Gods & Heroes, developed by Perpetual Entertainment have opened Beta signups to the public.

Here’s the company line on this upcoming MMORPG:

Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising is a unique massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) that plunges players into epic struggles for power and glory, pitting Roman Heroes against mortal enemies, inhuman monsters, and even the gods. Players control historically-accurate characters like the soldiers, gladiators, and mystics that populated the early Roman republic, and must align themselves with one of the Olympian gods, such as Jupiter, Mars, or Minerva. They will experience the most fast-paced, visceral combat ever as they encounter legions of fantastic and horrifying mythological creatures like Gorgons, Cyclops, and Centaurs. Gods & Heroes: Rome Rising lets gamers become more than just itinerant adventurers or errant thieves: they become the commanders of squadrons of loyal followers in heroic quests to attain immortality.

From what we’ve seen so far in gameplay videos Gods & Heroes does present a unique take on the MMORPG genre, a much needed break from high fantasy games like EQ or WoW. Combat appears very visceral with special attacks and effects, each player also controls a number of henchmen similiar to Guild Wars that creates an awesome scene when a group of players attacks with their private army.