO! Askari!!! Now it's personal. You killed the crazy man's elephant. He leaps down to finish you himself, and he's no joke, despite his insane dancing and thrashing about, singing in African chant. He uses a very srong long sword, painted like his huge tribal mask helmet. He has a nice technique, as well. Sometimes he'll spin after a three hit combo. Block or run away until his spinning makes him dizzy, and then release a combo or one charged hit of your own with whatever large weapon you may have. He also tends to run blurringly quick and do a thrust, it's unblockable. Just run and keep your ears open for the sounds he makes indicating this. It may take a bit of practice. Keep on him, you're bound to run low on big weapons and resort to the Gladiuses the crowd sends your way. He's quicker than any flea man you'll ever face, so just keep on him as best you can and try not to miss. Hit him when he's vulnerable and keep blocking when need be. Use the Gladiuses you're given, and do not give up. Good job on beating this one! Decius is absolutely disgusted by your win, and Agrippa shouts to him, "YOU are next, I hope you are ready for ME!". Decius visibly shies away, and you are taken home for a great feast in your honor! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Another Brutis! Octavianus head for the Temple to meet with Marcus Brutus. Grab your coins on the map while you're able, and head down the only path you can. Octa finds Marcus among the long dead corpses of many slain men. He is upset, crying, and uttering to himself how this wasn't the plan. He forces crows off the bodies, and tells of the "congregation", and how the other Brutus has destroyed each and every man of his creation, with no respect or fear. Octa explains who he is, and tells Marcus Cicero sent him. He tells of his slaying, and Marcus Brutus mutters how the other Brutus has murdered everyone he put up to killing Caesar. It was NOT one man that killed Caesar, but many. This "other" Brutus now wants all his men shut up. Every many killed this far was part of it. The evil man is covering his tracks. Marcus tells Octa to go away, he needs no help of a nephew of Caesar. Go into the temple to get a couple of coins, and head outside, and pretend to leave. Maecenas appears, Roman guards in tow. He ignores Octavianus, and orders the guards very nonchalantly to clean up the bodies, unseen to preserve his festival games. Octa explains everything he has uncovered, but Mae asks for proof, not just words and "theories". Octa can offer none, wordlessly, and so Mae tells him he does not care of the truth. He just wants his games to move smoothly. If proof is brought to him, somehow, he will release Vipsannius. Mae gives Octa's back a wry smile as the boy sets off to find such physical evidence. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Having braved the harsh climate and brutal combat in Africa, Agrippa now stands ready to face the final phase of the tournament. Those at Sextus' training facility threw a raucous party in his honor, but Sextus himself was conspicuosly and suspiciously missing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Speak to Dema and everyone at your party, and cheer with your fellow man! When you are done, be sure you've finished the Underground Arena if you need Salvo points of the powerful armor that is sure to come in handy in this final match up. Then, seek out Claudia. Go to Sextus' area and Claudia will congratulate you. He tells her the throughs of his Father have gotten him this far, but it's not over yet. He asks her what's wrong when she stares off, and she tells him it's Sextus. He's not who he says, he's a Pirate that wishes to destroy Rome. The son of Pompeyous, the general Caesar killed before his slaying. She goes further to inform you he is going to kill Octavianus with hired hitters! Agrippa wants to know who could do this, shocked, and enraged. She says she does not know, and needs his help to stop her brother. She wishes to stop him for she knows he will die trying to take on Rome. Agrippa promises he will do what he can, for everyone. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4: Restoration to Glory Octavianus tells Pansa everything, and rushes their planning, for he knows soon the games will end, and Vippsanius will die. Pansa says Caesar kept records of every man in his employ. And of every goings on, even shady ones. Octa needs to know where to find such papers, and he tells you to try Antonius' estate once more, deep within the vault. Before you go, be sure to visit EVERY map for coin and gossip among the citizens, including the north part of the City Gate that many players overlook. Then, head to the Estate, once more. Here, you may well find the name of the other Brutus. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius' Estate (Part II) Grab an apple from the vendor, speak to everyone, get any hidden coins on this map, and then speak to the carriage man. He informs you his horse spooks easily. Why he wishes to tell anyone this, we may never know, but take advange of his open words, and heave your apple at the scaredy steed. The horse will cause enough commotion that the guards will not notice you slipping into the front gate. Head inside. Make your way to the right, and stay far away from the guards patrolling. It is possible to attempt stealing a guard's uniform, but hard to pull off. If you go to your goal door, you'll find it's locked tight. Head to the door within sight, on the left. Once inside of it, a guard flirts with a maid. She is afraid the tigers in Decius' basement will get free. The guard assures her Pontius is bringing him the key that keeps them safely locked up for show. He goes on to reassure her he will protect her if they get loose. Yeah, right. Ok, there is a coin in this room. If you are dressed as a guard, you may get it. If not, just head on out of this room, unseen by the pair if you can help it. Go to the door you entered from, and flatten into the wall. CROUTCH and make your wall all the way around the top of the room. If you must run down there for the coin, be sure you avoid the guard and get away in one piece. Once past the crack and into the next room, drop down from the nearby ledge and take note of the items around you. You're going to pull the same trick you pulled on the bandits before. Wait for the patrolling guard to get very near you, and hit him with a flower vase. Quickly change your clothing to his armor, and walk nonchalantly around the corner to the stationed guard at the steps. The step guard should be coming to investigate the noise of your assualt. WALK up the stairs right by him. Now you're in the Galley, and things get iffy here. There are many routes to victory, but I will list the plainest one I can come to. You'll note in the kitch near you, there are MANY items. Honey, flour, rats, apples, rope. All with different functions, all highly useful to get past the stationed door guard. There are many guards and a maid between you and victory, however. The flour will prove highly useful, as it will allow you to take a more offensive approach Octa isn't used to. One well timed toss of it can force even four men to cough and shield their eyes. Here we go. First, get the rat, unseen by the hall guards. This can be tricky, use the apple to divert their attentions if need be, by throwing it near them so they walk to investigate the sound, turning both backs to you. Use the rat in the room the maid occupies with the stove, she'll run out to where the two guards patrol. Now, be SURE you have both the flour, and the honey in X and Square hands. If a guard sees you, all the better. Stand in the narrow DOORWAY and use flour to stop a guard, use honey on him and it will break, creating a sticky puddle they will all slip on. Use flour to keep them at bay should any somehow get past your honey puddle, and grab another honey. Your aim is to make sure every guard slips and falls over the honey, maid too, if you wish it so. Drag guard bodies out of the way if the others can't get to you and use another honey puddle on them. When they're down, let your meter drop and grab a Roma helmet off one of the men. Now, head for the stationed guard. With Vase in tow, hidden behind your back, walk to his left. When he fully turns around to look at you, walk to his right, where his back is. He should be stucking in the questioning animation still, back to you VERY briefly. Hit him over the head with wine flask or jar, get your gold fortune coin for taking out everyone, and head inside. A man let's the maid know Decius is out, and tells her he lost the key in the tiger pit/ treasure area. Hmmm. She also tells him Decius will have him killed if he finds out. The man does not know what to do. Welcome to the Garden Part II, another very difficult part of the stealth in this game. First, make very careful note of your surroundings on your map. Next, go to Decius' bedroom (I told you earlier to know where it is), at the upper left of the map. Walk right past the two guards, ignoring their warnings that Decius will have your head for trespassing, and take all the man's coins. Heh heh heh. Now then, head for the garden, and find a frog to pick up, but don't let the patrol see it. Once you get it, toss it into the room as close to the maid as possible. Now, you may have to rebound it off a wall to reach her more easily. It's ok, he's a tough frog. She'll shriek and run to the stationary guards near Decius' bedroom. Now, walk slowly up to the man in charge (marked on your map as special) and hit him with the oil the maid had near her feet. When he's out, run around the puddle until all the assualting guards slip and pass out on the puddle. Those dummies. Search your main target for his key, and get outta here (goal circled on the map). Now you're back at the main area of the Estate, but fully costumed. Get all the coins you may have passed up thus far, and then FINALLY go for your main goal door, down to the basement. Welcome to Antonius' basement of secrets and horror! Peep through the vault doors to see what may be inside, and then go to the green door. Ulp. The gates are all broken open, and the walls stained with crimson. I do not think that's chocolate syrup, considering what type of game you're playing. Listen, Octa, I know you love Agrippa and his family, but c'mon man, no one will be angry at you if you turn back and cry like a little girl. 3 Great White Tigers vs. Octavianus? No turning back eh? Ok, here we go. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Octavianus vs. 3 White Bengal Tigers!!! Ok, this is all about your strategy. You know the key is in the room somehwere, but where? Let's go find it. Do NOT, I repeat do NOT go straight ahead to the two white tigers. Instead, turn around and go back the way you came. Flatten to the wall past the three stands of....tiger chow, or leftovers, and go down the steps quickly. Get the torch, you'll need it to live. Ok, these wooden tiger food stands. You can break them with your weak torch to open new paths, and to find coins hidden. I don't recommend this until you learn the room quite well. Tigers can easily scratch through them, or worse, LEAP through onto you with no problems. They also run about five times faster than Octavianus can. Charge the one tiger at the back of the room, and open the cage on your left IMMEDIATELY. Go in, break the stand of bones to get the key, and pray the tiger is on the other side of the bars. Now for the fun part. You just have to get away. You can do two things. You can periodically turn and swat any of the 3 tigers chasing you with flames to keep them at bay for roughly 3 seconds, or you can do the aforementioned WHILST destroying all the brown stands for coins and still get away with your skin. Whichever you do, swat at them regularly but watch your torches "health" and GET OUT OF THAT ROOM!!! Go back the way you came in, or cut even faster past the 2 tigers in the middle of the room and up the stairs you started out facing. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Use the Vault Key on the Vault and go inside to find the scroll you'd think the conspirators would have destroyed. Did Antonious now find it? He had to have, because it is in HIS vault. It must be his sick trophy of sorts. SPOILERS ON WHAT CAESAR THOUGHT OF THE CHARACTERS INVOLVED IN HIS MURDER!!!! I won't write word for word what the long parchment says, but basically: Marcus Antonius is not suited for politics. Tries too hard and fails. Is brutal and unhonorable. Vibius PANSA Caetronianus (your mentor) is well suited to be chief of consul, but no one would accept such an order. Too bad. Marcus Brutus would have been wonderful to rule, except that constant doting by Cicero has given him a huge ego. Caesar wanted to seperate them for a bit. Obviously the men did not like it. How childish. Cassius Longiness quite enjoys betrayal, and is not suited to ANY form of responsibility. Marcus Tullius CICERO is a true patriot through and through, sadly old age has clouded his judgement, and Caesar wished to keep him out of politics until new laws were passed, possibly prohibiting his power a bit. Half and half on this guy then. DECIUS BRUTUS is a marvelous soldier, but Caesar often called into question the man's morality. He wished to send him away to lead Northern Colonies, but not much else, and would have had him spied on often. The man is a butcher, not an honorable soldier, or a patriot as he claims so often. He is the SECOND BRUTUS pulling all these strings. Octa hears men wondering where Decius is. That's your man. It becomes known he's heading for the Temple. Octavianus rushes off to meet him. Save the game. END MAJOR SPOILERS --------------------------------------------------------------------- Back at Sextus' stable, Agrippa speaks with Claudia about how he is missing. Claudia knows Sextus found Octa, and could not stop him from going to murder him for his contractors. She worries no one can get through to Sextus anymore. Iris and Charmane appear, strange foriegn twins. Claudia puzzles out their "mistress," the "great One", wants Octa gone. They dissapear in a gust of magic wind, telling Agrippa no one can stop their plans now. Their flirtatious laugher is heard on the wind. Claudia runs off to find Sextus, sword in hand. Agrippa is free to move about now. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Stable Speak to everyone as per usual, saving Dema is Sextus' office for last. Know that this is the last chance you have to enter the Underground Arena to get up points toward better armors. I highly suggest you do, they will be invaluable to winning the final rounds of combat to come. When you're ready, speak with Dema. The others are excited and ready for the main event at the capital in Rome! Sextus has left a letter for you. When you're ready to start up the final rounds of the grand events, speak with the carriage guard in the training yard to depart. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Agrippa is in the same cart as his father. He assualts Agrippa veribly, telling him he is a fool for being a gladiator. Agrippa holds his hand, and they smile at one another. All must be well. The grand arena of Rome is shown in full glory. So many have packed it's walls. Antonius is in his private box with Decius. He gives a mighty speech about the great Caesar, and orders the winning gladiators to slay Vippsanius. The crowd goes wild, and so do the gladiators, made kings even if for a single moment in time. Dema, in a special helmet, is your leader now. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Round I The place is packed, and it's time for the historical first match! This one is definately one of the toughest fights in the entire game, friend. It may take many attempts. I hope you're ready for combat. Dema explains that today's event is a Rescue. Three poor women are caged. Certain killers near each cage hold the key, or you can break the cages with anything you wish, but the women take damage. The mission is a hard one, as once a woman is released, the gladiators stop at nothing to slay her, not you. They also come in endless waves that never once falter. Be strong, be smart. Gold - 50,000 Silver - 30,000 Bronze - 20,000 I strongly recommend saving ONE woman at a time. Open the cage, lead her to where you started, and she's safe. They run twice as slow as you or the other combatants, so be ready for that. Your enemies will swarm onto her well before they attack you if a woman is out of her cage. Obtain keys from the nearest men to the cages, or bash it open, at cost to her health. The women also tend to freeze and wet themselves if they are hit, or if you run too far away. Simply speak with them using circle to get them going again. Dema is worried about how well you handle women, some day he may teach you how to make them happy. *wink wink* Speak to your fellows before going in. When you're ready, choose the weapon that best suits what you've learned thus far. See my above strategies way back in the guide for battle pointers. Hang in there, this battle is a hard one. I went with Grand Mace and Parma, but any weapon is good for this level if you use it correctly. Kill the green armored foe on the right however you see fit. Combos and insta kills are best, preserve your health as much as you are able. This is a long match. Pull the spike shield foe on your right out of arrow range, in between the spike pit if you can. Battle him as you wish, use the spikes for bonus points and a nice weapon from the crowd. Speak to the first genrously bosomed lass on the right, break her free and try not to hurt her too much. Get her to where you started, with minimal conflict. Ok, back at the start. Go left this time, and take out the man with the mace and torch, then run up the wood ramp to the archer. Note