Gears of War left the audience of E3 2005 in awe after curb stomping all other titles being shown during the expedition. Gamers waited impatiently for the game that wouldn't get released until November 2006, while pre-orders of the game out numbered any game of Microsoft's new system and second only to Halo 2 during the studios history. Winning numerous awards such as best game of 2006, the game became an instant hit.
Game's Structure
Gears of War is an over the shoulder 3rd person shooter obviously inspired by Resident Evil 4 that focus's on combat through use of shoot and cover. however unlike similar systems such as in Rainbow Six Vegas or Syphon Filter the mechanic's seem to run smoother and blend better into the pace of the game.
The game's campaign plays through a linear path with Cooperative play for up to 2 players and 2 bots making the maximum number of characters in your squad at one time 4 players, usally Marcus, Dom, Baird and Cole while during parts of the game several other characters make appearances while others or switched or killed of.
One of the unique selling points of the game is a innovative weapons that are present in the game such as the Lancer, an assault rifle with a saw attracted to it (yup bone saw is Rea..dy...!!!). Another weapon is a portable ion cannon called the "Hammer of Dawn" a weapon that when aligned with an above satellite can send a lazer that obliterates the target (I'M A FIRIN' MY LAZER!) There is also a weapon that is based around a bow that shoots an explosive arrow (Rambo style) and when an an enemy is pierced with it... only death awaits. There is a second between the detonation and when playing online the user knows hes screwed when hit.
The game introduces a game mechanic known as the active reload that when the player reloads there weapon and hits the moving bar at the right time the player will reload faster and the bullets inside the gun will get a temporary damage boost, while this mechanic is indeed interesting, when playing online it is sometimes abused
Game's Story
You take the role of an imprisoned Marcus Fenix who was jailed for disobeying a direct order and trying to rescue his dad. Sometime later the Prison that he is serving in is under attack from a subterranean race known as "Locusts" However an old friend "Dominic "Dom" Santiago arrives first to provide you with a gun and an excuse to kill. The games story is pretty weak and does not really revolve around a strong central story, there is a plot line however it isn't anything special.
Game's Graphics's
The detail in both the character model and terrain is fantastic and easily the best looking game of its time. With multiple ways to kill or be killed you will be intrigued with the amount of blood and body pieces flying as bullets rip through you. The architecture with stunning textures and lighting effects can create a picture like quality.
Game's Control's
The controls of the game will feel strange to newcomers to the game with the cover system feeling weird however it wont be long until the mechanics become second nature and you find yourself mastering each maneuver making the game play and killing locust that much more fun.
Game's Sound
The game does boost a strong dramatic score that is implemented into the games progression, sound effects from weapons and the locust cries make the game very atmospheric (smoke out).
Game's Online Experience
Gears of War is an addictive online game with multiple game types such as warzone (Team Elimination), Annex (similier to King of the Hill). Other game types are similer to Warzone with a catch, one called Assassination that requires players to protect there leader and Execution that requires players to get up close and execute their openents rather than simply shooting them from a distance.
each game type allows up to 8 players 4v4. One team the COG and the other the locust's. neither have any differences in attributes. The game is very addictive online and with various achievements that require a long time to reach you will find yourself playing for hours to unlock them.
one downside to the online battles is various exploits such as glitch's and overused weapons, With the sniper rifle capable of downing a player in one bullet there will be alot of frustration building up when you die and have to wait till the next round to respawn this process can take various minutes and become annoying over a period of time.
Game's replayability
The games online will keep you occupied until for quite sometime and the campaign is also fun to play through however it is very linear. If you also enjoy and need to get all the achivements in the game, it will take various months of grinding to get many of them to a stage were it becomes a chore (what Seriously!!).
There are a wide range of game types and multiplayer maps to keep you going and with 2 releases of DLC maps there is alot of varity.
Final Score - 94%
Final Verdict
Gears of War has excellent Graphics and Gameplay and is a breath of fresh air to people tired of standard First Person Shooters. Lack of an emotional or deep story hinders the game however the game is solid and a must buy for 360 owners
The game introduces a game mechanic known as the active reload that when the player reloads there weapon and hits the moving bar at the right time the player will reload faster and the bullets inside the gun will get a temporary damage boost, while this mechanic is indeed interesting, when playing online it is sometimes abused
Game's Story
You take the role of an imprisoned Marcus Fenix who was jailed for disobeying a direct order and trying to rescue his dad. Sometime later the Prison that he is serving in is under attack from a subterranean race known as "Locusts" However an old friend "Dominic "Dom" Santiago arrives first to provide you with a gun and an excuse to kill. The games story is pretty weak and does not really revolve around a strong central story, there is a plot line however it isn't anything special.
Game's Graphics's
The detail in both the character model and terrain is fantastic and easily the best looking game of its time. With multiple ways to kill or be killed you will be intrigued with the amount of blood and body pieces flying as bullets rip through you. The architecture with stunning textures and lighting effects can create a picture like quality.
Game's Control's
The controls of the game will feel strange to newcomers to the game with the cover system feeling weird however it wont be long until the mechanics become second nature and you find yourself mastering each maneuver making the game play and killing locust that much more fun.
Game's Sound
The game does boost a strong dramatic score that is implemented into the games progression, sound effects from weapons and the locust cries make the game very atmospheric (smoke out).
Game's Online Experience
Gears of War is an addictive online game with multiple game types such as warzone (Team Elimination), Annex (similier to King of the Hill). Other game types are similer to Warzone with a catch, one called Assassination that requires players to protect there leader and Execution that requires players to get up close and execute their openents rather than simply shooting them from a distance.
each game type allows up to 8 players 4v4. One team the COG and the other the locust's. neither have any differences in attributes. The game is very addictive online and with various achievements that require a long time to reach you will find yourself playing for hours to unlock them.
one downside to the online battles is various exploits such as glitch's and overused weapons, With the sniper rifle capable of downing a player in one bullet there will be alot of frustration building up when you die and have to wait till the next round to respawn this process can take various minutes and become annoying over a period of time.
Game's replayability
The games online will keep you occupied until for quite sometime and the campaign is also fun to play through however it is very linear. If you also enjoy and need to get all the achivements in the game, it will take various months of grinding to get many of them to a stage were it becomes a chore (what Seriously!!).
There are a wide range of game types and multiplayer maps to keep you going and with 2 releases of DLC maps there is alot of varity.
Final Score - 94%
Final Verdict
Gears of War has excellent Graphics and Gameplay and is a breath of fresh air to people tired of standard First Person Shooters. Lack of an emotional or deep story hinders the game however the game is solid and a must buy for 360 owners
