The gameplay is based on the control of a Roman general named Marius Titus. Players work with Roman infantry by giving commands to them as well as quick time event controlled finishing moves during combat on the easiest difficulty. Beyond this, gameplay consists of using strong block moves to break enemy combos and execution kills. While the historical component is highly inaccurate, it takes place in an alternate time-line and the developers claim to have drawn much of the inspiration for the game's combat and tactics from "...the innumerable Roman campaigns that led to the [modern] concept of total war". The story follows Marius's life from early childhood to becoming a leader in the Roman Army. The story is described as "an epic tale of revenge spanning an entire lifetime". Fifteen hero level characters were given full motion capture with the same detail as Marius. A fact not many of the players and fans of the game may not be aware of is the emperor character is played by Stephen Callaghan from walker Players control Marius using the controller, while simultaneously controlling his legion through Kinect voice commands.

There is also a co-operative multi-player mode, where players team up to accomplish various challenges in a gladiator arena setting.