Gears of War
Tags: good versus evil

Plot synopsis:
=== Setting ===
Gears of War 2 takes place six months after the detonation of the Lightmass Bomb at the end of the first game. Though most of the underground army of the Locust Horde was destroyed, the explosion also caused much of the liquid Imulsion underground to vaporize, causing a fatal disease called Rustlung to spread among the diminished human population. After months of peace, the cities of Tollen and Montevado suddenly and mysteriously disappear underground, leading the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) to suspect the resurgence of the Locust. Soon after, the once impenetrable Jacinto, one of the last remaining safe havens for humans, begins to show signs that the same fate awaits it. To stop the fall of Jacinto, the COG responds with a large-scale counter-offensive against the Locust. Senior Producer Rod Fergusson says "In order to save Jacinto, [the COG] have no choice but to take the war to the Locust."
=== Characters ===
Returning characters includes the main protagonists of the series Marcus Fenix and Dominic (Dom) Santiago and others from the first game, including Marcus and Dom's fellow Delta Squad COG soldiers, Augustus 'Cole Train' Cole and Damon Baird. Also returning in supporting roles are radio dispatcher Anya Stroud and senior officer Colonel Hoffman. Lead designer Cliff Bleszinski confirmed that the character Carmine would be returning, but did not reveal how or in what capacity as Carmine was killed in the original Gears of War. It was later revealed that the original Anthony Carmine would not be present in the Gears of War 2 campaign, but rather his brother, Benjamin, would make an appearance. The game also introduces several new characters. They include Chairman Prescott, the noble, yet near-dictatorial military leader of COG; Tai Kaliso, "a spiritual and meditative warrior from a tradition of honor bound fighters;" and Dizzy Wallin, a former Stranded who joined the COG to keep his family safe. Dom's wife Maria also makes an appearance, and Dom's search for her plays an important part in the story.
=== Plot ===
As Gears of War 2 begins, the COG army is mobilizing to send forces into the depths of Sera to assault the Locust directly. The COG deploy several units into the Locust Tunnels, known as 'The Hollow', despite sustaining heavy casualties. Delta Squad, consisting of Marcus Fenix, Dom Santiago, Benjamin Carmine and later Augustus Cole and Damon Baird, continues to search the Hollow and discovers that the Locust are using a giant Riftworm to sink the human occupied cities. The Locust plan to destroy the rock structures at the outskirts of Jacinto, the last major Human city, in hopes of sinking it into the ground.
Delta Squad kills the Riftworm before it can sink Jacinto and returns to the surface. They are ordered to investigate a nearby abandoned COG outpost where they encounter experimented creatures of unknown origin and learn of a back door entrance to the Hollow in the nearby Kadar Mountains. They find prisoner cages and Dom convinces Marcus that Maria (Dom's wife) must be inside one of them. They manage to find her, but the Locust imprisonment and torture has left her severely disfigured and traumatized, unable to communicate. Faced with the nigh-vegetative state Maria is in, Dom tearfully chooses to euthanize her. Marcus and Dom then charge into the Locust stronghold.
Inside, Delta Squad discovers the Locust Horde is locked in a civil war against the "Lambent," or a group of Locust who have been exposed to Imulsion. They decide to destroy both the Locust and Lambent forces by detonating a bomb under Jacinto, which will sink the city and flood the Locust tunnels. Marcus and Dom battle their way through the Locust tunnels, while Cole and Baird use a helicopter to transport a bomb into the cavern. A Lambent Brumak destroys the bomb before it can be detonated. Marcus improvises by using a satellite targeting solution to bombard the Brumak with an orbital laser, which causes it to violently explode. Jacinto begins to sink and sea-water floods into the sinkhole, destroying the remaining Locust forces. As the COG forces and civilians evacuate, a voiceover of the Locust Queen talks about unintended legacies. After the credits, a last voice over of Adam Fenix is heard, a radio transmission of a call for help, and a cry of desperation, revealing he is still alive.

Review: In GEARS OF WAR you control Marcus Fenix, a disgraced squad leader of the forces of the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG).
An optional second player can join in and control comrade Dominic.In this third-person shooter, you must make judicious use of all available cover in order to succeed without being wiped out very quickly.
