GameKiq's ReviewRodio is a series in which we round up and examine various gaming sites' takes on a particular game. Today we look at Gears of War 2.
Gamers are expecting a lot from Gears of War 2. Personally, the first Gears is my favorite action game from this generation or the past generation. (Before that, Perfect Dark and Goldeneye hold that twisted, violent section of my heart.) Its fast-paced action, gritty style, and simple but sweet-ass cover system composed a wonderfully-executed action game that, I thought, surpassed the epic scale of any of the games in the Halo trilogy. So, clearly, I have high expectations for the sequel, which was released yesterday, November 7, internationally.
"While it's certainly open to debate, we're going to go out on a limb and call Gears of War 2 the most visually impressive game yet made. It actually looks quite a bit better than its predecessor, which most Gears of War fans would agree is quite a feat."
"Gears 2 is like every summer blockbuster of note rolled into one extraordinary package. We don't want to spoil anything for you (believe us - it's hard not to talk about some of the amazing moments in the game), but it's safe to say that you'll be playing through levels that could only have come from the minds of geniuses or the mentally deranged."
"No, the problem in Gears 2 is the focus on style over substance.
I never got over the feeling that I was playing an extended Mountain Dew commercial. The characters are so uninspired you can almost predict their next response or action -- usually some variation of a grim, determined assertion of their physical prowess. There's a marked attempt to add some real emotion to the game, but it falls flat in the face of the game's hypermasculinity."
"In the end, Gears of War 2 achieves exactly what it sets out to do: make a better Gears of War. It's an accomplishment worthy of praise, but knowing what Epic is capable of, we really wish they would have pushed the envelope a bit more on the campaign mode."
"It was in its feel that Gears excelled, and here, again, Gears 2 turns the screw even tighter. Every weapon, explosion, squash, and squish looks and sounds better than the original; the Longshot sounds sharper and nastier, the Hammerburst louder and heavier; and the Lancer’s chainsaw is rougher than ever."
"It’s an understatement to say Gears of War 2 is the epitome of action. This game defines the genre. Gears of War 2 is one of the highlights of the year, and for all Xbox 360 owners, this deserves to be in your collection."
If you haven't checked them out, see our collection of screenshots below.
