I played Gears of War yesterday in a 15 minute session of 4on4 over a network in a private booth for over 18's only and thought where better to share my views...
So... It was awesome! I was excited going in and my initial impressions of the graphics just sitting there (whilst the controls were being explained) were pretty much jaw-dropping. I can catagorically say that the latest lot of screenshots haven't been doctored, it does look THAT good. But, it wasn't a 15minute sit-and-stare viewing, it was gaming! So, with the controls explained (and very simple they are) I went in! It was Humans vs Aliens and by pure luck I got the main character who looks excellent, but so do all the others, especially the aliens.
It was a relatively small map, scattered with burned out cars, steps up and down and some sniper spots. First impressions were that it was very well designed with some stunning graphical effects using texture maps, you know it's running on one hell of an engine and it does it all without skipping a beat, there was not one ounce of frame-skipping or slow-down during firefights and these are a sight to behold, believe me! You begin with 4 weapons, all of which are chosen using the d-pads 4 directions, these were the Machine Gun, Shotgun, Pistol and some chain weapon (which I never had time to discover what to do). There are also weapons lying around the map which you can pickup (though you must drop one to pick one up). As you fire smoke appears, not like smoke you've seen before, it's fully volumetric, you lose your vision and your opponent can escape (and it's gloriously rendered, again without slowdown). You also have a 5th weapon, the chainsaw which is activated using the 'B' button on the controller and all I can say is that it's a little gruesome and it soon became clear why this was in a private 18's only booth when games like Rainbow Six: Vegas were on public show.
When your opponents are shot down in a glorious fountain of blood and guts you then have the option to shoot them a little more, or, truly end them (before their teammates revive them) using the 'Curb Stomp'. Think American History X and you've pretty much got it, a heavy right foot and no more head, it's gross, it's gory, it's disgusting... it's AWESOME.
Now, the controls I would assume are worrying some people (as console FPS games always do) but I couldn't fault them, the sensitivity was spot on (though I don't know if this is changable... I only had 15 minutes man!) and the buttons nice and intuitive with all the commands in the right places. You also have the ability to run which causes a fantastic camera angle which lowers down and limits what you can see infront of you and shakes, whilst running you cannot reload or shoot, however you also don't lose any stamina. It also limits your room for movement. It balances out nicely.
The weapons in this game are all very well balanced, there was the Machine Guns, Shotguns, Chainsaws, Chain, Pistol, Sniper Rifle and Grenade Launcher that I found on this map alone, each have VERY satisfying noises when firing and you can't help but smirk as you sit, crouched against a car firing blindly over the roof at your opponent with a sawn-off shotgun. It was close quarter combat for the most part, but when it wasn't it was just as enjoyable.
We managed 5 full rounds of play in 15 minutes which was nice, I 4-manned the opponents in the 2nd round after my 3 team-mates had died, which was pretty sweet (including 2 chainsaw kills and 2 curb-stomps). Unfortunately after 15 minutes we had to go, but I can confirm that ALL 8 of the people in there are buying this game when it comes out. My friend went in hoping it would "suck ass" as he couldn't afford it, he swiftly went to NatWest and upped his overdraft so he could order the collectors edition.
If you aren't getting this game then you will be missing out on something epic, believe me. They say first impressions are everything, and on mine this was better than I was praying it would be. If the Single player game is anything like the fun I had on that 1 multiplayer map I will be extremely happy.
For anyone who wants a go, it was at the Metro Center in Gateshead near Newcastle outside Woolworths, you won't miss it, there are around 30 (or more) Xbox360 stands and a large black demountable all painted with the official Gears of War logo's. It's over 18s so take some ID and it's also by appointments, so go around the back, pick a time and you'll be given a white wristband which provides entry. It's all free of charge and you have plenty of games on stands to play whilst you wait.
Thankyou for your time,
NokkonWud
.
So... It was awesome! I was excited going in and my initial impressions of the graphics just sitting there (whilst the controls were being explained) were pretty much jaw-dropping. I can catagorically say that the latest lot of screenshots haven't been doctored, it does look THAT good. But, it wasn't a 15minute sit-and-stare viewing, it was gaming! So, with the controls explained (and very simple they are) I went in! It was Humans vs Aliens and by pure luck I got the main character who looks excellent, but so do all the others, especially the aliens.
It was a relatively small map, scattered with burned out cars, steps up and down and some sniper spots. First impressions were that it was very well designed with some stunning graphical effects using texture maps, you know it's running on one hell of an engine and it does it all without skipping a beat, there was not one ounce of frame-skipping or slow-down during firefights and these are a sight to behold, believe me! You begin with 4 weapons, all of which are chosen using the d-pads 4 directions, these were the Machine Gun, Shotgun, Pistol and some chain weapon (which I never had time to discover what to do). There are also weapons lying around the map which you can pickup (though you must drop one to pick one up). As you fire smoke appears, not like smoke you've seen before, it's fully volumetric, you lose your vision and your opponent can escape (and it's gloriously rendered, again without slowdown). You also have a 5th weapon, the chainsaw which is activated using the 'B' button on the controller and all I can say is that it's a little gruesome and it soon became clear why this was in a private 18's only booth when games like Rainbow Six: Vegas were on public show.
When your opponents are shot down in a glorious fountain of blood and guts you then have the option to shoot them a little more, or, truly end them (before their teammates revive them) using the 'Curb Stomp'. Think American History X and you've pretty much got it, a heavy right foot and no more head, it's gross, it's gory, it's disgusting... it's AWESOME.
Now, the controls I would assume are worrying some people (as console FPS games always do) but I couldn't fault them, the sensitivity was spot on (though I don't know if this is changable... I only had 15 minutes man!) and the buttons nice and intuitive with all the commands in the right places. You also have the ability to run which causes a fantastic camera angle which lowers down and limits what you can see infront of you and shakes, whilst running you cannot reload or shoot, however you also don't lose any stamina. It also limits your room for movement. It balances out nicely.
The weapons in this game are all very well balanced, there was the Machine Guns, Shotguns, Chainsaws, Chain, Pistol, Sniper Rifle and Grenade Launcher that I found on this map alone, each have VERY satisfying noises when firing and you can't help but smirk as you sit, crouched against a car firing blindly over the roof at your opponent with a sawn-off shotgun. It was close quarter combat for the most part, but when it wasn't it was just as enjoyable.
We managed 5 full rounds of play in 15 minutes which was nice, I 4-manned the opponents in the 2nd round after my 3 team-mates had died, which was pretty sweet (including 2 chainsaw kills and 2 curb-stomps). Unfortunately after 15 minutes we had to go, but I can confirm that ALL 8 of the people in there are buying this game when it comes out. My friend went in hoping it would "suck ass" as he couldn't afford it, he swiftly went to NatWest and upped his overdraft so he could order the collectors edition.
If you aren't getting this game then you will be missing out on something epic, believe me. They say first impressions are everything, and on mine this was better than I was praying it would be. If the Single player game is anything like the fun I had on that 1 multiplayer map I will be extremely happy.
For anyone who wants a go, it was at the Metro Center in Gateshead near Newcastle outside Woolworths, you won't miss it, there are around 30 (or more) Xbox360 stands and a large black demountable all painted with the official Gears of War logo's. It's over 18s so take some ID and it's also by appointments, so go around the back, pick a time and you'll be given a white wristband which provides entry. It's all free of charge and you have plenty of games on stands to play whilst you wait.
Thankyou for your time,
NokkonWud
.
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Although I may be able to get done at 4 today 
