Collection Status
Your Rating
Description
In Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery, an exciting game of twisted schemes and bloody combats inspired by the hit STARZ Original series, each player takes on the role of Dominus, head of a rising house in the ancient Roman city of Capua. Each house is competing for Influence to gain the favor of Rome. Through a combination of political schemes and glorious battles on the arena sands your house will rise in fame and stature. As Dominus, you have a variety of resources at your disposal. Guards protect you from schemes launched by rivals. Slaves run your household and earn gold. Gladiators compete to bring glory to themselves and influence to their Dominus.
Three main phases occur in each game round of Spartacus: A Game of Blood & Treachery.
The Intrigue Phase is when players launch their Schemes, hoping to raise their fortunes while undermining their rivals. Schemes and Reactions are represented by cards in the Intrigue Deck. Players wield their Influence to put their Schemes into play, often asking for (or bribing) another player’s help in hatching the most complex plots.
The Market Phase is when players buy, sell and trade Assets (Gladiators, Slaves, Equipment and Guards). Players also bid against each other to acquire new Assets at Auction. Wealth is not the only path to success as players bluff and bargain with each other to acquire the Assets they covet.
The Arena Phase is when the bloody games are held. Gladiators from two rival Houses are pitted against each other in a brutal fight for glory. The spectacles of the games are represented by miniature combat on the arena board. Fighters pit their Attack, Defense and Speed dice against one another to determine the victor. All players seek to increase their fortunes by betting on the outcome of the gruesome conflict. Fighters who emerge from the arena victorious gain Favor and their Dominus gain Influence.
The goal of the game is to become the most influential house in Capua, securing your family’s power for years to come. During the game, players will bribe, poison, betray, steal, blackmail, and undermine each other. Gold will change hands again and again to buy support, stay someone’s hand or influence their decisions. Will you be the honorable player whose word is their bond or the treacherous schemer whose alliances change with the wind?
—description from the publisher
Year Published
2012
Transcript Analysis
Browse transcript mentions, sentiments, pros/cons, mechanics, topics, quotes, and references.
Total mentions: 6
This page: 6
Sentiment:
pos 6 ·
mix 0 ·
neu 0 ·
neg 0
Showing 1–6 of 6
Video DYqpp-8JReM
Unknown Channel game_review at 0:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 10172 · mention_pk 29934
Click to watch at 0:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Faithful to the show's feel: trading, scheming, fighting, betting, alliances and treachery
- Strong production quality and artwork
- Solid value for price (~$40)
- Accessible to both fans and non-fans who enjoy euro-style mechanics
- Engaging, roleplay-like intrigue and alliance-building during Intrigue phase
Cons
- Some gladiators appear overpowered, which can affect balance
- Franchise tie-in may give a perception of pandering or 'Milk the Franchise' approach
Thematic elements
- Power struggles, betrayal, betting, spectacle
- Ancient Rome arena with gladiators
- Roleplay-inspired scheming and alliances
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- arena combat — Two players' gladiators fight using movement, attack, defense dice and equipment.
- Betting system — All players bet on arena outcomes with gold; odds determine payouts.
- equipment and items — Acquired gear affects gladiator performance.
- Host-led tournaments — The host selects gladiators for fights and guides the arena phase.
- influence tracking — Players accumulate influence on their Dominus toward victory.
- Intrigue cards — Draw and play intrigue cards to influence alliances and actions.
- market bidding — Face-down market cards are bid on with gold; highest bidder gains the card.
- Resource management — Manage gold, slaves, and gladiators across phases.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- they took every aspect of the show except the orgies unfortunately and made a fun game
- we all sat down to get the reviewers ideas on paper we didn't get much negative feedback this game is fun
- it's getting an 8 and 1/2 out of 10
- this game has it all the trading the scheming the fighting the betting the alliances and treachery
- the art is nice the production quality is good
- for $40 you're getting a really really good game
- if you're a fan of the show go get this game right now, even if you're not a fan of the show this game has mechanics and gameplay which most gamers will enjoy
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video J_MYe0_Iwh8
The Secret Cabal top_3_list at 4:37 sentiment: positive
video_pk 9278 · mention_pk 27391
Click to watch at 4:37 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High level of emergent storytelling and dramatic tension
- Players root for favorite gladiators and theater-like moments
- Rich theme integration with player interactions
Cons
- Rule complexity may be daunting for new players
Thematic elements
- Power struggles, treachery, spectacle, and personal glory
- Ancient Rome; gladiatorial arena, slave owners and patrons control the games
- Emergent drama driven by player choices, arena outcomes, and schemes
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Arena combat with dice — Miniature combat in arena duels using dice and tactical decisions.
- auction/bidding — Auction to acquire slaves, gladiators, weapons, and various items.
- Betting on arena outcomes — Spectators bet on the result of arena combats, adding drama.
- Card play / schemes — Hidden schemes and events played via cards to influence outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- The artwork is beautiful.
- It's such an evocative game because of the artwork.
- This game doesn't have any text in it at all; all it has is pictures of these demons.
- It's such an evocative game because of the artwork.
- The politics come out in the game like there are players that will ally with each other.
- You can win but everyone dies.