new enemies will now enter the arena. You can do this more easily by disarming or breaking the limbs of the foes, without murdering, to keep the stale old foes in the arena with no refreshed new ones, but you'll get less points and no keys this way. Once up the ramp, finish the archer, be sure to use the spike shield you should have to block arrows. Once you have her key, head to the woman on the left of your map, near the ramp you used. By now, many men will be in your way. Murder them all using the tactics you've picked up before, and make sure the woman is clear. Then, set her free and get her to your exit! As men rush to meet you, cripple them and kill faster than you ever have before. Cheer for good weapons and meats to live much longer. Defend her to her last steps and remember to speak with her using circle when she stops running and cries. Be wary, sometimes a scimitar wielding bowman appears at your exit. Kill him asap with anything you find. Now for number 3. By now, you more than likely have quite the collection of bad men after you. Unless you've simply crippled the men in the arena within an inch of their lives. Either way, you must kill here. Run up the wooden ramp and go to the third woman's cage. Use the key from the big man you kill or break it, and knock men from the ladder. Get her to the narrow wood area with you, and note that one man can hold off 1 million using the narrow area to his advantage. Just do NOT get surrouned or you are both dead. Once the way is fully cleared, fight your way to the exit as you did for the second woman. Many will oppose you, randomly it seems, but do not lose hope. Use every baiting, blocking, insta killing, food grabbing, giant weaponry gaining trick I've taught you throughout this guide to eventually suceed. The woman will often run the wrong way when scared or attacked, so do not drop your guard until she is safe and the day is yours! Note that the men WILL eventually stop coming, but it takes some time to kill them all off. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Round II Beasts from Dema's homeland are here....uh oh. Speak to EVERYONE to gain a little insight, and alot of fear. Then, note the funny men in the corner. Here we go... Gold - 30,000 Silver - 20,000 Bronze - 10,000 After you've spoken to everyone, choose your weapon. Scimitar and cheese is nice, but all the choices are doable if you know how to use them. Time to show these fools who's on top of the food chain! Dodge the elephants initial, half life bar draining charge. Note the many statues that hold large weapons for you, and the catapult at the rear of the arena. Your first goal will be to kill the tigers, as they will rip you to shreds if you waste time on the elephant. Whilst being sure you aren't surrouned by the tigers, listen for the elephant's massive charge. Kill the tigers asap, using any weapons you can muster. With them gone, try and force the elephant to charge right over the statues to get the weapons for you. Now, Vultures enter the arena, in large flocks! Avoid/kill them at will, but mainly use all the large weapons you have on the elephants SIDES only! Use the catapult when you are free to for better Salvos, and don't forget to kick the elephant! There are also two meats to be found on either side of the catapult, use them well! Halfway through the elephant's health, two more tigers enter, with vultures still making problems! Avoid the bird brains or toss rocks from afar, and kill the two tigers same as before, avoiding the elephant charges and being cornered. Speed is key! Keep those eyes open. The statues pop back up into place when all three are shattered. Do not allow the tigers to pin you. Kill vultures and tigers alike, and it'll be just you and the staggering, near dead elephant. Keep on him with ANY weapons, and use that meat! Save. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Round III Dema compliments your "hunting" skills and explains today's event is yet another elimination. Remember the spikey pit elimination way back with two rooms? This time, there are four, the order you take them is up to you. You must clear all four AND the foes between rooms as well. Keep your head about you and learn which rooms suit you best, in which order, and you'll do just fine. Gold - 70,000 Silver - 40,000 Bronze - 25,000 After you speak to everyone for good advice on this mystery match up, choose your square hand weapon. I like the dagger, but the shield will do. Entering with nothing nets a nice bonus as well. This first area is tricky and tough. Run past the two men, dodging. Head under the press. The crowd may toss you a weapon. The foe will probably reach it before you can though. Get the other two enemies on you. Try to lure all four under the press, taking as little damage as possible. Crush whoever you can, cheer for points, and get any weapons available. Now, you have a better chance. Kill however you normally would, but make it quick because you need all your armor and health to last. Then, get ready for an archer to come from your entry point, and one ahead, with a big man. Use the press on the big man whilst dodging arrows. Then finish the archers however you see fit. There is meat in the corner of the next area beyond the press. Use it. Time to head through to the next of the four areas. Lots of spinning blades. Use them while dodging arrows and kill your foes. Keep in mind you CAN destroy the spinning traps. Finish the archer and get ready for two more plus some mid sized men to storm in. Be quick and deadly, breaking and amputating foes left and right, using the blades to your advange while you duck them. Get ready for one final big man with a halberd, and then go to the small door in back to move forward. So close! Ok, for this tiny room, you'll want a quick weapon and even faster feet. The area is covered in brush and bushes like a forest, and filled with archer women. Hunt them and finish them, and be wary of any flaming arrows coming your way. As you slay them as extravagantly as possible, be ready for more archers and heavy weapons men to arrive. Search the bushes for more weapons, cheer for big ones, and look for meat by using your map if you have time. It's hidden in bushes and foes will use it all if they can. Once you annihilate your final big foe, find the bridge out and go to the fourth and final area. A large weapon is key in this, the tiniest of all four areas. It's a straight up slaughter to the finish. Kill everyone and do not get surrouned by any means, or it's all over. Get weapons from the crowd by cheering, and kill kill kill! A small, burning circle appears in the center of the ring, deadly to you and your foes. Keep off it, knock foes onto it or suplex them. They die fast that way. Hopefull you'll win long before the burning circle covers the entire floor. Throw weapons if you have to! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Round IV No one expected you to make it this far! Quite a name for yourself now, eh? Today's is another team battle. With hard to find statues and levers this time around, four in all. Gold - 30,000 Silver - 15,000 Bronze - 10,000 Speak with everyone and reply to Dema both ways if you wish, and then pick a good weapon for statues. Like the Grand Mace! Let's do it. Bring whoever you wish, I got the big man on my side because he drops his large weapon when he pulls siwtches and you can take it for yourself. Destory EVERY rock near your camp, trust me. Then, head under the arch to the first lever, killing anyone you see, crippling the other team as well. Toss rocks and your weapons at the raised up statue to eventually (so slowly) break it. Head around to the second statue asap and use the rocks and any weapons the crowd gives you. Cripple your foes to make them slow or one armed if able to make this battle much easier. Once you've done this, head to the next switch. Hope your aim is exceptional! About five rocks and three swords thrown later, the statue should break. If you crippled your foes and took all the rocks for you or broke them, your team should be WAY ahead. Go to the last statue with time to spare, and get a weapon from the crowd to finish it once and for all! Easier said than done, I know, but practice and you'll be a pro at this one in no time. Use the spike pit and double it with a good cheer if you want the Gold. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Octavianus has learned through Caesar's letter found beneath Antonius' residence that the other Brutus is none other than Decius. In pursuit of the dastardly Decius, Octavianus once again makes his way to the temple for the final confrontation. Or is it?... --------------------------------------------------------------------- Temple Part II As you walk the path, Sextus appears with two very large, very angry halberd wielding pirates. He tells you he has been waiting to end your life for a very long time, in the name of Pompeyous. Uh oh. