Gears 2 Act 1 Review - Close to A CARBON COPY of Gears 1 Campaign

Indeed, it's not about to win over new fans. A few weapons and enemies aside – not to mention slight gameplay additions like the ability to use fallen foes as locust shields, and drag yourself across the ground once wounded – the core gameplay is close to a carbon copy of the original, right down to the split level design paths for co-op. If you hated GoW1, you'll hate this.

And there could still be reason to hate: we found ourselves sticking to pretty much the one gun throughout – so it looks like no new tactical depth has snuck into the arcade action - and there were a few moments that erred a little too much on the side of frustration and tedium - in particular a 'quest' to shoot incoming mortars out of the air before they crushed our ride into metal dandruff. Plus, it took approximately an hour on normal difficulty to complete the act, which would suggest a five to six hour experienceIF (and we have no confirmation)the game continues with the five act narrative seen in the original. Simply not long enough to excite fans who didn't get into the niche multiplayer component like they did Halo or Call of Duty... or who simply aren't online.

http://www.gameplayer.com.au/gp_documents/GoW-Act1.aspx?Page=4

If Epic truly hasn't changed up the core mechanics of its single-player and co-op, there's no way Gears 2 will deserve the AAAA or 9.5 status that lemmings are hyping it up to.

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

BioShockOwnz

This.

Gears 2 sounds like more of the good that was in Gears, but with finishes and additions that Gears 1 needed. Stop complaining, Gears of war 2 will be awesome.

its supposed to be longer then gears 1, which is good enough for me

as for the carbon copy stuff, i ask...so?

if it ain't broke, don't fix it. after gears 2 (or maybe 3), then epic should worry about changing the mold, but until that, more of the same is what fans want

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

BioShockOwnz

Agree I am also amazed by people how hate major changes to their game franchises (Banjo would be the most recent)

Hypocrites WTF

Sounds like another grapics whore shooter that will be overated and sell well.PC360Wii

ah.... in the same article

"Despite the promise of bigger and better things in the opening cut-scene, when the gameplay starts proper you may get a sudden sting of despair. Gears of War 2's opening gameplay moment finds you in a small little room like many you visited in the original. The same characters, the same grey walls, the same weapons... you would be forgiven for thinking that there has been no evolution at all. That it is merely an expansion pack to the original. But your thoughts will soon change. "

Why would they want to drastically change what so many people enjoyed?ONLYDOD

Nothing wrong with that : the problem lies in the fact that "some" GeOW fanboys have conceded that the sequel will not only surpass the original, but trump all other GOTY candidates in 2008.

Sorry folks, a sequel rarely gets a GOTY achievement if all it does is recycle the assets it has already worked on the last iteration. GOTY, to me, remains as an award for revolutionary games, and while GeOW2 may seem like a great high quality game in its own right, it definitely is not "revolutionary". Leave the GOTY medal to games that actually move gaming "forward" this gen.

[QUOTE="PC360Wii"]Sounds like another grapics whore shooter that will be overated and sell well.Stevo_the_gamer

Yes.

Indeed, it's not about to win over new fans. A few weapons and enemies aside – not to mention slight gameplay additions like the ability to use fallen foes as locust shields, and drag yourself across the ground once wounded – the core gameplay is close to a carbon copy of the original, right down to the split level design paths for co-op. If you hated GoW1, you'll hate this.

And there could still be reason to hate: we found ourselves sticking to pretty much the one gun throughout – so it looks like no new tactical depth has snuck into the arcade action - and there were a few moments that erred a little too much on the side of frustration and tedium - in particular a 'quest' to shoot incoming mortars out of the air before they crushed our ride into metal dandruff. Plus, it took approximately an hour on normal difficulty to complete the act, which would suggest a five to six hour experienceIF (and we have no confirmation)the game continues with the five act narrative seen in the original. Simply not long enough to excite fans who didn't get into the niche multiplayer component like they did Halo or Call of Duty... or who simply aren't online.

http://www.gameplayer.com.au/gp_documents/GoW-Act1.aspx?Page=4

If Epic truly hasn't changed up the core mechanics of its single-player and co-op, there's no way Gears 2 will deserve the AAAA or 9.5 status that lemmings are hyping it up to.

dgsag

I posted this earlier, and you only posted the critisizm and took it out of context, you guys need to read the entire article

[QUOTE="ONLYDOD"]Why would they want to drastically change what so many people enjoyed?Brainhunter

Nothing wrong with that : the problem lies in the fact that "some" GeOW fanboys have conceded that the sequel will not only surpass the original, but trump all other GOTY candidates in 2008.

