—
Cargo, Please!
Game
Game2020
Ludus
Developer Cheesecake Dev
Build the best ludus in the world! and survive in ancient Rome. From the Steam store page
165 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 6, 2026 · last updated Nov 6, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
37
Rotten
41 positive · 69 negative
95% range 29–47%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 41 | 69 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 6 | 1 | 44 |
| Lemmy * | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 0 | 1 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Mixed
60 of 133 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
38% recommend · 44 yes, 71 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 115 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Mixed (611 of 890 positive).
Many players find the game's concept promising but criticize its buggy and unfinished state. [1][2][3] Some reviewers enjoy the game despite its flaws, calling it fun for a few hours. [4][5][6] Several players allege the developer abandoned the game shortly after release. [4][7][8]
Liked
Representative posts
- [16]
I enjoy this game very much. There may not be many quests, though the rewards from the quest help with getting your structures built. Same with your uncle and grandfather. The sickness that builds up in your family members that will kill them is kind of wretched, since if you're unprepared or mismanaged your money like I did in the beginning, they'll die. No more free resources anymore. Same applies to your wife and …
- [4]
Concept and idea are very good. Developers leave game immediately after released game. No updates, no patch, no fix bugs... But, this game is fun for a couple of hours (4-5hours).
- [1]
I like the overall concept of the game but this game is broken in so many ways that it kills all desire to play it. A few examples were all my family members died within the first three days of the game. The fishing system is utter crap please dear god take out the random key strokes that are needed to catch a fish. Another issue I ran into was my gladiators got stuck in their shacks and there is absolutely nothing …
- [11]
DO NOT BUY. WAS RELEASED BROKEN AND NEVER GIVEN AN UPDATE SINCE!!
- [9]
This game could be so good, the concept is excellent but the execution is mediocre at best. If an actual studio took this idea and put time into it, could be an all time bets. Currently, its a playable demo for something that could have been...
Summarised from 34 of the 156 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 13, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
38% of the 115 Steam reviewers we collected recommend Ludus. The complaint that keeps coming up: the game is buggy and broken. Deal-breaker or nitpick?
Reactions
60 of 165 · most liked firstThis Roman gameboard and checkers, used to play a game called Ludus Latrunculorum, was discovered at Bearsden Roman fort in Glasgow. Although we don't fully understand the rules, the name means 'the game of robbers'. You can see it now in the Hunterian Museum at Glasgow University. #FindsFriday
neutral · AI labelView post →Meanwhile, Blasphemous The Board Game, by Ludus Magnus and @thegamekitchen.com has passed the million-dollar goal!🤯 To celebrate, here are two characters I hadn't shown yet!🤟 Hope you like it! P.s. Look how wonderful the 3D artists work with these miniatures! :v
neutral · AI labelView post →"AI Gaming Festival" on Steam. [How nice of them to self-report their AI usage.](https://store.steampowered.com/curator/46280965/sale/AIGamingFestival) Here is a list of the publishers taking part and which games they entered into this event. Do with that information as you please. Just as a warning some of the games linked are very NSFW. 10six Games - YOU vs Zombies -- https://store.steampowered.com/app/4224660/ 150 Beanies - Cardboard Gladiators --…
neutral · AI labelView post →I like the overall concept of the game but this game is broken in so many ways that it kills all desire to play it. A few examples were all my family members died within the first three days of the game. The fishing system is utter crap please dear god take out the random key strokes that are needed to catch a fish. Another issue I ran into was my gladiators got stuck in their shacks and there is absolutely nothing to be done. We will see what the Devs do to patch the product over the next few…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Even if you're not into tabletop games (or miniatures) you must admit that the #Blasphemous Board Game just announced by Ludus Magnus Studio is pretty awesome. It already reached a 500.000€ stretch goal in less than one day, which is absolutely bonkers. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxaR...
neutral · AI labelView post →the so called dev is a asset flipper who cant program, model or balance the games he "makes"
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I just backed, with the current maximum possible pledge, the #Blasphemous Board Game campaign by Ludus Magnus Studio. I mean, how couldn't I? Look at all of this!!! 😍 And the campaign keeps beating stretch goal after stretch goal! It's about to hit 900.000€ mark! gamefound.com/es/projects/...
