Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars

About

Circus Maximus: Chariot Wars throws you into the chaos of Roman chariot racing with a bloody twist. You control a two-man team, one driver, one gladiator, as you speed through ancient tracks. Between turns, you pause to brawl: swing blades at rival drivers to slow them down or eliminate them outright. The split screen lets you face friends locally, mixing frantic racing with brutal combat breaks. It’s a messy but aggressive blend of action that never lets up. The game’s bold mashup of historical aesthetics and over-the-top violence stood out in 2002, but its execution felt rushed. Reviews called the physics clunky and the combat repetitive, and sales tanked despite the gimmick. With its gladiators swinging at each other mid-race, it carved a weird niche in racing game history. Xbox and PlayStation 2 players who stick with it might find a strange charm in the carnage.