Sparta offers a dynamic system for equipping armies depending on what the player has researched. Warriors can be outfitted with a primary and secondary weapon, and adorned with various types of armor and shields. Abandoned weapons can even be collected after battles, or players can import the powerful arsenal of the other cultures to build more powerful special units of their own.

As with the movie "300", the battles look just as spectacular due to the custom-built Ancient Wars Engine. Capable of supporting hundreds of units on screen at the same time, battles will feel massive but not overtly gory. Additionally, thanks to game's built-in physics, the forces of nature as well as environmental damage will play a huge part in the scheme of things. Fires can spread to nearby buildings, falling rocks (used in traps) can decimate troops and buildings alike, tailwinds can affect handling and use of ships and if players can maneuver alongside an enemy vessel, troops can be sent over to fight man-to-man. Cut scenes between missions help to carry the story forward.

Sparta also includes multiplayer via LAN and online via GameSpy Arcade, complete with a ladder system. Currently there are 10 skirmish maps for up to eight players, but the developers hope to have more by the time the game releases in late April.

Sadly, all this may be for naught. GameDaily just received an evaluation copy of this potentially wonderful game. During the install process a demonic presence was detected -- the StarForce copy protection system. This anti-piracy program, which has a long legacy of problems, must be installed to play the game. Unfortunately, GameDaily, along with a host of other game media outlets (both print and online), refuse to endorse this program, one that can -- at anytime -- cause an array of untold chaos with the PC it has infested. Ubisoft removed it from all their games months ago... let's hope that Eidos and PlayLogic learn from the past before this game goes gold.

[Editor's Note: We were recently contacted by the someone at Playlogic who informed us that Star Force will not be included in the final product.]