Gladiator is the European name of Deadlocked with the exact same formula. Stylish arena combat, squads to lead and addictive multiplayer. A muscular detour in the R&C saga.
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Category
Action Adventure1 player12+
Description
An Insomniac Games and Sony SCEA sequel released in 2005 (Europe, Australia), the fourth entry titled Gladiator in Europe. Same forced combat in the galactic arena as Deadlocked and same dark tone as the American version, in a full European localization. Content identical to Ratchet Deadlocked US.
Ratchet - Gladiator review
4/5
Art direction
★★★★★
"Striking"
4/5
Music
★★★★★
"Excellent"
3/5
Story
★★★★★
"Solid"
The art direction locks the duo in industrial coliseums. Gone is the grand tour of gaudy planets: this spin-off tightens the action into closed arenas, steel structures, grated walkways and mechanical traps bathed in harsh light. The palette darkens, the sets turn functional and menacing, made for killing rather than wonder. This cage architecture visually renders the lost freedom of a hero turned captive fighter.
The real sonic material is the voice of the broadcast. DreadZone is commented live by a cynical host whose announcements, canned laughter and crowd cheers weave a diegetic game-show soundtrack. Between two waves, the advertising jingles and network slogans take precedence over the music. The ear is plunged into the atmosphere of a bloody show, where the program's sound dressing counts as much as the score itself.
Gameplay
"Excellent"
Fun
"From the very first seconds"
This spin-off reorients the formula toward pure action, in gladiator arenas where you unleash a devastating arsenal against hordes of enemies. The frantic pace and the satisfaction of pulverising everything deliver an instant release. The co-op and the multiplayer mode multiply the fun. Spectacular, snappy and packed with humour, a gleeful, furiously fun offshoot.
Complete: box, manual and disc/cart very clean. Lightly handled.
Q1 damagedQ6 completeQ10 new
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Collector interest
Gladiator, the European name for Deadlocked, the same arena spin-off distributed under a different label in the PAL zone. Printed widely, it stays accessible and lightly priced, with no scarcity of its own. Its one specific draw is this regional title change, making it a separate variant for completists keen to line up the PAL and US covers of one franchise.
Is Ratchet - Gladiator still worth playing in 2026?
Released in 2005 on PS2 and known in Europe as Ratchet - Gladiator, Insomniac's project refocuses the series on action and arena combat, partly setting aside the platforming. Captured and forced into a warlike reality show, Ratchet chains spectacular trials, backed by combat robots. The nervous gunplay, the escalating arsenal and the two player co-op carry a frantic pace. The repetition of the arenas and the thinner narration divide. An effective and cathartic spin off, recommended for fans of nervous shooting and of cooperative play within the saga who want pure combat over exploration.
