Vitals – System: Xbox 360// Release Date: September 20, 2011 // ESRB: Mature // Genre: Third Person Shooter // Developer: Epic Games // Publisher: Microsoft Studios
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“The Cole Train runs on whole grain baby. Whooo!”
A stand of Cole promoting some brand of whole grain bread is just one of the neat little Easter eggs you can find in Gears of War 3 while playing Cole Augustus a.k.a Cole Train. Yes that's right, you actually get to play as Cole Train this time around and see the game from another Gears perspective, but it’s not all about the former Thrashball MVP. This third instalment answers a few very important, very unanswered questions left over from the past two games.
If you were like myself, turning the Lambant Brumak into dust at the end of the second GOW left a ton of unfinished matters involving well… pretty much everything story related. Now we finally get answers“Bout damn time.” The story is a masterpiece although there are times when it feels a little rough. The game does a great job of showing just how weathered each Gear has become over the last few years and the effects the whole war it starting to have on them.
The characters in this game aren't the usual hulk like killing machines we've been so used to. They actually show emotional response to situations in the game which is great as I found myself being more connected now then I ever was in the past. I especially found myself with a lump in my throat when Cole visits his home town and relives memories of his former Thrashball stardom, or when Dom visits the grave of his wife Maria. Who later then sacrifices himself so the rest of his squad can escape the Lambant forces quickly over taking the remaining Gears.
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Aside from great story, game mechanics and amazing combat you can really tell Epic brought their A game to this instalment. The graphics are intense, vibrant and really showcase just what the Unreal engine is capable of. The textures are excellent and the shadows are phenomenal from mid to far range but get a little rough when you get up close. The Gears move smoothly and hurdle over obstacles without a hitch, however at times I did have some problems ducking into cover from the roadie run which forced me to stop running and then manually manoeuvre into cover. Once into cover everything was mint, going from blind fire to looking down the sights and firing was so much fun. I am a HUGE fan of the sniper rifle in this game so being able to pop up zoom and blast a few heads off then duck back down was immensely fun.
There are an abundance of new lambant enemies along with a few new locus with all the old ones still hassling you. One of the most interesting things I like with the enemies in GOW3 is the idea of both sides struggling. The locust and lambant are now using whatever weapons they can find, which usually turns out to be old Gears weapons that were used in the Pendulum Wars such as old Lancers with bayonets instead of chainsaws. One of the coolest examples are turrets made of strung together Lancers.
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I've never been a fan of the multiplayer but with other game modes like an improved Horde and co-op Beast mode which allows you play as Locust, you'll never run out of things to do. I’ve only had the opportunity to play a little of each with single player but I loved every minute of it and can't wait to jump back in again with some of my friends.
Long story short, Gears of War 3 is by far the best of the franchise and one of the most entertaining games I've ever played. With a ton of play options you'll never get bored with the game and with graphics that really set the bar it's hard not to come back time and time again. I'm on my third play through, this time with a friend and I'm still being blown away. Do yourself a favour and go get the game you won't be disappointed. It definitely deserves a spot on the shelf.
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Rating 9/10