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video yA4LlkUZBgA
Actual Oh top_50_list at 14:00 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8706 · mention_pk 25682
Click to watch at 14:00 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- Strong theme alignment with political intrigue and backstabbing
- Rich negotiation depth and player interaction
- Highly thematic outcomes that flow from decisions
Cons
- Can be mean-spirited; outcomes depend on player behavior
Thematic elements
- backstabbing, negotiation, power, and schemes
- Roman arena politics and intrigue
- dynamic, negotiation-driven with variable alliances
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- action economy with bidding — Bidding and resource management shape who can enact schemes and win.
- betting and payoff — Bets on gladiators and outcomes influence resource flow and scores.
- negotiation / alliance-building — Players form temporary alliances to influence outcomes while pursuing personal schemes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- it's such a great dynamic in its information-driven setup; you are buying low and selling high and that extra insider trading twist means that you're always watching the other players
- this is one of my favorite party games
- there's backstabbing and it can be quite mean but I think as long as you go into it knowing that because it fits the theme I think people just really get caught up into it and enjoy it
- Onitama is my favorite two-player abstract game
- The Mind is one of the most fun I've had with some of my close friends; it really brings you together as a group
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video UIySi3BySqU
Three Minute Board Games top_10_list at 26:33 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8691 · mention_pk 25636
Click to watch at 26:33 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- for groups that like backstabbing and betrayal
- good table banter
- fun and rewarding arena fights
Cons
- need thick skin
Thematic elements
- gladiator arena combat
- ancient rome
- backstab_betrayal
Comparison games
none
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- backstabbing — backstabbing and betrayal
- negotiations — negotiations and banter
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- this is my list the video says the top 100 board games of all time but it really is just my top 100 board games of all time
- three minute board games is an independent channel we dont take money from publishers and we do not do any form of paid content
- Mosaic has the ambitious goal of being a civilization game that can be played in two to three hours and it very much succeeds at this goal
- a game that does not need to be played with a traitor because the inherent selfish goals in this game created enough internal conflict
- I love space racing games and space corp is the game that is most racy as far as space racers go
- the term I use instead of gateway game is foundation game
- Sentinels could easily be a forever game the kind of game you just play over and over and over and over again endlessly
- Modern Art is a simple and brilliant and beautiful game and easily the best pure auction game Ive ever played
- Black Orchestra models some very clever things about how conspiracy is run
- when I asked the question hey what game should I play with my non-gamer friend who's interested in gaming but hasn't done much gaming I almost always answer Sentient Golem Edition
- Arkham Horror is the game that really made board gaming my number one hobby
- there are a few things more fun and rewarding in board gaming than organizing a fight in the arena
- Twilight Struggle is one of the best head-to-head games out there
- Santorini is the definition of an elegant design
- Arkham Horror the card game absolutely should be for you it's a hundred percent for me and it is my number one game of 2023
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video K8usy4TiSas
Beyond Solitaire interview at 31:50 sentiment: positive
video_pk 8682 · mention_pk 25563
Click to watch at 31:50 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- noted for its honesty about the ugliness of gladiatorial life
- perceived as one of the more thematically faithful or audacious takes
Cons
- can be considered highly graphic or morally troubling
- may provoke discomfort about glorifying exploitation
Thematic elements
- rebellion, exploitation, crowd dynamics
- Roman gladiatorial world; focus on the brutal, lurid realities
- grimly honest; unflinching portrayal of violence and social dynamics
Comparison games
- Gladius
- Haplomarcus Victorium
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- cargo/crowd influence — the arena economy and crowd manipulation shape violence and outcomes
- negotiation/bet on outcomes — players engage in bidding and control of matches with wagering dynamics
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- gladiators were the majority of gladiators were slaves
- gladiators were sex gods
- gladiators were entertainment meat
- this is the most exquisitely uncomfortable thing i have ever witnessed in terms of a historical misfire
- it is a hell of a good time
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Video f4YJdZpHq4Q
Rolling Dice and Taking Names general_discussion at 1:59:36 sentiment: positive
video_pk 549 · mention_pk 1659
Click to watch at 1:59:36 · YouTube ↗
Overall sentiment (raw)
positive
Pros
- High interaction and memorable moments
- Accessible yet deep combat and intrigue
Cons
- Negotiation can slow the game
- Longer play time in 3-4 players
Thematic elements
- intrigue, bribery, and backstabbing
- ancient Rome and gladiator arenas
- story-driven, negotiation-heavy with arena battles
Comparison games
- Twilight Struggle
- Cosmic Encounter
- Netrunner
Mechanics (from transcript analysis)
- Arena combat with dice — Gladiator duels using stats and dice.
- Market and host decision-making — Host picks fights and cards; final bidding affects outcomes.
- Negotiation and intrigue — Bids and influence cards to steer outcomes.
Video topics + discussion points
No key topics recorded for this video.
Quotes (from this video)
- the action selection... that was the best part of the game
- it's an amazing game; the art looks gorgeous on the table
- the chaos and intrigue make this game memorable
- this is engine building right
- behold the nightmare
References (from this video)
No references stored for this video.
Transcript Navigation
Showing 1–6 of 6