There is no denying that the “Gears of War” series has been a model for third person shooters. The franchise’s cover-based combat and iconic “Horde” mode have been incorporated into nearly every major shooter title since their introduction. With a proven history of industry-molding innovation, it is easy to see why the latest game has been widely anticipated.
“Gears of War 3” is the third installment of the “Gears” series, created for Xbox 360 by producer Epic Games. The story follows protagonist Marcus Fenix and his fellow soldiers (aptly named “Gears”) in their fight against the growing Locust threat, which is on the verge of wiping out humanity. I don’t want to spoil the ending, however, so you’ll have to read the specific details elsewhere (or, heaven forbid, play through the game).
Functionality
The main difference in gameplay is the heavy emphasis on co-op, as illustrated by in-game situations and the equipment players are given to deal with them. A weapon like the Vulcan Cannon require two characters – one to shoot, the other to carry ammo and reload. Similarly, the Silverback Mech Suit allows a player to either unleash a flood of carnage using dual Gatling guns, or convert to a stationary rocket launcher and provide cover for your teammates.
The levels themselves offer many more “separate pathway” sections, forcing players to split up to achieve different goals. Many defense and boss situations also utilize multiple players to either use heavy weapons or trigger environmental traps.
For those playing solo, you will be pleased to hear that the A.I. has also been improved. Non-player characters will assist as needed, almost as if a friend were playing. They will revive you, kill baddies, and only occasionally charge fearlessly forward to their untimely demise. Long story short, they are not nearly as frustrating as before.
One great thing that was brought to the coop factor was the ability for the host to pause the game! This has been something I have been wishing for, for so long. This is a concept that allows you to actually pause the game for a second so both parties can, I don’t know, grab a drink or snack. This allows the much needed revitalization, to help a gamer put in a couple more hours of hardcore one on one time with Pheonix!
Online gameplay has also received a sizable boost. Versus and Horde modes include welcome modifications, including more customization to weapons and skins (Versus) and more defensive items like barbed wire and turrets (Horde). The new Beast mode is a refreshing addition to gameplay, allowing players to step into the shoes of the Locust horde. As you rack up kills, more Locust creatures become available, each with their own strengths and abilities.
Presentation
“Gears of War” has been a pillar for the latest generation of shooter games. Although no longer the pinnacle of graphics technology, “Gears 3” still looks amazingly crisp with the updated Unreal Engine 3 under the hood.
Environments are much more vivid and varied, straying from the common “gray destroyed city” portrayed in earlier “Gears” games. There is noticeably more color in this game, which is necessary, considering your character will visit villages, badlands, a tropical island, and even venture underwater.
Animations have been given a significant overhaul as well. Though not as detailed as “Crysis 2” or “Battlefield 3”, they are noticeably more refined and much more captivating than previous “Gears” scenes. The increased number of cut scenes helps highlight prominent plot points and big battles. It also gives the game a more cinematic feel that, despite a few missteps, really draws the player into the game.
Atmosphere
An amazing soundtrack has always punctuated the thick, brooding atmosphere of “Gears”, and this is doubly true for “Gears 3”. The game is filled with the aftermath of war and is rife with gloom and sorrow. One scene in particular places you in a city destroyed by the Hammer of Dawn, surrounded by the hollow ash statues of citizens trying to escape the unavoidable onslaught. The brooding tone set by the soundtrack easily makes this one of the most emotional moments in the game.
Even more noticeable is the effect that the updated Unreal Engine has on lighting. There are many moments where I found myself intently focused on moonlight passing through the trees, or struggling to see images barely visible through a thick fog. The beautiful environments capture a striking subtlety that is often overlooked in the overly violent shooter genre.
Plot
If given the option, I will choose narrative over gameplay most of the time. For this reason alone, “Gears of War 3” is my favorite game of the “Gears” trio. Though it is far from perfect (I would not list it as an all-time favorite), it finally presents the narrative I have desired in the franchise.
Unlike previous “Gears” games, “Gears 3” finally commits to progressing character personality and plot in a way that has been sorely lacking in the story so far. There are several moments of character interaction, (some touching, others hilarious), which reveal the characters as having very complex personalities. In addition, back-stories are provided for a majority of the characters, made more impressive by the fact that there are nearly twice as many characters as in previous games.
While these developments help to break apart the relentless action, it really feels like too little too late. After playing through three games, I can finally say that I know what the hell has been going on since the first game. If this information had been presented earlier in the series, I would feel more connected to the individual characters and their plight. Still, it is a dramatic improvement over both “Gears 1” and “Gears 2”.
Legacy Rating
Will this game last through time?” As a series, “Gears of War” will undoubtedly last through time. It has provided enough innovation to be copied by nearly every other shooter on the market. Compared to other “Gears” games, “Gears 3” provides a much more enjoyable experience through cut scenes, story development, and atmosphere. Gameplay remains relatively unchanged, however, still relying heavily on cover-based shooting.
How does this compare with other games? For a game like this, comparison has always been a tricky concept. The main reason you run into issues is that most other games have taken their ideas from the original gears game, the cover based shooting and the overall combat style. So how would you really compare it without looking at it alongside its predecessors? Gears 3 is a great game in its own right but doesn’t provide anything really cutting edge or innovative to make it any different from the previous gears games. It is just a Gears of War game.
You may also choose to compare this game with Space Marines. While Space Marines has provided an interesting experience, it just doesn’t beat out Gears 3. Space Marine chose to get rid of the cover system completely and keep it all “run and gun”, but alas this remains a mere concept and not a fully functional asset to the game. So Space Marine fails to beat out Gears 3, leaving Gears 3 the only real relevant title in its genre. But like I said, its just another Gears of War game and with that being the true fact it just doesn’t have the ability to be considered the greatest of the franchise. It is more of a re-iteration of Epic Games Gears of War 1 concept (in a single player aspect).
Buy or Rent?If you are a fan of the franchise, this is a clear buy. It is better than its prequels in nearly every way. If you are new to the franchise, I recommend playing the other games first, so you can get a better idea of the world you are in and what your character is fighting for. With an eight-hour campaign and many more hours to be pulled out of online modes, there is plenty of content to validate the price.
