Gears of War 3 "Forces of Nature" Unveiled

If you missed Spike's episode of GT.TV, Epic Game's Director Rod Fergusson revealed info on the final map pack for Gears of War 3 "Forces of Nature"


This pack will feature 5 maps, each with it's own "nature" based theme, 4 Character Models, 7 weapon skins, achievements a returning game mode and a very special Easter Egg for each map. Here are the details.

Aftermath
A former Government park that was hit by a tsunami, During the match there will be several earthquakes that will make it hard to aim, as well as some flooding that will cause some splashing, making it difficult to sneak up on enemies.


Artillery

What seems like a quiet abandoned military base, will "shock" you when a mighty lightning storm kicks up, then causing a mighty tornado that will kick up loads of dust and debris, blurring your vision but also your foes as well.


Cove

The Stranded took over this port after the locust invasion. There's lots of open spaces and clear shots, but the map is clouded by a dense fog that will make things harder to see from the distance. The sniper nest is a great spot but you'll have to trust your feelings for those long distance targets.


Jacinto

Returning from Gears of War 2, this was one of of my favorite maps. Once the last shining beacon of Sera's hope, The Coalition sunk this city to flood the locust hollow putting an end to the war for good, but it didn't. Things will only get worse as the map's rainstorm picks up and blinds everyone on the map. Keep you Gnasher equipped when it starts pouring.


Raven Down

A fan favorite from Gears of War, this is the smallest map in the series' history. Now returning with a chilly snow storm. Occasionally the winds will pick up impairing your vision for a while, which shouldn't be a problem considering how small this map is.


This Pack will have four new characters. Sadly. three of them are just "limited edition" recolors from Pre-Order Character Skins.

-Commando Dom (Limited Edition)
-Mechanic Baird (Limited Edition)
-Savage Grenadier Elite (Limited Edition)
-Savage Hunter


Epic made a big boo-boo with the last DLC by showing the wrong image of the Savage Marauder and left players confused when we got to guy above (3rd to the left) This is the real Savage Hunter.


Brought back by popular demand is the game mode guardian from the first two. Very Similar mode to the new Capture the Leader, One person is randomly assigned the leader (They will be Myrrah or Prescott for Locust and COG respectively). The goal of this game is to kill the enemy teams leader then the remainder of the squad. The leaders team will have infinite re-spawns until the leader is killed, then they're kaput.


This map will feature five new weapon skins ready to use, however 2 skins, which was created by the Gears community, must be unlocked through the DLC. While they haven't showed anything yet, I'm curious to see the community created ones.

For the final part of this DLC, Epic has hidden "Elemental Cleavers" on each map that can be found on Horde and Beast Mode. Each cleaver has an elemental effect including one that stirs up a blizzard and an immulsion one that will explode on impact causing an area of affect. Finding all these weapons and getting 25 kills with each of them will unlock the achievement "Elemental".

Speaking of Achievements, this DLC will have 10 new achievements worth a total of 250 Gamerscore. However non of them has been revealed yet except for the one I mentioned above.

While it's not what I was expecting, I'm glad to see Epic really listened to their fans for this one, especially since this will be the last pack available for free for season pass holders. The pack will be released on March 27th for 800 MS points to those without the Season Pass.


Another thing I should point out this will be the last map pack Epic will be releasing for Gears of War 3, good to get them all out before too many people lose interest. However this wont be the last piece of downloadable content they'll be making for the game, Chances are they are also planning to have more campaign DLC featuring Gears 2 baddie Skorge (He was confirmed to be a DLC Character a while ago) but nothing is set in stone.

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Gears gets Ready for the Big Game with the Thrashball Drone

With the Super Bowl only a few weeks away Epic games preps up with a new playlist and a brand new locust skin.

Epic has released the new "Get Gnasty" playlist today, a 20 live Team Deathmatch that starts only with Gnashers and a one shot pistol that is capable of pulling a headshot. Those with a steady aim will enjoy that perk. Also for a limited time, You can play as the thrashball drone multiplayer character, who looks pretty awesome.


This playlist and character are available now, but only for a short while so hurry!

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Skyrim and Fenix Rising Review in Progress.

Hey Guys, I haven't been doing much posts lately, Just mainly because I've been busy with work, school and my new addiction that is Skyrim. However I've just beaten the main quest and will be starting my review of 2011's game of the year.


