Confessions of an Old School Gamer
Confessions of an Old School Gamer is a blog dedicated to the Xbox 360 gaming platform. First launched in January 2008, the blog has grown to become a popular source for the latest Xbox 360 news. David gathers Xbox 360 related news, and shares his thoughts and opinions on popular games.
In January 2009, David added a new section to the blog, reviewing the games in his collection. The first review, published on the 17th January 2009, was for Gears of War 2; sequel to one of the most popular Xbox 360 games, and developed by Epic Games.
Review – Gears of War 2
Locust Mauler
I hated Gears of War. While not exactly the best way to open any review, it does put into perspective how good the sequel would have to be to impress me. If you’re still stuck on that opening line, I’ll give you a few moments to find your inner calm, while I go and do the typical British thing, and make a cup of tea.
Right, shall we begin?
There are a number of reasons why I disliked the original Gears of War. While it may have been one of the most popular Xbox 360 games upon it’s release, it did very little to drag me into the game and make me want to keep playing. Sure, it was a graphical masterpiece, but take away the shiny Unreal 3 engine, and the game becomes nothing more than running from one piece of cover to the next. Welcome to Dullsville, people. Population, me.
With all that in mind, I’m sure you’re wondering why on earth I would buy a sequel to a game that I clearly didn’t enjoy.
After numerous rave reviews (some from friends who, like me, disliked GoW 1), I decided that the Gears of War franchise deserved a second chance; and do you know what? I’m glad I did.
Locust Cyclops Drone
Gears of War 2 picks up a few months after the events of the first instalment. The war between the Humans and the Locust is still raging on, and it’s becoming a much more desperate fight. Once again it’s up to you to take on the role of Marcus Fenix, and lead the fight.
Having played the first Gears of War, it’s hard for me not to compare the two. Gone are the stale environments, and gameplay that felt slotted together by a four year old with a game development kit made of Lego. Instead Epic have truly turned Gears development on its head, and provided a game that is fun and engaging from the moment you first boot it up.
The first GoW provided a very lonely experience. Rather than feeling like part of Sera’s last hope, you and your team felt more like a rag tag group of men who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. While that may have worked for John McClane, it didn’t work for Marcus Fenix.
Things this time round are much more different, and you really do feel like a cog in a much greater machine. Skirmishes are often interrupted by, or focused around, your faceless comrades. While this sounds like a lot of babysitting, it’s actually integral in making you feel part of the action.
Marcus with a shield
I once read an interview with the developers of Gears of War 2, who said that while developing the sequel they were trying to make it “bigger, better, and more badass.” It’s a goal that was achieved, however, Gears of War 2 is a game that is not without its flaws.
I felt that the campaign was a lot easier than that of the first instalment In some ways that makes the game much more accessible than the first, but at the same time makes it far too easy for fans of the first game. While the normal response to this problem would be to crank up the difficulty, this is where the flaws become apparent.
Chainsaws in action
Shifting the game difficulty into a higher gear usually results in the IQ of your AI team mates taking a nose dive. On easier levels your squad is so competent that the feel real, running to save you when you’re downed by enemy fire, working with you, and watching your back. This becomes a different story on “Insane” difficulty. One mission has you clearing rooftop mortars to protect one of the vehicles that you are travelling on. While playing through this section, there were a number of times where my AI counterpart completely ignored half a dozen enemies, instead running past them to go stand at the far end of the roof. While standing still, my AI team mate was also oblivious to the hail of gunfire thudding into his body. Obviously this resulted in his death… a lot.
I’m used to failing the objectives of games on their highest difficulty, it’s part of the challenge. However, failing for something that you have absolutely no control over simply isn’t acceptable. Not only is it infuriating, it kills any fun, and any sense of immersion. Way to shoot yourself in the foot, Epic.
Marcus VS Tickers
Fans of the first instalment will be pleased to know that a lot of the same multiplayer modes have returned for the sequel, there’s even a few additions that add variety to the competitive, yet buggy, deathmatch-esque modes. However, the greatest addition to multiplayer, is the new co-op mode called Horde. Horde mode pits you against wave after wave of increasingly tougher AI opponents. The only way to survive this mode is by working together and holding your ground, rather than running off on your own to chase glory.
Epic’s original goal of “bigger, better, and more badass” has easily been met for Gears of War 2. With amazing and varied vistas, it pulls you in by your ear, thrusts a Lancer into your hands, and drags you along for the ride.
Marcus in the sinkhole
Superior in almost every way to its predecessor, Gears of War 2 is everything that GoW 1 should have been. It is, however, let down by the dumbing down of AI team mates on higher difficulty settings, and the buggy competitive online modes that still have the same problems as the first instalment.
Overall it’s a solid game, and one I recommend to anyone with a thirst for blood.
7.5/10
