July Is Gears Of War 2 Add-On Month

The Cole Train is showing no signs of slowing down; Microsoft and Epic Games announced a cavalcade of Gears of War 2 content today, coming in July.

This announcement confirms the existence of Dark Corners, the next DLC release that was rumored a few weeks ago. If you hate downloading your games or something, you'll also be able to buy Dark Corners--along with all three previously released map packs--in a new retail package called All Fronts. With seven multiplayer maps and a new single-player chapter, Dark Corners looks like a pretty beefy add-on. Here's a weird picture of Marcus Fenix in Theron Guard attire, which must be from the new solo chapter.

Included in the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” is the “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” Game Add-on, which features seven new multiplayer maps and a deleted campaign chapter titled “Road to Ruin.” In “Road to Ruin,” Marcus and Dom return to the Locust Hollow in a scene that can be played two ways, guns blazing or in all-new stealth mode. The seven new multiplayer maps in the “Gears of War 2: Dark Corners” Game Add-on are:

• Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.
• Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the
• Boomshot Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.
• War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.
• Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.
• Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.
• Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

In addition to the new content, the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” also contains every “Gears of War 2” Game Add-on released to date, including the classic “Flashback” Map Pack, volatile “Combustible” Map Pack and the winter-themed “Snowblind” Map Pack. Also included is an introduction to “Road to Ruin” from Epic Games design director Cliff Bleszinski, along with a custom Xbox LIVE theme, collectible “Gears of War 2” poster and a strategy guide. Containing over 3,600 Microsoft Points worth of content, the “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” is an incredible value at $19.99.

Already enjoying the previously released “Gears of War 2” collection of map packs? Available day-and-date with “Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection” via download from Xbox LIVE Marketplace, the “Dark Corners” Game Add-on will be available separately for 1,600 MS Points.

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Cool! Glad to see some single player content. More DLC for games need to do that instead of just always tossing out maps. But the pricing for this is pretty dumb.

This intrigues me. I may re-buy GoW2 for this.

wow, Ive bought only one of the dlc maps, but now idk weather I should buy the pack or just dark fronts or whatever online.

Excited for the new content but the price thing is weird.

Anyone know if the bundle is coming to the UK and how much it will cost there?

I don't really need MP maps and was planning only  to buy the Add-on, but with the same prices why not play deleted campaign chapter (and get the theme and the poster). I guess I'll have to risk that shelf space.

Good work sticking it to 'em with that last paragraph, Brad.

Too long a gap between release and announcing some interesting DLC worth keeping the game disc around for. I've already traded in my copy at this point. And the download=less content for your money issue is troubling to me.

At what point did they think putting a stealth level into a run-and-gun shooter was a good idea, and how crazy can they be to expect me to pay 1600 "points" for this separately? The only thing I would be interested in would be the single player portion, and the bar for that is pretty much set at 800 points. I love some of these big name titles like Gears of War and Halo, but the pricing they can get away with for their DLC is becoming abhorrent.

I already bought the previous two map packs. What. Fucking. Bullshit. I'm never supporting EPIC games again. Congratulations, you lost a customer.

COOL BEANS!!!

Sounds awesome, and it's awesome to see War Machine come back.  Love that map.

Found a reason to get back into Gears of War 2, without buying all of the map packs separately.

sweet, i havent bought the map packs because i didnt think they were worth it, but maybe now i will buy the pack

£14.99 in the UK

haven't played Gears 2 in a while after being letdown from the original state of multiplayer.  I got the updates but just wasn't interested in playing anymore, even though it was better.  Now with new single player DLC as well i am interested in getting and by playing the new single player part will get me more into the new mulitplayer DLC as well

I'm excited about the single-player stuff, always like some more to squeeze out of a game. Couldn't really care less about maps I don't even play the multiplayer anyways.
Yea, sounds interesting :)

hmmm, this actually sounds good.  glad I haven't bought any content yet.

 I havent bought any of the DLC for gears 2 and the idea of all maps and seven new ones along with an extra singleplayer level for CHEAP sounds awesome

 But Im confused, does this include the full campaign from Gears 2? Or will I need my current Gears 2 disc? Do I install all of this to my Harddrive? How does it work?

I just hope that they release this in EU at the same time as in US

I haven't bought any map packs yet, so this is a done deal.

Wow, this sounds like a great deal. I am in for this one.

Fuck you EPIC and your fat middle finger!!!