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Pirate Assassins!!! Not too terrible, despite their imposing looks. Ok, first rush up and kick the barrel at the nearest man. Then, run up the slope to the wood shed and kick the second barrel at another man. Rush back down to the fire and grab a torch out of it. It spawns unlimited torches. Next, bait a man into swinging his halberd, and when he misses, rush in and burn him. Do it to both men several times and they will throw their weapons at you. Watch out! Soon, they will jump off the cliff into the ocean to quench the flames! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Sextus comes at you with his two very cool gypsy blades. Octa pulls a Matrix and dodges them well. Claudia rushes in to stop her "brother". Oca is confused. Claudia tells Sextus this carnage isn't worth it, and will solve nothing. Sextus says he would do anything for her, but not stop trying to kill Octavianus. She blocks Sextus' blades and sends you rushing to the temple. Once there, get your coins. Head inside, to hear a scream of pain. Decius has stabbed Marcus Brutus in the stomach, grinning. Looks like all the conspirators are dead. It will be a slow death. As he leaves the gates, Octa hides behind the door. He rushes to a very bloody Marcus. He laughs, knowing Octa reached the truth. He explains how Decius Brutus created the conspiracy to gain power for himself, using the dissadints in the Senate, knowing they also did not like Caesar for various selfish reasons. He then refuses Octa's help and dies...his last words about how he was Caesar's bastard son, and how he never got so much as a kind word from his father. He hated him for being so hard on him. He cries, laughs lightly, remembers his father, and dies. With the evadence in tow, Octavianus is met by Maecenas and his private Roman Guard. He presents the proof to ole Mae, and is arrested. What?! Oh no!!! He doesn't wish you to continue in your meddling. He doesn't want the games ruined. The evil Maecenas knows all. Octavianus is taken away by the guards, while the evil music plays on. Save the game! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Round V Dema explains what an exciting day this will be! It's another huge Siege! Break into the "castle" and kill the master within! Gold - 70,000 Silver - 40,000 Bronze - 25,000 There is a narrow route and a wide route within it's walls. Which to choose? Speak to everyone and be sure to learn the map well. Then, choose which weapon you enjoy killing with best. I like the Spear, but up to now, you should know your own style, you've made it this far! Good luck!! Use the broken stone walls outside to your advantage, and murder the first man you see. Get the stones while avoiding arrows and load up the catapult. Crash the gate and try to kill at least one archer if you're able. Corner and kill the next three men you meet at the gate, using large weapons as you see fit from the crowds. Use those broken stone battlements to block the lone archer. When they are no longer of this world, move within the walls. As you try to enter, three more men will assualt you. You know what to do by now! If not, read back in my guide for better fighting tips, and keep practicing! Hopefully, you're close to getting a Bonum Salvo by now, a Magnum later. Once inside, with a large weapon preferably, get ready to kill the lone archer if he hasn't dropped down already. Note the key the first archer on the left dropped upon his death. Get it. As you head up the small ramp, beware the two shooters in front of you and one far back behind. Kill them asap and get their arrows to do some long distance death dealing of your own! Be sure all three are dead or out of ammo before you continue on. If they run out, they'll drop to grab any nearby weapons, even rocks, so be ever ready to fight from afar and up close with the archer types. Use your key behind the main baddie of the place to lower a small plank connecting to the teeny platform in case you need to run back. Use arrows, and rocks from afar to soften the man up, and then get his weapon and break both his arms, then split his skull. This giant, black clad Master of the Keep will die easily enough when softened up from afar first. Avoid his long reach, and crack that armor! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Grand Arena Round VI Dema is convinced you are the greatest warrior that has ever lived, but has to go over the rules anyway. They are new. This is called a sword struggle. This is one of the hardest and most frustrating matches ever concieved by man or game designer alike. Basically, a WOMAN has a wooend sword, named Rudis. You must get it from her cold dead hand, and present it to the crowd after having climbed a huge structure in the middle of the arena. You will be timed, too. If time is up and you haven't presented it, you will lose and be killed. Rough eh? Get ready for alot of restarts. Gold - 95,000 Silver - 65,000 Bronze 50,000 Ok first things first. Kill EVERY female you see. The THIRD female you kill will drop Rudis. But, to do this, you must kill, kill, KILL! Basically, killing one man will make the game spawn a new arena fighter. Killing enough will eventually spawn the woman you want. It takes alot though, so don't die, fight well, and read all my aforementioned battle tactics throughout this guide and it's many missions if you wish to succeed. Speak with everyone and choose your favoriate weapon. If you win, you get a chance to battle the scum, Decius Brutus! I like the Power Scimitar, but anything is good for your style. I preferr to remove limbs to gain big weapons fast. 10 minutes! Head straight left towards the female sharpshooter, and get a big weapon if you can. Kill all who oppose you and beware the arrows that rain like hail. When she is dead for certain, go anywhere you wish and KILL as much as you can to spawn two women. Watch your map to learn where new foes are coming from. Keep at it until the two appear. Be sharp, and be powerful. Agression is key, but dodge the arrows! Use every power trick you know, and when the women spawn, slay them BOTH fast, and find Rudis on the second woman. The enemy here will go straight after your sword, and do their best to keep it from you. It will not break, and cannot be lost unless thrown outside, which would be a very bad thing. Run run run, as a wooden sword isn't all that powerful and is easily lost to their theiving hands, and scale the middle structure. Avoid, or kill in advance, the large man in menacing black chain mail. Scale the structure and present the weapon with cicle when prompted for the win! Some have done this with up to four mins remaining, some with 4 SECONDS. Keep at it, and watch for the women, force a spawn by killing quick! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Great Arena Final Round Dema is estatic that his "brother" (you) made it this far! This is it!! The long journey is finally at it's end. Finally, at long last. Can you taste the vengence upon your lips? Your Mother's killer, soon to be your Father's. Decius Brutus. Gold - 30,000 Silver - 15,000 Bronze - 10,000 Speak to everyone for final tips, and choose your weapons wisely, my friend. You know the Gladius is middle of power and speed, the Scimitar is all speed with low power, and the Mace is pure power with low speed. Or, you could go in with nothing, and cheer to double it. That road is quite hard, but know the crowd WILL toss you a steady supply of swords soon enough. I went with Gladius, to start, and spike shield. Good luck! Let's give the crowd something to remember, Gladiator!!! