Gears of War

As everyone knows Gears of War is the most highly anticipated title for the Xbox 360 this year. With a release date slated around the holidays the hype has grown even more since its thirty second trailer was released a year ago, and hopefully Epic will deliver a fresh third person shooter experience for the ages.
 
What is Gears of War? Well if you ask Cliff Bleszinski, (CliffyB) lead designer at Epic, he’ll say that Gears is a combination of elements from a tactical shooter mixed with that of a survival horror game. In a recent MTV special on Gears, CliffyB stated, “Microsoft has one punch to throw before the juggernaut of the PS3 comes out and Gears is that punch.” Most people will say don’t believe the hype and I would have to agree with them, but there are reasons to actually believe. CliffyB is the creator of the Unreal Franchise; a fast and frantic FPS that has graced many gaming PCs and consoles alike, and with that experience and the power of the Unreal Engine 3, Gears of War might just break away from its “Halo Killer” description and form it’s own identity giving Microsoft their answer to the PS3 this holiday season!

Gears of War is set on an Earth like planet called Sera. The planet is waste deep in a world conflict called the Pendulum Wars over depleting energy sources. The planet is being laid to waste and as if it couldn’t get any worse…a new foe emerges from within the planet’s hollow crust. The Locust Horde are made up of savage monsters that suddenly drilled their way out of their dark cocoon and began taking over many of Sera’s major cities on a day that is labeled Emergence Day (E-Day). With the human race in despair they join together and form the Coalition of Ordered Governments; (COG) a present day UN that is bent on bringing the Locust Horde to its knees, and that’s where you come in.

You play the role of Marcus Fenix. A once famed hero during the Pendulum wars you were thrown in jail for leaving your post during battle, but that doesn’t last long. After E-Day your buddy Dom is able to spring you from prison and you are then made part of COG’s Delta Company. Outfitted with the latest weaponry, you and your squad mates are responsible for bringing down the Horde.

Speaking of weapons, Epic has cooked up quite an exotic list for your destructing pleasure. During a few missions you’ll be able to use the Hammer of Dawn. This is a remote laser strike that is as easy as point and click. The next item on the list is the Torque Bow. This is a crossbow styled weapon that when shot will detonate in anything the arrow has plunged into. Are you tired of the rudimentary grenade throwing found in most games? The Bolo Grenades should answer that. These are sticky grenades on a sling that you twirl above your head until you have your perfect arc. Last but not least, the weapon that Epic says defines the Gears of War brand is the Lancer Rifle. This visceral beast is an assault rifle with a chainsaw as its bayonet. This allows you to shred through your opponents when they get too close.