Gears of War

Gears of War is a video game that consists of 11 releases

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Gears of War is a tactical sci-fi shooter from Epic Games. The player controls Marcus Fenix, a COG soldier who fights off the Locust invaders.

Overview

Gears of War is a third person shooter developed by Epic Games for the Xbox 360. Receiving tremendous critical acclaim and various awards from multiple publications, Gears of War quickly became one of the most successful titles on the Xbox 360, selling more than 4 million copies worldwide since its launch in November of 2006. The game was later released for the PC with Games for Windows - LIVE supportalong with new game modes, multiplayer maps and other additional content. A sequel titled Gears of War 2 is scheduled to be released in November of 2008 and the rights to a film adaptation have been acquired by New Line Cinema.

Plot

Prior to the events of Gears of War, the humans of Planet Sera knew the illusion of peace. Humans thrived, for a time, but a lack of energy sources led to battles for 'Immulsion', a valuable fluid found deep within the planet. These battles, called the Pendulum Wars, continued for years among the various civilizations until a military body called the Coalition of Ordered Governments, also known as the COG, took control of the population.

Unknown to the Coalition, an allied civilization of monstrous subterranean species were living in secret beneath the surface, plotting the ultimate destruction of mankind. Known as "The Locust Horde," the fearsome creatures revealed themselves, attacking the planet's largest cities and slaughtering billions of people. This event is known as Emergence Day.

The Delta Squad

Gears of War begins 14 years after Emergence Day. The player controls Marcus Fenix, a former COG solider who has been imprisoned for abandoning his post in a failed attempt to rescue his father, scientist Adam Fenix. Loyal friend and former squad mate Dominic Santiago discovers that Locust forces have begun an assault on the maximum security prison where Marcus is being held. After helping Marcus escape, the two join Kim and Carmine to form Delta Squad, a unit with the special mission of deploying a "Lightmass Bomb" to destroy the Locusts and their underground habitat. First, however, they must find a mapping device called a resonator so that the bomb will work properly. Delta suffers casualties along the way, with both Kim and Carmine being killed in action, but members of nearby Alpha Squad, Augustus Cole and Damon Baird, join Marcus and Dom. After facing such tasks as killing a female locust and fending off the Kryll, the group arrives at an old Immulsion extracting facility to put an end to the Locust Horde once and for all.

Venturing through the locust ridden facility and arriving underground, Marcus and Dom are separated from their new comrades. After defeating a large spider-like locust creature called a Corpser, the two squads regroup and finally deploy the resonator. Minutes later they are informed that the resonator failed to map all of the tunnels. Later though, they discover that the data necessary to deploy the bomb rests in a secret laboratory hidden within the home of Adam Fenix.

Delta team heads towards the Fenix estate and encounters much Locust resistance along the way. At one point during the long trek, the team has to take a detour through an old abandoned greenhouse, in which they encounter another Berserker. After a trying battle with the behemoth, the team exits the greenhouse and makes their way to the Fenix estate, only to find that Locust have infested the mansion. After defeating the Locust, the team find a secret passage into Adam Fenix's laboratory, where the tunnel information lies. Leaving Jack to download the info, Delta defends against a small Locust siege on the mansion. Jack finishes the download and the squad rushes towards their vehicle. They make a desperate escape, as they are chased by a gargantuan Brumak (a large, dinosaur-like form of Locust)

Outrunning the Brumak, the team heads towards a train station. This station is running a train that the COGS can use to deploy the lightmass bomb, which will eradicate all Locust in the tunnels in that sector of the planet. Unfortunately Marcus and Dom are the only ones able to make it on the train. They battle their way from car to car, encountering many Reavers, and yet another Beserker. When they make it to the end of the train, they find the Locust General RAAM lying in wait for them. After a epic battle with the extraordinarily powerful foe, Marcus and Dom deploy the Lightmass bomb and barely make it on to the COG rescue helicopter. The train crashes into a lake that connects the tunnels, and the Lightmass bomb explodes, exterminating the Locust in the tunnels. The game ends as a mysterious female voice promises that the Locust will not stop until every last human is destroyed.