Luckily, I've also re-upped in Gears thanks to the new Fenix Rising DLC pack and have been gaining experience all over again. I'll be doing a review of all the new maps in the pack as well. Hopefully I can find some time this weekend to start them up. Until them thanks for reading!

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Get Early Access to Fenix Rising Today!

Epic will be releasing the Gears of War 3 add-on pack "Fenix Rising" tomorrow to the public, but they're giving you the chance to gain early access to the DLC pack this afternoon.


Starting at 4 pm, the winners will be announced today on twitter plus additional winners will be announced on Rod Fergusons Live Stream later this afternoon. You can enter just by liking several of Epics pages on facebook, following them on twitter, or even show them a blog post you made just like this one! More info can be found here.

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Fenix Rising Achievements Revealed

If you're anticipating the brand new Fenix Rising DLC for Gears of War 3 I'm sure you'll be more than excited to see the list of achievements this pack has to offer. Take a look below if you're interested.

-Now They Begin to Understand: Complete 12 waves of beast on all Fenix Rising Maps
(20 points)

-Defending the Past: Complete all 50 waves of Horde on any Fenix Rising map
(25 points)

-Come to Poppa: Win a versus multiplayer match in a team of 5 Recruit Claytons (any mode)
(15 points)

-Locust, Forever: Win a multiplayer match in a team of 5 Savage Marauders (any mode)
(15 points)

-Time to Re-up: Achieve level 100 and chose to Re-up for another tour of duty
(50 Points)

-Again!: Achieve Level 100 a second time and choose to re-up for ANOTHER tour of duty
(50 points)

-I've Done it All!: Earn at least one of all 132 combat ribbons
(75 points)

Just a reminder that Fenix Rising will be released on the 17th in a couple weeks for only 800 Microsoft points, free if you have the season pass.

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Gears of War 3 Fenix Rising DLC Announced

Epic has just announced the next set of Gears of War 3 DLC, named "Fenix Rising" which will contain new maps, characters and a whole new "Re-up" system to get you hardcore gear heads a chance to keep earning experience and to show off your dedication.

Maps

- Academy: The lineage of the Fenix family can be traced back along a distinguished line of military officers. Officer training at the Oracle Academy was simply the expected path for Marcus, and he had visited the grounds many times in expectation that he would walk the same path as his ancestors. But it was not to be, and Marcus broke with tradition to be with his best friends Dom and Carlos. Like any number of fine Seran traditions, the Academy is now lost to the invasion of the Locust Horde.


-Anvil: The fortress of Anvegad was called Anvil Gate because its impenetrable walls were forged in the fires of war. Huge cannons sat atop battlements that guarded sprawling walls running the line of the UIR borders. Marcus went there to find Hoffman, and they both thought that Anvil Gate would offer protection from the incoming forces of Locust and Lambent. They were wrong, and little remains other than the ruined shell of a once mighty fortress.


-Depths: The excessive opulence of Azura defied all normal reasoning. But Adam Fenix could see the cracks in the veneer of splendor from the moment he arrived at this underwater processing center. And all that beauty mattered not at all once he was held captive by the Locust.


-Escalation: Haldane Hall has been the home of the Fenix family for countless generations. But the only history that matters to Marcus’s are his memories of warm summer evenings spent with his mother, Elain, relaxing in the estate’s gardens. Sadly, all the estate’s history and beauty was lost when the Locust destroyed it in an attempt to kidnap his father.(returning from gears 1)


-The Slab: Convicted for insubordination and treason, Marcus was incarcerated in Jacinto Maximum Security Prison. Known as “The Slab,” this prison is not a correctional facility – it’s a place where Sera’s worst offenders are locked up and forgotten. The inmates are brutal, parole is not an option, and the average life expectancy is about two years. But that was before the Locust showed up, and what couldn’t get worse, suddenly did. Now your life expectancy there is around two minutes.

Characters

Recruit Clayton

Thrasball Cole (limited edition)

Savage Marauder Drone

Savage Kantus (limited edition)

The Re-up System

This new leveling up experience will let you already Lvl 100's reset your level back to level 1, however you still keep all achievements, stats and unlocks. Much like the prestige system in Call of Duty. But it also rewards you with a new rank icon that lets lets other gears players know you've been around the block (bronze, red, green then gold). You can re-up four times and after every re-up after bronze you earn a brand new weapon skin.

