Gears of War 2 Available Novemeber 7th

It’s been 2 years since Emergence Day when the Locust Horde showed their ugly faces and emerged from the soil. On that day we met Xbox 360’s next iconic character, Marcus Fenix, and his crew (Baird, Cole and Dom), the next saviors of earth. Sorry Master Chief, it’s time to share the spotlight.

The first Gears was one of the top sold award winning games of 2006, bringing players back to the third person perspective but in a whole new light. One of the biggest complaints about the first Gears was the lack of story and duration of the single player, gamers found it too simple and much too short. Now the question is, did the sequel deliver on all it’s promises or did it fall short of the giant consumer expectations? To put it simply, it did deliver, and then some.

Gears of War 2 Single Player Campaign Review

It’s hard to even know where to start, the improvements are scattered everywhere and though yes it’s still a short 10 hour single player, it would take me even longer to tell you all about it. They’ve managed to jam pack the entirety of the game with action, action and more action. Wait, that’s not so different from the first Gears, is it? Oh you bet your ass it is. This time you’re dealing with more enemies one screen, a larger variety of locust, more weapons (which I’ll get to later) and most importantly during this nonstop action rollercoaster you’ll be knee deep in a surprisingly moving/inspiring storyline. If there was ever any question about Hollywood cinematic stories converting to videogames, Gears of War 2 smashes this theory with an overwhelming “YES they are.”

The Story, The Game

When you first met Marcus and his crew, you basically knew that he was disbanded from the military and only used as a last resort. What you may have missed is the why. I don’t know about you but I either completely missed this in the first one, or they never bothered to mention it. It turns out that Marcus found out about his Dad being in trouble and left his mission to go help him, not only did he not make it in time to save his dad but he was thrown in jail for disbandment.

The story of Gears two begins with some very short game play to reintroduce you to the games mechanics. What better way (story wise) to throw in a training mission than to “train” a new recruit, good ol’Carmine. Yes Carmine makes his way back, or at least one of his brothers does as the new recruit of Delta squad. Epic really plays with the idea that you’re expecting him to die, but does he? You’re quickly converted to the GOW you know and love to a story driven lengthy (in a good way) cinematic scene that delivers on building your excitement and anticipation for what’s to come.

It’s just Dom, Marcus and new recruit Carmine but you’ll soon be reunited with Baird, Cole and a few new faces. Your mission this time around is about the same as it was before; stop the Locust at all costs. Last time SPOILER for GEARS 1 you dropped a bomb in the locust tunnels annihilating the scum, or so you thought. This time the plan is different and well, a lot more interesting. I won’t spoil it for you, but lets just say it’s a little more large scale.

During your time with GOW2 you’ll find yourself amerced in Locust tunnels, ruined cities and even at one point a survival horror atmosphere. They’ve really pulled out all the stops and given you a solid story driven campaign that blows the original out of the water.

Gameplay

Good lord the amount of time I could spend talking about game play. If you enjoyed the third person perspective of the first, that’s obviously back and it hasn’t changed at all. What has changed is the way you play the game. Executions in the first Gears was basically the iconic “Curb Stomp”, this time you have some weapon specific fatalities and the ability to grab a “Meat Shield”. The Meat Shield is the ability to pick up a downed enemy and literally use his nearly dead corpse as a shield. Don’t worry about him wiggling away, your new locust body armor will just sit back and wait for death. The other added bonus to the “downed” feature from its predecessor is the ability to crawl. Once an enemy has downed you, you’re given the opportunity to crawl to safety in order for an ally player to revive you. Of course the story mode can still be played split screen or over Xbox Live co-op (2 Players). There was talk earlier on about 5 player co-op but this is used for the “Horde” section of the multiplayer experience.

Vehicles

The vehicles from the first gears consisted of well, just one. This time you’ll make your way across the world on some “different” forms of transportation. Ranging from a COG issued military tank to a Locust Reaver flying through the air. This is probably the only chink in the oversized Gears armor and yet it’s still nothing to scare you from the game. At times you’ll find that the steering is a little problematic and it would really help to have a co-op player taking on one of the rolls (driver and gunner). The result of the not so perfect vehicle mechanics is you’ll be sure to fail a whole lot more during these scenes than while on foot.

The Weapons

Did you miss blowing your enemies to little pieces? Watching their limbs sprinkle to the ground? While if so, you’re a sick person, a avid Gears player and a top notch human being in my books. The weapons of GOW are known to be over the top massive amounts of satisfying fun, and this time there are no disappointments. With the introduction of the Meat Shield the old magnum may not have sufficient firepower, and Epic knew this throwing in a one-handed burst fire machine gun. At first the idea is a little less than amazing, but after using it you’ll realize its power more than makes up for it. The Boom Shot making its way back is no longer the biggest most bad gun, no no, you’re little hand held mortar shower takes over that role. Yep it’ll be raining missiles in no time at all while you watch locust yell “INCOMING!” as they run for cover. This of course, along with the added mini gun are two handed weapons and wont take up a spot on your 3 weapon inventory. Smoke grenades are a thing of the past with the new and improved gas grenades that unleash a black smoke of poison gas. The new weapons are just as, no, more satisfying than before and you’ll be sure to enjoy all their little perks.

Visuals

The chrome plating on the Gears of War 2 Armor with just the right amount of “Holy Shit that looks amazing!” The first Gears won the award for the best looking game and they’ve sure as hell lived up to this title. Just taking the time to experience the beauty of the environments or the glimmer of your COG armor would take more than an acceptable period of loitering. One of the most amazing things they’ve pulled off is the water mechanics. I found myself literally walking in the water for the first time for about 10miutes just watching how it reacted to my characters movement. If you spin around you can actually create a little whirlpool effect. I mean..who doesn’t like whirlpools! The grungy dark world you’d expect is there, but it’s been polished to perfection with a unique one of a kind style that anybody can appreciate. If there is one thing that Gears does better than any other, it’s gore! You may be surprised but Gears is easily one of the goriest games you’ll ever play only being challenged by itself. Gears 2 is packed with blood guts and more guts. You’ll be sure to find yourself knee deep in it by the middle of the game, literally.

My verdict for the single player campaign, it’s great, it’s what they promised and it’s what you’d expect from such an anticipated title. I haven’t even touched on the multiplayer yet, where the Gears of War colors truly shine, but I’d still recommend this as a must for any Xbox 360 game collection. Hell even if there weren’t a multiplayer this would be one hell of a good game.

Gears of War 2 Single Player gets a 9.5/10

Oh and one final word...trilogy.

Oh and one more thing, last thing I promise. When you beat the game... WAIT TILL AFTER THE CREDITS! You'll hear something very interesting. Very very interesting.

Reviewed by: Andrew Simons