Sorry folks, a sequel rarely gets a GOTY achievement if all it does is recycle the assets it has already worked on the last iteration. GOTY, to me, remains as an award for revolutionary games, and while GeOW2 may seem like a great high quality game in its own right, it definitely is not "revolutionary". Leave the GOTY medal to games that actually move gaming "forward" this gen.

MGS4 is often touted as the "GOTY '08", but it really didn't revolutionize or move gaming forward, either. I can only think of Left 4 Dead, Spore, LBP, and MAYBE Banjo-Kazooie: N&B doing that.

^ i think Halo 1 to Halo 2 is a good example. A true sequel but very differentSmartGuy2211

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

[QUOTE="SmartGuy2211"]^ i think Halo 1 to Halo 2 is a good example. A true sequel but very differentStevo_the_gamer

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

too_much_eslim

Epic in what sense? Graphics/Battle scene? fine .... Epic to me isnt how much flash is crammed into a level, its the content itself. Example that scene where your on rails shooting at giant beasts..... looks "epic" .... plays average.

And how about story and meaning? will that be a carbon copy? 4 space marines going from A to B killing stuff and being macho? is that whats considered "epic"? ...

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"]

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

PC360Wii

Epic in what sense? Graphics/Battle scene? fine .... Epic to me isnt how much flash is crammed into a level, its the content itself. Example that scene where your on rails shooting at giant beasts..... looks "epic" .... plays average.

You played it? :o ....

In other news, today's sun is a carbon copy of yesterday's sun. It produces the same basic function of heating our earth as we are still alive. :|DrinkDuff

[QUOTE="PC360Wii"][QUOTE="too_much_eslim"]

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

BioShockOwnz

Epic in what sense? Graphics/Battle scene? fine .... Epic to me isnt how much flash is crammed into a level, its the content itself. Example that scene where your on rails shooting at giant beasts..... looks "epic" .... plays average.

You played it? :o ....

Ive played enough similar scenes to know that being in a cramped spot watching scenery and waiting for enemies to spawn or "climb" up to you as you pick them off is a medoicre experiance?

[QUOTE="too_much_eslim"]

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

PC360Wii

Epic in what sense? Graphics/Battle scene? fine .... Epic to me isnt how much flash is crammed into a level, its the content itself. Example that scene where your on rails shooting at giant beasts..... looks "epic" .... plays average.

And how about story and meaning? will that be a carbon copy? 4 space marines going from A to B killing stuff and being macho? is that whats considered "epic"? ...

Why would they want to drastically change what so many people enjoyed?ONLYDOD

Ask the people that are against Nintendo's games.

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

BioShockOwnz

Haters!! they are looking for bad things on a great game

I dont see the problem, I loved gears1. This game could score a 1 and I would still but it.lolkie_81

1? hum...i would think twice! ;)

[QUOTE="BioShockOwnz"][QUOTE="PC360Wii"][QUOTE="too_much_eslim"]

From the same link TC

"Epic". That is the first word that crept awestruck from our mouths when we had the Xbox 360 controller pried from our clenched hands and were pushed out a security door somewhere deep in the middle of Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - pushed away from Gears of War 2. Well that and "hands-off, you want to get curb-stomped?" in Marcus Fenix brogue no less. When we dragged our bloodied faces off pavement minutes later - somewhere outside Microsoft's Sydney headquarters - we contemplated that word "Epic." It was not the developer Epic Gamesto which we had referred - although they are certainly worthy of praise - but of the gameplay experience itself. It was, in a word, epic.

PC360Wii

Epic in what sense? Graphics/Battle scene? fine .... Epic to me isnt how much flash is crammed into a level, its the content itself. Example that scene where your on rails shooting at giant beasts..... looks "epic" .... plays average.

