Since the first frightening images appeared a little over a year ago, gamers worldwide have felt the ominous rumblings of something approaching that defies all convention. Sightings as recent as at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) 2006 have confirmed its existence, leaving gamers breathless. Microsoft Corp. today announced what anxious players have been eagerly awaiting: Emergence Day 2006. Available exclusively for the Xbox 360, the highly anticipated title “Gears of War” will be available in stores in the UK on 17th November, 2006.

The story of Gears of War has been championed by Epic Games,and the game begins when the humans create a Coalition named the 'Coalition of Ordered Governments'. Their prime objctive will be to rid the planet of the hoardes of Locust. Marcus had been imprisoned for abandoning his post to search for his father, but now he's been called into action due to the mass invasion of the planet. You're immediately put in charge of delta company with three other soldies, including a pal of yours, Dominic. Sound like a basic premise for a war game? The difference with this story-line is that your character, Marcus, is reluctant to be involved, so the story follows his inner feelings and struggle as well as man-kind's struggle against the invaders. The game takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride. where you'll feel empathy with your hero, and you'll want to do your almighty best to ensure the mission is a success.

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Naturally gamers will compare the likes of Unreal tournament to Gears of War, but developers say that there is a significant change in pace, developed in order to create suspense and heighten the game's story-line. Run and gun will not be the order of the day, in Gears of War you'll need a more tactical brain. You'll need to adapt your positioning and strategy by using the environment around you. Almost everything in Gears of War can be knocked over and used as a shield, including tables and statues. The A.I is said to be fierce, so you'll be bobbing up and down, poking your head round corners and in order to get that crucial head-shot. There also plenty of buildings and static objects that provide perfect cover.Run out in the open and you'll probably be blasted to pieces.