positive · AI labelView post →This is a game I wanted to like, but for every one thing I liked, two things turned me off. I'll be happy to revisit once the developer fixes / addresses the issues I discussed in the video below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLC8Ib-i52M
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ludus duodecim scriptorium (XII scripta) is a Roman Empire era board game discovered at Ephesus. The ‘game of twelve marks’ has been viewed by some as the ancient predecessor of backgammon, and is mentioned in Ovid’s Ars Amatoria. 🏛 Ephesus Museum 🏺Ancientbluesky
neutral · AI labelView post →This game is a money-maker. It was abandoned when it was barely an Early Acces and I just saw the devs are developing another ♥♥♥♥♥♥ game. Don't buy this game.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I enjoy this game very much. There may not be many quests, though the rewards from the quest help with getting your structures built. Same with your uncle and grandfather. The sickness that builds up in your family members that will kill them is kind of wretched, since if you're unprepared or mismanaged your money like I did in the beginning, they'll die. No more free resources anymore. Same applies to your wife and child. I had a really high level gladiator die during a tournament and I was…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I got my hands on a preview copy of Opera Magna to photograph and it’s a real beaut. Didn’t get to play it (because fml 💁♂️) but I hear good things. Ludus Magnus will have it up on Gamefound in September! I took way too many pictures so I’m sure you’ll see more soon 😁 #boardgame #photography
positive · AI labelView post →DO NOT BUY. WAS RELEASED BROKEN AND NEVER GIVEN AN UPDATE SINCE!!
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is promising. I hope devs pay attention to improving the game and deal with bugs etc. Edit: After some hours into the game, bugs definitely spoil all the fun that game supposed to have.. I want to recommend this game but I can't.. I'll wait for the devs to update the game then maybe I'll change my review to positive.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i got this as a "surprise" free game, and it is utterly trash. it's either someone's high school project, or an asset flip scam. don't buy this.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've always thought some of Paul Hindemith's music sounded a little video game-y, so I made this 8-bit arrangement and performance of the 4th interlude from his Ludus Tonalis! Hope you enjoy it!
neutral · AI labelView post →Spend 13th hours playing and I just can't recommend the game concept is great but the execution lazy everything just thrown into one tiny place with bad fighting rng and no ending
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Great concept, lazy execution. Save your money, and look for something more in line with what the game markets itself as.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Seems like an overly unfinished game. Doesn't make allot of sense and would not recommend buying. Story makes no sense and there are very few ways to make decent money. Also, whoever thought a keyboard challenge in the middle of doing things was a good idea needs fired! HORRIBLE IDEA! It's really unfinished....
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Researchers in England, equipped with a 3D printer, created a playable replica of Roman Britain’s most popular board game, Ludus Latrunculorum. Soldiers and civilians alike enjoyed the strategy game www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/3... @SmithsonianMag #globalmuseum #games #Roman
neutral · AI labelView post →I'm making a new computer game using the Ars Magica 5E tabletop system called Ludus Mercurii! A systems-heavy roguelike that adapts the detailed rules of Ars Magica 5th Edition into a digital dungeon crawler. dragynrain.itch.io/ludus-mercur... #indiegames via @itchio #arsmagica #rpg
neutral · AI labelView post →Game crashed and killed my GPU... troubleshooting now, but no luck as of yet. This game is pure poison and must be avoided at all cost.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Broken beyond belief , It makes me sad as i love gladiator themed games . Seems like this was just a unsupported cash grab if anything. Devs havent made comment at all or even put out patches.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →***MAJOR WARNING*** even though I gave this game a thumbs up. This game, at its best, is okay. Lots of potential, however short major yards from being a very positive (rating) game. A slightly confusing, kinda broken but still functioning, pretty decent game loop type of game. If you ever wanted to raise gladiators - I guess here is a game for you! Ludus' gameplay is more or less of being a manager. Ensuring food stocks are in supply, making coins in different ways like marketing, fishing, and…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Looks like it may be: > [Ludus latrunculorum](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludus_latrunculorum), latrunculi, or simply latrones ("the game of brigands", or "the game of soldiers") was a two-player strategy board game played throughout the Roman Empire.
neutral · AI labelView post →This game could be so good, the concept is excellent but the execution is mediocre at best. If an actual studio took this idea and put time into it, could be an all time bets. Currently, its a playable demo for something that could have been...
