Swords and Sandals is a very fun little Browser Game about gladiators. The graphics are very cartoon-style with a childish flavour to it. This is not, however, detrimental for the game since the contrast of those silly images and the bloody gore in the arena make this even more grotesque and funny. Also the hilarious music and background vocals greatly add to the atmosphere.

Players start by customizing their goofy looking avatars. Height, some facial features and all colors of the rainbow for the body color can be used. Then you distribute some skill points before you enter the game. In the game you can visit an armorer or the weapon smith to buy all sorts of equipment for your gladiator. The third location is the arena which throws enemies at you that grow in might everytime you return. In the turn-based battles you can do a number of actions like move forward, backward, jump, attack, charge or taunt. If you are good at your bloody profession you will be confronted by an arena champion every other fight. But as soon as you lose only one fight the game is over, which makes this browser game not very attractive for roleplayers.

"Swords and Sandals 1" has already been updated to "Swords and Sandals 2 - Emperor's Reign". In the sequel you can go to a church to buy potions and to a magic shop to enchant your weapons. Apart from that it is in all aspects very similar to the first game except you start as prisoner in a dungeon and must fight your way out of it. And you have an alignment now which changes to good or bad depending on wether you kill your opponent after an arena fight or not. The third sequel "Swords and Sandals 3 - Solo Ultratus" the game has changed more drastically but not always for good. On the plus side you can do even more goofy character customization before the game starts but on the other hand there is a larger map with just too many locations that can be visited. For this type of game it gets too confusing with that many vendors and it really brings nothing new to the game. But all three of them are highly addictive fantasy browser games which can be recommended.