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Decius Brutus!!! The gigantic arena is packed to bursting with screaming fans and confetti flows on the wind, with rose buds. Agrippa enters, Gladius in hand, staring down the sneering Decius. The man laughs, Finally, he can make Agrippa pay for what he did to Valcross. Agrippa taunts and goads on Decius until he ends the taunts reminding him of his dead Mother. They both frown, ready to kill, as a huge steel cage surrounds the two. Ok. He's a tough one! FOUR HEALTH BARS! Don't worry, you only need to take two. That alone is nearly impossible. He'll start off by laughing at you, rush in for a few combos. Just keep using shield with sword combos and block/dodge all of his ultra hard hitting steel punches. He'll charge at you for a huge uppercut, don't let it happen. Claws will come out and shred your belly like so much fine silk. Also, don't let him grab you in both hands, as he often enjoyed doing to you when you two first faught. He will knee you and combo you if he can grab your body. Keep on his hands, and one will break for a great Salvo. Let the crowd toss you a giant halberd, and tear into him. He will start grabbing swords and one handed weapons of the like when one hand is iron gloveless. Keep bashing at him with charged attacks and combos! After 2 bars, you get a cinema. He stops you from killing him by telling your father is about to die, and gets in a dirty hit to grab your Gladius. Before he kills Agrippa, the Royal Guard enters, with Maecenas declaring the Father of Rome has returned! What?! Caesar enters the ring, much to Decius' dismay! The cage around you two drops as Caesar walks forward boldly. The crowd goes wild. Antonius is in denail as well. Caesar waves, and Decius admits he murdered Caesar. They tell him it was not Caesar, and that it was an impostor. the crowd, again, goes wild. Decius' entire deciet and plot are exposed. Vipsannius is freed, he and Agrippa hug. Yay! Antonius demands Mae explain himself, he KNOWS he killed Caesar. Caesar tells Antonius to leave the rulers box. He is not named his succesor. Mae explains more to the crowd about how Antonius staged it all, even over Decius Brutus. Everyone is in awe as the plot unfolds, Antonius has a tempter tantrum, and flashes back. Iris and Charmange give a strange letter from their Mistress. It details how Ceasar does not plan to make Antonius his successor. He cannot believe it, he was the right hand! The strange but pretty twins tell him to look into his will, at the Temple for proof. He runs off, reading every word we found in his vault in disbelief. He knows who the real Caesar is to be, and it isn't him. The twins appear in his box to goad him into verbally assaulting Mae. AGrippa asks who is the real Caesar then? Mae explains it is the man before them, the man prvoing, and deserving of title of Caesar. Everyone watches, as the "Ceasar" pulls off his mask and cape. Beneath is a well dressed Octavianus! The twings realize Sextus has failed the Mistress, and leave silently, muttering of messes in planning. Mae aays this was his plan all along. Antonius orders Decius to slay Octa and crew! The cage raises...as Agrippa rushes on the mighty Decius. A cool fight ensues in the cutscene, as the twisted madman raves about how his talent and genius were not appreciated. And then... --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Decius Part II!!! Ok, two more health bars! Lucky for you, you are restored and a shield is tossed into the cage. Now, his claws are out. Are you ready?! He has the same attacks, but they all hurt you ten times more because of the giant nails in each hand. Hit him hard even when he blocks, to destroy the nails. You can use them as weapons as well! Statues will also raise up in the cage and offer weapons. Keep moving fast, and avoid getting too close for too long. Quick combos and destroying his nails are key here. Cheer for food when you need it, too. You won't find much. Force him to break statues for you when you can, it saves much time and health. Throw weapons and use my above strategies for Part I of Decius as much as you are able. Break those nails and then move in to suplex him! --------------------------------------------------------------------- The cage lowers as Decius dies. His Lion head tumbles. He bleeds everywhere and breathes his last, claiming to be a genious. The serious music starts as Antonius enters, giant Gold Magnus in hand. The cage raises. You must always stay one step ahead, or time catches up to you, he laughs, mirthlessly. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Antonius!!! Ok, talk about strong. Stay away from him unless you're comboing him many times. Keep on the move more than with Decius. Dart in and out, forcing him to swing and miss, as you delivery combo after combo. Use large weapons asap. When he leaps at you, Magnus high, dodge roll or run for a good bonus Salvo, multiply it with a spotlight cheer for food/giant weapons. Keep at him the same as with Decius, and his sword will break. Then he is forced to use small, one handed weapons, or large ones if you let him. So don't. He is an exellent master of all weapons and fist fighting. Block and dodge accordingly. Everything you've learned thus far is rolled into one here. BLOCKING is key. You can't charge up too much, as he dodges. Do try and get behind him and kick his rear to get a Salvo! He has many swipes, lunges, and other attacks you've come to know throughout from other weapons. Soon, he will fall! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Antonius is taken away by the guards. Agrippa wants him to face the people, not have a quick death. Mae has known ALL along that Octa is to be Caesar. He apoligizes, but knows it had to have been done this way for any chance of sucess. Agrippa hugs his Father, and suddenly Rome bursts into flames! Pirates of SEXTUS are attacking! The men rush in to liberate Antonius!! They rush forward to face Agrippa and the Roman soliders! Death is everywhere, and in the confusion, Antonius is carried away! Vipsannius notices an archer pirate aiming for Agrippa, and takes the arrow to save his son. It is not fatal, but the general is out of the game. He sends Agrippa to find Sextus and Antonius. Octa and Mae stay behind as well. SAVE THE GAME! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Rome In Flames Welcome to the city streets of Rome in flames! You're back in your Centurion armor, which, surpisingly, is weaker than the Aegis. So be more careful about hits you take! Check your map and your path should be apparent. You must wind through city streets, buildings, and other small passages. When in doubt, try breaking something, or finding a door into a building! Beware of the five or so Pirate Archers in hiding all over the roofs and interiors. Also, break boxes and barrels for weapons and food! You can use rocks to break doors and kill bad guys, and don't forget to pick up enemy archers arrows! As you run up the burning streets, you'll find Claudia killing off some pirate scum! Quite well, I might add. She's tough! She tells him Sextus is ahead, and she couldn't stop him. As they go, Iris and Charmiane appear once more, elusive as ever, up in a tower. They are holding hands. They say Antonius still has things to do for them, and though it's quite a task, they must let him escape. Trow large, oddly masked African Fellows enter, giant spears of red and blue in hand. One man wears a blue cloth, one a red. Who are these masters of the spear?! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Zedo & Gedo!!! Wow, this is a tough one, even with Claudia here to help! You must hurry, Sextus is getting away with Antonius! The men will focus the camera on them and yell their names. Anytime this happens this will charge and it is unavoidable if you are in their path of death. Go to the other side of the bushes to remedy this. Pick either one and try to get him seperate in a corner. Dodge and block as you would fighting any spearman, and combo when you can. Should you lose a weapon or several, Claudia makes herself useful by leaving the screen for a moment and returning with a random weapon for you to use. The men will also climb up the buildings (wow they jump high!) and toss down a vial of poison at you two. This hurts AND will stun you and your partner. It also can reverse the controls, but this is rare. Use your arrows, IF you can hit them. These guys are the hardest you've ever faced. The spears are used like normal, but are double in length and power. They can strike through the bushes and also tend to do an arm linked spin attack. That's a great time to shoot them. Keep at it. When their spears are stolen or broken, they run away to get more. Doh. Try to concentrate on just one, and when he leaves to get a better weapon, play good defense and don't let him by you by repeatedly hitting him with anything, even shoulders if they are all you have. He will keep trying to run and never attack, while Claudia keeps the second one busy. Do this as often as you can to quickly finish one, then just be careful with the second. It is much easier with just one. Claudia also cannot die, so let her fight! She sometimes brings food to you, but only if you perform well, as if in the arena. Also be aware that if one gets by to his spear, he'll toss his buddy one as well! Just block and be fleet of foot, getting in strikes when you can, using their spears if you're able to make it go easier! --------------------------------------------------------------------- The twins watched your fight, laugh at you, and dissapear into the flames as you chase after Sextus! