Does Gears of War 2 have what it takes to destroy the Locust horde for good, or does it fall flat on its virtual bum?
Gears of War 2 is a third person tactical shooter. In the game your gun is your best friend, and the in-game cover system is your girlfriend, wow that's sounded awkward. The Locust are ruthless and will do everything they can to murder you. Being quick on your feet, taking shots carefully, and hiding behind cover are keys to success in every skirmish. The in-game combat is smooth and works perfectly. Shooting enemies is as easy as milking a cow, but shooting enemies while trying to cover your own butt can be a difficult challenge. But then again, that's where the fun comes from within the game. The single player campaign (also can be played cooperatively) is freakin' epic. If a game allows you to fight inside a freakishly ugly, enormous, and deformed worm then I believe that game deserves to be called "EPIC". There are also a variety of multiplayer options where you and your friends can compete with, or against each other in a bloody frenzy of awesomeness. (huh? What did I just say?) The most noteworthy multiplayer option is a little game mode I like to call HORDE. This game mode sends 50 waves of blood craving Locusts at you where you and your friends have to do one thing to win, SURVIVE. Being attacked from all directions, getting your gun jammed, being low on ammo, and watching your friends being taken down one by one, are some of those adrenaline rushes you can't get anywhere else but in Horde.
GOW 2 is gorgeous and beautiful. The game utilizes the Unreal Engine 3 and pushes its prowess to a whole new other level. I wasn't sure if I was playing a game or watching a movie; the in-game graphics blew my head off, literally. Everything from the level design to the character/monster artwork were superb. If you're looking for a visual feast well this is the game to play. Your eyes will be satisfied and full. (Hashanaha I made a pun, I think.)
The sound design was also phenomenal. You can just hear all the battle cries of the Locust as they approach your proximity, you can hear all the guns being fired across the battlefield, you can hear your teammates desperate pleas for help, my ears were bleeding gum drop of joy. The in-game music was well done, and I could tell that Epic Games put a lot of time in orchestrating some of the music within the game. The in-game voice acting, well, it wasn't all that great. Almost all the characters lacked emotion, or any feeling for that matter. But that's a little blemish compared to what the whole game has to offer.
Overall: Gears of War 2 is a game of EPIC proportions. It has so much to offer from its solid/intense gameplay to its outstanding graphical display, this is one game you don't want to miss out on.