Previews// Gears of War (Xbox 360)

Take A Deep Breath

Posted 3 Nov 2006 16:00 by
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.
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Comments

SCiARA 3 Nov 2006 16:32
1/9
this is the game i bought the 360 for, roll on judgement day
hollywooda 3 Nov 2006 16:56
2/9
..........two weeks.........!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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king skins 6 Nov 2006 13:24
3/9
SCiARA wrote:
this is the game i bought the 360 for, roll on judgement day


Shouldn't that me Emergence Day...?

Is it me or are pages 2, 3 & 4 all identical?

Also, there seams to be a few SPOnG people who are going to be buying this game. We should get a SPOnG forumites match going once it's released.
SCiARA 6 Nov 2006 13:56
4/9
king skins wrote:
SCiARA wrote:
this is the game i bought the 360 for, roll on judgement day


Shouldn't that me Emergence Day...?


that’s what MS are calling it yea, for me, its judgement day as I wont know how good it really is until I get my sweaty palms on it
king skins 14 Nov 2006 15:20
5/9
Where is the Review?
SCiARA 14 Nov 2006 15:26
6/9
the fiew reviews i've read so far are moaning of the short gameplay and crippled online play?
king skins 14 Nov 2006 17:09
7/9
SCiARA wrote:
the fiew reviews i've read so far are moaning of the short gameplay and crippled online play?


I want the SPOnG review tho. Lupos seams to think its "f**king incredible!!!" :)

And isn't the crippled online just complaining about not being able to play/cheat on ranked matches with your friends?

I was assuming that the game would still allow you to setup player matches that are not ranked like all the other live games...? Can anyone clarify this...? Oh and when are we getting a SPOnG review?
SCiARA 14 Nov 2006 17:14
8/9
GOW for me will be great, if its a short game then it means I get to complete it (I don’t get much time to play these days) rather than play until something else comes out, besides, 10 hours of game play will probably double in my inquisitive hands...

This is gonna be a busy week for me, I’ve got call of duty 3 and F.E.A.R coming this week from playasia and GOW at the end of the week.

360 is good
.
king skins 14 Nov 2006 17:23
9/9
FEAR is really really good. I was really enjoying that until my 360 died on me.
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