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Port Ostia Claudia shows you the ship Sextus is using for Antonius. Head towards it, but be ready for two slumped black shapes in hiding. Throw your sword with auto aim for a good instakill, and get the mace nearby! Murder the other with a head bash, and get ready for another mid pirate to attack from behind! Claudia helps you here a little, mostly by distracting the guards. Get new shields, helmets, and weapons, and follow the only path you can. Don't forget to break boxes for food, then drop into the dank green sewers beneath the port. Uh oh. Two big pirates with maces. Let Claudia take on one, you use your big man fighting tactics to kill the other. Do it quick. The longer you take, the worse you risk great harm, you need lots of health, trust me. When the deed is done, double team the other big man. Insta kill however you see fit, don't forget you can suplex! There are many hidden weapons in the waters depths as well! Ew, such green water. Get a good weapon and secondary, and chop all the wood until you're out! Follow your only path forward, get the food from the boxes, and head up. On the next screen, two more big men await. You should know what to do by now, just preserve your health by killing quick! The knife from the sewers helps ALOT, and there are weapons a bit ahead in boxes, do not forget to use them! Head down the docks breaking and amputating parts, get ready for a few big guys, one at a time. Avoid taking any hits. Head up to find the docks destroyed and the boat gone. Sextus laughs as he approaches you by hook. He swings in and tells you Antonius escaped to the seas. He cannot believe Agrippa is friends with Octavianus. Sextus knows he must take Rome for his lost Father. He will NEVER stop. He punches a begging Claudia and puts her out of the fight. Agrippa tells Sextus they have been fated to end here, with each other. Sextus draws both his powerful blades, and wnats to get on with things. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle! Sextus!!! Oh my. This is far and away harder than Z & G. The music is cool though! The pirate king comes at you in a variety of ways. Learn each of his stabs, swipes, kicks, and thrusts. He makes it look like a dance, like water. Simply block him and get in hits when you can, much like Antonius. There are boxes all around the dock. Break them for food, shields, and weaponry! They constantly replensh, and you will need the supply! Be sure to have your shield as much as you can, it helps greatly and saves weapon durability. He likes to throw dust at you, and often thrusts once, and swings two to four times after, both blades flying. He blocks you very easily, as well. He also has a simple leaping thrust that ends in three to five hits. Try to run rather than block long chains, but don't be afraid to get in there and fight and block either! Combo often, but give him breathing room. He counters almost flawlessly, and those are hard to block and survive. He doesn't slip up often, but when he does, all his weight on one blade, to one knee will leave him open for a good comboing. These openings should NOT be taken for granted, they are your way to victory. Only throw at him whilst he is comboing, or he'll block/dodge every time. Move in, sting, and back out or roll quickly. Stay moving, and stay offensive to stay alive. When you take away a mere one life bar, he screams confidently, no more playing around! When he does this, he'll come at you with much larger combos, incorporating kicks into his mix of several swipes. I recommend running before the last hit connects, it's a shield buster! Just stay on him as before and be ready for his body to move like the water. He is good. When he starts moving DOUBLE speed, get your spear. I know it's slow, but there is a tactic. Get him to dodge into a corner by coralling him with quick jabs, block his combos, and throw in a kick of your own to unbalance him. Then give him a charged thrust or four hitter! Don't forget to get food and another spike shield, do everything you've been doing up to this point, but twice as fast! With practice and proper food usage, you'll win this. Good luck to you. (Anyone notice how much he looks like that cool Abadon from that Four Horseman game due out soon?) --------------------------------------------------------------------- Claudia awakens (after giving us a genrous view of her legs), and sees Sextus take his final blow. He falls, bleeding, and Agrippa pleads with him to surrender. Antonius isn't done yet! His ship fires canon balls all about the Port! A huge tower is hit, Sextus shoves Claduia into Agrippa's arms, and sits, smiling at his friends, as it crushes him. He has a small flashback to when he met Claudia, and named her. He tells hshe reminds him of his sister, who died. He smiles at Claudia as the tower kilsl him. Agrippa holds Claudia as she thrashes and cries over her lost brother, Sextus. I hear that, he was very cool. Octavianus comes up with Agrippa, who vows vengence towards Antonius. Out to sea, hundreds of Roman ships do flaming arrow battle with the Pirate vessels. Large spikey planks are used to forcibly board other vessels. Agrippa tells Octavianus, in his Caesar garb, that he is going to Antonius' ship. Octa orders the fleet to support Agrippa's efforts! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Naval Battle Ok, rush ahead from where you start and kill the two men. Break all the boxes for various weapons and food. Get a dagger and Guardian Gladius and move on. When you come to the mast and red bridge upright, chop the rope to drop it and board the next ship! A big pirate rushes to greet you, kill him using your blade and dagger to finish the deed. There is a small thatched hatch nearby. Use it to head down. You can sneak walk and toss a weapon to insta kill this man, or just go into the room nearby with a green door for more weapons and cheese. Kill him however you wish, and press on. Further below decks, a fire starts from a fallen lantern, use it and whatever else you wish and murder the two men. Get a Guardian Shield and a Helmet, and go down the hall. Finish the stationed guard and go into his room. Break the boxes for cheese and meat. Then, climb up the ladder, marked as your goal. Turn around immediately once up top and get the three boxes behind you. Grab the Fire Bow and whatever suits your fancy and chop at the mast with blue bridge held upright. Cross it, and beware the archer you can now take out with your arrows! Kill another mid Pirate, and keep to the left to avoid a cannon ball! Yikes!! A big guy with a mace will confront you, finish him well and quick! Chop the rope at the next mast behind him, and cross. Enter the door nearest you and kill the man on the steps. Head forward, to fight another man as a second fire breaks out! Do your best to send him head first into it, and he'll die quick. Get his helmet and weapon if they're in good condition, and head forward on your map. Another fire breaks out in this narrow hall. Use it to your advantage, this swordsman with shield is a bit tougher than most. Behind him lies a man with an Apollo's Spear! Fight as you would any heavy weaponsman (don't tell me you've forgotten already?!), and take it if it's in good condition. Go through the door he was guarding. Break boxes in here for tons of good eats, and then head to your goal! As the arrows fall and men die everywhere, Agrippa finds mighty Antonious, with an even bigger Sword than before! It is the ultimate Magnus. Antonious says this is just the beginning, and that he shall shape Rome as all of his! He asks if you understand, Agrippa says no, it ends NOW. The two square off under the pale moonlight, as the music of the Gods sounds in the background. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Boss Battle Deluxe!!! Antonious Reborn!!!!!!!!! This is it. Are you ready for the final boss man? Trust me, this is THE strongest, and most frustrating boss. He has a lifebar X FIVE. Yeah. And his blade is UNBREAKABLE. Ok, this first round, simply fight him as you did in the arena. He has the same basic moves to dodge, block, and counter with combos of your own making. Use every weapon you find in the statues and boxes surrounding you two, and be quick! Mainly, it's all a matter of "turtling" your attack and defense, as discussed earlier in this guide, and taking as few hits as possible as to make your food in the boxes last for his huge health. It's all about repetition and blocking well, or running. It just takes time. Be strong, hang in there! You're SO close! Soon, he calls you an innosolent fool and bids you farewell. In my experience, it's NEVER good when the bad guy does the cocky thing. Ok, he'll leap up high and pelt you with flaming jars like all the Valcross used. KEEP MOVING. DO NOT TAKE EVEN ONE HIT. You were regret it greatly if you get hit by his fire. It hurts so so much and grounds you so he is guaranteed another hit. Finally, as you dart from corner to corner, avoiding flames, he'll scream take this! Then he'll lunge at you with a huge overhand swing attack. Roll by hitting attack at the last minute when locked on, or run VERY far and very fast. Blocking doesn't do much good. Now he blocks more and does rotating counter attacks. The cure to this? Let him come after you first. He'll shout he's ready for you. Either throw your weapon or duck/run to avoid his savage and brutal slash attack. It's very damaging and hard to block and live. Force him to attack and miss, and counter it with a good combo from spear or gladius. Keep your supply of weapons coming by breaking statues and boxes often. He'll jump up and do his fire thing aforementioned above. Run around widly! Keep up the fight, at each health bar dropped he uses his cheap flame vials! Run in a wide circle and narrow it as you adjust to where flame patches spring up. Keep at it, you're so close!!! Now for true pain. This is almost pure luck along with mastery of fighting Antonious, but he'll beging to blow deep red and tell you he's ready for you. This is BAD! Do not attack until you are ready. Dodge and block and be twice as defensive when he's this powerful. The red is very dangerous. He's five times as fast and twice as powerful at least. Wait for him to make a major slip, he will, and become unbalanced. Rush in and strike hard! The red will fade, and he should be within two health bars of dying now. Good job to make it even this far! Keep going!!! Fight as you always have, with renewed patience and vigor in one. He will randomly go red with an afterimage effect, and wicked power behind that giant blade. Just keep at him as you have, and he WILL fall. This takes alot of practice, just keep at it and you will find he gets easier each time. Stay until after the credits for more!