Think Empire Strikes Back, just not that much of a downer note. It's just more creepy then the film.
So the game starts off basically like GOW. This time you get to show the rookie how to survive. Doing so unlocks an achievement. Then you head into the thick of things. You keep finding members of team Delta, and splitting up from them depending on the situation. If the opening was too easy for you then the middle to the end will be harder then you will think. That is if you can drive over ice in a tank and not fall in from bombing runs. Still the game is fair and the difficulty ramps up at a nice pace so your not overwhelmed.
The look of the game is amazing. Each character is changed from the last game and it shows. They look rougher, yet they haven't lost their personalities. The world is beautifully eroded and destroyed. Underground is like walking into a cave with no light and no clue where the next turn is or drop-off is hiding. It's hard to tell the switch from cut-scene to gameplay and back.
Music and sound are top notch. The guns and grenades sound loud, mean, and lethal. The music finds away to not only fit the situation, but enhance it to a higher level. The voice acting is great, full of emotion and well done. Some of the lines will make you laugh and Cole's rant in the middle is hilarious.
The gameplay is great. cover is easy to enter, but don't move in and out of it too quick or it may just skip a command. Aiming is easy and focused. Don't run and gun you won't survive so learn to take cover and pop and move.
If your up to watching the credits roll by and read who everyone thanks you'll be in for a treat, a really creepy treat, but a treat nonetheless. Overall the game is amazing, not too hard, not too easy. The music and graphics are top-notch and the voice acting is well done. It will take around 10 - 20 hours to complete on average. Be ready for blood, twists, and turns. Gears of War 2 has it all and more.