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GEARS OF WAR 3 (X360)
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Publisher: Microsoft Studios.
Developer: Epic Games. Released: September 2011. Genre: Third-person shoot 'em up. Posted 2nd August 2017. By Shane Battams © 2017 |
Much like the COG soldiers who feature throughout the series, the odds were stacked against Gears of War 3. It needed to complete a trilogy of, so far, stellar games. And because Gears 2 was so refined, it would be akin to trying to fix something that wasn’t broken. Not only that, but with so many games following the template set by the original in 2006, it would have to really deliver something special to stand out in 2011. But Epic delivered, with many natural refinements which making for an excellent third instalment, closing out the trilogy with love and care.
For starters, it rounds out the story near-perfectly. Despite all their efforts, including the destruction of their home Jacinto, COG still faces oppression from Locust and a new foe known as the Lambent. It’s up to Delta squad to find a way to end this war, while exploring themes of fatherhood, grief and redemption. Several character arcs are beautifully tied up – including moments which are difficult to watch after spending three games with characters. There’s also a good balance of drama and humour, especially when the sassy Baird butts heads with equally sassy newcomer Sam, whilst the ending wraps things up perfectly.
GoW3 certainly treads well-worn territory, but its campaign still packs a punch. New weapons spice up the action, such as the Retro Lancer which replaces the chainsaw with a bayonet and the OneShot heavy sniper. It can feel like a rollercoaster: lots of ups and downs, but not a lot of chance to break the path. The four-player co-op proves a shot of adrenaline, up from just two. Set pieces are ratcheted up to 11 when playing with others, and those looking to conquer this one on Insane will need to show teamwork. There’s also an arcade variant, allowing you to compete for points and add Mutators such as big heads or double damage. It’s all great, whether it’s the teeth-grinding seriousness of Insane or the riotous fun of Arcade.
For starters, it rounds out the story near-perfectly. Despite all their efforts, including the destruction of their home Jacinto, COG still faces oppression from Locust and a new foe known as the Lambent. It’s up to Delta squad to find a way to end this war, while exploring themes of fatherhood, grief and redemption. Several character arcs are beautifully tied up – including moments which are difficult to watch after spending three games with characters. There’s also a good balance of drama and humour, especially when the sassy Baird butts heads with equally sassy newcomer Sam, whilst the ending wraps things up perfectly.
GoW3 certainly treads well-worn territory, but its campaign still packs a punch. New weapons spice up the action, such as the Retro Lancer which replaces the chainsaw with a bayonet and the OneShot heavy sniper. It can feel like a rollercoaster: lots of ups and downs, but not a lot of chance to break the path. The four-player co-op proves a shot of adrenaline, up from just two. Set pieces are ratcheted up to 11 when playing with others, and those looking to conquer this one on Insane will need to show teamwork. There’s also an arcade variant, allowing you to compete for points and add Mutators such as big heads or double damage. It’s all great, whether it’s the teeth-grinding seriousness of Insane or the riotous fun of Arcade.
Designed ugly, presumably so you feel less remorse when shooting them
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A tickle of the ribs, a sure sign he's had a bit too much to drink
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Even better is Horde2.0, which is perhaps the finest of its kind. Like before, you and four others try to survive an increasingly difficult series of waves. Alternating between Locust and Lambent, though, often creates a more dynamic sense of challenge, including tough bosses every ten waves which are picked randomly from a collection of tough bosses. But the real improvements come from Defenses. Now, every action earns you money which can be spent on installing, upgrading and repairing defences, such as barriers, turrets and other traps. It adds a whole layer of depth, as each map comes with their own pre-set defence options, and each player must pool their resources to help survive. Countless hours will be lost on this engrossing mode.
Not so good is Beast Mode. This horde-like mode basically flips the script, allowing you to play as the Locust and attempt to kill waves of COG. Like Horde, credits are earned through kills which allow you to buy tougher characters. It’s a cool idea, but its execution feels shallow. You can blow through it quickly and easily, and it never generates the co-operative depth of Horde and the many variants it has spawned. A mere diversion, then.
Multiplayer also sees some tweaks which refine things further. Dedicated servers and Host Migration now ensure that it’s easier to find and stick with a game. The modes have been tweaked, including series faves Warzone and Execution and combinations of previous modes such as Capture the Leader, an amalgamation of Guardian and Submission. There’s also just a much more accessible interface, letting you search for matches in groups and giving you Beginner Assistance if you’re a low level and struggling. Other features, like marking enemies for your teammates to see, just polish – if not redefine – GoW's traditional multiplayer.
Not so good is Beast Mode. This horde-like mode basically flips the script, allowing you to play as the Locust and attempt to kill waves of COG. Like Horde, credits are earned through kills which allow you to buy tougher characters. It’s a cool idea, but its execution feels shallow. You can blow through it quickly and easily, and it never generates the co-operative depth of Horde and the many variants it has spawned. A mere diversion, then.
Multiplayer also sees some tweaks which refine things further. Dedicated servers and Host Migration now ensure that it’s easier to find and stick with a game. The modes have been tweaked, including series faves Warzone and Execution and combinations of previous modes such as Capture the Leader, an amalgamation of Guardian and Submission. There’s also just a much more accessible interface, letting you search for matches in groups and giving you Beginner Assistance if you’re a low level and struggling. Other features, like marking enemies for your teammates to see, just polish – if not redefine – GoW's traditional multiplayer.
Gears of War: officially more violent than Monopoly
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This almost qualifies as a quiet moment
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Perhaps one of the best-looking games of the seventh gen, GoW3 refines and polishes the Unreal engine to the max. Everything boasts an incredible amount of detail, fluid lighting brings life to any scenario and gorgeous colours really contrast with the greys of previous games. The frame rate is almost always steady and pop-in is almost completely absent, making it non-stop beauty. The audio is strong, as though some scripted jokes miss the mark, many nail it, and often the dialogue is the best the series has seen, characterising everyone perfectly. The music retains the cinematic quality we’ve come to expect, and you should know by now guns feel great to shoot thanks to crisp and clear gunfire and balanced audio.
Though it might feel more like a refinement than significant improvement, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken. Despite some familiarity, small tweaks and improvements to the modes make it a great all-around package. Horde is the best it’s ever been, four-player campaign is a riot and multiplayer feels like the best starting point for new players. Those who haven’t managed to warm to this series still won’t be convinced, but for those who spent hours upon hours with the previous two games will find this an excellent way to end an outstanding trilogy.
Though it might feel more like a refinement than significant improvement, there’s no need to fix what isn’t broken. Despite some familiarity, small tweaks and improvements to the modes make it a great all-around package. Horde is the best it’s ever been, four-player campaign is a riot and multiplayer feels like the best starting point for new players. Those who haven’t managed to warm to this series still won’t be convinced, but for those who spent hours upon hours with the previous two games will find this an excellent way to end an outstanding trilogy.
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VERDICT
Visual: 10/10
Audio: 9/10 Gameplay: 9/10 Longevity: 9/10 OVERALL: 9/10 |