The story does enough in the first and steps it up in the 2con, will it win any Oscars no, but its far from crap, there's a reason why both games are highly reviewed, all pieces of the game mesh together to make them both brilliant games, but yeah its not EVERYONES cup of tea.

i disagree completely, i find it to be pure crap but thats just me. I think the reason they're highly reviewed is the game play is fantastic (esp. the coop MP). I do think both games are a little overrated because the competitive MP for all intents and purposes is completely unplayable.

Got to agree DC i really enjoyed the story in 2, sure there are some cheesy bits, but there in every game out there, Gears 2 blew me away and i know 3 will kick it up a notch also.

Yep pretty much, plus we have Karen on board this time, so all in all it will be even bigger badder and more kick-ass :)

The story of Gears of War 2 was mixed to say the least but, overall, I think they made a pretty decent job of it. I mean, it was a bit incoherent at times - with some ridiculously cheesy moments thrown in for good measure - but the fact that they actually made an effort to convey a meaningful story is admirable. And, to be fair, there were some genuinely great moments from a narrative perspective (most notably Maria's climax*). Many criticised the game's ending, but I found it to be perfect in the context of the trilogy; the second of a three-part series should always hint at the wider, more significant picture, and indicate potential tensions and character developments. The ending of Gears 2 did that, what with Marcus and Anya, as well as the Locusts' situation etc. etc.

Saying that, I can see the third game's story being considerably better. People keep telling me how good Karen what's-her-face is, so clearly Epic is putting a lot of faith in her because they believe she'll deliver the goods. They know they have to end with a bang, so it's not surprising to see that they're trying to notch it up from all angles. Personally, I'm hoping for an even darker story to round off the trilogy. The second one was considerably darker I guess, but it wasn't presented with much conviction. I want the third game to really showcase disaster and suffering, reminiscent of literally every Gears trailer to date - but of course the priceless banter between Delta Squad should remain to some degree.

* - That sexual innuendo was for IRAIPT0IR's benefit only.

^^ every word he said is spot on.

I just cant wait to jump back into the Gears universe!

QFT!

For me, Gears of War did something that no game before it had, it felt like an action movie that im part of.
GoW2 managed to perfect the gameplay, and continue developing a story, that even though wasnt great, its definitely not weak. (i cant think of any movie where the protagonist kills something every half a minute that has a better story than this...)
So high hopes for this one!!! Halo reach and now this, CMON MS, make that xbox slim good hardware!!!

scoobs, you have a right to your opinion, but for an action shooter Gears doesn't not have a bad story. It doesn't have a DEEP story or much of a story, but to say it's bad compared to most other high-testosterone shooters does't make much sense to me.

But I always got the impression Gears was much more about the presentation and intense combat in small numbers.

It's certainly no Half-Life, but compared to games like Killzone, Call of Duty, Resistance, Crysis, it's not like the game is any more shallow than those. IMO at least. But I've never really found the story in ANY shooters to be very interesting other than Combat Evolved and Half-Life 2.

In all fairness the only story gears ever needed was "your good there bad KILL"
I just like a nice story, but i dont think gears ever really needs it.

I'm not comparing gears' story to other high testosterone shooters lol i'm saying that as a story, what little there is, is absolutely horrible. Part of the problem is the writing, which is among the worst I've come across. I agree the game succeeds because of its combat and intensity.

What the hell happened to Jay????

LMFAO! thank you for been the first to notice i changed my avatar after... hell I don't know how long

Oh he stopped been a gif and nodding :( fuck knows why.


Also i am going to go over to my xbox now give it some cleaning and try and get into that CRAP! ui system... i miss the blades :(

Plus lets be honest, KITTENS RULE! and kittens that clean your monitor... RULE MORE!

Agreed

Very cool avatar!!

Im like that when I see a Bayonetta pic in my monitor LOL

http://i39.tinypic.com/2nghmdy.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/rrny3a.jpg

http://i43.tinypic.com/maz7tu.jpg

http://i39.tinypic.com/5tvp77.jpg

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Armour suits? God I hope that doesn't make its way to MP. I mean, there is no way in hell Epic would be able to balance that... I don't have much faith left for them.

People actually play Gears MP(besides Horde mode?).

As long as the SP is good and Horde mode makes a return, I'll be happy.

This sounds awfully familiar. You know... "People actually play Halo MP?"

Yes, yes they do. And they are excited about the MP in Gears 3 because they think it's the most important aspect of the game. Just like people who wouldn't care for Halo or CoD if it wasn't for the MP. Crazy isn't it?

Looks like gears for sure. I'm not sure what to make of mech suits... seems like an odd choice

Who says that? Not playing a game's MP and being surprised that people play a game's MP aren't the same thing. Halo has had consistently great MP over the course of the whole series. The first Gears had decent MP from what I remember. I didn't play 2's MP at all, and I only ever heard that it was pretty flawed. Considering what else is out there, I am genuinely surprised people play Gears' MP.

Well, I call them trolls. :p

Gears 1 pushed Halo 2 from its Nr 1 spot of most played XBL games, and it kept it until Halo 3 came along. Gears 2 was on the 4th and 6th spot for the longest time since release. As far as I know it's still in the top 10.

There's just something wholly mechanical and inorganic about how the game plays that makes extended play boring to me; nothing cool or unexpected seems to happen. As much as I enjoyed the SP campaigns the first time through and Horde mode for a bit, it was easy to quit playing.