Bit-Tech: Gears of War 2 Hands-on Preview

Joe Martin writes:

"There's a simple way to look at this and that's to say that Gears of War 2 is essentially just the same as Gears of War. All the things that made the first game annoying are here too, as are all the things which made Gears good the first time around. Obviously the good still far outweighs the bad, but the brilliance of them is dulled somewhat by the fact that we've seen them all before."

[jkhan]

That was the worst preview I have read about this game so far. Oddly enough as far as I have seen from the game videos is that it has improved alot in almost all department. People complaining about the graphics not being great are stupid. Its the best looking game on 360. Even original gears was an astounding beautiful game, you cannot deny that. It literally defined how the next gen games will look like.

[Monchichi025]

This isn't just for this article, but for a lot of articles in general. It really irks me when a sequel comes out and people say they don't Enjoy the game because it seems too much like the Original!!! Well “DUH” !!!!

Of course the Great games will play like the original because the First Games were Great! Why would they go and reinvent the wheel if they don’t have too? Imagine how pissed the previous fans would be if they changed the backbone of what they enjoyed. I know I would! I buy a sequel because I want more of the same.

If the original wasn’t good, I can understand why it needs major changes. you would have to make HUGE improvements to convince people to give it another shot. I mean if it was bad then, you would be dumb to think it would be good now.

Just wanted to get that off my chest!

[Kratos Spartan]

Just because someone has a different opinion than yours doesn't make them stupid. Go back to school, kid.

[zimbo007]

--"The first game managed to become successful based on the awesome graphics, solid performance, enjoyable multiplayer and accessible singleplayer. From what we’ve seen, all of that is still there, but it hasn’t matured or truly grown and the result is that this feels much more like Gears of War 1.1 than Gears of War 2. "

[CR7JUVE1897]

More of the same is such a bad thing, especially when it comes to Gears of War.

[Software_Lover]

A gears of War RTS? Or maybe an RPG? You're finishing the story of the first Gears. They have put more into this game than the first one. Really not all that much you could change about it. Graphics were great. Gameplay was great. Online was great. Its hard to change any of that without changing the core of the game.

[aceitman]

and i love the 1st it was a graphic hog game the best ive seen but if they said its going to be bigger better more badass than i dont see 5 on 5 being bigger badass graphics dont look that much better besides alittle more red i mean look at the difference from resistance 1 and 2 its a big difference in detail and graphics and mutliplayer 60 im not putting it down i just expected a lot more bigger and badass. cliffy b i am 2 a little disappointed but im still going to get it its the best graphics on the 360 .

[Software_Lover]

Yes but look at Resistance 1 and look at Gears 1. Resistance is a decent game (I still have it and played it some more yesterday), but it had more improvements to make than Gears did. Especially on the Graphics side.

And Gears isn't a 60 vs 60 style game. Im sorry its not. Now you could make that Argument for Halo 3 or any Halo game for that matter but Not for Gears. Gears isn't made to be large # of players on large maps. But to each his own. Everyone has their own opinion.

[Veryangry_xbot]

Gears of war 1.5 = same old, same old.

Resistance 2 = BIGGER, BETTER, and MORE BADASS than Gays at war 1.5

RESISTANCE 2 is SCALE BEYOND the 3rd60.
Gears of war cant even pull of 1/10th of the scale of R2.

[King Me]

This is just one preview,but if it really is too same-y as Gears 1,then I don't think we'll see a lot of perfect scores for Gears 2.

[zimbo007]

"The first game managed to become successful based on the awesome graphics, solid performance, enjoyable multiplayer and accessible singleplayer. From what we’ve seen, all of that is still there, but it hasn’t matured or truly grown and the result is that this feels much more like Gears of War 1.1 than Gears of War 2. "

ROFL

Gears 1.1

[Freezingduck]

"the brilliance of them is dulled somewhat by the fact that we've seen them all before.""the brilliance of them is dulled somewhat by the fact that we've seen them all before.""the brilliance of them is dulled somewhat by the fact that we've seen them all before."

lol! owned.

[Stryfeno2]

Yet Gears 1.5 will still out sell Resisflop 2.

[Bon Scott]

being a Sonyfvckboy here on N4G is like being the smartest kid with down syndrome!

Gears2 will deliver all goods and then some.

Resistance 2 will probably also be better than Resistance 1...................hell,it can't get any worse,that's for sure.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

being a Sonyfvckboy here on N4G is like being the smartest kid with down syndrome!

