Gears of War fans; gather!

[Benjamin]

Gears is about testosterone overload, not thick and convoluted plots

Yeah, I know I'm supposed to check my brain at the door before going in, but it's just ridiculously so hollow. Just finished it last night, and it's a nice enough game, but I honestly think it's too much action. Big macho action scenes with lots of explosions fail to thrill when it's the same thing nonstop for ten or so hours. For me, the game climaxed at the Riftworm bit and just went downhill from here. It didn't help that the game exposes you to pretty much all enemy types in the first few chapters, leaving few surprises for the bulk of the game. Plus, when you're essentially doing the same thing ad nauseam for strategy -- run for cover to the ever present barrier and shoot to win -- even the little side vehicle bits fail to cover up the shallowness of the game.

Likewise, the ending just stinks. Yeah, I know, big dumb action game, but why is the queen human? How does she see Delta Team running around her underworld? Why do all of a sudden we have glowing Locusts? Why does that Brumak suddenly mutate in a giant monster like that? If the goal was to flood the cavern, why not just send a Grindlift to the bottom of the lake or whatever without collapsing Jacinto? It makes me brain hurt thinking about.

I don't mean to completely dump on the game. I think I just expected more. Gears of War 2 definitely delivers lots of action without a doubt and looks great, but I don't think it paces itself well at all, and the gameplay leaves a lot to be desired. That said, multiplayer and Horde modes are fantastic, and I'm sure everyone with the game will spend more time with that those modes than the solo campaign.

[Elusive]

Likewise, the ending just stinks. Yeah, I know, big dumb action game, but why is the queen human? How does she see Delta Team running around her underworld? Why do all of a sudden we have glowing Locusts? Why does that Brumak suddenly mutate in a giant monster like that? If the goal was to flood the cavern, why not just send a Grindlift to the bottom of the lake or whatever without collapsing Jacinto? It makes me brain hurt thinking about.

The glowing Locusts - the Lambent - were in the first game. Delta took shelter in an abandoned factory, where it was revealed that some Locust Wretches had been mutated by Imulsion - that glowy yellow liquid everyone fought over before the Locust appeared, it's like liquid energy or something. This made them more violent, and made them explode after you killed them - sooo, a gigantic, Lambent Brumak is serious business.

[Benjamin]

The glowing Locusts - the Lambent - were in the first game. Delta took shelter in an abandoned factory, where it was revealed that some Locust Wretches had been mutated by Imulsion - that glowy yellow liquid everyone fought over before the Locust appeared, it's like liquid energy or something. This made them more violent, and made them explode after you killed them - sooo, a gigantic, Lambent Brumak is serious business.

Still don't explain why it got so big. I noticed after collecting all of the collectibles that the story does flesh itself out a bit better, but not to the point where the experience seems well thought out. That Newgrounds Cogs of War 2 spoiler clip sums up the game all too well.

[MrMatthews]

I agree with you to a certain extent, Benjamin. But I enjoyed the game more than you did, I suppose.

I was found the conclusion to the Dom/Maria story surprisingly moving, BTW.

[Elusive]

I agree with you to a certain extent, Benjamin. But I enjoyed the game more than you did, I suppose.

I was found the conclusion to the Dom/Maria story surprisingly moving, BTW.

Of course, now Dom will probably die heroically (along with another Carmine?) in the THRILLING CONCLUSION, G3ars, 'to be with his family' :P

[Melf]

So, when are we doing horde mode? I gots some achievements to get!

[MrMatthews]

Of course, now Dom will probably die heroically (along with another Carmine?) in the THRILLING CONCLUSION, G3ars, 'to be with his family' :P

I'm sure you're right. I actually expected that in this one.

[sonicwatcher6969]

As I said I have to lug my console downstairs to sign in online so i've not bothered with a gold account (until I get a wireless network adapter), however because I bought the special edition gears 2 I got a gold lancer rifle and 48 hours gold time. Which runs out in roughly 9 hours from this post and if I do go online today it won't be until 6 hours from this post...

BTW what is everyone's gamertag?