PGC recently had the chance to speak to Martin Caplan, Sega's Localization Producer for Spartan: Total Warrior, which puts you in the role of an elite soldier for Sparta. Prepare to fight hordes of enemies, both mythological and historical, across vast battlefields and alongside a massive army.

One of Spartan's big hooks is having up to 160 soldiers on-screen at once. Unlike other action games like Dynasty Warriors or Lord of the Rings, Total Warrior seeks to provide a gruesomely realistic representation of an epic battle with every soldier having their own AI-driven objective. It's a good thing your comrades will be able to help you out in a pinch, too, because according to Sega, this game is tough.

Caplan was quick to point out that Spartan isn't a "hack n' slash" type of game. Although you'll spend quite a bit of time enjoying the "kick-ass action," as he describes it, you'll spend an equal amount of time thinking strategically. For example, if you come across an enemy that wields a flamethrower, you can lure them into a situation where they actually blow themselves up. If you find yourself on the retreat, you could let the opposing force back you up into a corner with a shrine (health-restoration) in it; a second later you'll be ready to rip them a new one. Another notch in a tactical belt, you'll have to pay attention to what the other Spartans are doing; fighting as a group and looking out for your fellow soldiers will be vital.

Further reiterating the “kick-ass action,” Caplan told us about all of the different weapon types you'll be able to utilize. When developer Creative Assembly set out to design the "tools of the trade," so to speak, they wanted to pull from history, so you'll see a lot of famous weapons from Greece and Rome, such as The Spear of Achilles. Of course, when the team couldn't find a weapon type they wanted, they invented a few new ones, diversifying your choices to an even greater degree.

All in all, Spartan: Total Warrior looks to be a great action game that mixes it up a little bit with its Real-Time Strategy roots (Creative Assembly's big claim to fame was Rome: Total War, a much-beloved and highly praised PC RTS). Will it live up to the hype, though? Look out for our review, coming soon.