Gears of War (Xbox 360, 2006)

In Gears of War, a slab of concrete is your best friend. And if that slab of concrete isn't around, you can always make do with burned-out cars, piles of metal, huge columns, or even the ever-popular wall next to a doorway. Why are these inanimate objects so friendly? Because if you aren't hiding behind something in Gears of War, you might as well be dead. Microsoft and Epic have teamed up to create this wicked game of hide-and-seek with high-powered future guns, which delivers one of the most heart-pounding and graphically thrilling experiences of the year. If its exciting campaign doesn't rope you in, chances are the team-based multiplayer will--either way, Gears of War is downright amazing.



Marcus Fenix disobeyed orders and got locked up, but in tough times, even a traitorous soldier is better than nothing.

The game's campaign tells the tale of a man named Marcus Fenix. He, like the other soldiers around him, is an extremely thick dude that very clearly doesn't have time to bleed. The game immediately sets an action movie-like tone, complete with an interesting post-apocalyptic world that's been overrun by a mysterious force called the Locust. Marcus is a former soldier for the Coalition of Organized Governments, or COG. Their soldiers wear ridiculously huge, bulky armor, but can't be bothered to wear helmets. They're just that tough. Or stupid. Either way, Fenix is a former soldier that's been branded a traitor and locked away, but he's busted out of prison at the opening of the game, to help in the fight against the Locust. After a brief tutorial level where you and Dom, the soldier that busted you out, make your way out of the Locust-infested prison and, yes, get to the chopper, you're connected with the other members of Delta Squad and sent out to find Alpha Squad, which is both missing and supposedly in possession of a device that could turn the tide of the war. The game's story isn't very deep, and aside from a very brief mention in the front of the manual, it doesn't really bother to fill you in on the details behind the conflict or the main character's incarceration. The lack of exposition feels like a missed opportunity to make the characters and the setting even more compelling, and there are parts of the game that seem like they were built specifically to make room for some kind of flashback sequence, but the gameplay is so sharp that you probably won't care.

You'll fight a decent variety of enemies in Gears of War. Most of the Locust are humanoids, with minor visual distinctions between the standard troops, ones with shotguns, and so on. Later on, you'll fight some different-looking humanoid-style enemies that are armed with explosive torque bows, and there are plenty of other critters to face--some small, some screen-filling. They all use slightly different tactics, but the same basic rule applies: Wait for them to pop their heads (or other weak points) out and attempt to shoot it off. The enemy response to your actions has its great moments, but it also has its problems. Enemies hiding behind cover tend to not react when they get hit. From time to time, you might catch the back of an enemy peeking just over a piece of cover, and if you start shooting it, he'll usually just sit there and let you drill him to death. But in spite of its few problems, the action is tense and extremely enjoyable.

Gears of War is the most widely hyped game in recent memory and only the likes of a new Zelda game, or Halo game can truly rival the hype and press that Gears of War has received. To answer the question: Does the game live up to the hype? Yes! I have been playing this game nonstop since I purchased it the day of its release last Tuesday. It is incredibly fun and addictive and I haven't played another console game since. Does it have its flaws? Yes, of course, but ultimately the whole package makes you forget about them. So what are the flaws? some may say the campaign mode is too short, this is the one critique I have read and would really argue with someone about. The campaign has only 5 acts and if you're any good at VGs and play the game on casual...you'll beat the campaign in under 10 hours. Casual is ridiculously easy and makes you the Suk online. However, Hardcore is a decent challenge without being frustrating (and I've heard Insane is...well insane). Regardless, the campaign is done SOOO well even if it is short. It has been tailored for Co-op. The campaign mode is fully playable with a friend over xbox live, system link, or on the same damn system. You can play with a stranger too, if you want! just search or host a co-op game. Maybe the 8-12 hour campaign is too short, but with diverging paths, achievements to be unlocked, and 2 different characters to play...it works brilliantly. There are so many memorable moments and phenomenal battle scenarios that you can't knock it. Plus I would rather have a crisp, well done campaign leaving me salivating for more than some long arduous thing that I am beating out of obligation. The only reason that I have campaigns left incomplete is because multiplayer is where this game's legs are. GoW focuses on Team deathmatch (basic and 2 variants) and although they could really use some more modes (CTF, Assault, whatever!) I have to admit that Team Deathmatch is always my favorite mode (whether call of duty or Halo 2) so at least there's that. The online play is absolutely everything it was hyped to be and is just so much fun, my heart starts racing just thinking and typing about it. Gears of War is on a very short list of online games that I see myself keep coming back to (Halo and MGS being the others). Yes, sometimes your mic stops working. Yes, there are problems connecting to hosts. Yes, the modes are limiting. Yes, there are tweaks that could improve it, but ultimately who gives a F*@k! The game is incredibly fun and that's what games are meant to be. YOu think about the game at work, you get frustrated when you don't win, and you hoot and holler with your friends online all night. Great Game! Worthy of the Attention.

Gameplay: 9/10
Pros: Pop-N-stop gameplay has been born and it is a whole new way to play a shooter. Easy to pick up and play
Cons: Can be very frustrating online...pressing A to dive when instead you slide into a wall.

