I've mentioned before how much I loved the first Gears Of War. For its time there was nothing that even came close to it. Graphics were unbelievable. Controls were tight. The only way anyone could pick up any faults with the original was to compare it to later games. That being said it did have faults. But everything else over shadowed its faults. So Gears Of War 2 had some pretty big shoes to fill. The problem with reviewing Gears Of War 2 is the same as any sequel that has reached greatness. Everyone expects to be amazed like they were when they played the originals. And it is hard to deliver the goods. You have to change what was wrong with the original and try and introduce enough new things to keep it interesting. So what do you change and what do you leave ?

The good thing is the faults in the first title are almost non existent in the sequel. Yes the graphics are great. But lets not get carried away, they aren't that much better than the first Gears. Yes its more colorful. Yes there are more enemies. And in still shots it did look better. But when the game is in motion you don't really focus on it. Unless you're a raging fanboy you aren't going to pick up too much difference between the first Gears and this one. But that is a testament to how good the first Gears Of War looked. It still holds its own now.

The storyline is alot better written than the first. And the same corny voice actors return too. The dialogue is alot better, and blends with the action alot better. The cut scenes are much better. They look alot more alive than in Gears 1. You can certainly tell a difference in the story telling between the two. Gears 1 the characters look invincible. Like robots. The had no personality. Gears 2 revealed alot more about the characters and their insight on this war. Marcus shows he does care about others and his loyalty to Dom. Dom shows his emotional side. Cole is alot more boisterous and Baird is funny in his usual way. A much better effort.

Gameplay is typical Gears Of War. Take cover and shoot. There isn't much of a difference to the first. What has changed is that some levels are a bit more open than the first. It isn't limited to the usual courtyards and corridors like in Gears 1. The friendly AI has also improved alot. How many times have you been killed playing by yourself in the first game and the AI doesn't come to revive you ? No problem, if you've been gunned down you can crawl over to a friendly and they will revive you. It's the little things like this that make Gears Of War 2 a much better experience.

I also heard alot people mocking the new Horde mode online. Well mock it all you want, if you're playing with a friend and you are sick of the Co-Op campaign then Horde mode will fulfill you're need to gun Locust down. It is alot of fun and those that say it's a waste of time have never played it before. The online aspect was awesome. But being that I'm pretty new to Xbox I got killed pretty easily. But it was fun nonetheless.

There are alot of things that didn't come off right in the sequel. Berserkers and Kryll were absent. I know they wanted to change it up but the enemies that replaced them were pathetic. Grinders are just Boomers with funny hats and Miniguns. I for one thought that the Berserker experience was one of the most engaging moments in gaming. And I can remember how intense it was avoiding the Kryll. Their absence is felt in Gears 2. Chainsaw duels were a waste of time. They don't even look that cool. And after a while the Cover System just feels underwhelming. It is hard to make the perfect game. And I don't think that there will ever be a perfect game. So criticism is bound to show up, unfortunately.

Is Gears Of War 2 a good game ? Yes. It is a very good game. Does it live up to the hype ? Well that depends. If you could find no fault with Gears Of War 1 then you will love it. If you liked the first game but struggled to play through it then you will like it. If you didn't like the first one then don't even bother looking at this one. You'll get sick of it quick.

Bottom line, I enjoyed it. I was a little underwhelmed but satisfied with the latest outing from Epic. If you own a 360 and you loved Gears 1, which I think most 360 owners do, then go out and play it. Gears Of War has definitely established itself as one of the greatest franchises in gaming today.