Xboxist

Gears of War - The Review

Having decided to take the plunge into the next generation of console gaming with the Xbox360, there was only one game that I was interested in playing with my shiny new console. Surely 2 million people who have already bought it couldn't be wrong. Surely game-magazines and reviews worldwide couldn't be wrong. They're not...\n\nNot usually a fan with the 3rd person aspect of games, I was a bit tentative that this would reduce the fun I would have, but I'm happy to say it didn't reduce it at all.\n\nGraphics:\nBeing an Xbox360 game I had high hopes to see what the next generation could produce. I had only really seen a couple of screenshots and then I often don't take screens seriously because game-developers often increase the resolution of the photos to sell their game. If you haven't taken the jump into the HD era yet then this is the game to do it for you. On an HDTV it is literally mind-blowing. I have never seen anything like it and it gives me butterflies that a £250 pound piece of hardware can produce such textures, effects, detail and explosions all going on at once without a hint of slowdown.\n\nObviously if you play it on a normal TV, you don't get the true Gears of War experience, such as HDR etc, but it's still a stunning game, and the best looking one to date on any console, ever. The graphics rivals the very best PCs and really delivers a jaw dropping experience. The various locations throughout the game all offer something completely different and are all recreated in digital brilliance.\n\nFinally, the game has an 18 certificate for a reason. The inclusion of a chainsaw means that limbs will be flying in all directions and grenades have raw power, ripping people to shreds. It's an intense game which the graphics successfully convey. \n\nGameplay:\nLet me get one thing straight first. It's a run and gun shooting game. Despite what people say its still a typical 3rd Person Shooter. You run through linear areas (despite a couple choices of splits) killing things as you go along. If you play it in extended sessions it does start to tire pretty quickly. \n\nNow onto the good points. Cover. With a simple tap of the A button any wall, car, doorway can become cover, protecting you from death. With the press of the left trigger your aiming. It works extremely well and doesn't take long to roll from cover to cover, killing things as you go. The over the shoulder camera adds to the experience, allowing easy aim, while not losing your bearings. While there aren't many choices of weapons along the way, it's enough to keep you entertained throughout the game.\n \nMy second annoyance is the difficulty levels. They're standard, 3 types increasingly harder, with the third locked. Casual is basically easy, and that's what it definitely is. Hardcore is a fairly big step up and Insane is what it says on the tin. I think the game would have worked with just one level, instead of the 3 because of the huge difference between them.\n\nSound:\nThere isn't much to rave about or criticise. Its standard gun sounds, with what I believe to be typical war-game dialogue. The gruesome revving of the chainsaw is appealing. Good sound, but nothing that makes you think wow,.\n\nMultiplayer:\nThere are two modes to Multiplayer. \n1. Co-op is available online or off, and its fantastic fun playing through the campaign together. The only critique is that if it isn't on insane then it's just well too easy. No lag over the internet means its an extremely pleasurable experience.\n\n2. Deathmatch is basically the second form of multiplayer gameplay in Gears of War. To be honest, in my opinion, it offers nothing new at all. Its team based and that's it. There aren't any unseen modes, and unless its with friends you often find yourself unevenly paired up to people better than you.\n\nI think no-one should miss playing Gears of War, but it just lacks that magical spark that makes me want to play it again and again. It's fantastically good looking, and well worth the play, but that's all.\n\nThanks \n\nMarco Fiori\n