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ludus is an immersive and unique simulation game that allows players to step into the shoes of a gladiator manager in ancient Rome. With its engaging gameplay mechanics, strategic decision-making, and atmospheric visuals, the game offers a captivating experience for fans of simulation and strategy games. As a manager, you must recruit, train, and equip a team of gladiators, guiding them through battles and tournaments to achieve fame and glory. The game's deep customization options, intricate…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Sideways but erring on negative because: Ludus is a typical cheesecake game - fun, addictive, janky, lacking in early game guidance. But still FUN. Why then the downvote? Because it's such a missed opportunity. Ludus gives you no real reason to develop new gladiators other than to sell them off for profit. There could have been team based fighting other than betting on teams and gladiators could have had more of a rock paper scissors effect on which kind you used against which opponents making…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The concept of this game is absolutely awesome! however there are so many bugs that affects both npcs and your own inventory, i had over 5,5k of gold and when i loaded back into the game i only had 10 g. wife just randomly died after i healed her and sent her to work. The duels are so unfair, often it allows you to send only one gladiator against like three? this game needs a LOT of patching, its a very cool idea, but dont buy it just yet if it caught your eye, you will waste time as it can…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Heavily neglected game
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Concept and idea are very good. Developers leave game immediately after released game. No updates, no patch, no fix bugs... But, this game is fun for a couple of hours (4-5hours).
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This should be in Early Access due all the technical issues. It tries to make many things and fails in everything. Even though the idea is fine, is not polished and has many bugs/issues. Refunding it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Here's my first #NintendoSwitch #indiegame highlight for today! 🎮👍🏼 Game - The Last Friend Developer - The Stonebot Studio & Ludus Games Publisher - Skystone games Release date - April 21, 2022
neutral · AI labelView post →decent idea, poor execution. freezes every 15-20 minutes. lacks explanation of how anything works. you constantly have 0 money. random tasks like fishing are over complicated, and the constant poop everywhere is really weird. i want to like this game, i just cant in its current state.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So heres the state of play with this game, all family get progressively sick daily and medicine is priced at 100 gold each with health injections costing 120 and the store only holds 3 of each per day, all family have jobs you need each to do to make small amounts of money, money earnt is not enough to cover the cost of keeping everyone in good health and even gladiators need that health injection, so your forced into a situation where because theres a tournament every 7 days and your gladiator…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The second illustration made for Runar was this goood boiii. Runar is an awesome viking TT game made by Ludus Magnus Studio!
neutral · AI labelView post →The game idea is awesome. But it lacks the big picture mechanics of a builder mechanic game. I thought I would be the Ludus owner not some lackey running around doing the servants jobs. Have a toilet yet still clean up after the gladiators, have to manage individual gladiator training every 4, meet individual family members every day and ply them with medicine and healing as they get sick and begin to die every day, every couple days re-hire the trades you already hired, your trade ship beaches…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is rather enjoyable... Though it is glitchy and a few of the systems probably need some work (i.e. sickness of family members). The game is rather easy and can be a good time killer if that's all you're looking for. Management isn't to difficult and basically just comes down to purchasing medicine until everyone is health and you have 8 viles in stock and syringes until everyone is full on health and have 8 in stock. This will keep all you're family alive for the extent of your play.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Too many buggs to play now, its like alpha version, devs need to work in this alot more then now, black screens after sleep, gone inventory,market items after loading save, this economic is also mad
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →New on Player32: ▸ Wobbledogs ▸ Meowstery Wisp ▸ Ludus Magnatus: Gladiator Manager Simulator ▸ Tactical Annihilation Trailers, demos and deals for every game → https://player32.com/ #PCGaming #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →OUT NOW: From Glasgow to the Hebrides: Ludus Pax Studios Launches Scottish-Inspired ‘Tiny Terra Spaces’ #indiedev #gamedevelopment #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →Starting PC: Marcus of Bonisagus - Ludus Mercurii dragynrain.itch.io/ludus-mercur... The starting character for the game! Including complete PDF downloadable character sheet! #indiegames #indiegame #arsmagica #roguelite #ludusmercurii
neutral · AI labelView post →Seems like the game is still in developement. The feel from it is quite bad - no tutorials, UI is terrible, the pace is slow.. it is just boring game. Next time I would avoid it.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →"Among the most notable finds of 2024 are pieces used in the games Ludus Latrunculorum and Ludus duodecim scriptorum, dated to the 5th century CE." www.labrujulaverde.com/en/2025/01/r...