-Re-up Plasma: Animated Gold Plasma (red)
-Re-up Omen: Shiny Crimson Omen (green)
-Re-Up Electric: Animated Golden Lighting Bolts (gold)

The new pack will be out very soon on January 15th and will cost 800 Microsoft Points for those who didn't purchase the season pass.

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Review: RAAM's Shadow Expansion pack

E-Day. Any fan of the Gears of War series will know the meaning that word. For those who don't, that was the day the Locust declared war against humanity. The Pendulum Wars has barely ended and the world already had to head back into the fight to face a new, even deadlier threat they will ever meet. On Emergence Day (otherwise known as E-Day) 1/3 of Sera's population was already killed by the grubs, no one was safe.

This is the biggest expansion pack that Epic has made for the series and goes in a whole new direction that they have never done before. Instead of playing as series protagonist Marcus Fenix, we step into the role of Michael Barrick, a seasoned Gear and member of Zeta Squad, who's mission is two evacuate Illima City before the locust launch their Kryll Storm throughout the entire skyline.


Their biggest problem is that General RAAM, the biggest, baddest and most brutal Locust to ever live is the one coordinating the attack. For the first time in Gears of War, we spend time fighting as the grubs, and none other than the Locust General himself.


RAAM is definitely the highlight of this DLC. Standing at ten feet tall, this monster can summon his kryll shield to attack COG soldiers and have them torn to shreds, can charge at an enemy and impale him like the retro-lancer, only the execution will be almost instant and much more painful. He even has his own execution, grabbing a downed enemy by the head (with only one arm by the way), decapitates him and tosses his head over his shoulder for good luck.

However the campaign is still 4 player co-op. The second player will control the Theron Elite who is almost as fun as RAAM. While he carries a torque bow and gorgon pistol, he also has a special sawed off shotgun with a bayonet where he impales you, then blasts you in half with a shot from the gun. He also has his own special ink grenade that summons kryll to decimate enemies. The other two will control Elite Maulers, while slow and have no gun, carries a special boomshield that can reflect bullets and their mace has a huge area of effect. The Mauler is the least fun out of the three do to being ridiculously slow and lack of a gun, however watching a COG gib himself from his own shotgun shells is pretty damn funny.


The Campaign was fun in its entirety with the new weapons, characters, and even playing as a life sized RAAM for once, and is even funner with friends. The bosses were new and challenging and it was beautiful seeing Seran architecture before the gripes of war took toll. But it's not all just campaign. There are six new multiplayer skins including Zeta squad, RAAM and his Theron Elite, a chocolate weapon skin pack and ten new achievements. Which is a lot for only 15 dollars, definitely worth the purchase.

RAAM's Shadow Review: 9/10

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The 12 Days of Gearsmas and RAAM's Shadow Problems

Some big news for the Gears of War community this weeks, some good, some bad. Let's have a look see.
First off, season pass owners have been having issues downloading the brand new RAAM's Shadow Pack today. People who own the season pass were promised that they would receive the DLC for free but would be charged if they were to download the content. Epic has adressed the issue and has advised all season pass owners NOT to download the DLC (or they will be charged a second time for it) while them and Microsoft is trying to fix the issue. I just found out on the forums though that the problem has been fixed so you Pass holders can now download the content for free.

Second, Epic is having a huge holiday event otherwise known as "The 12 Days of Gearsmas", starting tomorrow until Dec. 25th epic will be having special events during multiplayer on each day as well as bringing back old playlists as well, here is the list:

On the 1st Day of Gearsmas
Level 1 Fortifications are free
Lots of Gift Boxes
Brothers to the End on all maps playlist

On the 2nd Day of Gearsmas
Friendly Fire
Torque Bow Tag

On the 3rd Day of Gearsmas
Big Head Mutator on Can You Dig it?

