Hero of Sparta

{{Short description|2008 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Hero of Sparta | image = Hero of Sparta art.png | caption = | developer = [[Gameloft Barcelona]] | publisher = [[Gameloft]] | composer = Eduardo Broseta | released = {{Video game release|NA|December 9, 2008|WW|2008}} | genre = [[Action-adventure game|Action-adventure]] Hack-and-slash | modes = [[Single-player]] | platforms = [[Java ME]] [[Android (operating system)|Android]] [[Symbian^3]] [[iOS]] [[PlayStation Portable]] ([[List of PlayStation minis|PSP Minis]]) [[Nintendo DS]] ([[List of DSiWare games and applications|DSiWare]]) | artist = Arthur Hugot Christophe Latour | producer = Philip Bouchet | designer = Alexandru Adam }}

'''''Hero of Sparta''''' is an [[action-adventure game|action-adventure]] [[hack-and-slash]] [[video game]] developed by Spanish studio [[Gameloft Barcelona]] and published by [[Gameloft]]; it was released for [[Java ME]] -based mobile phones, [[Android (operating system)|Android]], [[iOS]], [[Nintendo DS]], and [[PlayStation Portable]] in 2008. A high-definition (HD) version was also released for some Android and Symbian devices and iOS. Both versions have been removed from the [[Play Store|Google Play Store]]; the game is now only available for Android devices via Gameloft's official website.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gameloft.com/android-games/hero-of-sparta/ |title=Hero of Sparta for Android, Top Action & Adventure Game on Android | Gameloft |access-date=2013-10-23 |archive-date=2016-09-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160919195350/http://www.gameloft.com/android-games/hero-of-sparta/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The game follows a storyline set in ancient Greece, wherein the player controls the protagonist throughout multiple landscapes while fighting mythical beasts. It game was moderately well received by critics, and its 2D version was re-released in the late 2010s in two Gameloft Java game compilations: ''Gameloft Classics: Action'' and ''Gameloft Classics: 20 Years''.

==Gameplay== The game consists of eight levels (thirteen in the Java version and five in the DS version) in which the player controls a [[Sparta]]n king wielding a sword, an unbreakable shield, Andromeda chains, Medusa's shield, Chronos' sword, etc. and fighting various mythical beasts. The player can collect different-colored orbs by defeating enemies, with each color corresponding to a different effect. Green orbs restore health, blue restore magical energy, and red orbs grant experience points that can be used to upgrade the damage and special powers of weapons found throughout the course of the game. In some versions of the game, upgrading weapons to their maximum capacities will cause them to take on an "ultimate" form.<ref name="maclife">{{cite web|url=http://www.maclife.com/article/iphone/hero_sparta|title=Hero of Sparta|date=2008-12-15|first=Joe|last=Rybicki|work=Mac Life|access-date=2009-01-27|archive-date=2009-01-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090125164138/http://www.maclife.com/article/iphone/hero_sparta|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The game features real-time events called "focus kills" that occur when certain enemies are nearly defeated. The player will be prompted to input a series of controls (or tap the screen) to perform a finishing blow on the enemy. Successful focus kills award the player with more orbs. In some cases, the player is required to perform focus kills to defeat bosses.

==Plot==

===2D version===

===3D version=== The story centers around the Spartan king Argos as he awakens on a beach shortly after his entire fleet of ships has been wiped out by a violent storm. While exploring the island, the spirit of an oracle apparently held in captivity pleads for Argos to rescue her. In exchange, the oracle offers to use her power to return Argos to his homeland.

==Reception== {{Video game reviews | IGN = iOS: 9/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/10/hero-of-sparta-iphone-review|title=Hero of Sparta iPhone Review - IGN|date=10 December 2008|via=www.ign.com|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041630/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/12/10/hero-of-sparta-iphone-review|url-status=live}}</ref> PSP: 7.5/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/01/hero-of-sparta-review-2|title=Hero of Sparta Review - IGN|date=October 2009|via=www.ign.com|access-date=2020-05-29|archive-date=2017-09-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041603/http://www.ign.com/articles/2009/10/01/hero-of-sparta-review-2|url-status=live}}</ref> DS: 6/10<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/22/hero-of-sparta-review|title=Hero of Sparta Review - IGN|date=22 June 2010|via=www.ign.com|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041514/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/06/22/hero-of-sparta-review|url-status=live}}</ref> 6.5/10(HD version)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/19/hero-of-sparta-hd-ipad-review|title=Hero of Sparta HD iPad Review - IGN|date=19 May 2010|via=www.ign.com|access-date=29 May 2020|archive-date=10 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170910041545/http://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/19/hero-of-sparta-hd-ipad-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev1 = ''Slide to Play'' | rev1Score = 4/4<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/hero-of-sparta-review|title=Hero of Sparta Review|last=Ma|first=Kevin|date=2008-12-09|publisher=Slide To Play|access-date=2009-04-04|archive-date=2012-02-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120220002827/http://www.slidetoplay.com/story/hero-of-sparta-review|url-status=live}}</ref> | rev2 = [[UGO Networks|UGO]] | rev2Score = B+<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamesblog.ugo.com/games/hero-of-sparta-review-iphone |title=Hero of Sparta Review (iPhone) |last=Frushtick |first=Russ |date=2008-12-30 |publisher=UGO |access-date=2009-04-04 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090828020518/http://gamesblog.ugo.com/games/hero-of-sparta-review-iphone |archive-date=2009-08-28 }}</ref> | rev3 = ''PSP Minis'' | rev3Score = 6/10<ref name="God of War Ripoff"/> | award1Pub = [[IGN]] | award1 = Editors' Choice Award }} The game has been directly compared to the [[God of War (franchise)|''God of War'' franchise]].<ref name="God of War Clone">{{cite web |url=http://oxcgn.com/2008/12/24/hero-of-sparta-review-the-iphones-god-of-war |title=Hero of Sparta Review: The iPhone's God of War! |author=Cadwallader, Ben |date=2008-12-24 |publisher=oxcgn |access-date=2009-11-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924070734/http://oxcgn.com/2008/12/24/hero-of-sparta-review-the-iphones-god-of-war/ |archive-date=2015-09-24 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="God of War Ripoff">{{cite web |url=http://www.pspminis.com/255/hero-of-sparta-review |title=Hero of Sparta Review |author=Chris |date=October 2009 |publisher=PSPMinis |access-date=2009-11-03 |archive-date=2017-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171231140252/http://www.pspminis.com/255/hero-of-sparta-review/ |url-status=usurped }}</ref>

==Sequel== The sequel, ''[[Hero of Sparta II]]'', was released on July 29, 2010 for iOS and the [[Bada (operating system)|Bada]] operating system; it follows Argos embarking on a new adventure after he returns to Sparta.

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *{{Official website}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hero Of Sparta}} [[Category:2008 video games]] [[Category:Action-adventure games]] [[Category:Android (operating system) games]] [[Category:DSiWare games]] [[Category:Gameloft games]] [[Category:Hack and slash games]] [[Category:IOS games]] [[Category:J2ME games]] [[Category:PlayStation Network games]] [[Category:PlayStation Portable games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Symbian games]] [[Category:Video games based on Greek mythology]] [[Category:Video games developed in Spain]] [[Category:Video games set in antiquity]] [[Category:WebOS games]]