neutral · AI labelView post →Bought LUDUS to check it out and was hoping for a good game. While it does seem to have good potential, it was a bit of the let down due to the bugginess of it. Time doesn't seem to pass properly and if you're not ready for a tournament that's just too bad. The day won't pass without your participation. I do hope that they make some corrections and fixes. I saw someone else post a screen shot and mention tutorial, I didn't find one and without a tutorial there's a bit of a learning curve. I'll…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →a cash grab. incomplete game with no patches coming. not worth $1
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →This game is repetitive but it's cool looking and it's interesting! Usually leave longer reviews but there is really nothing to this game that makes it INCREDIBLE IMO, there is nothing that sticks out that makes it HORRIBLE. I enjoyed my little time learning about the game and playing it for my first time, it's not too shabby!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Instead of focussing on the gladiators, the game has plenty of side mechanics, that I would be OK with if they were polished and felt good, but they are not. There is extreme lack of any polish or balancing making those mechanics pure hinderance. Looking at the good reviews, I would at least expect good core gameplay revolving around the gladiators that would justify the good reviews, but they are even ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ than the rest. The reviews are either paid up or people have lost their…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Kinda unoriginal but here's a logo for Botalud And for those who didn't understand yet, it's a portmanteau word of Botanic and Ludus (game in latin)
neutral · AI labelView post →Hail and well met, Cabalists! Today marks the triumphant return of The Dungeon Master’s Ludus, a show dedicated to sharing the wisdom of both new and seasoned Game Masters alike. Join us as we discuss Session Zero and the development of a Group Charter. Huzzah! thesecretcabal.com/episodes/dun...
neutral · AI labelView post →Ludus Latrunculorum is an ancient Roman game of pure skill. Two players face each other across a rectangular board which is marked with a grid of squares. The players each have an equal number of pieces, with one player's pieces differing from the other in colour #gamedev
neutral · AI labelView post →"Oh, what is this thing and why are there so many creatures inside of it?" - ♀ "It's a crane game, Reg. You maneuver a claw to win a stuffed animal." - L.V "Can you win one for me? Pretty please?" - ♀ #8DaysofXIVLove - Day 3 : Ludus (Playful Love) #ffxiv | #GPOSERS | #ReShade | #Hyur | #Viera
neutral · AI labelView post →This dev always has interesting concepts for games and that I enjoy and will continue to support this game still feels unfinished no end goal family dies to quick and I just let them you can get every achievement in about 2 or 3 hours money gain is easy when you figure it out starting gladiator after an hour of training can solo groups of guys with no updating or quality of life improvements I cant recommend unless your really into the concept
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I'd really like to recommend this game, the premise is good and it's almost executed well, but there's too many progress stunting issues in it for me. Days don't technically progress until you sleep - which I found out on a tournament day, when you can't sleep until you've participated. Great in theory, force you to take part in some risk. Except I had no available fighters, I'd run out of energy to do any gambling, my family had done their days work, leaving me on the same day for 72 hours.…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →After I watched the Croatian game reviewer I liked the game so much, but after playing these three hours so far, I regret I paid for it. The game is not as complicated as the reviewer said. You can finish tasks in 15 minutes, and then do the same things every day.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Not really a good game for my taste. The help is pretty much useless because they dont tell you how to heal your family or how to feed your animals how all die after a while. The mechanics of trading and how to manage your gladiators are pretty ok but also a bit wonky. All in one its not good and also not bad. I sadly didnt like it
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Nice game, great concept but the game is empty and I would love if we got more updates. I love the game but I can't recommend it at this point.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Family Dies End of Story and there is no guide or tutorial on how to use items and medicine and other things.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I've done everything you can do in the game. It's an alright game but extremely repetitive, I don't regret buying it.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →the game is very bad and does not deliver what it promised after a short time the game becomes monotonous
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
Posts are quoted from public profiles with links to the original. Want yours removed? Contact us.