On the 4th Day of Gearsmas
4 Shot Cluckshots replace Boomshots Hardcore Weekend – No rifles, gnasher/pistol only, map pickups limited to boomshot, digger, torque bow, sniper rifle. There will be NO infinite ammo mutator this time (up to the 6th)

On the 5th Day of Gearsmas Beasts on the cheap

On the 6th Day of Gearsmas
Tickers and Flame Boomers

On the 7th Day of Gearsmas
Comet Mutator turned on for KOTH Boom Snipes (to the 8th)

On the 8th Day of Gearsmas
4x XP

On the 9th Day of Gearsmas
Berzerkers on every wave and Laugh Track This Is My Rifle (to the 10th)

On the 10th Day of Gearsmas Squads of Lambent Wretches, Polyps, and Formers on every wave

On the 11th Day of Gearsmas
Snowman's heads a popping Thanksgibbing

On the 12th Day of Gearsmas
Mortars incoming- Single Shot Mortars spread throught the maps
One Shot One Kill

Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good fight!

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Sneak Preview of RAAM's Shadow!

To all my fellow Gear-heads, you will certainly enjoy this. If you missed G4's sneak peek of the Gears of War 3 RAAM's Shadow DLC last night don't fret for the internet comes to the rescue. G4 has released the preview on their website in HD. If you're experiencing problems with their video browser like I did, then you can watch the video below.



I cannot wait for this! RAAM's execution is just glorius, however I do worry for those who don't get to play as the General. The Reflective shields and Retro-Sawed Off look nice but they don't even compare to the brutality of RAAM's caliber.

Decapitate? Or crush skull in? Hmmmmmm...

However the Gears will also get a new weapon of their own. An older version of the Hammer of Dawn system where you get a birds eye view of the battlefield and launch the hammer strike on top of your enemies.

The DLC will also feature six new multiplayer skins:
-Michael Barrick
-Minh Young Kim
-Tai Kaliso
-Alicia Valera
-RAAM
-Theron Elite

Meet Zeta Squad

In addition you'll also be receiving the "chocolate" weapon skin pack, sounds delicious. RAAM's Shadow will be released next week on Dec 13th for 1200 MS points. Free if you have the season pass!

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Celebrate Thanksgiving Gear of War Style!

Tomorrow EPIC games is giving all you dedicated Gears players five new maps for the Gears of War 3 multiplayer for absolutely free!


The Gears of War booster map pack will be available tomorrow on Thanksgiving day. However to continue playing public multiplayer this pack must be downloaded. This shouldnt be a problem since it will be free at all times. The pack will come with five new maps, Three of them coming from the horde command pack that was released earlier this month. Two of them will be returning from the original Gears of War.

Clocktower
This map features a Longshot sniper rifle at the very top of the map, downwards you can pick up some frag grenades or even a boomshot to put pressure on campers.


Bullet Marsh
Stay out of the dark in this one, if you don't a Kryll swarm will attack you until you're nothing left but bone. However enemies can take out any gas lamp if you stay in the same place for too long.


However to celebrate turkeyday EPIC is making a very special playlist. The Thanksgibbing event will replace your shotgun with a special boomshot that shoots out Chickens, otherwise known as the "cluckshot". While it aint a turkey, it's close enough.

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Epic will be giving free DLC for Gears 3

Those who purchase the Gears of War 3 season pass get the Horde Command pack for free however the team at Epic will be releasing a free DLC map pack for free later this month


The Versus booster pack 1 will be available on Xbox Live on November 24th and will give us 5 new multiplayer maps. The first three will be the ones that were available on the first DLC: Azura, Rustlung and blood-drive and two Gears 1 classics: Clocktower and Bullet Marsh. However those who are just planning to get this pack will miss the extra characters, skins and fortification upgrades that was available on the horde command pack.

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Gears of War 3 RAAM's Shadow pack announced.

The Horde Command Pack hasn't even been released yet, and we are already given word on the second Gears of War 3 DLC. What's so great about this one? It has an all new campaign act! But what makes it different from Delta Squad's final chapter is that it takes place from the very beginning of the Locust-Human war AND it will feature different characters. (some new, some old)


The pack is slated to be released on December 13th for 1200 MS points and will include:

- "RAAM's Shadow" Campaign Act
- Six New Multiplayer characters
Michael Barrick
Lt. Minh Young Kim
Tai Kaliso
Alicia Valera
General RAAM
Unknown (possibly Skorge?)
- the chocolate weapon skin pack
- 250 Gamerscore worth of achievements

While some of the content is being kept under wraps. We are given juicy details on the new RAAM's Shadow act. For those who don't know, RAAM was the once respected general of the locust horde who led the attack on E Day. But was killed by Marcus and Dom in the final act of the first Gears of war game.