Graphics: 10/10
Pros: The best graphics I have EVER witnessed and I only have 480p HD. Truly Beautiful.
Cons: Not as impressive as Metal Gear 2's graphics were in their time.

Sound: 10/10
Pros: Clear, quality voicework, perfect and viceral gun, chainsaw, and weapons of massive destruction sounds.
Cons: The COG guy with the mask looks so cool, but sounds like a tool

...read the rest at http://gnadegames.blogspot.com​, Ebay cut the end off.

Gears Of War is a game taken place in a futuristic time period when life forms known as the Locust arise from the ground to place a full out attack on the Humans on the planet Sera. This game was made by Epic games for the Xbox360, and on my note, this game will be one of the top contenders for game of the year, or maybe be even one of the top 10 games in gaming history. Now let's hear about the game..

Graphics: 10
For graphics I would put 11, but its only out of 10! These graphics in Gears of War revolutionize the Xbox360 and the capabilities it has to make a tremendous series. These graphics not only look real, but they have unique details that make it interesting. In my opinion, these graphics are the best out right now, and will take a long time to beat them.

Sound: 10
While playing this game, the sound is so realistic that one would think that he/she is in the battle! The sound is from the guns, the ground, and even in the atmosphere! The sound is a fantastic feature about Gears of War. Without such great sound in this game, Gears would have a whole different mind set.

Storyline: 10
Here's the deal, Marcus Fenix, a former member of COG, was captured and put into prison while attempting to save his father. 14 years after Emergence day landed, a good friend Dom comes and gets him out of the prison. He then finds out all of the changes that has happened in the world since he was in prison. Marcus must help fight the Locust horde and attempt to save all humanity.

Gameplay: 10
The idea of cover and shoot, was a great idea implemented by Epic games that was original and unique in every shooter. The 3rd person tactical shooter connected with the games aspect. The whole game runs smooth and has an action packed gameplay. Not even the easiest difficulty in the game (Casual) is like slicing butter. Right when one enters the game it starts out with a battle all the way until the end of the game. The gameplay in Gears of War made the game.

Multiplayer: 9
Although the multiplayer has no clan features, which everyone hopes there will be an update for, the game's online and splitscreen multiplayer is definitely one of the games best features. The online multiplayer consists of three options, Player Matches, Ranked Matches, and Online Co-op. Player and Ranked Matches are usually competitive with no lag, running smooth, and top of the edge maps. Co-op is very useful because at some parts, someone needs help, right? So join your friends and play against them, and even with them fighting against the Locust, and even the COG!

Replay Value: 9
I can see myself playing this game for well over a year or two, or maybe even longer. This game is great if you have xbox live because if one has just single player to do, there is just getting to beat the Insane difficulty and occasionaly playing with friends on splitscreen multiplayer and co-op. The online part of the game will have people addicted with a great lag-free atmosphere.

Closing Notes:
Gears of War is a must buy game for the Xbox360. Sure it is very bloody and does have alot of swearing involved, but a shooter fanatic would instantly fall in love with the game the first second in play. This game will definitely have another game in the series which we all hope is even better than the first.

If you have a computer that can handle this game, it is a beautiful and very intense game. I own a ATI 4850 and can get 60 fps most of the time (the game is capped around there) @ 1680x1050 resolutuion, all high settings, no AA. So if you cannot handle this game with your current rig, I advise against buying it as the fluidity of the game will be greatly diminished.

The single player campaign is one of the most action-packed, intense games I have ever played, and will likely keep me coming back to the title. I have completed the single-player campaign over 3 times already and it has yet to get old. Takes 7 to 15 hours to complete, depending on skill and difficulty. However, the multiplayer has many flaws and very few hosts. Like the 360 counterpart, matches are hosted by the players rather than dedicated servers. With that in mind, there are few servers to choose from, and worse yet, the lag on some of these servers are unbearable and will leave you furious at times. Also, no one plays co-op. I've tried hosting a co-op game, but no one joined for 3 hrs. So there it is. The single player is the shining gem and is worth it though.

Gears of War is without a doubt the best graphical game yet beating out Ghost Recon for the top spot. Its lush vast environments and its vividly intricate characters and enemies are key to this games success. Even though you face a surreal lizard like creature called "The Locust" throughout the game it maintains a real life war feel to it even more so than a WWII shooter. The Camera shakes when you run, you can find cover almost anywere, heads explode when you shoot them giving a RE4 kind of feel as you wonder through the wreckage of a once great civilization. The most satisfying part of this game is the chain saw bayonet, a simple but essential element to the game that allows you to hack apart an enemy at close range in a spray of blood. The multiplayer is fantastic but only if you have xbox live because you really cant use it otherwise. You can play with a friend during the campaign mode and you can even play with someone online if you need help on a certain level. Now the biggest problem with the game I suppose is the lenght its a bit short lasting probably 4-5 hours on your first play through, but their are additional harder difficulties that you can play as well but that doesnt change the fact your still replaying the game. As for the collectors addition Id say its up to you weather you want to shell out an extra ten bucks or not. It comes with a cool tin case, an art booklet that shows earlier conceptions of the game aswell as backstory, and a bonus DVD that shows the making of the game and the E3 showing of last year. This game is a tremendous buy especially if you have xbox live.