Gears of War 3
From: Microsoft Studios
For: Xbox 360
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Into the latter category fits:
- Intense action games;
- Bloody shooting games;
- Loud, frenzied, futuristic games;
- Violent games full of foul language;
- Anything with a "3" at the end of its title.
So would it be fair to say there is no logical reason why I should be enjoying Gears of War 3?
Yes, very fair.
But enjoying it, I am. Very much.
It is by far the best intense/bloody/violent etc game I have played. It's utterly brilliant.
This situation is similar to my feelings for Con Air, a vastly under-rated film that contains cheesy dialogue and implausible action scenes, but demands re-watching once or twice a year because of what American writer Bill Simmons calls "chill scenes".
Gears of War 3's combination of exceptional storytelling, visceral action and unmatched gameplay make it THE must-own title in the Xbox 360 gamer's library. You know, just like the first two games of the series.
It's the final (yeah, right - watch for multiple sequels and prequels in future years) chapter in a unique trilogy, featuring themes of survival, alien invasion and brutal warfare based on a group of hulking space marines.
You once more step into the unfeasibly large neck and biceps of Marcus Fenix, who is back on deck with his Delta Squad buddies and battling more hordes of the creatures known as Locusts.
Fenix and company are stationed on giant sea-barges following the destruction of the last human city. And, joy of joys, a feral strain of Locusts known as the Lambent, horrible beasties that have a nasty habit of exploding when killed, is on the loose.
The Gears storyline has been carefully crafted to make the games much more than just a splatterthon. There are deep themes, intelligent character development and intriguing plotlines.
But of course, it's the action that leads to millions upon millions of copies being sold. And Gears of War 3 builds on the spectacular mechanics of the first two games.
In the words of the AV Club, it's all "dash to cover, hunker down, blast enemies into chunks" fun. Ooh, not to forget kerb-stomping and slicing enemies in two with that magnificent chainsaw on the end of your gun.
Visually, Gears 3 is a jaw-dropper. The battle-scarred landscapes, the horrific alien creatures, the larger-than-life heroes ... all utterly superb.
There's a variety of multiplayer modes that caters to those who wear out the single-player campaign.