The story takes place right after E Day and stars Zeta squad, Led by Michael Barrick, him, Tai Kaliso, Lt. Minh Young Kim and Alicia Valera try to evacuate Ilima City during a wild Kryll Storm. It wont be easy as they will also be fighting RAAM himself.

What makes thing even more interesting is that players will be able to step into the boots of RAAM and control him for part in the campaign. A first time in Gears of War where we play campaign through the locust horde.

One last thing. On November 1st (launch of the horde command pack) EPIC will be making a big announcement concerning Multiplayer so stay tuned.

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One more Gears 3 Easter Egg

Another easter egg has been spotted in Gears of War 3, featuring more, yes you guessed it, Chickens! This one lets you play the sawed-off chicken arcade game. Luckily this one doesn't have you scouring across the whole chapter just to get it. You also get a hammer of dawn and an ammo box too. Nifty!

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New Details of first Gears 3 DLC pack

EPIC announced a while ago that the first DLC pack will be available this November, now details have emerged on the new "Horde Command pack". The new pack will add a bunch of new additions to the already massive Horde 2.0 as well as Gears 3 Multiplayer. Microsoft gave us the full details on what's in store.

Maps

Blood drive - A fan favorite from Gears of War 2, the map returns with a Gears 3 theme. Lots of high ground and tight corners make this a constant changing stage.


Rustlung - A once proud Tyran Navy Battle ship, the hulls are now riddled with bullet holes, an exposed weapons bay will lead you to an abandoned but still useable silverback.


Azura - The island hotel that was meant as an escape for Sera's top scientist has turned into a battlefield. Two parallel sniper posts overlook a heavy weapon spawn, surrounded by cover.


Fortification Upgrades

Command Center - An upgrade to the command posts, you can call in friendly sniper teams, friendly mortar strikes and even the hammer of dawn system.

Decoy Upgrade - Turn your decoy into an Onyx Guard bot that fights for you.

Sentry Upgrade - The new upgrade shoots fire bolts that deals more damage to enemies and causes damage to berserkers as well.

Silverback Upgrade - Give your mech suit deadly rockets, extra health and make it cost less money to repair it.

Characters

- Burnie
- Big Rig Dizzy
- Onyx Guard


Weapon Skins (see above image)

- Team plasma (animated)
- Jungle Camo

This new pack will cost a total of 800 MS points buuuuut, those who purchased the season pass will receive it at a discount. Excited for the new DLC? I sure am.

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Beards of War 3

Epic has put a lot of thought into Easter eggs for this one. A new one has just surfaced featuring the entire cast with beards. Yes even Anya and COG soldiers will have visible beards, and it's just too funny to pass up. Right now I have no idea how to get it but more info should be revealed soon.

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More Gears Easter Eggs! (Now with chickens)

The folks at EPIC have a weird obsession with chickens. Because two new Easter (or should I say Chicken) eggs have emerged. Both having something to do with chickens, enjoy!



The cluckshot, a boomshot that launches Chickens.


The gold lambent Chicken

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Gears 3 Easter Eggs!

I may have done the review but I'm far from done with posting news for Gears of War 3. People have already found a plethora of goodies and Easter eggs scattered across the many modes within the game. Take a look!

Cole Takes a Slide - Campaign, Act I Chapter 3


The Dancing Wretch - Checkout, multiplayer. This one is a little complicated so take a look at the video to unlock it. Thank you Rooster Teeth!


Mad World Song - Gridlock, multiplayer. this ones my favorite, just go the first whole round without destroying the remaining ashes of the citizens, the song "Mad World" by Tears for Fears will start to play.


Ticker Fight - Act II Chapter 2


Coles Baseball cap -Act I chapters 3-5


Which ones your favorite? More Easter eggs are bound to pop up within the next few weeks. So stay tuned!

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Review: Gears of War 3

Yesterday was the official launch of EPIC's Gears of War 3. And after playing the whole campaign nonstop from One in the morning at midnight launch to 8:30 and then loads of horde 2.0, Beast and Multiplayer, I have to say that this is not only the best Gears of War game, it's one of the best games of the decade.

I wanted to post it yesterday but it was 11:30 when I started do this but I was just way too tired. Spoilers are present here so if you see the alert and don't want the story to be ruined, skip it. You have been warned.


Story: SPOILER ALERT!