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!! Great comment Bon

You notice how the nutters don't come around in the many glowing previews of the game and flock to this one.

Like the dog that's been kicked one too many times they are rabid!

This game needs no defending and I refuse to do it. It is going to own the PS3 line-up this fall, every single game on that system is going to be owned by Gears 2. They know it, that's why they are hear fighting tooth and nail to try and smear it.

Gears 2 will own this holiday. Done.

[m23]

I'm fine either way, the game play was great in the first gears of war, I wouldn't want them to change it too much.

[Resistance--------Ge]

My Username.

'Nuff said

[joebahrjoebahr]

is that your face in your user picture?

in case t is and im at work an i cant respond...

immediatley kill yourself you look autistic.

[Kratos Spartan]

and i suppose you have model good looks? Grow up, kid.

[Official General]

But I kinda suspected it will probably be just more of the same with slight improvements. That is not necessarily a bad thing though, as sometimes a very successful game title sequel may not always need a complete change. However I just feel that this game is getting so much hype that it might be in danger of promising too much more than what it gives. Either way,I'm sure Gears of War 2 will be brilliant and that 360 fans will thoroughly enjoy this game. So to all you sensitive fanboys read my post again before you start b*tching or gettin' a period ya heard?

EDIT: Look at the disagrees already man! These 360 guys need hugs (but not from me!). What you want me to say? I said it's gonna be a fantastic game, but I suspected it will be more of the same thats all! Well go on and disagree if it makes you happy.

@ Sony rep - I feel you on that man. They dont wanna hear other opinions.

[ceedubya9]

that the disagrees came from Sony fans because you said something positive about Gears. Hard to tell. I really don't see why either camp would have a problem with what you said.

[timmyrulz]

The only scale i associate with the ps3 is the lime scale building up from the lack of use

[Veryangry_xbot]

This "PS3 has no games" is getting old.

It may have been true back in December 2006. In September 2008, that statement is an outright LIE.

The PS3 also has more quality games than the 3rd60 in the whole of 2008. And will continue this trend throughout 2009 and 2010 and beyond.

Delusional bots. Keep justifying that RROD 3rd60 of yours which is outdated.

[Sony Rep]

Gears of War 2 will surely not have the same impact as Gears of War 1, and reviews will reflect this.

Good game, but more of the same in a market that is constantly transcending. Newer games like CoD 4 have even put once-giants like Halo out to dry.

Please note: Each disagree is an acknowledgment that what I speak is the truth.

[darkequitus]

agreement means you are not.

See and childish statement to make. Flawed logic.

darkequitus: XBL/PSN/Steam/XFire/WoW

[Monchichi025]

Just like how Halo 2 didn't do better then Halo 1. I can see where you come from. (Sarcasm)

[Sony Rep]

How old are you?

You sound dumb.

[Sony Rep]

I don't understand what you mean.

Just agree and move on.

[Sony Rep]

No need to lose your composure. LOL

I wont hurt your feelings too much.

Disagree with the truth?

[MiloGarret]

Why are disagrees acknowledgments that you speak the truth? That's just silly, and stop trying to appear you're smart when you so clearly are a 13 year old dorkusmaximus.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Please don't take my disagree as anything other than the acknowledgement that you are straight from the Sony toolbox and that your truth is fiction.

[Sony Rep]

Big steroid junkies having orgies with each other.

Who plays a gay game like that?

[Official General]

REAL FUNNY LMAO!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!

[juuken]

Oh no you didn'...=o

...First you made them cry over *there* and now you're making them cry here.

DO YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TISSUES FOR BOTH SIDES OR SOMETHING?! >-<

[Cheeky Gamer]

And I suppose Little Big Planet is what all the 'real' men play, right? ;)

[timmyrulz]

Probably the same type of people who play games where you fcuk about with teddy bears on obstacle courses

[running rampid]

fanboys are out in full attack today. quick, hide before they disagree and take away your bubbles! :D

[Software_Lover]

LOL

[Cartesian3D]

"The first game managed to become successful based on the awesome graphics, solid performance, enjoyable multiplayer and accessible singleplayer. From what we’ve seen, all of that is still there, but it hasn’t matured or truly grown and the result is that this feels much more like Gears of War 1.1 than Gears of War 2. "

Gears of war 1.1 !! its really impolite as a journalist.. the problem is Gears of war 1 was uberfantastic in 2006, and EPIC push 360 to the limits..

and Gears of war 2 cant be so much better than the original because the first one was near perfect game for 360 (DVD9,without install)

[Sony Rep]

The problem with Gears of War 2 is that Gears of War 1 came out at a time where games like Bullet Witch were being released. Call of Duty 4 and Halo came out, and people stopped playing Gears of War.

