Primus is a brutal Roman gladiator expedition crawler where you build a Ludus, command fighters through deadly arena circuits, and climb the ranks toward the title of
Primus.
Inspired by
Darkest Dungeon, it combines formation-based combat and lasting consequences with crowd-driven battles, faction choices, and Ludus management.
Choose Your Faction
Choose from nine playable factions, each offering a unique bonus that supports a different style of play.
Then select your Head of House, whose traits provide an additional strategic advantage to your gladiator school. Combine faction and leadership bonuses to shape your Ludus, define your playstyle, and crush your rivals.
Train Your Fighters
Recruit gladiators to fight, perform, and earn glory before the crowd. Build a roster containing classes ranging from heavily armoured Murmillos to agile Retiarii.
Each class has its own abilities, passive effects, strengths, and weaknesses. Choose the right fighters, develop their equipment, and create the perfect formation for the challenges ahead.
But every gladiator is mortal. Repeated defeats can leave them wounded, scarred, or dead forever. Decide carefully when to push forward and when to withdraw.
Appease the Crowd
Defeating the enemy is only part of the spectacle. Winning over the crowd can be just as important.
Throughout combat, the crowd may support or punish either side. Their reactions can grant healing and powerful buffs, inflict damage and debilitating effects, or completely shift the momentum of battle.
Build Hype through combat and across each circuit to increase the chances of the crowd backing your Ludus when it matters most.
Rise to the Top
The path to Primus is yours to take.
Accept invitations to compete in Short, Standard, and Grand Circuits, each containing battles, events, risks, and rewards.
Survive the circuit and return to your Ludus stronger, wealthier, and closer to the top of the rankings.
Standing in your way are powerful Gatekeeper Bosses. These deadly opponents prevent your Ludus from advancing until they are defeated, ranging from giant Murmillos to armoured war elephants.
Fall against a Gatekeeper and your Ludus may lose rank, so prepare your fighters before entering the arena.
Core Features
- Branching Arena Circuits - Choose your route through battles, events, recovery opportunities, and escalating risks.
- Formation-Based Gladiator Combat - Build a team of distinct classes, position your fighters, and combine abilities, passives, and status effects.
- Ludus Management and Progression - Recruit gladiators, improve their equipment, treat injuries, manage supplies, and climb the rankings.
- A Living, Dangerous Roster - Your gladiators gain experience and scars, but repeated defeat can lead to permanent death.
- Crowd, Factions, and Gatekeepers - Shape your strategy through faction bonuses, Heads of House, unpredictable crowd events, and powerful bosses.
Survive the Spectacle
Every victory raises your name.
Every scar tells a story.
Every death feeds the spectacle.
Enter the arena. Survive the circuit. Rise to become Primus.