Gameplay

Gears of War features an over-the-shoulder camera which makes for a more intense in-the-action perspective. The game makes heavy use of a cover mechanic, allowing players to hide behind objects, fire blindly from safe positions, or pop out to take aimed shots as the opposition with the pull of a trigger. This cover system, while popularized by Gears of War, appeared in previous games, such as 2003's kill.switch, a PlayStation 2 and Xbox release from Namco. Regardless of its origin, its use in Gears of War has proven to be quite influential, with many modern 3rd person action games utilizing the over-the-shoulder mechanic. Epic's Cliff Bleszinski has stated multiple times he was inspired from Resident Evil 4.
The checkpoint-based campaign can be played alone or with an additional player, either locally or online. This online-enabled co-operative play has also proven to be quite popular, and while Gears of War certainly wasn't the first game with online co-op, its popularity has made the feature far more common in more recent titles.

The game originally featured 5 chapters, but the PC version, which came out after the Xbox 360 version, featured an extra chapter in which the player was being chased by a Brumak. This was originally intended to be in the Xbox 360 version but Epic Games, the developer, ran out of time and was forced to release the game without the level.Gears of War also has a complete multiplayer component for up to eight players; two teams of four. The multiplayer mode utilizes this same style of cover-based combat, though with weapons like the shotgun and the ability to chainsaw enemies in half encourages players to get up close and personal. Multiple map packs have been released for the Xbox 360 version. These maps, along with some additional campaign sections found their way into the PC version of the game, which also contained mod tools.

There are 4 different modes in multiplayer for Gears of War. One of which was added by a patch. They are:

Warzone

A chainsaw kill

A typical deathmatch with rounds similar to those found in the Counter-Strike series. The players spawn as either the

Locust or the COG on opposite sides of the map. It works with a last team standing mechanic; the team of the last man alive wins. Rounds can be called a draw by having players kill each other at the same time or running out the time limit. The team that gets to the host's preset round win count wins.

Execution

Execution is similar to Warzone in that combat is identical. The difference is that a player has to be near their target to kill them. The simplest way to do this is by chainsawing or head-stomping an enemy. Unlike the other modes, self-revival is possible, though after being downed three times, a player will die and be out for the round.

Assassination

Point blank with a shotgun

In this mode each team has a player controlled leader. Those players will be made into "Colonel Hoffman" for theCOG team and General RAAM for the Locust. The goal is to kill the leader of the opposite team for the round-win. The player who killed the leader of the opposing team will be the leader for his team the next round while the highest scoring member of the losing team become the leader for the next round. Also the leader of the team is the only one who can pick up the more dangerous weapons like the Longshot Sniper Rifle and the rocket launcher. After a leader equips a larger weapon he can drop it for the usage of the other members of his team.

Annex

This mode was added with a patch. It has a King of the Hill mechanic where the teams must capture points around the map, within the game unlimited respawns apply unlike the other game modes, making it a more fast paced game type. Only one location will appear at a time. Once your team has captured the location with no other enemies in it, the capturing team will gain points. If a member of the opposite team tries to capture it your team will no longer get points until that enemy is removed. 60 points are available in each location and after those are taken, the location will reset. Once the host's limit is reached the round is over.

Weapons

Hammerburst

The standard assault rifle used by the Locust. This gun packs a punch although it only fires in short bursts.

Lancer Assault Rifle

The standard rifle used by the COG. This gun can send a steady of bullets and is fairly accurate. Instead of just a regular melee attack this rifle has a chainsaw bayonet at the bottom which makes it a versatile weapon. It has good range and is deadly up close.

Gnasher Shotgun

At close range this shotgun is devastating and can blow enemies to bits.

Torque Bow

The torque bow is carried by the Locust Theron Guard. Holding on the fire button causes the bow to tighten and gain power allowing it to pierce enemies and stick to them, after which the arrows will explode.

Boomshot

Carried by the massive Locust Boomers, this grenade launcher does what it name implies. This gun does not get dropped often and so there actually only a few times it can be used and even then there is often not enough ammo.

Boltok Pistol

This is a very powerful magnum pistol and with a few well placed shots can totally annihilate the enemy and split them into pieces.

Hammer of Dawn

When the gun is fired, a laser is dropped from a satellite overhead and will devastate anything unfortunate enough to be hit by it. This weapon is the only way to damage some of the larger creatures such as the Berserkers and the Seeders. Although this is very powerful weapon it can only be used when outside.

Longshot Sniper Rifle

This sniper rifle is extremely powerful but has a very slow reload rate and so can leave you at a disadvantage if you miss. Headshots will often result in the enemies head exploding into tiny pieces. Also the active reload instantly downs you with one shot above the waist.

Soundtrack

The Gears of War soundtrack was released on July 31, 2007 and was composed by Kevin Riepl who has previously worked on Unreal tournament 2003 and Unreal Championship.

