There was a decent selection of gladiator types, but apart from the Retiarius they really felt too similar. We also found that their was very little separating our gladiators stat wise, but in the rules defense we were playing fighters of exactly the same skill.
Unfortunately, concerning combat, RSBS seemed to fall into the same trap that many gladiator games do, where the game degenerates into a dicing rolling fest between two static miniatures. So much hinges on your bonus dice and choosing when to use them is a big part of the game, but there was nothing stopping me from using all my bonus dice in the very first exchange (nothing except the fact that if I didn't beat my opponent in that single attack, he was sure to win). Using all your bonus dice leaves you spent , basically out of the match. I think the combat came across as a little lackluster and didn't force me to make any tactical decisions or even basic choices.
In saying that, I think RSBS could excel as a solo game and also has some promising campaign rules. Unfortunately it is not exciting or competitive enough for me as a multiplayer game. I expect tension and excitement in a game of gladiatorial combat and I certainly didn't feel it here.
We did have a lot of fun though rolling up our gladiators. All Dave's hopes hinged on the murmillo, "Spandex of Gaul", but he was no match for my thraex, "Titius the Jew".