It may be short, but this is THE definitive title for the X-Box 360. It sets the bar for gameplay quality.
IN GENERAL:
The campaign mode is too short in my opinion. My background in games is one where I appreciate 15 to 30 hours of gameplay, and if a game is under 10 I am extremely disappointed. Unfortunately, this game is right at that value if not under. However long it takes to complete--it is FUN.
In addition, the game is VERY weak in terms of fleshing out the story. I struggle with this more than most people because I love story intensive games. This game is completely devoid of any back-story. In fact, I didn't even know the setting was another planet until I read FAQ's online (it takes place on Sera, not Earth). You get no back-stories on characters, no plot development on who the Locust Horde are or where they came from, etc. Instead, the story focuses on a very narrow mission objective--which is to acquire a device known as a Resonator and deploy it in enemy territory so that we can drop a new bomb and wipe them out. I have not played the multiplayer as much--mostly because it seems to have died down and I struggle to find games. From what I've played so far, I have to say it is amazing. I love the balance, the speed, and the setup. It is just VERY difficult because people online are really good. GAMEPLAY:
This game has 3 difficulty settings (the final one is only unlocked after you beat the game), which are very well balanced in my opinion. "Casual" (easiest) plays very comfortably, whereas "Insane" requires much more patience and skill. The innovative cover system is by far the highlight of this game. They implemented this system in an amazing way--allowing you to take cover behind anything, automatically adjusting your stance, allowing for a myriad of ways of breaking cover, allowing both "blind firing" and the opportunity to pop your head up and aim. Just like the developers intended, the game therefore has much more realism to the combat than games like Halo.
If there is a weakness to gameplay, it would probably be some rather boring weapon selection. Whereas each weapon is great at what it does best, you can often be annoyed about wanting something "else." The shotgun is awesome when you can use it, but in a mid-range battle it won't work. And in that situation, it just seems like you cannot find something to swap it with. The grenades are great, but take too much time to throw (especially in harder difficulties) and are too hard to aim.
But all the weapons are useful at least--and some are downright fun. Such as the Torque Bow. There's nothing like sticking an enemy sniper with your bow and watch him try to take cover before blowing to pieces.
And the only other thing I can complain about is that, as the game goes on, it seems more and more like the developers were running out of time and cutting corners. As you get to the final acts, more and more goofy plot holes and events come up. But nothing worth worrying about. The game is still awesome fun.
GRAPHICS:
All in all, the graphics are very very good. In fact, the details are by far the best of anything I've seen to date (on the 360). There were a few boring areas here and there, but for the most part each level, creature, and environment is meticulously detailed and beautiful.
SOUND:
Fantastic. The music and sound effects in the game are not only extremely suspenseful and entertaining, they are also useful. It could be the raspy breathing of a Locust you didn't see around the corner, the sound of a stealthy Torque Bow shot that landed at the front of your cover, or the pitter patter of a Lambent wrench dropping from the ceiling over your head. Fantastic.
VALUE:
In terms of replay value, the game is sort of mediocre. It does have a very addicting multi-player, but I hate the system it's built on. There are always achievements to get, but most are acquired as you play thru the game. MULTI-PLAYER
I just had to say that I love the multi-player, but I like it more on LAN-parties than thru Xbox Live. The main reason is that I hate the matchmaking system that this game (and most others) use. I am used to the Halo 2 matchmaking system--and I firmly stand by their set-up.
In Halo 2, players search for a game and the system sets you up with who you play. You do not choose who you play, but you will play people with the same rank as you. This means you should rarely play someone who is much better than you are.
But for some reason, most Xbox titles steer away from that wonderful system and opt instead to use another. The system in GoW allows for a host to set up a match and up to 7 others join him. In my experience, this system is unbalanced. I often found myself up against people who were amazing and far more skilled. There is no pairing up by rank, but instead you just get points for playing. I think it is a stupid system that does not allow new people to get better. It encourages unfair match-ups and just doesn't make for a fun environment. But if you can live with all that, it is extremely fun.