Superb array of creatures
The range of weapons on offer does the job well enough, but I couldn’t help thinking that I would have liked a bit more variety. There are only a couple of weapons on offer that attempt to add any innovation to the shooter genre. The Lancer acts as a standard assault rifle and is effective in midrange combat weapon, but this one has a handy Chainsaw bayonet attached! By pressing the ‘B’ button when you’re close to an enemy the chainsaw powers-up, creating that familiar menacing whirring sound that fans of ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' will be familiar with(muhahaha). Every time I’ve used the chainsaw, whether it be in the single player campaign or online, I can’t help but grinning and thinking ‘Here’s Johnny!’ as I slice an enemy into pieces creating a bloody mess. The Hammer of Dawn is the other weapon where the developers have looked outside the box of the conventional weaponry seen in standard shooters and its targeting laser allows you to deliver a powerful blast to any of the larger creatures (although you’ll need be outside or have a clear, open view of the sky in order to use it).
Click for larger imageOther weapons on offer include shotguns, sniper rifles, bows and pistols and, as often is the case in Gears of War, you need to choose the right weapon for the right situation and make sure you have plenty of ammo to take you through a level. For example, having a shotgun and a pistol equipped with plenty of ammo and an assault rifle with no bullets when you’re about to take on the intimidating Boomers (who take some beating and are armed with rocket launchers), wouldn’t be the best strategy. Fortunately, ammo and new weapons are in abundance and can be picked up from fallen enemies or may be hidden in a corner or inside cupboards. One of the negatives that I did find whilst moving around the often cluttered terrain was the fact that it’s not actually very easy to spot new weapons or ammo that may have been left on the ground because they blend into the ground too well; often I moved over bodies and covered every inch of an area constantly pressing the ‘A’ button in the hope that I might be lucky enough to find some vital ammo. Standard ammo boxes are littered across the environment and are easy to find thanks to a luminous glow that surrounds them, but on occasions there's just not enough so you do need to search the area for this hard to spot ammunition.
Click for larger imageThe most impressive aspect of Gears of War is the range of unnerving creatures, their exquisite design, their animation and their impressive artificial intelligence. They react to each situation in a variety of ways and by leaping over obstacles, diving out of the way of gunfire, ducking behind cars, bobbing in and out of protective alcoves they provide an extremely tough challenge in hardcore mode meaning that you’ll have to apply tactics, patience and a certain amount of trial and error before you gain the upper hand. From the hideous Drones, who stand 2 metres tall and run at you with their shotguns immediately causing your heart to skip a beat, to the petrifying blind Berserkers who attack through using their instincts, smashing their way through stone pillars in order to pummel their gigantic fists through your skull, each of the enemies you encounter are impressively aware of the your location and adapt their behaviour in order to outwit you. In Gears of War the developers have superbly created a race of enemies that are repulsive, intelligent and ooze devilry out of every hideous pore. As the accompanying book in the Limited Edition version of Gears of War states, ‘ask anyone and they’ll tell you the Locust come straight from hell.’
Click for larger imageThe levels are fairly linear and there is always a set path to follow, although you can on occasions wander off the beaten track in order to search for ammo or weapons. You’ll battle through spooky underground caverns and mansions, amongst others, using the war-torn environment to your advantage against the enemy as they appear from emergence holes in the earth, drop from ceilings and smash through doors in order to do their best at frightening you into submission. As you’ll no doubt already have heard, the graphics push the power of the Xbox 360 to its limits and the environments are nothing short of stunning. It’s clear to see that the world created was once an impressive mixture of glorious buildings created by the finest architects, enchanting gardens, grand monuments and peaceful streets connected via finely constructed archways.
Thus is the incredible detail in the design of every brick and interior that the beauty of the past is still visible, despite the environment being battered from the wrath of war. Rivers sparkle, bats fly across the night sky creating mesmerising patterns and the rain pours down creating a visual impact that is unmatched in any other game. Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter and Oblivion are the only other games that come close to the overall graphical quality, and although both of these games aren’t miles apart from Gears of Wars in terms of visual impact, it’s the consistency in quality with the design of the characters, the environments and the stunning cut-scenes that give Gears of War that cinematic feel.
