Few things get hardcore gamers as riled up as the Gears of War series. Whether it’s heated online skirmishes, battles of wits about the game world or deflecting the uneducated rants of haters, the fan base is definitely loyal. If you’re planning on getting into the series with the third instalment however, or you’ve just been out of the gaming loop for a while, here are ten things to you may want to know about the upcoming third instalment of the Gears of War series.
Four player co-op campaign
Two's great, three's a crowd and four's kicks ass
The Gears of War series has always carried on the time-honoured tradition of split-screen co-op. It’s a beautiful thing having two buddies tackling the same campaign but, when you can also have online co-op, you expect to be able to bring in more than two players at a time. With Gears 3 this is now possible, with four players being able to team up to take down the lambent hordes together. The more the merrier it would seem.
A new setting
Like the Swiss family Robinson; except with lancers
Between mansions, locust hives and the odd street scene, The Gears of War games haven’t had a huge amount of location variety so far. Gears 3 is tipping this on its head by taking the remaining human survivors and placing them on the island of Vectes. Gameplay trailers have so far reflected the tropical island scenario you might be picturing. It still has the Gears of War feel to it, but it seems set to be a nice change of pace as well.
A woman’s touch
My baby got back. And a chainsaw
As much as I love Gears of War, I’ve found the macho man stereotypes used throughout a bit annoying. The character designs are all in your face with their bulging muscles, gratuitous violence and curse words. Sometimes I just wanted a little bit more balance to the Gears universe and, with the inclusion of playable female characters for the first time in the series, it seems my prayers have been answered. Samantha Byrne, Anya Stroud, Queen Myrrah, and Bernadette Mataki will be taking up their Lancers along with the usual male cast, adding another side to the story.
