This year’s E3 was great and as many of you know, I attended the MS Press Conference. Sure each new game that was announced or flashed on the screen brought applause from the crowd. It’s also true that when the Halo 3 Logo flashed before us the audience went nuts. After all, Halo is a huge franchise for Microsoft. Now it is hard to explain but when Bill Gates and Peter Moore started to announced the upcoming games, in the start of the introduction they showed us a game that at one time was supposed to be a launch title. While the trailer played of actual game footage, the audience went quiet very quiet. The game was unlike any shooter or combat game ever seen before. It was brutal, it was intense — it was Gears of War!

Now I have been around the industry for a long time and I can smell hype a mile away. However, this game really grabbed the audience and the more they showed the more people were glued to the screen. After the event, I could not wait to see more of the game. No, it was not for the limited edition faceplate that people where fighting over. I wanted to see if the game really looked and, more importantly, played as promised. On Friday I got my wish and got a chance to not only play the game against others but hear from the development team. After playing I was sweating and no I am not adding this in to be dramatic. The game rocked and was nothing like I have played before. You may have heard the game won a few awards. Well from my time playing it and talking with the team, Gears of War is going to be a mega hit for the Xbox 360 when it ships this fall.

Gears of War – from the devs

In this third-person tactical action/horror game, players 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.

Gears of War Gameplay Features

  • Engaging and disturbing cinematic story. Massively scoped worlds, memorable characters and an epic story line play out like an intense and unsettling blockbuster action film. Dramatic in-game camera work and a compelling story bring the brutal, emotionally charged experience 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 (AI or human). For the first time, AI 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.
  • 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 Live 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.

Gears of War Screenshots

Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshot 

Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshot

Gears of War Xbox 360 Screenshot

Game Info and Resources

Our Say – Final Thoughts

After looking at the features and the screenshots, the game is truly a work of art and is going to redefine third person shooters. I was very disappointed that the game was delayed at launch. However after seeing the trailer and then having time to actually play the game, I am glad they took the time to get it right.

The thought of fighting from long range or up close and taking the built-in chainsaw to get a kill really gets me exited. I know that may sound brutal but the game has an effect on you and this winter you will see why I am so pumped for this game to be released.

Written by XBS Head Writer Rich Reed.

Filed under: Previews • Xbox 360

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