Gears of War 2
From Gears of War
| Gears of War 2 | |
| |
| Developer: | Epic Games |
| Publisher: | Microsoft Game Studios |
| Release date: November 2008 | |
| Genre: | Third-person shooter |
| Presumed Game modes: | Campaign Mode, Co-op Campaign, Multiplayer |
| ESRB rating: | Mature (M) |
| Platform: | Xbox 360 |
| Media: | CD, DVD |
Gears of War 2 is a tactical third-person shooter video game in development by Epic Games and to be published by Microsoft Game Studios exclusively for the Xbox 360. It is the sequel to the critically acclaimed best-seller Gears of War, and was announced by lead designer Cliff Bleszinski during the 2008 Game Developers Conference on February 20, 2008. It is currently scheduled for release in November of 2008 and uses an updated version of the Unreal Engine 3.[1]
Contents |
[edit] E3 Trailer
Click to view in higher quality.
[edit] Gameplay
The technical demo shown at the Game Developers Conference indicated that much of the core gameplay elements that were central to Gears of War (a third-person, "run and gun" style game that emphasizes the use of cover) would be present in the sequel.[2] John DiMaggio, the voice actor of Marcus Fenix, confirmed to IGN that players would be able to fight Brumaks in Gears of War 2. He also revealed there will be a deeper story with new characters, new weapons, and new enemies.[3] The game will also include the ability for a player to duel with an AI or human opponent when both use the Chainsaw Bayonet attachment of the Lancer, as seen in the 2008 Game Developer's Conference promotional video, later confirmed in informal interviews with developers.[4][5] The following link contains gameplay and in depth info about some of the Locust that will be featured in the game: http://youtube.com/watch?v=mLgrDbAeDGU
[edit] Plot
Gears of War 2 takes place six months after the detonation of the Lightmass Bomb at the end of the first game. Though most of the Locust Horde was destroyed, the explosion also caused much of the liquid Imulsion underground to vaporize, causing a fatal disease called "Rust Lung" to spread among the diminished human population. After months of peace, the cities of Tollen and Montevado suddenly and mysteriously disappear underground, leading the COG to suspect the resurgence of the Locust.[18] Soon after, the once impenetrable Jacinto Plateau, one of the last remaining safe havens for humans, begins to show signs that the same fate awaits it. In order to stop the fall of Jacinto, the COG responds with a large-scale counteroffensive against the Locust.[7][18] Senior Producer Rod Fergusson says "In order to save Jacinto, they (the COG) have no choice but to take the war to the Locust."[7] Comic book writer Joshua Ortega says "The stakes are raised. This is humanity's last stand. Everything is at risk. Nothing is safe."[7]
[edit] Characters
Returning characters will include Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago and others from the first game, as well as Cole and Baird. Lead designer Cliff Bleszinski has also confirmed that the character Carmine will be returning, but did not reveal how or in what condition as Carmine was seemingly killed in the original Gears of War.[19] The game will also introduce several new characters; among these are Chairman Prescott, the near dictatorial military leader of COG, Tai Kaliso, "a spiritual and meditative warrior from a tradition of honor bound fighters," and Dizzy, a former Stranded who joined the COG in order to keep his family safe. Dominic's wife Maria will also make an appearance, and Dominic's search for her will play an important part in the story.[7]
[edit] Development
[edit] GDC Unreal Tech demo
At the GDC (Game Developers Conference) 2008, Epic Games, creator of Gears of War and Gears of War 2 showcased a tech demo in which they demonstrated new features of the Unreal Engine in Gears of War. These new features included Ambient Occlusion Technology (that vastly improves the lighting effects in the game), Dynamic Water Effect Technology (that creates more life-like looking water both in the way it looks and in the way it reacts to movement), Improved "Matinee" System (that is used to create in game cinematics), Soft Body Physics Technology (which improves textures for different substances in the engine, in the demo a large piece of flesh was shown that reacted very realistically to the player) and destructible environments. One of the most marked features to be showcased was the introduction of High Density Crowds which saw literally hundreds of locusts running through the Gridlock map from the original Gears of War. The introduction of this technology could allow larger battles in Gears of War 2, as well as larger multiplayer games.[2]
[edit] Vehicles
The only known vehicles to take place in this game are Derricks, the Centaur Tank and King Ravens. It was also hinted at in the E3 demo trailer that Brumaks would be rideable.
[edit] Pre-release marketing
[edit] XBL Marketplace content
On February 20 2008, coinciding with the game's official announcement at the Game Developers Conference, free gamer pictures ("Crimson Picture Pack") and a dashboard theme ("Bare Your Teeth"), as well as a teaser trailer, titled "Duel" (not available in all regions), were made available via the Xbox Live Marketplace.[6]
[edit] Limited Edition
A Limited Collectors Edition of the game has already been confirmed.[7]
[edit] "Legendary" Edition
It was stated in an article by IGN by Cliff Blezenski that there would be a $130 edition of Gears of War simliar to the Legendary Edition of Halo 3 in that there would be a Lancer replica (not an actual weapon of course). Amazon.com has this replica availible for pre-order. It can be ordered as a bundle with Gears of War 2, or buyers can upgrade to the Limited Edition version for $10 USD more. Unfortuneately, this bundle is only availible in North America.
