Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360, 2008)

Gears of War 2 is different. I mean some will tell you the game is essentially Gears 1.5, but that honestly does not do it justice.

The Gears 2 story/campaign mode is epic. Every battle is on a much larger scale, and you just don't feel like a small elite squad involved in an isolated conflict anymore. Enough of the story though, because I would imagine most would want to hear about the gameplay.

As one of the reviews just stated above the gameplay seems a bit more streamlined, since one of my friends who had never played before could pick it up and do better than he could have done in Gears 1. The entire system, such as finding cover and running, all feels much more polished than the original. The weaponry has been expanded and new functions have been added to various weapons. These additions included the grenade, of which now there are 3 types, be setup as a mine that only goes off when enemies come near it. The shotgun has not been changed as the review above stated, and what has changed is the lancer and the new hammerburst. These two guns have had their effectiveness and power increased, and along with the new "stopping power" mechanic, make the game much less of a run and gun affair. The new highlight is the overall tactical and intelligent gameplay, rather than the run and gun affair that the host with the shotgun does.

One game type that I have to say is an amazing edition is HORDE. Get four of your friends together, get on the new map Pavilion, and see how long you last. Horde involves waves and waves of locusts coming at you, and becoming progressively more difficult. It's an affair that involves a lot of shooting, screaming, cursing, and reminsicing.

Anyway, Gears 2 is amazing. In an age of $60 video games, Gears deserves your money and a decent amount of your halo 3 matchmaking time.