Feeling the Man-Love: Gears of Wars XBOX 360 Review

I know it is not as critical as in TV shows or movies, but I like to start at the beginning. So despite often hearing the assumed wisdom that Gears of Wars 2 is the superior game, I wanted to first play the instalment that started it all.

Being a bit new to the whole cover-fire thing, it took me a while to get the hang of GOW. I admit it: I almost gave up. After a lengthy trek recently through all manner of Halo games, I was used to jumping in shooting, gun-butting any enemies unwise enough to get too close and emerging heroically with nary a scratch or nick on my armour.

I realised you can't do this in Gears, an epiphany that struck me the 32nd time Marcus Fenix let out that guttural roar as various appendages disconnected from his over-muscled torso. You have to hide. You have to duck. And you have to know how to move effectively between cover
elements if you are to succeed.

The hang of it I eventually got, and from that point on Gears became a much more enjoyable experience, even better when I worked out the timing and skill needed to perform an active reload. Breaking the game down, it is essentially running and shooting, with occasional set-pieces and dramatical scenes, which is not necessarily a bad thing.

Anyway, enough of this, here come the bullet points!

Likes

1.Good, uncomplicated shooting fun
What more is there to say?

2.The cover system is pretty cool and works well
Once you get used to it.

3.It's in 3rd Person!
I'm no FPS hater but always prefer this perspective

4.Bad-ass bad guys
No namby-pamby little comedy aliens here! These guys will think nothing of chewing off your head and spitting down your neck.

5.Superb soundtrack
Professional and on a par with most Hollywood action movies.

6.Great Graphics
Well, at the time they were. As I've only had a 360 for 6 months, I still think they are.

7.Great fun in co-op...apparently
I have no friends.

Dislikes

1.Overuse of the "A" button
It's for taking cover and running fast. A combination that isn't always good.

2.It's a little too easy in normal mode...
...and a little too tough in hard mode, for a casual player such as myself anyway.

3.The Third Person shooting is a bit hit and miss
A necessity with enemies such as the Wretches, it's hard to aim accurately, but too cumbersome to switch to first person mode in close quarters.

4.Lack of variation
A bit unfair perhaps, but shooters have come on a bit since 2006.

5.Its campaign is a bit short.
I reckon about 6-7 hours.

6.Scant plot
Oh well. It's not that important is it?

Conclusion
In 2006 Gears of War was massive and a huge success. Five years later it's been eclipsed for sure, but still stands out as a landmark game. I like it and look forward to playing the sequels!