This isn't one of your happy go lucky video games that likes to sugar coat the story. This is war, and people will die, and you'll always lose someone close to you. And while the actual story is pretty standard, the sense of lost and desperation truly brings out everyone's true colors. It starts off with Sergeant Marcus Fenix having a nightmare about saving his father from death and failing only to wake up on the giant aircraft carrier, Sovereign and joins his friends Dominic "Dom" Santiago, Anya Stroud and Jace Stratton to meet up with the former head of the COG, Chairman Prescott, and to fend off a lambent invasion (locust that were mutated from imulsion) while Augustus Cole, Damion Baird, Clayton Carmine and Samantha Byrne try to regroup and support his squad from above. After defeating the locust, Prescott gives Marcus a disc that reveals that his Father, Adam Fenix, is still alive and holds the key to defeating the locust and lambent for good.

Were gonna need a bigger boat...

After you finish playing as Marcus you rewind back as Cole going through his mission. During this time you see Cole reminiscing about his days as a Thrashball star, showing that even under all that swag, Cole yearns to go back to those days when things were normal. Then it leads to where we left off as Marcus as all of Delta Squad reunite. The story ties well together while also paying and homage to Pulp fiction for the first act.

So now Marcus sets off to find his father who is located on a secret resort known as Azura. However it will not be easy, as the locust and lambent are constantly running into them and finding the necessary resources are scarce. During this time you'll be constantly switching weapons, struggling for ammo to make you feel like you have to do anything an take anything just to survive, adding to the experience.

As I said, this is war and people WILL die. As Marcus and Dom head into Tyrus to get fuel when things head for the worst. Delta squad gets surrounded by swarms of enemies leaving them little to do. In order to save everyone, Dom sacrifices himself by driving a truck into a giant fuel tanker, destroying all the locusts and lambent. Marcus is devastated at the loss of his best friend but as much as he wants to take the time mourn his death knows that the mission comes first.

As they finally reach Azura and his father, Adam Fenix tells them that imulsion is a living parasite that infects all life and that the Locust started the war with the humans because the lambent were driving them away from their home in the hollows. Now the only thing left to do is for the to send the "cure" to destory the lambent parasite that will also destroy the locust (they are too infected to be saved). However, Adam loses his life due to testing the cure on himself by exposing himself to high doses of imulsion. Marcus lost his best friend and his father, with that the last thing he does is drives his dagger straight into the locust Queen's heart, ending the war once and for all.

While the story was nothing special the character development was strong. Showing us that even gritty soldiers like Marcus can still feel pain. And one more thing for gears fans, Carmine survived through the game.

Story Grade: B+

Sound: SPOILER ALERT!
Gotta love the sound of a head popping like a watermelon. Gears 3 provides some amazing sound effects that enrich the games experience. All the weapons have there own unique sound, grenades have different signals so you know which one is about to activate and when human/locust/lambent flesh burns, tears, explodes and pops, music to my ears.

A symphony of screams.

Speaking of music, the score is brilliantly orchestrated with amazing detail. All the right notes are hit just right when they want to hit the right emotions. For example, the scene where Dom dies has a beautiful piano solo that really makes you wanna cry. I cried when it happened.

The characters are all brilliantly voice acted, not just in the campaign but on the battlefield as well. Whether it's a battle cry when charging with a retro lancer of getting burned to cinders, the all make the right sounds. Marcus Fenix is played by my favorite voice actor, John Dimmagio, and delivers his best performance in the Gears of War trilogy, giving Marcus depth in his character.

My one problem? Something that was present in all Gears games is whenever someone got headshot, sometimes they'd still make some scream or dying breath despite losing their entire head. Something small, but not something Sam Australian accent (which is real) couldn't make up for it.

Sound Grade: A

Graphics:

The best looking Gears game there is. The first two had just bland mixtures of gray, brown and red, nothing that really popped out. In Gears of War 3, it's a whole new ballpark. The environment was enriched with beautiful color and lighting. Skies were a brilliant blue rather than a musty gray and there was luscious green grass.

Character, enemy and weapon models were more vibrant and popped out, making them more discernible and feel like they're separate from the environment. The tac-com (tactical-communicator) also received a visual boost. Not only can you spot your allies more efficiently, you can also see where all the weapon spawns are in the map. The enviornment is laced with lovely detail, shooting sand will cause it to fly up. The same goes for water. Pumpkins, squashes and other livestock will explode when you fire your weapon too. And chickens will burst into feathers and blood if you shoot them or charge them with your retro-lancer.

