Where's the block button?
It seemed a tad off-putting that even though the sword the gladiator carried was about as big as they were, they were fundamentally incapable of using it to actually block, parry, or otherwise halt incoming projectiles, which the enemy proceeded to use every single chance it got. Since jumping doesn't work whilst the lengthy animation is in progress (nor does turning) the result is the game feeling unresponsive and frequently rather irritating, especially after the third time of swinging thy sword too frequently and passing straight by the enemy allowing them to shoot you in the back. Again.
Also, the lack of any progression of melee weapons rather limitted the urge to play, since the melee attack far outstrips virtually every recourse available to you from the get go, making melee weapons start out slightly less overwhelming and grant the option of continuing improvement might give it a little purpose, as might some further plot (or indeed, further abilities to gain).
All in all, it's a good game, but it does have room for improvement.