There is even an option to run lower and more quickly towards the next bit of cover (provided that it's not too far away), which can be advisable if you are in the open too long as being lower and quicker makes you harder to hit.You have a multitude of weapons at your disposal, most of which have limited ammunition (which can be picked up if it's lying on the ground, or you can top up a lot of weapons for which you do not have full ammo).
There is quite a bit of gore in GOW, but by far the chainsaw bayonet is among the goriest imagery in the game.Other bigger guns include (but are not limited to) the shotgun and the sniper rifle, although its chamber can only accommodate one bullet, so you have to reload after every shot.Reloading presents an extra facet which, when mastered, will allow quicker reloading and more powerful shots.
When you use these you can either just throw them or you can aim using an on-screen arc that shows where your grenade will bounce and where it will explode.There are also some other more powerful weapons, which I won't give away, but these should understandably be saved for the more troublesome foes.When you take a hit you start to see a red cog appear on the screen; the more complete it is the closer you are to dying, so get under cover quickly!
Another complaint involves the grenades in multiplayer mode; some details of the aiming arc can be off-screen if playing using two-player split-screen, which can make them harder to use than normal.However, GOW stands out as a brilliant game in its own right, and is probably the main reason for investing in an XBox 360, especially in multiplayer mode..
This is a game that is beyond good, even beyond great, even beyond awesome.this awesome is derived from the unbelievably addictive online play that is worth the 14.99 price tag.
it isn't really all that good and the story is the same as many other games but it is still fun.get this game for the single player and be entertained, play the multi-player and be astonished.
Gears of War is an epic game created by..
The controls may take a bit time getting used to but once you figure them out aiming and shooting will be simple.Overall- Great game.
the game-play itself is deeply entertaining, although some may find it a little repetitive, they will also tell you it is fun!
the average player will not be impressed with the opening events in the game, but then again, you have choice's of which paths to take, and the range of decision making is outstanding!The graphics are no less than great, but then again this is on the Xbox 360.
Gears is the best xbox360 game that i have ever played.
Gears Of War is the best game on xbox360 maybe even best game I've played all year.With the best graphics i have ever seen on any system.The environments and surrounding ruin of cities looks great like an actual bombed out city.The A.I. in G.O.W is decent not to great though they are kinda dumb all they do is attack and take cover.Sound is awesome on it the guns sound great and the voice acting is really good done by professionals.The story is great just too short for my liking but its well done and when the soldiers talk they talk like real soldiers would by making jokes and trying to keep the morale up.Its a little sad to say but the way the soldiers act in this fictional war game is more real than they act in a real war game(my friend in the army told me thats exactly the way him and his company act).Actual game play of G.O.W is very easy and simple to get into and the firefights you'll be having are amazing just intense fire fights with taking fire and returning fire a decent variety of weapons makes the games fire fights fun.Taking cover is crucial to game play but its not as bad as it may sound you don't have to take cover for minutes at a time there are plenty of chances to run out and gun the Locusts down.All in all this is a great game worth buying if your a shooter fan or want a fun game to play its a most own for any 360 owner if they like action games at all..
This game started a revolution in video games because it creates a whole new world based on not-so real humans battling aliens in an Apocalyptic scenario.The visuals are just impressive and you won't get better.
The single player, while the story wasn't exactly amazing, and the campaign wasn't exactly that long, the game play is amazing.
The thrill of pulling off that head-shot with the sniper rifle or killing three people from the same blast from the Hammer of Dawn, it never gets old.Oh, the Hammer of Dawn is a giant space laser.The only complaint is that you can't break the chainsawing animation, so when you clearly could've dodged the blade in real life, you aren't allowed to move, unless it glitches, and even then, you die when they're not near you.Overall this game will make you tear your hair out.
Gears of War's biggest weakness is a interesting but bare bones plot but what it makes up for it is it's addictive and (very)gory intensely fun shooting action.What Epic Games has done is nothing short of brilliant and although not really original, the core gameplay mechanics are very well-done.
The lack of any real development sucks what little life remains from the characters and it makes it a little depressing.Gears of War is a great action game marred only by a weak, paint by numbers plot with emotionally devoid characters..
Great graphics, weak storyline and game play....
Don't get me wrong Gears of War is a good game, but its not as good as people say it is, it doesn't live up to the hype, the graphics however are beautiful and are a joy to watch, the cinematic scenes are cool to,but the game play gets a bit boring, you find yourself doing the same through out most of the game, ducking covering, shooting,walking, ducking covering ,shooting, walking.
