XBox Solution

Gears of War was first seen as a demo of what the revolutionary Unreal 3 Engine with incredibly detailed visuals can perform. It was then revealed at E3 that it was from the Xbox 360 game, Gears of War. The game really stole the show, receiving everything from hype to awards. This was due to the exceptional graphics, innovative use of scenery and lighting, and just being different from most of the other games on the floor.

Typically, I’m not a fan of tactical shooters, generally because I prefer to run into a fight – guns blazing. But Gears of War (Gears) has chopped and changed both action shooters with tactical shooters, to create what looks set to be an excellent hybrid of the two. Although it isn’t coming out at launch – it looks set to be the first ‘Halo‘ of the Xbox 360’s life.

In a tactical shooter, it is of great importance that you can control your team effectively and protect yourself from incoming fire. At the moment Gears of War seems to have a rather simple squad control system, with commands such as advance, hold position and the rest of the usual suspects in these games. The way that Gears uses cover however is far more exciting. Your character will automatically react to surfaces and objects, for example kicking over a table, to protect himself from enemy fire. You then can either blindfire (shoot without looking) or take the riskier option of spinning out and taking pot shots at your opponents. What’s more, the cover actually changes depending on the damage that it takes – for example wooden materials will splinter as projectiles hit it, or flammable objects will set alight. This stops players from ‘camping‘ behind cover, and maintains the pace of the game.

Another huge influence on the gameplay is in the lighting, or the frequent lack of it. The Locust Horde (your powerful adversaries) are a subterranean race and therefore thrive in the darkness. It doesn’t take a member of MENSA to work out that you’ll be treated to edgy sections in complete darkness, bringing in survival horror techniques similar to Silent Hill. Because you’ll often find yourself in pitch black, you need to find ways to light your way; most of the examples we’ve been shown, utilizing fire. The Locusts will of course attempt to extinguish all sources of light, from street lamps to burning structures, which adds another dynamic to the gameplay.

Very little info has been released in terms of the weaponry that you’ll get to use in Gears of War, but we have been treated to a few ‘intimate kills‘. These are essentially close combat, melee attacks (similar to quick kills in The Punisher) that mostly involve devastating additions to the stock above the gun barrel. One rifle for example, rather than bearing the 20th century bayonet, features a rather viscous chainsaw attachment – which will make mincemeat of anything in your path. Hopefully we’ll get more details on both the arsenal available and more intimate kills soon.

Emergency Day 2006 is coming!

With everything for the Xbox 360 revolving around the next-gen Live service, it’s almost a foregone conclusion that games like Gears of War will offer extensive multiplayer options. Naturally the game will feature the usual squad game types, which have proven extremely popular this generation, with Ghost Recon and the Rainbow Six series . Co-operative play is also set to feature heavily, with people on your friends list being able to jump into your campaign, in place of the AI, to help out. This is an excellent feature, which forgoes the usual lobby system, but could also lead to you getting shot in the back, by that buddy that’s only on the list to make up numbers.

Being a Xbox 360 game, you’d expect Gears of War to have absolutely jaw-dropping graphics. Not only does it deliver on this front, but your jaw is going to have to drop those extra few inches on this one. Completely wowing everyone at E3, Epic used Gears to really showcase what the Unreal 3 Engine (U3E) can do – and if this is what we can expect from other games using U3E, we’re all in for a treat. Valve, just give in now.

The first thing you’ll notice, in between rubbing your eyes in disbelief, is the fine level of detail shown on each character model. Sinews twist and muscles bulge, as the disgusting Locusts swarm towards you; teammates’ faces warp with fear and their faces stretch as they shout conversation over a grenade blast. The guns also show the same level of intricacy, and although they’re fictional creations, they just look… well, real. All the little details such as lined sights, moving parts and a muzzle flash that isn’t a cardboard cutout just adds to the illusion.

