It’s the amount of action going on that really shows how accomplished Epic has become on Microsoft’s hardware though. The textures and lighting are both of the highest quality, and I found myself questioning how Epic managed to squeeze so much out of the Xbox 360 on several occasions. In fact, even though much of the campaign takes place underground, the sheer scale of the caverns that you explore allows for the action to stretch far into the distance.īut it’s not just how far into the distance that the world is rendered, it’s also the level of detail that Epic has created in that world. This time around though, Epic has been far more adventurous with the environment, with many scenes played out in external locations, complete with impressively long draw distances.
Believe me when I say that the screen shots don’t do this game justice, and that it is simply breathtaking to look at – which, in itself is no mean feat, considering how great the first game looked. Visually, Gears 2 sets new standards, on the Xbox 360 or any other console for that matter. But if you want reasons, I’ll give them to you – in spades! Much as I want you to read the next few pages, if you do so, that’s time that could have been spent playing Gears 2, and that’s a very real consideration, and one that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Of course many of you will want to know why I’m recommending this game so early on in the review, and the answer to that is easy. So, if you’re wondering whether to buy Gears of War 2, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you do. Yes, Epic has got that “difficult second album/movie/game” problem well and truly nailed. The characters have been given more depth too, while the storyline is driven on significantly, and just as with Kershner’s near perfect Star Wars sequel, important questions are explored and answered, but ultimately, you’re left with new, far more compelling questions at the end of it. In fact Gears of War 2 plays out very much like Kershner’s masterpiece, creating a world that’s more real, more intense and far more dark than it was the first time around. However, I needn’t have worried, because Epic has worked that kind of Irvin Kershner magic that every sequel strives for. With all this in mind, I have to say that I was a little nervous about the prospect of a sequel after all, it’s a rare thing for a truly great movie to spawn a good, let alone great sequel.
So visually stunning, and genuinely adrenaline fuelled was Gears, that it simply took console gaming to another level, while also confirming that Epic’s Unreal Engine 3 didn’t so much live up to the hype, but actually rose above it.
The original Gears of War is two years old, but even today it stands up to pretty much any Xbox 360 game available.
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