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Ending ENDING SPOILERS BELOW, ALMOST IN FULL. I STRONGLY SUGGEST YOU SEE IT FOR YOURSELF, AS MY WORDS CANNOT DO IT JUSTICE!!!! Antonious falls into the flames, bleeding everywhere. He says fire is his friend, and he will burn ALL and create a new slate on which to etch a new history. Just then, Octa's main ship pulls up and he boards. The two men face Antonious, who vows his spirit shall live on in Rome forever, saying they have no power to change anything! He says they deserve to live, and suffer, through these terrible times! He laughs like a madman as he falls to his death in the ocean. Agrippa and Octavianus look on solemly, the giant blade stuck in the ship's deck. The men return to a grand celebration and welcoming from Vippsanius, Claudia, and Maecenas. Octavianus grips Agrippa's shoulder, and nods to his finest General. Agrippa smiles, and the mighty fleet of Rome docks for celebration. Claudia is on a cliffside, leaving Sextus' two blades crossed over an otherwise unmarked grave of red flowers, and smiles, saying they will always be together in her heart. Agrippa asks Claudia if she's going, and she says yes, but there is much to do, she will watch from afar, looking forward to see the Rome the two men create. Agrippa calls to her, asking her to promise she'll return to Rome. She smiles at his earnest face, and leaves without a word. They know what is in their own hearts. Octavianus is dressed as a Caesar should be, and vows to fulfill Julis' vow of finding the Pax Romana, and Agrippa vows to help him, in whatever way he can. The tiny puppy that always followed Octa is there as well, licking their hands. The camera pans up into the clouds, showing the mighty city of Rome from above, majestic and strong. The credits roll. --------------------------------------------------------------------- HIDDEN ENDING Charmaine: "Iris, are you ready?" Iris: "Yes." Both: "We must tell the Great One that this has been the end of the beginning." Is the Mistress Cleopatra? It would make sense, as she and Antonious were lovers, and wanted to take Rome. Also, she recruited African hunters with strechted limbs, like Zedo and Gedo. Hmm... And who is this Great One? Is that another name for Cleo, or something/one else? --------------------------------------------------------------------- Of course, my words cannot do this gem of a game justice. Play it, and see all these marvels for yourself! Please!! You've done well to come this far! Now try hard and extreme!! And don't forget all those unlockables! Save your game at the end of the hidden ending, all your unlocked stuff with coins and battles DO carry over to the next file! --------------------------------------------------------------------- The Underground Arena (In Depth) As the name entails, this is a shady place where the action is fast, and the money flows freely. No worries though, it's good practice. Plus, it nets you bonus salvo points. If you begin the game and fight all the way through each and every match, you will have the bonus armors from the start! Not bad eh? I high recommend learning how to hack your way through this setup. I'll provide you with what knowledge I have for now, and if any strategies are needed, I will list them below the match description. Here we go! Novice - Fairly easy. Don't worry much about these unless you just started out. Good practice. Novice Battle 1: Mid Warriors x 3 Small Warriors x 2 Novice Battle 2: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 3 This one can be a little tricky if you aren't used to wearing down the big guys. Try for crippling moves asap, and just understand that they will outlast the middle guys. Don't give an inch of ground in this one, and you'll be ok. Novice Battle 3: Mid Warriors x 6 Novice Battle 4: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 3 Small Warrior x 1 The trick here is not to let the small fighter wear at your vitality early on with his dagger. Smush him for crowd approval, and go for a big weapon. From there, smooth sailing. Just keep getting good salvo bonuses, to keep your big weaponry coming. Average - Heats up a little here, but nothing huge. Average Battle 1: Large Warriors x 2 Mid Warriors x 4 Average Battle 2: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 4 Small Warriors x 1 Boy can this one be a pain. Just use everything you've picked up thus far, and work the crowd for food and big weapons as much as possible. Average Battle 3: Small Warriors x 7(!!!!!) Heh. I loved this one. Wanna know a neat trick? You'll start equipped with a large weapon. Use it. At first, it seems like it'll never happen, right? Get one guy in a corner and tap square repeatedly. You'll start up a hurricane move eventually. Just continue using it, even when you hit air. You'll stick in the corner and slice up every flea man that comes near you this way! Eventually, they'll die off, and a gate will open. Mine was the one to the left five out of five times. So to the left of where you start, they should flood from that door. If you start your heli-chop move right at that door, they'll pour out into the blender that is you, and you win within two minutes or less! Good job! I hate those flea men. Average Battle 4: Large Warriors x 2 Mid Warriors x 3 Female Warriors x 2 Good points here, because of the variety of weapons available. The crowd tends to toss bow and arrows more than anything else, so plan on that in advance. Offense, offense, offense. Name of the game in this battle. Rush the first guy, ignoring his two long range friends. Try to get the stones to hit your foe instead of yourself, and do avoid the stones more than anything else. I hope you're good at dodging arrows. The stones stun you in one to two hits, and you're open for a long while that way. So basically, you need a sixth sense to dodge, learn the sounds the long ranged weapons make. Get your foe on the ground and floor smash over and over until he dies. Grab a bow from the crowd and pelt the stoner. Then finish off the bow lady (she should be unarmed). Rinse and repeat, but a little faster and even more aggressive this time around. Congrats once this is done! Advanced - Oh my. Now we're getting a show. Brace yourself. Advanced Battle 1: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 4 Small Warriors x 1 Female Warriors x1 This isn't as terrible as it sounds at first. You'll start off with a great weapon, very useful for hacking off limbs. Be sure you take the big guy's arm right away. Then, grab his large weapon before the others can. Use it until it breaks, and you should be nearly done. Cheer with the crowd for more weapons and food, and just keep your distance from the enemy when it's all big guys. Be very, very careful about having TOO many large weapons in the arena at once. You'll find yours breaks very fast (they block you more), and you'll end up facing down four enemies with large weapons, empty handed! Don't panic if this does happen. You can rush in with X and grab a foe's weapon. Or you can use basic swords to whittle their power and defense. Keep a cool head, and this battle will be over with you standing ankle deep in enemy flesh in no time! Advanced Battle 2: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 4 Go for the shieldless mid war first. Use dagger and mace combos to end him quickly. Then, destroy the next mid war using the same strategy, but beware his blocking and the large war nearby. Use the mace on both of them whilst stunned for a quick and gory finish. Also, the knife has a nice quick kill if you can get behind a foe. At this point, cheer for a better weapon, and use it wiesely