Bringing more of the same won't cut it this time.

[darkequitus]

Tell that to the Xbox live online play stats

darkequitus: XBL/PSN/Steam/XFire/WoW

[Sony Rep]

In which CoD4 has been at the top spot for almost a year?

Where's Gears of War 1???

Disagree with the truth?

[pp]

Wait and behold the graphically insane Gears of War 2 5pm BST today which will leave many droids speachless and crying

[Sony Rep]

Don't you mean Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today.

[Bon Scott]

You wrote,
"Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today"

Well since you're offering, be sure to get their on time,so you can suck us all dry,
ya douche.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

bwhahaha Sony Rep owned! Despite your offers of blow jobs I'm still taking a bubble away!

[Fishy Fingers]

Seems to be quite an honest preview, mentioning both the highs and lows, I'm not quite sure why everyone is getting defensive, I imagine they only read the first few paragraphs?

We all knew it's more of the same, and not to expect any huge leaps in the visual department with the engine being the same all be it tweaked. But frankly, Gears was a gorgeous game in the first place.

[Sony Rep]

But wouldn't you want a game like say, Uncharted 2 to greatly improve on what Uncharted 1 was doing?

I know I would.

Disagree with the truth?

[timmyrulz]

Apart from MGS4, what games have been released on the ps3 that you cant get on a x360? mmmmmmm......

All i see coming this year is teddy ruxspin planet, resistance 2 (a sequel to a very avergage game) and motorstorm 2, another sequel to a very average game. Please see metacritic for scores

[Veryangry_xbot]

As opposed to the 3rd60 which still has no good quality game in 2008?

Rofl you have nothing in the whole year! The only game that might be good, is gays at war! The same old, same old. Thats YOUR GOOD game.

PATHETIC, to say the least. Make no mistake kid. This is the year of the PS3! And every year after that is the year of the PS3!

OWNED. Dont even mention shiat games like Too Human or Floppie in paradise. They arent even WORTHY to be mentioned. Shiat games. All of them.

[byeGollum]

that the guy who wrote this doesnt like gears at all .... he dissed the game from start to finish. this comment made me laugh tho - "And it’s still browner than last week's underwear".

LOL i mean come on, this guy shouldnt have bothered writing a preview for this game. it is very clear he despises it, he ripped the game apart from the first paragraph to the end.

well its not like his opinion will affect my purchase for this game, what a moron.

[otherZinc]

This is the very reason I give the media ZERO credibility. Its obvious this guy & his little site are fanboys & super morons.

I'll enjoy my 2 copies of Gears 2 that have been paid for for months now: CO-OP!

[Fishy Fingers]

"This is the very reason I give the media ZERO credibility."

Why, because they don't write what you want to hear?

[GiantEnemyCrab]

It's just one persons opinion and like I said this game does not need to be defended. It will roll out on Nov 11 and roll over every game in its path. The first game has already proven itself with 5mil sold, GOTY and still played like crazy online. It just steam-rolls every game coming out in the fall period..

[pp]

Just one of many great games headed to xbox360 this year and puts Resistance 2 to shame

[Sony Rep]

Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today
Huge Gears of War 2 blow-jobs at 5pm BST today

[tomfoolery]

a complete waste of hard earned money!

Gears 2 will be amazing without a doubt.

[Mr_Potato_]

Another flop for the Xbox apparently.

I feel sad for them because they didn't have a single good game this year, even Too Human was horrible...

While we PS3 users play gems like MGS 4, LBP (gaming 2.0 !), resistance 2, wipeout HD...

Actually, LBP alone kills the whole 360 library, but maybe MS will manage to make a decent clone in the years to come.

I still wish they get a nice game this year, I hope Fable 2 will be nice (coop won't be there, though).

[KiddyBrownTurd]

all the things? what things? what a sh1t article from an apparent n00b like ali the twat who couldn't get passed the first training level on EASY MODE LOOL!

[Mr_Potato_]

I'm sorry, I know your hopes were high about this game, I'm sad that it didn't deliver ;(

Resistance 2 looks much more promising according to the previews : /

(You'll still get Farcry 2 as a multiplat !)

