Previews// Gears of War (Xbox 360)

Yesterday this previewer spent the best part of a day at the official UK press conference for, what is arguably, the reason most people bought a 360 – Gears of War.



The code we got to play was the same as that which went gold on the 25th and you’ll be glad to know that we were impressed. We were VERY impressed. So much so, the title, ‘Best Game EVER!’, could almost be merited. However, as I only spent three or four hours with the code, bestowing such a title would be going a bit early to say the very least.

However, when to-to-toe with the Locust Horde in yet another spectacular setpiece, that phrase trying to force its way out of my smacked gob. It wasn’t just the graphics making me (almost) say it, although they are genuinely some of the best seen in a videogame: subtle textures, flawless draw-distance, rock-solid frame rate; the incredible details like heat haze off your rifle, and glowing bullet entries in walls.

Nor was it the incredible array of mid-battle sound effects bombarding my ears. It was not even the sweeping orchestral score accompanying the drama.

No, it was these combined with the highly responsive and intuitive controls, the perfect learning curve, and the startlingly dynamic AI. When you get to play this game you’ll sympathise with my uncontrollable ramblings. Yet still I reserve the ultimate accolade for the final release and review. You never know… you never know.

Right, I’ve taken a deep breath, so let’s continue. The game has four modes: Single Campaign, Co-op Campaign, LAN Multiplayer and (of course) Xbox Live Multiplayer. Campaign modes are, naturally, mission-based wherein you’ll encounter a gamut of set pieces to fight through. It’s these, along with the over-the-shoulder view that makes me draw parallels with Resident Evil 4 (no bad thing). GoW has that high budget, almost cinematic feel to it that just sucks you into its world.