Gears of War 2 launches internationally

The much anticipated sequel to Gears of War launched internationally on 7 November 2008, including in South Africa, with crowds gathering outside of game stores to be the first to get a copy at midnight. ZA Tech has been hands on with Gears of War 2 for the last week and brings you the low-down on the latest shooter to hit the Xbox 360… or, rather, blow it apart.

Gears of War was the perfect launch title for the Xbox 360 when it arrived on local shores, making every shooter available on competing platforms look like a field of pansies. It featured the best of what the 360 had to offer in terms of graphics, and some of the most compelling gameplay ever to grace a gamepad. My only real criticism of the first Gears is that the campaign was too short.

Gears of War 2 at first spin feels like an extension of its predecessor. The gameplay is essentially the same, as are the graphics, and the locust-busting action comes hard and fast. But there are many welcome additions thrown into the mix that begin presenting themselves once you make your way through the initial act.

For one, the story-line has become more immersive and interactive in Gears of War 2 with items of information being collected as you make your way through the campaign. Cog tags are strewn throughout the battlefield for you to collect again, only this time each one brings up a window with some history of its previous owner. Scraps of paper and other bits of information help fill in the gaps in the story, although I wasn’t paying too much attention to them as I was too busy shooting locust scum in the face.

There are also new environments, new weapons and, my personal favourite, a bunch of new multiplayer modes. It’s also more violent.

Multiplayer was one of the best things about the first Gears and this has been enhanced in the second installment, including a range of new modes, like ‘Submission’ that uses a capture-the-flag like system, except that the “flag” is an injured comrade. Multiplayer campaigning also features a drop in and out system and allows for more players to campaign together. Multiplayer is probably the best thing about Gears of War 2 - however, Xbox Live is still not officially available in South Africa, and this is required for Internet multiplayer gaming. It is simply ridiculous that this service is still not available locally, unless you crook the system by lying about your location. Microsoft really needs to get its act together and provide Xbox Live in South Africa. It’s high time – and Playstation has managed to make its online services available locally.

In single-player the campaign provides ten hours of gameplay, but to get the most out of Gears of War 2 you really need to take it online for multiplayer, or have your friends jump in on a campaign. You’re being charged for half a game in South Africa without Xbox Live. But that’s enough about that.

Other additions include the ability to crawl when injured by tapping A and getting your arse over to your team mates, including those of the AI variety, to revive you. There are also more vehicle sections and the new arsenal of weapons includes a flamethrower. Grenades can now stick to surfaces, and your character does a better job of this too, with the cover system being somewhat enhanced, unless it’s just me.

The achievement system has also been beefed up and keeps you up to date with the steps required for an achievement on the fly. And with downloadable maps and other content you’ll be kept busy for far longer than you were by the first Gears.

The list of Xbox-only titles that puts other consoles too shame expands plus one and Gears of War 2 is the game to buy right now, providing you with about as much fun as you can have without being arrested. And at around R600 it isn’t too expensive compared to other third-gen console games at launch. But then there’s the absence of Xbox Live in South Africa, which makes any solid multiplayer title look pricey.

1 Comment so far

Comment by Annihilator, posted on November 7th, 2008 at 08:43

Well looks like gears OF WAR 2 will live up to the high expectations. . Atleast we here in SA Dont have to worry about standing in lines to buy it coz not many people can afford gaming anyway. Been waiting for this day since july 2007. . Yay the time has come

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