I can only imagine what the experience was like to play the game for the first time in 2006, but in 2018, though it lacks the wow factor to compete with an AAA game now, I don't regret finally catch up..
The game forgoes a good chunk of the explanation and dialogue that games use to try and quickly fill players up on the plot and instead unceremoniously toss them into the boots of Marcus Fenix and sends them off to fight.
characters and locations still look unique and visually interesting even without the graphical fidelity of newer games and really go the extra mile to set up a cool world to play through.
Despite Gears of War not being the first game to use the mechanic they were the first to popularize it and make it the stable of shooters that are grounded a bit more in the bounds of reality.
This game is one of the best the Xbox has to offer, With such gorgeous Visuals and fun gameplay that it's nearly a masterpiece, here's why this game is the Xbox's killer-app.The story is forgettable and simplistic but not awful, the game follows Marcus Fenix, a Heavy armored man With his crew must stop the Locust horde from taking over humanity and the planet Sera, With their guns and strongness, they must defeat Raam, the leader of the Locust, to stop the Madness.The game is a third-person-shooter With a cover system-based gameplay, you play as Fenix who must cover his way through the Locust and kill every one in sight, the cover system is very good, it Works perfectly.
The guns are very varied, even though they have similarities, they have a good selection, the Lancer is the highlight, it's chainsaw bayonet and damage makes it a useful but brutal weapon, in the game, you find COG tags scattered through each Level, while tricky is still rewarding.The Graphics still hold up to this day, detail and textures are all wonderful, the Controls are good as well, you use RT to shoot and you know the rest from there, the sound is brilliantly designed and one of the best in a 2006 game.The downsides is the game's length, it only has 5 Levels, despite it's long Levels, the game doesn't have a significant amount of Challenge, the multiplayer maps are small but the multiplayer is enjoyable at best.
The story is tedious and the game doesn't deliver anything New to the core gameplay of this game.Gears of War is a spectacular game and a killer-app for the Xbox 360, Graphics, gameplay, Controls, sound and multiplayer is great despite map design issues, story is forgettable and short campaign, this game should not be overlooked 10/10.
I fail to recognise the last time when playing 2 player was necessary to beat the game.
This on the other hand, while it is probably just as generic as Halo, is a lot better.The plot is that Marcus Fenix is taken out of jail in order to help contribute to a fight that humanity is losing to with an alien race, The subterranean Locusts.
So the Bezerker naturally charges Dominic, sabotaging his own life and all chance of the plan working because the Bezerker will charge what is nearest and if you're like me, you will try your best to avoid the monster that kills in one hit.So for all intents and purposes while Gears Of War is just a generic shooting gallery, the combat is probably the smoothest of the time and while the partner AI jeopardizes you to the point where you HAVE to get a second player (Shouldn't that just be an option?
I would say if what you would like is a game to play with a friend then this might be a good choice..
Gears of War has some truly great moments in its 6+ hour campaign, but therein lies the problem: it is too short!
It may sound like I don't like the game much, I do, but it is just a bit disappointing.The graphics are just as good, if not better, as you have probably heard.
In my opinion, a shooter just isn't worth buying if it doesn't have an in-depth multiplayer aspect to it (Bioshock being an exception.) Thus, I am glad to tell you that Gears of War has a great multiplayer component.
The multiplayer would have greatly benefited from a Halo 2/3 style matchmaking system, in my opinion.Overall, I would recommend this game to any adult who is looking for a great shooter with a good single-player campaign and great multiplayer.Gameplay: 9/10 Graphics: 10/10 Sound: 8/10 Value: 10/10.
Gears of War is probably the best game on XBox 360 and definitely my favourite games.Every thing in the game has been done brilliantly and there's nothing i would change i'm not really a massive gamer so i can't say a lot but the game play and story are all excellent and i enjoyed every moment playing it, the co-op multi-player was great too.The graphics like most XBox 360 games are great and i really liked the characters and the locust hoard were really well designed, the idea of a chainsaw on a machine gun was cool and i love how the blood splash's on the screen when you use it.I would recommend Gears of War to anyone who likes third person shooter/horror games and would say it's the best around on console at the moment.I hope they don't make a Gears of War movie because most that get turned into movies are rubbish like Doom which wasn't that good.9 out of 10.
The graphics were superb, the music was outstanding and matched the game-play.