[Mr_Potato_]

Ouch. Looks like it won't be all that good... I still hope Xbox owners will finally get a decent game this year. Fable 2 could be that one, that's the last chance though.

[P4KY B]

Its Gears! that happens all the time!!
Not just occasionally

[DJ]

It had more detail than most game reviews. It basically comes down to the complaint that while Gears 2 is just as good as its predecessor, the problem is that it hasn’t evolved since its predecessor’s release two years ago. Since then, there’s been a lot of advances in game design, AI, story, etc. Part two simply ignores all that. Guess the team at Epic took the saying "If it ain't broken, don't fix it" to heart.

Gears 2 will probably get solid 8s in the reviews.

[zimbo007]

Most reviewers will give it 8/10

the game doesnt have the same graphical advantage like last one cuz GFX of R2/Crysis and COD4 all look better than Gears
The gameplay and everything remained same. I think it will be ripped apart by most reviewers

[pangitkqb]

Obviously Gears of War 2 is going to be a great game, but it will be very similar to the first Gears. Why? Because the formula of the original was a winner. Is Gears 2 going to change things as much as Resistance 2? Most likely not. Why? Because the original Gears was better than the original Resistance. DONT GET MAD AT ME YET! I own a PS3 and 360 (and Wii), and i loved Resistance: Fall of Man. I also loved Gears of War. Because Gears of War was so polished and praised, its not going to be changed much. A few twitches here, a grander scale there, that's it. Resistance 2, on the other hand, is the sequel to a game that wasn't quite as polished, and so Insomniac has really stepped it up. It just makes sense.

Now, forgetting fanboyism, BOTH OF THESE GAMES ARE GOING TO BE FANTASTIC. I will be buying both and loving them all winter long. Will Resistance 2, with its many notable improvements be better than Gears 2 and its fewer improvements? Who knows, and frankly, who cares? Both are guaranteed to be awesome, so as gamers, we are ultimately all winners.

[GiantEnemyCrab]

Why even mention that mediocre Resistance 2 in this at all?

The article didn't mention it and personally it's a small blip on the radar compared to the juggernaut of Gears of War.

[pp]

I'll guess LBP is o.k if your still in your diapers but if your not play a real mans game on xbox360

[zimbo007]

......"The first game managed to become successful based on the awesome graphics, solid performance, enjoyable multiplayer and accessible singleplayer. From what we’ve seen, all of that is still there, but it hasn’t matured or truly grown and the result is that this feels much more like Gears of War 1.1 than Gears of War 2. "

HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AA
HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAAAAAAA
AAAAAAAAAAAAA

[juuken]

That can't be good for Gears 2...=o
Same old, same old.

[thewhoopimen]

I guess the team at Epic was impressed enough by Uncharted's cover system controls to include it on GeOW2. Good to see that they recognize and are willing to adapt to a strong competition.

Also interesting to note how the gun impact still doesn't carry any weight according to the preview. Everyone wants to see Killzone2 hit reactions now that they've been spoiled by it. I certainly would've like to see the locusts body thrashing from unloading a full clip. Instead, according to the article, you will just see lots of popping bloodspurts while the locust fires back at you. Great in 2006, Not in 2008.

[felidae]

... just what i thought.

[Stryfeno2]

Can't wait for this game...OH HELLZ YEAH!!!!

[LTC]

OUCH that must hurt

[THE TERMINATOR]

They should take a leaf out of Killzone 2. Each bullet has a physical impact on the enemy. Power of TEH CELLL. EAT THAT EXTURDS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[xg-ei8ht]

Most people here peg me down as a ps3 fan, and although i'm more partial to ps games, i do like some 360 games. Bioshock was brilliant.

I will play gears 2 on pc, when it arrives.

I bash 360 primarily for the hardware,rrod etc. and other issues disc breaking,scratching.

Alot of these issues have been fixed, but some still bug the system.

Now on topic.

Gears design for graphics, was like most other games, an art style.

And yes it did push the 360 pretty hard.

I didn't expect the graphics to look much better, shaders should improve, as should a.i, amount on screen etc. but lets say if they changed the look of the game, then that would not be gears, would it?

i am also sick and tired of gears and resistance painted with the same brush. They are not the same game, in any sense of the word. if you wanted to compare resistance with something, that game would be halo.

open worlds - check.

funky looking monsters - check

futuristic weapons - check

I'm pretty sure not matter the reviews, most 360 ppl will play it.

