Gears of War
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: MicroSoft Game Studios
Genre: FPS
Platform: XBOX 360
Date posted: 16 November 2005
ScreenShots: 2
Available On: Q1 2006
Written By: Mathieu Sarrasin
A truly NEXT GEN game
Gears of Wars is the first opus from the new, and let's hope long as well, Epic's new franchise.
It used to be known as "Unreal Warfare" at first, and was carried through forums and web pages with lesser and lesser informations revealed with years passing by.
But we have to note that what was told by Epic for the title known as Unreal Warfare years ago is now more than different with what Epic is planning for the upcoming Gears of Wars, even unveiling no similarities at all on the point of the gameplay.
Probably only some ideas remained during these last years of development and may make it into the final game. We also have to take note that there's no link between the Unreal serie and the Gears of Wars'.
Along with the in-development Unreal Tournament 2007, both games will utilise the Unreal Engine 3.0 (UE3.0).
In fact, we can expect the latest technologies, from graphics to functions, such advanced lighting and shadowing, to appear in this new piece of art.
All the new elements born from the UE3.0 (The implementation of the NovodeX physic engine, 64 bits texturing, etc. (See the official informative page about the Unreal Engine 3 whom content been officially announced at this link) will take their first breath into Gears of Wars, giving this baby the more defined cinematics and visuals ever seen in games until now.
This release is aimed to be out on the new Microsoft's Xbox system, the Xbox 360 and will be later ported to PC with possibly bonus features not seen on the console version. Though, no information has been confirmed about what bonus it might be.
The Story
On a earth-like planet called Sera, skinned with explosion's craters and dismantled buildings, and has been in constant repainting with wars and conflicts going on for centuries.
Though, a renaissance was born through a new Victorian styled architecture, mixing an already seen taste of English constructions. This so apparent peace was broken by the Imulsion revelation, a new substance that had the property to be easily converted to energy.
Humans being covetous, countries which naturally had the resources under their feet did all what they were in power of to keep it for their own, and that's how it all started.
Running, breathing, raging, and waiting into the deepest of Sera. A force underneath the sharpest rocks, under the most limpid waters, charged outside on what would be called the Emergency Day.
In hopes to eradicate the human race, the Locust clenched a war in order to take the planet Serra. Too powerful were they, human couldn't resist.
You'll be introducing the game into Marcus Fenix's jail, a disgraced prisoner which didn't subdue to orders which were given during Pandulum war in order to save his father.
His courage and determination made him the first choice as leader of a squad of Gears, also called COG (Coalition of Ordered Government) soldiers.
 
The Gameplay
Thrust into the fear, you'll be kicked in a survival horror game and the first from Epic to be third-person (though, Cliff Bleszinski considers it more as second person).
Unlike others third-person, Gears of War is all about team work. The game has been totally built with teamwork label glued on everything: modes, scenarios, levels, AI paths, scripted scenes.
Epic also considered a lot about the tactical aspect of the game. As seen in Rainbow Six 3, microphone and headset will be supported and you'll be able to do much more than insult the guys who's playing with you on Xbox Live (No, don't do it :.).
The voice recognition will be implemented to allow easier strategies, to commands orders to AI bots, or maybe do some actions without pressing any key.
The sounds will be a great part of it, as this game will be psychologically intense, Epic couldn't neglect this aspect.
Cliff told that they are focusing to have some great voices acting for Gears of War, but no names have flown from Bleszinski's mouth.
The Xbox live supports will include player statistics and probably some downloadable contents. Those Locust face will be painted all over your mind for a long long time.
Epic has revealed that current game modes will be: single player, cooperative, and deathmatch.
An interactive feature called Intimidate Death has been included in the game, where there will be "mini-games" when being "intimate" with an enemy. An example might be to enter a slow-motion mode where you could take your time and aim to do the best shot you can. This was just an example, but I think you can imagine by yourself what Epic will offers us.
Conclusion
As a conclusion, Gears of War is going to be that kind of game that would make my pre-order an Xbox 360 system even if I had 10 mafia guys at my door waiting for me to repay them.
This game will definitively be a bomb for the next generation consoles.
Be sure to check it out, I will for sure!
-Mathieu
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