Synopsis
Marcus Phoenix continues his fight against the Locust in this third-person shooter series from the creators of Unreal Tournament.
The original Gears of War may not have invented cover mechanics, but it certainly pioneered them. Though many titles now follow the so-called ‘stop and pop’ gameplay, few have managed to recreate the slick, responsive feel of diving into cover that Gears of War manages. In Gears of War 2, the tight gameplay returns, but with a greater sense of scale and a number of additions fans have pleaded for.
Gears of War 2 picks up 6 months after the events of the original title, once again placing players in the shoes of Marcus Phoenix as he fights off a never-ending supply of Locust enemies. This sequel’s plot puts far more emphasis on the main characters, namely Marcus’ friend Dom and his search for his missing wife. Locations are far more varied, taking place outside of the confines of cityscapes. The scale as a whole is far more impressive, with huge groups of Locust filling the screen at any one time.
The stunning graphics and additive gameplay of the original Gears of War returns with this sequel, along with a more epic scale and personal storyline.
Features
- Unparalleled gameplay. “Gears of War 2” takes the award-winning gameplay of the original and improves upon it in every way. The genre-defining cover system is further refined, making the “stop and pop” gameplay more intuitive. Dynamic cover is given new meaning as downed opponents can be picked up and used as shields. The intimate violence of the battlefield is heightened when combatants engage in chainsaw duels. Destructible environments and vicious new finishing moves add to the over-the-top experience.
- Jaw-dropping visuals. “Gears of War 2” continues to raise the graphics bar through its breathtaking visual effects, made possible through advances in Unreal Engine 3.
- Engaging experience that pulls you in and won’t let go. “Gears of War 2” takes deep and immersive storytelling in video games to greater heights. Players connect with humanity’s battle for survival on a personal level as they move through a story that introduces new characters and sheds light on the histories of familiar ones.
- Expanded cooperative play. Team up with a friend to fight through the harrowing story of Delta Squad in the enhanced campaign mode, now featuring drop-in/drop-out gameplay, as well as individual player difficulty options. Or recruit four friends to battle in the new game mode “Horde,” where you’ll fight together to fend off a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust forces to attain the highest score.
- Fierce and varied competitive multiplayer action. “Gears of War 2” features eight distinct multiplayer modes,2 including the new Wingman, Guardian and Submission modes, where up to 10 players choose a side and pit their courage and battlefield mettle directly against others. In addition, multiplayer bots are available to sharpen your skills offline or to fill out your online private matches on Xbox LIVE.
- Party system and skill-based online matchmaking. New to “Gears of War 2” is a party system that allows players to form a full or partial team with friends and continue together from match to match without the need to reform after each game. “Gears of War 2” also supports a skill-based online matchmaking system, powered by TrueSkill, which groups players of similar skill level together in competitive multiplayer matches.
