A delightful reunion, but not play alone.
(This is the only review of single-player portion, multiplayer was not ready when we tested.)
The original Gears of War set fair standards for game graphics when it was launched in November 2006. Even with a somewhat older TV (I got my first HD-ready TV first year after), I was very excited.
Could have been more ultimate
Now it’s been nine years since the time, and meanwhile it released three new games in the Gears series, some I liked better than others, but it is and will be a fantastic series.
It was obviously good mood when Microsoft announced Gears of War: Ultimate Edition at this year’s E3 conference, even though it initially seemed like the entire series came in one package, something like Halo: The Master Chief Collection. It put a little damper on the mood.
Remember that the rest of the Gears trilogy and Judgment are supported by Xbox One’s backwards compatibility in the autumn. You may then rock the Horde mode, which according to me is the best multiplayer mode in the series.
– Let’s do this
Back to game. To take it away: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition does not offer the same graphical revolution as we saw with the original game in 2006. It’s nicely, properly appointed, and the lighting is perfect, but I had expected that it was even better.
In the game greets you with you into the role of Marcus Fenix, or Dominic Santiago if you play co-op, and together you are part of Delta Squad who will do what they can to save humanity on the fictional planet Sera.
The enemy is a Locust horde consisting of many different races and creatures, one worse than the next – they will do their utmost to stop you and your squad.
Lovely weapons
Gears of War series is best known for having the most possible weapons, but they have one to their respective use. Assault Rifle, shotgun, sniper rifle, pistol and revolver to name a few. Assault rifle, Lancer as it is called, is one of my favorite weapon in the game. It has a built in chainsaw, damn!
The animation when you cut Locust in half with a chain saw, sound, blood and guts spurting and the powerful vibrations in the controller, making it a magical experience every time.
Not forgetting Gnasher, one damn bold shotgun. So powerful and fearsome that any Locus should think twice about before approaching a Delta Squad with a loaded one.
Disappointing artificial intelligence
I’ve played finished Gears and War 1, 2 and 3 at least twice, but this was actually the first time I played one of the campaigns alone. And it was a very different experience, and not in a positive sense.
It is obviously used to that one in Delta Squad runs where it suits him, it belongs after all with the story that he will die, but when the other moves like drunken sailors, there is a bigger problem.
I experienced a little too often that Dominic Santiago, Baird or Cole, which are the last two in the squad, never was there they were. In some cases, they stood only at rest, other times they ran around and around, while too many times run Dom straight to die as quickly as possible.
Yes, he could be saved, and yes, I do nor to bother me about it, but my feeling is that when you have people with you in the game so they should contribute, not just be there for the history part. So it was a little cursing and frustration along the way.
The best third person shooter
I feel Gears of War series mastered compared with other third person shooter, the use of coverage and that the weapons feeling fits like a glove. Once you’ve gotten the hang of how to move quickly and hide behind the ruins, this gives a whole new experience in the game. It just works out, short and well.
There are a number of boss battles along the way, where the last must be said to be the lightest. Berserker is the most frustrating. She can only be killed with the mighty Hammer of Dawn weapon, and it works only outdoors. When simultaneously is a little rusty in the controllers and to get this creature to follow after him, is a test of patience.
Not to forget to mention Brumaken, a huge beast with weapons on both arms and his head. He will not meet in a narrow alley.
The story is perhaps not the most inspiring; a group to save humanity again. We’ve heard it before, but as you play and become more familiar with the characters and their story, one feels really quite attached to the weird and overly harsh men.
Conclusion
Gears of War is a feast of a game. It’s never boring and always provide a challenge. Graphic is it absolutely beautiful and the lighting is amazing. The audiovisual is also top notch. The sound of popping of Locus heads of heads goes one never tired of, while the feeling of sharing an enemy in half with Lance’s chainsaw still not found in other games.
The story is said not the most exciting, then you have to play so, twos and threes to take full advantage of it. Perhaps prologue Judgment too. Conversely, the characters unique and individual in their own way and with their own history, and boosts his history section with fun-packed comments and conversations.
It prevents the game to reach a proper good character, is the AI part technical errors. Your team mate seems quite clear at times, and there are some errors that recur under through no.
Gears of War Ultimate Edition can be recommended to fans of the game, who have played the other games countless times before, but also for those who might not have an Xbox 360, but who has acquired an Xbox One and will find out what’s so special about the series before Gears 4 is released next year.
The game launched today to Xbox One, and in autumn for Windows.
Grade: 8/10.