And lets not forget the blood. Lots and lots of beautiful, gory, red blood. You can get a good look of innards if you chainsaw some one, see a blood fountain with a headshot, or even fill em' up with fire and watch it spew it from their orifices.

Can't take the heat? Get out of the kitchen.

Graphics Grade: A

Gameplay:

Gears of War revolutionized 3rd person shooters with its use of the cover system thanks to the unreal engine. Gears of War 2 just added some new weapons but nearly ended the franchise due to it's horrible online connectivity. Gears of War 3 evolved the original formula to bring you the funnest Gears game to be made. Not only are there many ways and weapons to kill people, they're all fun as hell.

The campaign takes about 8 hours to complete making it the longest campaign in the trilogy. It is also the funnest. One of the more notable changes to it is that ammunition is scarce, adding a heightened sense of struggling and makes you worry and think what you have to do next. Every shot counts. Next is that team work is key to winning. This can be done with computers but having 3 other people with you makes it even funner. Also you'll won't always be just shooting. Some segments will require someone to control a forklift-like mech to deliver goods to the remaining Gears. While you or someone is driving, the others will have to keep him safe while the lambent attack you all. Plenty of action sequences are there adding to the fun. One part you get to escape a burning building by zip lining to another while mowing down enemies with your pistol or speeding down a highway shooting a reaver swarm with a troika turret. These truly add a cinematic experience to the campaign.

The multiplayer has received a major, well deserved upgrade. With its use of dedicated servers, the game runs smoothly with hardly and lag, making the shotgun the powerhouse it used to be. The new Team Deathmatch makes games last longer, now we no longer have to wait for the next round to respawn. All the new weapons are fun and diverse, as well as the old ones. Even though it takes a while to unlock the executions, they're well worth it. Not only can you take a downed enemy as a meat-shield, you can stick a frag away and kick him onto on coming enemies that are trying to flank you and watch it explode in their face.

The new and improved Horde 2.0 takes a little while to understand, but the results are amazing. Using your points that you receive from killing enemies, assists or even healing your teammates can be used to purchase ammo, power weapons, barricades, dummies, turrets sentries and even a Silverback. And after every 10 waves a boss wave will happen putting those upgrades to good use. Those bosses could range from a swarm of reavers, giant lambent monsters, 2 beserkers and even a brumak! And after each boss wave your enemies will only get stronger so get ready for one hell of a fight.

The new beast mode is the most diverse out of the new mode but unfortunately it fails to stand up to the other modes. While being one of the locust grubs can be fun the game is very short, lasting only twelve waves. You can control a variety of beasts from a ticker, a real sized kantus, a corpser and a beserker. While it is fun, it gets pretty old after a while.

Gameplay Grade: A+

Replay Value:

With hundreds of ways and modes to kill, kill, kill that I already explained above, this game will certainly last you a long time. Why do you want to keep playing? Because there are so many things to unlock, from weapon skins, characters, medals and even executions. Also because of the games smooth, tactical gameplay and how fun it is playing with friends. This game keep you begging for more. (That's what DLC is for)

Replay Value: A-

Cliff Blezinski knew what he needed to do to save Gears of War 3 from the same fate Gears 2 faced. And he executed it perfectly with one of the most exciting and fun games of the decade. Any Gears of War fan will be crazy not to enjoy this game, and anyone who's never picked one up should head over to the nearest game store to pick up this copy. Gears of War 3 is a must have for any 360 owner.

Overall Grade: A

I want you... to buy this game.

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Hot Topic Gears Of War 3 Giveaway

Microsoft and Hot Topic have teamed up to bring Gears of War fans a chance to snag one hell of an exclusive offer just by entering a contest on Hot Topic's Facebook page.

Three lucky winners will be able to receive the following:

• A custom Gears of War Xbox 360 console and two custom controllers
• Gears of War 3 Xbox 360 game
• A Gears of War Triple Pack, which includes Gears 1, Gears 2 and all the Gears 2 DLC
• A Gears of War T-shirt
• 1600 Microsoft Points card and a 12-Month Xbox LIVE Gold Membership

That's definitely worth  entering your name, e-mail, phone number and age, so get to it if you haven't already. Or don't do it, just gives me more of a chance to win.

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