Gears of War 2

[Pared]

Re: Gears of War 2

OOH! This game is going to blow **** away!

[Flawless]

Re: Gears of War 2

Eurogamer Hands-On

In reality this simple agenda quickly becomes a whirlwind of clever variation, with the tempo and objectives switching from one minute to the next. It's clear that aside from the prettiness and increased on-screen body count it's the pacing that has gone through the biggest overhaul this time around, and the results so far are extremely promising.

On top of this are the moments of sheer adrenaline, which show that Epic's approach to set-pieces has been significantly refined. Whether it's the downed Raven crashing through a skylight, or the electricity cutting out as Locusts start to converge from all sides and the ammo runs low, you are never entirely sure what's around the next corner - and the variety never descends into gimmickry.

Act one saves its greatest thrills for the very end, however. The first is an audacious tunnel set-piece which literally turns out all the lights, sending the screen into total blackness before unleashing a skittering, twitching horde of Tickers who can only be located by the creepy clicking sound they produce and the sporadic light of gunfire.

In its simplicity, it's one of the more memorably frightening moments since Half-Life 2's Ravenholm, and is immediately followed by a second highlight: a fleeting glimpse of a new Locust, the Skorge, spotted merrily screwing around on a derrick, showboating with his dual-chainsaw-bladed bow-staff. The Skorge is apparently the Samurai of the Locust world, scalpel to the typical grunt's sledgehammer, and despite the fact he looks a bit like a Bionicle that's been left on top of a hot fireplace for too long, he promises to be a nasty piece of work. "He's a handful," suggests lead designer Cliff Bleszinksi, helpfully.

The enemy AI, as in the main campaign, seems significantly improved, with Locusts rolling out of trouble or making a break for distant cover when they come under fire. You also get the chance to check out some of the new weapons - such as the gatling gun, which is intensely powerful but slows you down and, as a low-slung weapon, can't be used when taking cover.

But deep down this is a far from old-fashioned game. As the single-player continues to bring a touch of Resident Evil's thoughtfulness to the futuristic pomp of Halo, and the multiplayer broadens its scope to take on tantalising aspects of Geometry Wars and co, it seems a pretty safe bet that this Christmas, the frosty air will ring out with the sound of a million Locust heads being stomped underfoot.

[Flawless]

Re: Gears of War 2

Rumor: Gears 2 map DLC packaged with game

Posted over on the Evil Avatar forums is a supposed list of Gears of War 2 information gathered from the latest issue of GamePro magazine. According to Mr. forum poster and his GamePro mag, Gears 2 will ship with a redemption code that enables players to download five remade maps from the original Gears free of charge. The remade maps - Gridlock, Subway, Canals, Mansion, and Tyro Station - will be available to download off the XBLM day one of release, but ONLY to those who purchase a new copy of the game with the redemption code.

Hope it's true.

[Flawless]

Re: Gears of War 2

New video diary

http://www.eurogamer.net/tv_video.php?playlist_id=15082

...

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Gears of War 2

Damn this game can't get here any sooner. As if the first GOW wasn't good enough, this one sounds like it's going to be a wholeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee lot better han the first one.

[sportsdude]

Re: Gears of War 2

I can already tell tickers are going to be the most annoying enemies. I will have fun mowing them down with my shotgun.

[greenegt]

Re: Gears of War 2

All I can say is

[Flawless]

Re: Gears of War 2

Anybody want a Gears Zune?

[Jonesy]

Re: Gears of War 2

Seriously this game makes me want to go buy a 360. I LOVED the first one (both single player and online) and now that i've swapped to ps3 it is really the major thing i'm going to miss.

Might just have to hire out the game and a 360 when it comes out and play it non-stop for a week.

[trobinson97]

Re: Gears of War 2

I just saw the "Rendezvous" trailer, this fall will be crazy for online gaming.

[Altimus]

Re: Gears of War 2

That Achievement tracker looks interesting. I wonder if it will be universal for all games or Gears only.

[Candyman5]

Re: Gears of War 2

That Achievement tracker looks interesting. I wonder if it will be universal for all games or Gears only.

Achievement Tracker??? Whats that?

[Altimus]

Re: Gears of War 2

Achievement Tracker??? Whats that?

When you're coming up on an Achievement that requires getting a certain number of something, a little pop up will show up telling you how far you are when you come closer.

[Candyman5]

Re: Gears of War 2

When you're coming up on an Achievement that requires getting a certain number of something, a little pop up will show up telling you how far you are when you come closer.

Wow that would be alot easier on achievements that require you to get a certain amount of something.

[Pared]

Re: Gears of War 2

WOW! The AT looks so damn cool! Great idea!