Gears Of War 2 By weeshman on Nov 12, 2008 - Updated Oct 15, 2011

t's not like the story is meant to be taken seriously. Take one look at protagonists Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, with their impossibly bulging biceps and redwood-tree-thick physiques, and you realize that these guys are designed to appeal to the sci-fi set and the jock set, not pull at our heartstrings. And yet, in the world of videogaming in general (and certainly in the mind of this reviewer), it's gameplay, not story, that usually proves pivotal in elevating a game to greatness -- meaning Gears of War 2 once again takes the spotlight as one of this generation's premiere shooters.Still, this wasn't necessarily apparent after the first hour of a three-day offsite Gears of War 2 review marathon. It's actually easy to think of the game as something closer to Gears 1.5 at first. Gears' unmistakable third-person cover-based combat instantly feels familiar (even bringing over the same minor problems, like occasionally "sticking" to the wrong object or wall), the visuals once again stun, and the campaign proceedings open in a dreary hospital with the beefy Delta Squad members falling into their light-on-talk, big-guns ways. But it's when you start hacking into the meat of this epic-expectations sequel that you appreciate what an excellent campaign, juiced-up multiplayer, addictive new co-op Horde mode, and new enemies, items, and weapons can add to what still stands as one of this generation's best core gameplay systems. Firefights are won not by charging toward enemies outright but by slamming against cars, buildings, or other objects in a desperate attempt to conceal your body, and then letting rip when the time's right. It's simple -- repetitive to almost an absurd degree -- yet through its second tour of duty, the cover-then-shoot mechanic remains unquestionably addictive. This time through, the humans' struggle against the Locust focuses on the fate of the last human stronghold of Jacinto. The Lightmass bomb you dropped to end the last game didn't quite finish the job, but perhaps that was for the best. The sequel's 10-hour to 15-hour journey and the means by which you go about completing it are far more diverse this time, with varied backdrops (from a snowy outpost to a foreboding Locust temple with adjustable cover), not-always-enjoyable turret-based and Reaver-riding sections, and some memorable showdowns (big creatures like the lumbering Brumaks are far more prevalent). And more so than in the original, a number of moments and locations stand out. One scene puts you in the midst of a razorhail storm...which, as you'd probably imagine, consists of precipitation that rips into flesh and armor, Locust and human alike. You've either got to hightail it from overhang to overhang while minimizing exposure or make use of a deployable shield, one of the game's handy new items that serves as portable cover -- or, in this instance, a makeshift umbrella. Meanwhile, another stage is almost bewildering given the game: It's essentially a platformer, as you'll need to leap past acid-spewing nozzles and dodge piston-like obstacles designed to smush you.This level variety is great and assures that you'll get your mitts on all of the new weapons (handily keeping track of each different weapon kill you get with its "Variety is the Spice of Death" Achievement tracker). Standouts include the flamethrower (one of the few in a 3D game that has some heft to it -- it's a joy to use) and the firebombing mortar, which satisfyingly keeps track of how much power you put in each shot, making subsequent volleys all the more simple. Over all i loved this game very much and will be playing it in the long run.