Making the sequel to the game that truly kicked off this console generation must be a daunting task. Gears 2 was supposed to be bigger with an improved story. They got half of that right.
Nearly everything about Gears is bigger: number of soldiers, number of locusts, online multiplayer (albiet only slightly). Even the graphics are better, although contrary to many opinions, this isn't the best looking console game yet (that title is still held by MGS4), but the game still looks outstanding.
Gameplay is nearly identical. There are a view more "vehicle" sequences, all of which are great fun. The cover mechanics haven't changed one bit, and they don't really need to. I always felt like Gears of War needed some additional weapons and Epic didn't disappoint there: the Mulcher, Scorcher, Mortar, and the new handgun are all fun to use and add to the gameplay. The difficulty is toned down at least one level (Insane feels like Hardcore from the first game), and the co-op is still fantastic. On a bad note, the game is buggy as hell. You'll notice several items floating in the air, and the friendly AI is often terrible (I had to melee Dom a few times to get him out of my way so I could continue on during one level).
Epic convinced me of two things with Gears of War: they are the kings of testerone-filled Sci-fi shooters and they absolutely have no clue how to create a video game story. Sure, we learn a bit more about the locust. Yes, they introduce a very cool new boss character. Overall thought, the story and gameplay feel extremely uneven: the gameplay is fast and intense while the story moves at a snails pace. The great love story that was advertised is barely even noticeable. It affects Dom for all of 30 seconds and then it's like it never occured at all. Even the end boss fight and end of the game felt forced and rushed. It was actually kind of a rip-off in many respects. I felt like "Are you kidding me? That was the end boss? That's the end of the game?" The last two Chapters actually got me excited to learn more, but the ending doesn't come through at all. At this pace Epic will take 10 games to tell a story that should only take one game.
Multiplayer is a bit more interesting than the first game. Rather than 4 on 4 it's now 5 on 5 (which in 2008 is still ridiculously behind the times, but the Unreal Engine can only handle so many character models and it does look incredible). I really don't see much reason to play these modes anyway though because of perhaps the best new addition Epic made: Horde mode. There are 50 waves of 5-player co-op where you have to eliminate tons of enemies. It's definitely the most addicting part of the game.
Overall, Gears 2 is an absolute must play, but the story issue, bugs, and lack of very interesting multiplayer keep it from being a true Game of the Year contender.
Score: 9.0/10
0 comments:
Post a Comment