You know, I would be happy for this except for the fact that it's quite obvious Epic held back content.  No way would they be making that many crappy maps this fast.   They had one map pack when the game came out, another a month later, etc.
It's not like Gears 2 was screaming with content to begin with.

Hell, the mp doesn't even work right...


Anyway, it's all fine.  I technically don't even own Gears 2, I just borrow it from my neighbor a bit.  I'll probably end up buying the version that comes out with all the maps and campaign expansion

Very nice.  I'll be getting the retail version because it's the same price with more stuff.  Even though I have all the DLC maps so far.

Hopefully everyone buys the retail version.  I'm definitively getting this but they should have some Horde stuff.

This almost made me want to go buy Gears 2 again but then I remembered that they never fixed the shitty online so none of this matters.

CANNOT WAIT!!! WOOOO!

HOLY SHIT!!! I am so picking this up!

As one of those who bought both the DLC map packs, the fact that I apparently wasted $20 is a little disappointing, but it's about time that we got some singeplayer DLC for Gears. With most games these days using DLC as a means of simply adding more multiplayer maps, including extra singleplayer content is a great trend imo, even if it's not necessarily significant (i.e. the Saints Row 2 DLC)

Still though it all brings us back to the fact that this type of DLC (specifically multiplayer map packs) will always be overpriced because the audience that the DLC aim for are people who want to get the content right away and hence are willing to pay the extra money. I have a feeling that by the time this new DLC/retail disc comes out, the previous two DLC packs may become free (since no one, I hope, will be dumb enough to buy them at that time).

I'm not paying $20 for this.

I already paid $60 for the "Gears of War 2 beta"

Basically hardcore Gears 2 players are being charged the same for new maps as they have been all along, while newcomers to Gears 2 DLC are receiving an incredible amount of content for free (with purchase of new content).  They could have at least set a $5 difference between the retail and online offerings to make it less baffling.

Great! Here's what it'll be like in Australia:

Glad I haven't bought any DLC for GoW2. I haven't really gotten into the multi-player side of it. I'll probably get this and give it a whirl. If you don't want to pay $20 for it then you don't have to. It's not like anyone is holding a gun to your head.

Finally someone thought about retail disc DLC. This is the only way I can have those maps cause I can't dl them in my region which sucks as hell. Anyways, for $20 it's one hell of a deal.

Pricing is bananas

I think it's important to note in this that it says a new CHAPTER for the campaign.  Chapters in this game usually last around 15 minutes, not to be confused with an Act.

How many hours of gameplay do you expect from "Dark Corner" SP Add-on? 

Looks pretty nice I'm going to have to buy this...

I was thinking about getting some of the Gears 2 stuff after I wrap up Broken Steel.  Guess I'll just wait a bit longer and save quite a bit of money.

Awesome.

"a big middle finger to someone who did spend a bunch of money on them already"

Yep, pretty much. If the online DLC were 1200 points ($15) it would be fine, at least people wont feel ripped off.

Sweet, for 20 bucks ima just buy this even though i already own the game.

The Multiplayer online is still messed up how about you fix the original game you shipped first.

"As one of those who bought both the DLC map packs, the fact that I apparently wasted $20 is a little disappointing, but it's about time that we got some singeplayer DLC for Gears. With most games these days using DLC as a means of simply adding more multiplayer maps, including extra singleplayer content is a great trend imo, even if it's not necessarily significant (i.e. the Saints Row 2 DLC)Still though it all brings us back to the fact that this type of DLC (specifically multiplayer map packs) will always be overpriced because the audience that the DLC aim for are people who want to get the content right away and hence are willing to pay the extra money. I have a feeling that by the time this new DLC/retail disc comes out, the previous two DLC packs may become free (since no one, I hope, will be dumb enough to buy them at that time)."

This further proves my point that DLC for consoles is overpriced and stupid. I can't believe people actually pay for silly map-packs and such but unfortunately that's the trend these days. Maybe I'm just a cynical PC gamer at heart who is used to being able to download tons of maps, add-ons and mods for my games for FREE but I don't like the direction the industry is taking one bit.

The retail disc actually seems like a release with some value to it that might actually be worth buying someday. It's always worth waiting for good deals or bundles!

Dang i must just have to dust off My Xbox 360 now...

"I already bought the previous two map packs. What. Fucking. Bullshit. I'm never supporting EPIC games again. Congratulations, you lost a customer.

Stupid fucking Cliffy B. Go hump a tree you douche!

"