But i'm not sure it will attract more people to the 360, i could be wrong though.

Resistance 2 will attract more, because resistance 1 was a launch title and since then alot more people have bought the system. Thats just simple math.

Either way i'm sure people on both systems will like both games. Even when said games are nothing alike.

P.s if you want to compare gears to something on ps3, that would be uncharted.

3rd person - check.

Quality textures - check

Nice shaders - check

close combat - check.

[zonetrooper5]

I'm still buying the game, just look at the amount of improvements that have dnoe to the game and look at how much fun it will be. Guys, this game will either be fun to you or not, if it is fun then buy it like I will be doing and if its not then go away and look at the other upcoming games you have your eye on.

[Bon Scott]

what some picky little reviewer thinks.
PERIOD.

[Mclovin96]

Next he will preview resistance 2 which has worse graphics than gears, and the same gameplay as resistance 1 and he will say its GOTY. He obviously has something against microsoft and clearly doesn't understand the meaning of SEQUEL.

[darthv72]

Most seem to have a problem with understanding how a continuation works as opposed to a new story/chapter. Looking at a game like gears you can see the story wasnt finished in one game (same as with halo). So you have to capitalize on how to continue the story from whence you left off (or try to).

Looking at other games who have sequal based names (ie, the various final fantasy titles) you have a connection to the previous in name only (for the most part). I mentioned final fantasy in this because there are so many final fantasy "x's" that carry the name and number but do not extend the story from the previous ones. Why is that? Is it because a company like Square feels strongly in the power of a name instead of the story it tells? Only they know, but anyway.

For this game to be more of the same is just saying that it really is part of the original story and tries to continue where the original left off. I would expect nothing less than more of the same with some of the new thrown in for good story telling. That helps it lead up to the next chapter and the continuing story.

Halo 3 (IMO) did a good job of continuing the story from part 2 and it did it with the updated imagery to be expected. It isnt like they are trying to outdo the original in the sense like a pre-story has been known to do. Look at movies and how prequel's are made after the original and done in such a way that it puts the original to shame visually (star wars comes to mind). Those that are looking for more are spoiled in what others are doing and have set their personal expectations at a level that will only disappoint.

It is all about perception and how you choose to view what is being offered. I personally welcome the addition of gears 2 as it will do for me what the developers have intended it to do. Bring fun and entertainment while lopping off others with a chainsaw!

[Cheeky Gamer]

Isn't it normal that a sequel is similar to its predecessor? What exactly did they expect - a complete graphics overhaul and a drastic change in gameplay mechanics? That would have been gaming suicide.

Gears of War 2 will kick serious ass, just like the first one did. The fact that it's 'more of the same' is far from a bad thing, although from what I have seen there is certainly more to this sequel than just a couple of minor additions.

[baodeus]

The super-accessible ability for you to use cover was one of the main
"things which made the original Gears of War stand out and Epic has
been very vocal on how it has improved it further with the addition
of mobile cover and some internal tweaks. The result though is less
than astounding and we honestly couldn’t pinpoint any difference
from the original system." or "just run n shoot game"

Covering in Gears is not just for covering.....This reviewer has no skill at all. You can bounce off wall to your advantage. Take a look at these videos.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

I hope they don't change that in Gear 2, cause it would suck. Saying Gear 1 is a run n shoot game is just really dumb. Gear is actually a very skill oriented.

"The cool cover-mechanic, path choices and grenade-aiming features which made the first game so accessible are still there – but they aren’t as impressive as they once were"

What the hell, grenade is probably the worst thing about Gear of war 1 except you can tag opponent online which doesn't work well either since you can get knock out it. From what i have seen on Gear of War 2, it seem there are a lot more use to the grenade. You can tag it to anything, wait for enemies to come around, shoot at it and blow them up. And smoke grenade work like a flash grenade now which is more use full than Gear 1 which only for look or humor.

"It’s got the same gruff space-marine cutouts for characters,
the same all-brown colour palette that looks like something
a monkey might smear on a wall (if it could manage hi-res smearing) and the same basic gameplay."

What does he want them to look like? The reason why Gear 2 may not seem to be as impressive like Gear 1 did is because it was built really well the first time. There are things that needed improvement (story, charging advantage, shot gun inconsistency, online) and it seem Gear 2 did just that. Why would you change the game play, character, wall bounce (watch those videos), and the fun factor which people have come to love.