You played it? :o ....

Ive played enough similar scenes to know that being in a cramped spot watching scenery and waiting for enemies to spawn or "climb" up to you as you pick them off is a medoicre experiance?

We get it -- you don't like Gears. Welcome to the 1% crowd that bashes it constantly, while the 99% enjoy a quality experience. I'm not even buying Gears 2, btw.

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

BioShockOwnz

Yes but this is borderline suck. It wouldn't have been hard to improve on the length but Epic doesn't like making decent games these days.

I like how the hermits in this thread including the TC, are bashing Gears 2. I love how they do so after the Gears 2 not coming to PC announcements and the constant "I don't care about GeOW" statements from hermits themselves. If you don't care about it then why post hermits, huh?

I like how the hermits in this thread including the TC, are bashing Gears 2. I love how they do so after the Gears 2 not coming to PC announcements and the constant "I don't care about GeOW" statements from hermits themselves. If you don't care about it then why post hermits, huh?

CB4McGusto

I like how the hermits in this thread including the TC, are bashing Gears 2. I love how they do so after the Gears 2 not coming to PC announcements and the constant "I don't care about GeOW" statements from hermits themselves. If you don't care about it then why post hermits, huh?

CB4McGusto

Same reason you dont care for PC gaming yet post about it non stop?

[QUOTE="SmartGuy2211"]^ i think Halo 1 to Halo 2 is a good example. A true sequel but very differentStevo_the_gamer

I was responding to a statement that said sequels can't be good and true without differentiating in a substantial way

I completely agree with you. It doesn't pull a UT3, that's for sure!

Just about gears though- i think it's a good game, but people only view it as awesomesauce because there wasn't really so many good shooters out on the 360, most of us were still playing Halo 2 on our 360s (at least my friends list)

[QUOTE="Stevo_the_gamer"][QUOTE="SmartGuy2211"]^ i think Halo 1 to Halo 2 is a good example. A true sequel but very differentSmartGuy2211

I was responding to a statement that said sequels can't be good and true without differentiating in a substantial way

I completely agree with you. It doesn't pull a UT3, that's for sure!

Just about gears though- i think it's a good game, but people only view it as awesomesauce because there wasn't really so many good shooters out on the 360, most of us were still playing Halo 2 on our 360s (at least my friends list)

SmartGuy2211

Same reason you dont care for PC gaming yet post about it non stop? PC360Wii

Where'd you get that idea?

*waits patiently for PC360Wii to search my post history*

[QUOTE="PC360Wii"]Same reason you dont care for PC gaming yet post about it non stop? CB4McGusto

Where'd you get that idea?

*waits patiently for PC360Wii to search my post history*

Dont flatter yourself :P.

Your sig just reinforces it anyway.

oh wow like that is such a bad thing :roll: its a sequelmingo123

No.... If it's a rehash that lasts 6-8 hours, that is not good no matter how the fanboys slice it.

heh i love co op games.. probably the only reason i got halo 3

but i don't want to repeat that mistake again.. i still haven't bothered with the original geow but if i ever start renting games or upgrade my pc these would be pretty fun

[QUOTE="mingo123"]oh wow like that is such a bad thing :roll: its a sequelLeejjohno

No.... If it's a rehash that lasts 6-8 hours, that is not good no matter how the fanboys slice it.

I'm still amazed that people expect a completely different game out of a sequel. Take a look at God of War 2. Basically the same game, but with a few things added, and some gameplay tweaks. That's usually what a sequel is. It's laughable that people spin "same ol', same ol'" into a negative, then crap on something when it does change. There's no winning for these developers. But I'm sure the sales and reviews will slap all negative criticism in the face.

BioShockOwnz

[QUOTE="Leejjohno"]

[QUOTE="mingo123"]oh wow like that is such a bad thing :roll: its a sequeltoo_much_eslim

No.... If it's a rehash that lasts 6-8 hours, that is not good no matter how the fanboys slice it.

How can that be if you already experienced it before?:|

Gears 1 wasn't that good dude, it just made the casuals think they were hardcore.

this guys an idiot, not you tc the guy in the article...sticking to one gun throughout??

the newbie probably only used the lancer