The game is based on the movie and graphic novel of the same name, and begins shortly before the Battle of Thermopylae, which took place in the summer of 480 B.C. You begin the game as King Leonidas and play your way through moments that seem to jump right out of the movie or book. You play through levels, upgrade armor, weapons, and stats, and battle through endless hordes of Persian warriors, including slaves, spearmen, archers, Immortals, Persian champions, and the two Persian generals, Mardonius and Hydarnes. The action is sometimes furthered when your army forms a phalanx formation that is an impenetrable wall of shields and spears, which is used to fight many more Persians and giant beasts such as elephants. As the game progresses, you gain the ability to wield two swords (while forgoing your shield and spear) and are able to change between weapon styles.