to break arms, or sever them. Then go for heads and torsos. Be sure to dominate with large weapons, and keep them from your big foes in the next, final wave. Advanced Battle 3: Female Warriors x 7 Good luck here, they are fast, and just as good unarmed as armed. Stay quick and aware of the archer here. Wrest or find a dropped raiper looking weapon the women use. Use it in three hits to knock off an arm, and continue to take other arms and heads. Use shield sword bash combo to really get in the damage. Take out the archer or use her to hit her friends. On the next wave, pray you have a large weapon. Try for some meat too, if need be. Again, beware their sword tosses, and watch the arrows of all the women. Dance about them, cutting off every arm, to be sure the arrows are out of the running. Then, use the large weapon or their own blades/arrows to finish the job. Once you have gotten the Butcher of Rome Salvo, be sure to double it with a spotlight! Continue avoiding the kicks and finish this. Advanced Battle 4: Large Warriors x 2 Mid Warriors x 3 Small Warriors x 1 Female Warriors x 1 Not the greatest combo to face, but it is very doable. This fire battle takes alot of strategy to start. It can be very trying until you understand it's mechanics. Try to force the oil sling foe to hit the big guy in the back, and you can instantly light him up. If that isn't doable, beat on and burn the sling man until you can grab it from his corpse. Then start lighting foes up after you oil them. Also, the crowd will give you torches and slings to use after a time. Don't forget that laying torches in puddles of oil starts a blaze. Do well, and cheer, to find barrles of oil to use. Also, spotlight again for a good large weapon, and end this insanity! Expert - The end all be all of Battles! Steele Thyself! Expert Battle 1: Large Warriors x 2 Mid Warrios x 8 Fight as you wish, tear into them. Leave the big guy for last, and concentrate on the three mids. Simply use shieldbash/mace combos until you can break helmets and splat heads. Go for a large weapon to help finish the first wave, including the big man. Use the war chain from big man on the next wave until it breaks. Then get anything the crowd spares you, and go at them the way I've taught you before. Do everything you can to cripple and main to make them softer. Combo them to death. Get large weapons when you're able. Expert Battle 2: Large Warriors x 1 Mid Warriors x 3 Small Warriors x 1 Fist Fight city! Ok, cheer when you arrive to double your big ball bonus. Throw the rose to the crowd, and beat down any man that suits your fancy. Don't get cornered and cheer for food after the first wave. Use combos, shoulder rams, charged rams, and suplexes on dizzies foes for a finisher. You may also stomp foes repeatedly for salvo and if suplexes leave you too open. Soon the crowd will toss you a large weapon if your points are high enough. A good suplex with spotlight should do the trick. Be SURE you keep the weapon, as a foe with one is fatal here. Try to kill the big guy with your weapon, as he is very hard to waste hands on. If you break it before, suplex him to death when his friends are dead. Or get a new large weapon if able Expert Battle 3: Large Warriors x 6 Oh my. Fight the least armed man to best. Shield combo and Gladius the gladius man. Then go for the war chain man. Do your best to get a large weapon to break or amputate foes. The next wave is more trying, as you have less health. Use the maces the crowd gives you into the battle and for the sake of Agrippa do NOT get cornered. Use war chains and heavy weapons to break and amputate all your foes as much as you can on this new wave, and then resort to using the maces scattered about. This battle is VERY hard, and may take many tries to accomplish. Keep at it, it's two parts luck, two parts weapon usage in the proper order. This battle can be completed with well over 60,000 Salvo points in hand, once you get your flow correct and start amputating. Expret Battle 4: Large Warriors x 3 Mid Warriors x 5 Small Warriors x 1 Female Warriors x 3 That's right, you get a whole lotta everything for this, the final arena battle! Get ready for the worst! Go after the nonshielded woman or man first. Avoid the others completely. Kill them with your weapon, then be sure to work up the crowd using the woman's weapon to amputate many arms. Don't let her break it on your shield! Also, don't be afraid to take weakened foe's weapons. The next wave is two times as bad, but all you can really do is what you have been during the first wave of battle. Don't get cornered, steal weapons or get crowd favor for them, and continue to hack away. Use every skill you've ever learned here, to break, amputate, weaken, stomp, and generally decimate the enemies. As each falls, it becomes much simplier. The next wave brings your mid and small baddies in. Keep up the good work, you're nearly home free. Do not drop your guard for anything, and keep trying for the big weapons to weaken every foe near you. That way, you won't get surrounded as often. Then a large war and a female will come in. So close now. Use the same strategies aforementioned, and remember what brough you this far! CONGRATULATIONS! After having completed all of these very challenging matches, nothing ahead of you shall daunt you! You should also have so many Salvos, that gaining hidden armor in story mode will be a breeze! Good job!!! -----------------------------------------------------------------
Thế ông dịch giúp tôi đoạn này đi (Ngắn lắm) Rome, Pansa's Home Octavianus and Pansa ponder Caesar's famous last words. Pansa thinks that Cicero might know something, because he has a protege named Marcus Brutus. Pansa suggests you check the Senate House for Cicero. First things first, make a habit of always talking to people in the area and searching out those elusive fortune coins! Also, don't forget the read the bulletin board under Pansa's place. It has all sorts of useful information each time you come back here. When you're ready, let's leave this area. Don't forget to check that hidden crawl space area in the wall! Head to the Forum to see what the bulletin board rucus was all about. Check your map out and be sure to get your coins. Then, speak to every person here to learn more about how the Senate is robbing the common man. Caesar promised 300 sertces to EACH citizen of Rome, should he ever pass. His vast fortune would truly help the working man and woman. But, the Senate claims it must repossess these wages, to account for tax and such. The commoners feel the Senate is just going to rob them, as they have the poor soliders the previous days ago. If you speak with the man by the entrance, he tells you you look like a charasmatic, good speech maker. Time to go to work! Look for a raised platform to the left of the crowd. Find steps on it and walk to it's front center. Press circle to start up your speech to Rome! Lend me your ears! Then say, your words ring true!! Then, the senate is to blame for this! Therefore, Why do you not storm the Senate House?! The angry mob leaves the Forum, and heads for the Senate House! Any pesky guards that would have been in your way, will be very busy satiating a mob now! But first, leave the Forum, and go to the City Gates... Vendors to your left, and to your right! A bar with talking patrons to pay heed to, as well as some loose coins to be found! Use your map, and be sure you speak with everyone here, and get all the coins as well. Then, look for a hay bale in a cart. Just behind it, is a small fountin. In between those two items, you'll see a crack in between the buildings... Flatten against a wall with Triangle and go back there for more shops (illegal ones), and some coins. Now you've seen the cost of everything in the game. That's how many Fortune Coins you'll need. If you beat EVERY enemy on maps, and add Gold Fortune Coins to the Silver laying about, you could buy every item in the game in one playthrough. That is very hard to do though, and I could hardly get half the stuff my first time through. But, not to worry! Everything you purchase, carries over to a new game! Essentially, you could just get the same few coins you've already found. Although, I don't recommend that, go for any you feel comfortable getting! Now then, leave, to the North on your map, and you'll find a whole other area with more folks to chat with, the little dog you saved at the start of the game in the cinema, and some coins. There are also frogs and rats here. If you throw them at females, they shriek and run away flailing like mad. Why do this? Well, later in the game, you'll have good reason. Now then, after buying some items, to get some secrets unlocked in your closet in your house at Pansa's House, it's time to leave here and go to the Senate House. Talk to folks, but take note of the back door to your immediate left. That's your way in, while the guard is distracted by the mob.
