Gears of War 2

This game is really brilliant, the main characters are back in an even bigger and far better storyline than the previous game. This in my own humble opinion is the best gears of war game with its really great storytelling, brilliant antagonists like skorge, the rift worm and more....they really gotta remake this game, they already remade the first one, why not this game.

After a decisive victory over the vile General RAAM, Marcus and co are taking a breather. But the Locust Horde were not defeated and so they returned with a vengeance on humanity. However, there is an even greater threat from below.

I can't describe into words how enraptured and exhilarated I was when I played Gears of War 2. Twice the action, twice the suspense, twice the plot and character development with some fresh faces thrown into the mix and terrific voice acting to boot. This game is like a Hollywood action movie on steroids. GoW2 is simply MUCH BETTER than it's predecessor in every way, shape, and form. The story is much better and coherent than Gears of War, making you care more for the characters and the game. This was sorely absent in GoW, which despite having impressive game-play and graphics, never really made you emotionally invested in the game. Not so here.

More importantly is the length. While the first game was rather short, the second game really gives you more bang for your buck. This is evidenced by having a more thorough single-player campaign which can also be played Co-OP. For those that don't know, that's like two players tackling the single-player at the same time. Not the most convenient feature but if you got some buddies around, then it's a blast from there.

In addition to Co-Op, you can also play death-match online not just with buddies, but also online anytime, anywhere in the world. There's a new mode known as Horde. Similar to Firefight in the Halo series, this mode lets you mow down as much Locust Horde as you can and form teams to take them down.

Speaking of action, this game has it in spades with dozens of wonderful action set-pieces sprinkled impressively throughout. One moment you're defending a hospital of wounded soldiers from enemy forces, another has you defending a roving transport from not just ground enemies, but aerial threats as well. I'm not going to spoil anymore surprises but lets just say that as you progress in the middle and near the end of the campaign, things REALLY get a LOT crazier and crazier.

Visually, the game features even more detail than GoW1. Powered by the impressive Unreal Engine, the game is able to display more realistic physics and animation to unprecedented levels. Your jaw will drop more than once as creatures and characters come to life in painstaking detail the likes of which has never been seen before. And it helps to have a nice, big-screen HD TV to truly witness the marvel of Gears of War 2. The game's atmosphere, combined with fantastic sound, really gives you the feeling of being in an epic war against a brutal and savage enemy and you will feel rather emotional at a crucial part in the game.

I'd say Gears of War 2 is a much better sequel to the sleeper hit of 2006; a superbly made cinematic action game that has oodles of gravitas and raw blood-soaked carnage. If you're new to the franchise, I suggest you pick up GoW and Gears of War 2: Collector's Edition. Only a fool would miss out on one of the greatest sci-fi gaming epics of this generation of video games.

10 out of 10 - Brutality with a Broken Heart

If Gears of War was the thunderous introduction, then Gears of War 2 was the emotional core hidden beneath the carnage. Still thunderous, still brutal - but now with soul. Epic Games doubled down on everything that made the original work: the weight of combat, the grit of its world, and the camaraderie between soldiers. But this time, they added something unexpected - heartbreak.

Story: Deeper Into the Abyss

War with the Locust Horde has escalated. Cities are literally sinking into the ground. The COG launches a desperate counterattack into the Hollow - the underground network where the Locust thrive.

You're back as Marcus Fenix, leading Delta Squad into the belly of hell. But while the stakes are global, the personal stories hit even harder.

Dom's search for Maria, his missing wife, adds a raw emotional core. When he finally finds her - or what's left of her - it's one of the most gut-wrenching scenes in any video game, period. It's not just war anymore. It's loss, regret, pain. You feel it. You live it.

Gameplay: Bigger, Meaner, Better Refined Combat: Cover mechanics are sharper. Weapons feel more responsive. The Lancer still sings its blood-soaked song.

New Enemies: Bloodmounts, Tickers, and the terrifying Skorge elevate the battlefield chaos.

Massive Set Pieces: Riding a Brumak? Fighting inside a giant riftworm that swallows entire cities? Gears 2 was pure spectacle, executed with confidence.

Horde Mode: A game-changer. 50 waves of enemies. Increasing difficulty. Pure survival. It's a mode that became a staple of multiplayer shooters for years.

Multiplayer & Co-op

Whether you were chainsawing Locust in campaign co-op, coordinating in Horde mode, or battling online in classic execution matches, Gears 2 delivered relentless multiplayer thrills.

Meatshield mechanics added strategy.

Maps like River and Jacinto became instant classics.

Team-based play emphasized grit and coordination.

Visuals & Audio

Even more cinematic than its predecessor, Gears 2 turned up the volume on destruction and detail. The Hollow felt alive with danger. The skies over Sera told a story of a planet tearing itself apart.

The sound design, again, is top-tier: the thud of the Torque Bow, the cry of a downed squadmate, the quiet devastation in Dom's voice - it all lands.

Why It's a 10 Powerful emotional storytelling Combat that's tighter, deadlier, and more satisfying One of the most iconic gut-punch moments in video game history A multiplayer revolution with Horde mode Escalation of scale without sacrificing soul

Final Verdict

10 out of 10. A masterpiece of war and emotion.

Gears of War 2 is more than just a sequel. It's the heart of the franchise. It dared to make you feel in a genre known for explosions. And it pulled it off without sacrificing a shred of badassery.

It's not just about chainsaws and cover fire anymore. It's about what's left of your soul when the war drags on - and who you still have left to fight for.

Yes, this sequel to the 2006 game is explosive and very good, a bit better than the original game. The characters are back and just as wise cracking as ever and the story that unfolds is better than that of a lot of movies. The game play for the most part remains the same. You engage in a lot of fire fights where you duck and cover and shoot from the cover. A few differences in this one is that the chainsaw bayonet from the first game is used more here as I carved up a lot more enemies with it this time around. Another difference is the ability to use your downed enemies as shields. There are also more vehicles to use as you have your standard tank like vehicle and a couple of more unique ones. This game features a rather climatic ending too as well as a hint of a sequel in the future. The story has Marcus and Dom joined by some new characters and returning ones fighting the locust horde from beneath the earth once again. They have a plan to attack the locust and try to end the war with them once and for all. Along the way you have some humor as Carmine a new recruit to the Gears has some problems at first and one scene with the gang in the dark after a vehicle jump. At first I thought I did something wrong, but hearing them chat in the dark was rather funny. You also have a sad scene or two as well. So for one hell of an explosive game that is fun to play give Gears of War 2 a try. Though you really should play the first one so you know the whole story.

Greetings from Lithuania.

I played "Gears of War 2" (2008) for the first time in 2022. So my experience with the game isn't fresh so to speak. But considering that this is not 14 years old game, and games unlike movies do age in my opinion, this was a fantastic game. I loved the shooting mechanics, story was solid, and i like characters in this one. Great settings, interesting level design and one hellova blockbuster shooter game. Excellent in my opinion!