Gears of War
14 Years After E-Day
Jacinto Prison
Attack of the Drones
Embry Square
Fish in a Barrel
House of Sovereigns
Minh's Death
Entering the Tombs
Tomb of the Unknown
Erhyra Streets I
Erhyra Streets II
Miserable Wretches
Stay in the Light
Chap's Gas Station
Fill 'er Up at Chap's
I Will Kryll You
Locust, Wretches & Kryll
Imulsion Mines
East Barracade Academy
The Fenix Estate
Locus Infestation
Hidden Lab
Running with Boomers
Oh the Horror
Train Wreck - Locust Theme
Train Ride to Hell
Gears of War Reprise

Refresh

Epic later released a Gears of War "Refresh" version of the Xbox 360 game starting at $39.99. This version contains two discs. The first one is identical to the original release, while the second disc compiles all of the downloadable maps that have been released through Xbox Live.

PC System Requirements

Minimum System Requirements:

Operating System: Windows Vista or Windows XP
Processor : 2.4 GHz Intel or 2.0 Ghz AMD
RAM : 1 GB
Hard Drive : 12 GB free hard drive space
Video Card : NVIDIA GeForce 6600, ATI X700 equivalent or above
Online Multi-player: Broadband Internet Connection, Games for Windows — LIVE Gold Subscription
Keyboard & Mouse
DVD Rom Drive

Recommended System Requirements:

OS: Windows XP/Vista
Processor: Any Intel Core 2 DUO or AMD Athlon X2
Memory: 2 GB
Hard Drive: 12 GB Free
Video Card: nVidia GeForce 7600, ATI X1900
Sound Card: DirectX Compatible
DirectX: 9.0c
Online Multi-player: Broadband Internet Connection, Games for Windows — LIVE Gold Subscription
Keyboard & Mouse
DVD Rom Drive

Game Credits

Music Composer - Kevin Riepl
Lead Designer - Cliff Bleszinski
Executive Producer - Dr. Michael Capps
Producer - Ron Fergusson
Art Director - Jeremiah O'Flaherty
Lead Artist - Chris Pena
Lead Level Designer - Lee Perry
Lead Programmer - Ray Davis
Lead Animator - Roger Seto
Audio Director - Mike Larson
Voice of Dominic Santiago - Carlos Ferro
Voices of Minh, Old Man, and Johnson - Robin Atkin Downes
Voice of Damon Baird - Frederick Tataciore
Voice of Anya Stroud - Nan McNamara
Voice of Victor Hoffman - Jamie Alcroft
Voice of Augustus Cole - Lester "Rasta" Speight
Voice Casting Director - Chris Borders
Lead Animator - Roger Seto
Animator - Dan Goldman
Animator - Jose Hernandez
Animator - Daniel Godinez
Animator - Martin Leeper
Animator - Rachel Flowers
Writer - Eric Nylund
Writer - Susan O'Connor
Voice of the Locust Queen - Tyne Turner
Producer - Erika Carlson
Producer - Sam Charchian
Producer - Laura Fryer
Music - Kevin Riepl
Dialogue Editor - David Fisk
Sound Designer - Jamey Scott
Sound Re-recording Mixer - Jamey Scott
Animator - Witness Mpesha
Assistant Animator - Sam Kehoe
Assistant Animator - Alex Harris
Senior Design Director - Thomas Zuccotti
Design Director - Chris Esaki
Engineering - Wen Tien
Engineering - David Vodhannel
Level Designers - Andrew Bains
Level Designers - Jim Brown
Level Designers - Ryan Brucks
Level Designers - David Ewing
Level Designers - Ken Spencer
Level Designers - David Spalinski
Voice of Marcus Fenix - John Di Maggio
Voice of Carmine - Michael Gough
Voice of 'Myrrah' - Carolyn Seymour

Concept Art - James Hawkins

General Information Edit

Game Name	Gears of War
Platform(s)	Mac Xbox 360 PC
Publisher(s)	Microsoft Game Studios
Developer(s)	Epic Games People Can Fly
Genres	Add a new genre Action Shooter
Themes	Add a new theme Horror Sci-Fi Modern Military Post-Apocalyptic
Original US Release	Nov. 7, 2006 need a fuzzy date?
Original US Release	know the real date?
Aliases	GoW Gears GeoW
OFLC	OFLC: MA 15+
BBFC	BBFC: 18
ESRB	ESRB: M
CERO	CERO: Z

Trivia

The cut scene at the end of the first act shows you driving away from the exploding gas station. While driving away you run over a locust enemy, which one do you run over?