Gears of War is a game that will be a classic.
The actual storyline is a bit too short, but the nice thing is that once you beat the game, you can play again on harder levels.
Gears is the most addictive game i have ever played other than Guitar Hero II.
Sound effects makes the game-play intense.
Gears of war is also the best 2 player game I've ever played.
after first picking up this game at my local video games store for 40$ i went home eagerly waiting to see if the game lived up to the hype.i played for about 15 minutes before i turned it off in disgust and boredome because of how mindless and repetitive it was.but an hour or so later i had the uncontrollable urge to shoot some aliens in the face.i have to admit there isn't much to the game play.its mostly run,take cover,shoot,kill,repeat and occasionally having some crazy boss fights.the story isn't anything special or new either.aliens are trying to kill us OH CRAP LETS GET THE RAIL GUN AND SHOOT THESE ALIEN COMMIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!but i think the developers new this and im sure story was not there concern.there concern was making one of the most fun,violent and innovative tactical shooters I've ever played in my life.the depictions of violence are really cool.especially with the sniper rifle and chainsaw(it never gets old).but it really does bring really cool weapons to kill things with.and thats always fun.the graphics are stunning also and i first played the game on a non hdtv and it STILL looked great.and then when i did see in high def.i nearly crapped my pants.and not to mention the multiplayer is FANTASTIC.in my opinion the best xbox live game you can play.bottom line is if your looking for story and depth and not much action or violence you might wanna think twice.but if you wanna blow something in half shoot someones head off kill something with a laser beam from space or blow someone up with a rocket launcher or a bow with exploding arrows and are willing to sacrifice a good story and a a lot of repetitiveness.then you'll LOVE this game.....final score 10/10.
You are later released by one of his good friends, now, they set out with 2 more soldiers to save the earth.Single player: Don't play this game by yourself!
Your AI-soldiers are stupid, if you play this on Insane, the only thing you do is running around bringing them back on their feet.The single player was meant to be played in co-op, thats a lot more fun.As for the Multiplayer: It's an excellent time killer!
I love the different variations the player has to be pitted against, including Beserkers, Krylls and of course, the Lord of the Locust, General RAAM.The only thing that disappointed me was the fact Private Carmine and Lieutenant Kim were killed off so early in the game, not a lot of time in between their deaths.
It's the same in Gears of War 2, with his brother, Ben, being killed early in the game.
Anyway, killing the Locust Horde (your enemies) is exceptionally enjoyable, so is ripping someone to shreds with the one-of-a-kind Chainsaw Bayonet.9/10 Graphics- The graphics are pretty good.
The storyline is pretty good, but some parts of it are quite maddening, like the end of Act 3 in the campaign.10/10 Overall- All in all, Gears of War is a great game, something all PC and Xbox 360 gamers should buy.
Marcus and his team of hardened soldiers, Delta Squad, must save humanity and destroy General Raam and his Locust forces before the planet Sera goes under their control.
5/5 Gameplay: Epic Games wanted to make sure Gears of War isn't gonna be a death-match style run and gun game.
Another best part of Gears is the camera following Fenix whenever he runs for cover like in the war documentaries.
Gears of War truly is the game of 2006 and may Microsoft and Epic continue with the success of their new franchise.Final Review: 5/5.
It is now officially in your best interests to play the Game of the Year as soon as possible.Good job, Epic.
As in the example above, sometimes they just don't work and at other times your men mill about and getting them to move to, say, a door that one of them needs to open can involve a frustrating amount of running around trying to get them to "wake" up to the fact that it is their action that is needed.For me, though, the repetitiveness is what drove me to put the game aside.
Gears of War, this brings a whole new definition to shooter games.
The graphics are amazing, the game play is awesome.
The plot was terrible, it was not realistic, it did not excite me enough to keep playing but the graphics were quite good.One of the main reasons I disliked this game for is the plot (if it had one).
The second time I noticed how unrealistic the game is when I was shooting someone I used up at least sixty bullets on one person (or alien or creature or whatever it is meant to be).The other main reason why I did not like this game is that it did not excite me enough to keep playing.
Yet, I was still somewhat disappointed with Gears of War. For the most part, the gameplay was good.
I did feel like I was playing to save the world, but I think it was more because of the scenery, the destruction, the pain and the characters rather than the battles themselves.Storywise, the game lost a lot of points for me.