The lighting and particle effects are also of an impeccably high quality, which is vitally important due to the nature of the game. With Gears’ heavy reliance on somber and dim lighting, along with plenty of pyrotechnics, these effects are commonplace and you really notice how the light seems to shroud the darkness. The game is starting to look like a CG movie a decade ago, which is, quite frankly, amazing seeing what was done this generation. Just wait until developers actually start pushing the Xbox 360.

 

Blending the best of tactical action games with the best of survival horror titles, “Gears of War” is the first game developed by Epic Games exclusively for Microsoft Game Studios and the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. “Gears of War” thrusts gamers into a deep and harrowing story of humankind’s epic battle for survival against the Locust Horde, a nightmarish race of creatures that surface from the bowels of the planet.

In this third-person tactical shooter, gamers live and breathe the role of Marcus Fenix. A disgraced former war hero, Marcus seeks personal redemption as he leads his fire team against an onslaught of merciless warrior fiends. Gamers immerse themselves in an experience so intensely emotional and gut-wrenching that playing will be like controlling a blockbuster action movie.

“Gears of War” utilizes the breathtaking new Unreal Engine 3 to create cinematic, high-definition visuals for a gaming experience that truly ushers in the next generation. Gamers will experience beautifully rendered interactive environments and characters so lifelike they appear to be made of flesh and bone. The next-generation visuals create a world in which the tiniest detail is vivid in the largest battle.

“Gears of War” unites next-generation technology with classic, emotional storytelling and a revolutionary tactical combat system, engrossing the gamer in a horrifying epic story of war and survival.

• Engaging and disturbing cinematic story. Massively scoped worlds, memorable characters and an epic story line play out like an intense and unsettling Hollywood blockbuster action film. Movie like cut scenes, cinematic camera moves and in-game storytelling bring the brutal, emotionally charged narrative to life. Gamers control Marcus Fenix and his fire team as they pit advanced human technology against the overwhelming and horrific Locust Horde.

• Fire team co-op action. All game modes, levels and scenarios are designed for cooperative fire team play (A.I. or human). For the first time, A.I. teammates are indiscernible from human players. They move intelligently, take orders effectively, and seek cover and defend themselves when necessary. Gamers will experience richer cooperative gameplay than ever, through unique characters that require cooperation to survive. Voice recognition and real-time lip-syncing heighten the immersive experience.

• Unprecedented visuals in next-generation gaming. “Gears of War” ushers in the next generation with unprecedented visuals. The Unreal Engine 3 technology pushes high-definition visual designs and brings out the smallest details in the largest battle. Gamers will experience a rich dynamic world with an unprecedented level of detail. Characters come to life with unbelievable model quality and a physics-integrated animation system that has them truly reacting intelligently to events as they unfold around them.

• Hyper-realistic and intense combat. In “Gears of War” the battlefield is a lethal place — to foolishly stand out in the open is to die. To survive, gamers can create and take cover using interactive and dynamic environments, suppress the enemy with blindfire, and use their weapons and teammates to outwit and outfight their terrifying enemies.

• Next-generation Xbox Live action. “Gears of War” will embody the next-generation Microsoft ® Xbox Liveâ„¢ experience and extend it even further. Gamers will be able to experience individualized matchmaking, view player statistics, earn player achievements, customize their games, and build and personalize their gamer profiles.

Is this a barricade? Cause I think its about to be broken!

Fireteam Shot – Uhmm, they look pretty bad ass to me!

View all Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshots in the Gallery

• Developer – Epic Games
• Publisher – Microsoft Game Studios
• Official Gears of War Site – www.gearsofwar.com
• Release Date – Early 2006
• Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshots

Yet another must-have Xbox 360 game, Gears of War is set to take the world by storm, and is going to have Sony and Nintendo quaking in their p…, erm, shoes. I personally can’t wait for it to hit our shelves in the Spring and I really recommend pre-ordering it, as you really do want to play this game. Counting down to E-Day…

Written by XBS UK Staff Writer Ali Owen.

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