Gears of War 3

UPC: 885370201215

Platform: Xbox 360

Publisher: Microsoft Studios

Developer: Epic Games

Category: Shooter

Style(s): Squad-Based Shooter

Synopsis: The final chapter in Epic's Gears of War trilogy wraps up the story of the Delta Squad in its last-ditch effort to save what's left of humanity on war-ravaged Sera. New playable characters join protagonist Marcus Fenix and crew, along with a ghastly group of new enemies to battle. Additional weapons to master include the deadly sawed-off shotgun and digger launcher, which fires an explosive projectile that burrows its way into the ground toward your target. Gears of War 3 also includes both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes via Xbox Live. Online matches let you gain experience and earn rewards for participating in various game types and performing all-new actions such as weapon-specific executions. Matches now take place on dedicated servers, and various gameplay tweaks have been added, such as the ability to "tag" enemies in your sights for teammates to track. New map types vary in size and atmosphere, ranging from a grocery store and freeway overpass to a courtyard and sports arena. Play modes include Team Deathmatch, Capture the Leader, King of the Hill, and more. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

Package Contents: Gears of War 3 Stickers

Controls: Joystick/Gamepad

One of the Xbox 360's most celebrated franchises comes to a climactic end in Gears of War 3, which follows the Delta Squad's last-ditch effort to save the human race from eradication by the Locust. While there are new characters, settings, and some different weapons, Gears of War 3 offers few surprises to veterans of the third-person shooter series. The gameplay once again relies heavily on what made the two previous games blockbuster hits, which means trading fire with aggressive aliens while squatting behind large chunks of concrete, steel, and/or rock. It looks great, of course, provided you're adverse to color in your third-person shooter. In Gears of War 3, even the blood looks like a mix of grey and brown. To break up the sense of monotony players may feel while progressing through the single-player campaign, the developers let you play as different characters at certain points and are good about tossing some rather large bosses into the mix that will require you to aim at specific weak points before bringing the big beasties down. You'll even be able to hop into an armored suit or man a strange catapult device, but there's nothing here that really elevates this entry from its predecessors. The story once again attempts to give these muscle-bound monoliths some heart and character, but it's a bit forced and predictable. Every time Marcus Fenix opens his scarred mouth, it's hard not to laugh, as everything that spills out of it sounds like an increasingly hoarse scream. It's difficult to actually <i>care</i> about these guys other than perhaps Cole Train, who seems to be the only one with a sense of humor. If you could care less about the B-grade story as long as there are plenty of ugly aliens to mow down, then Gears of War 3 won't disappoint. You'll fight alongside surprisingly competent computer-controlled teammates (or together with three friends), while battling aliens that burst out of the ground like popcorn kernels or that spew from giant tentacles. The multiplayer component is where the game truly shines, and the sense of community is evident from the main menu screen. You'll see updates on the latest in-game events, what your friends are currently up to, and your level, awards, and other pertinent information. Every time you play, you'll earn experience points to level up your profile, allowing you access to new characters and customization features. The best part is that multiplayer games support bots -- one of the precious few shooters offering this option -- allowing you to hone your skills against the AI without embarrassing yourself against live opponents. New to the multiplayer experience is a beast mode, which has you controlling a -- you guessed it -- member of the Locust as you attempt to destroy a human-controlled outpost. It's an amusing diversion, but tight time constraints and the high degree of challenge likely mean that most will spend their time returning to Gears of War 3's traditional multiplayer options, including an enhanced version of the horde mode that now has you building defenses as you fight waves of enemies with up to three friends. Considering the amount of content on offer and level of polish, it's hard not to recommend this game if you are looking for a more strategic third-person shooter that will have a long life as a multiplayer game. Otherwise it's the same shoot, different day. ~ Scott Alan Marriott, All Game Guide

the game requires Joystick/Gamepad.