Gears of War 2 X360 multiplayer details confirmed
[Thanks, Rhemelious]
List of Juicy GoW2 Details from X360 Magazine
- Ten person, 5v5 online multiplayer.
- Yes, Gears of War 2 will have a Halo-style matchmaking system.
- There will be respawning multiplayer modes, but the focus is still towards traditional non-respawn gaming.
- Multiplayer game modes:
- "Guardian" game mode: A remade version of Gears' Assassination game mode where the objective is still to kill the other team's leader, but players keep respawning as long as their leader is alive. Opponents' leader will be marked on the HUD to keep the game moving along.
- "Wingman" game mode: You and a buddy team up, sharing a single character model in this five teams of two game mode.
- "Meatflag" game mode: A CTF-style mode where the "flag" is actually an AI-controlled player who'll wander the map and attempt to kill anyone who gets near. To "capture" him, you'll have to first down, then escort him as a meatshield all the way back to your base, all while your opponents are trying to kill you and shoot at the "flag". Because, if shot at enough, your meatshield flag will break free, go berserk and deal out the pain. Respawning will be featured in this game mode as well as stats for the amount of kills the AI-controlled flag dished out - Multiplayer maps:
- Around a dozen maps will be included on disc.
- "Gridlock": A remake of the Gridlock we've all come to know and love, but taken over by vegetation, old age and now featuring a beautiful sun-setting glow.
- "River": Symmetrical map featuring a house and a sniper tower separated by (you guessed it) a river.
- "Security": A long, thin map with "verandas" on each side that are sealed off by red laser bars. In the center of the map is a button to deactivate all the security for roughly 20 seconds. - Fishing moves when an enemy is downed:
- "X" button: Traditional curb-stomp.
- "B" button: Melee attack that will be weapon specific. (Longshot sniper rifle will be used as a golf club of death.)
- "Y" button: Flips your opponent over and let's you punch in their face ... UFC style.
- "A" button: Use your enemy as a "meatshield" that limits your weapon choice to a pistol. And, yes, your meatshield can and will disintegrate in your arms after taking on enemy fire. If they don't get ripped apart, you can always dispense of your meatshield with a good old snap of the neck. - Random weapon location respawns will be used, but only for certain weapons not including power weapons, pistols or grenades.
- All weapons have a variable amount of "stopping power" that'll slow down an opponent's running or diving abilities.
- Weapons:
- Players will have the option of spawning with the chainsaw-equipped Lancer or the newly modified Locust Hammerburst.
- "Scorcher" weapon: A flamethrower that we're promised will produce some uber-realistic fire.
- "Medusa" weapon: A new Locust pistol that is said to be extremely powerful, pumping out five to six rounds per shot downing enemies in a few shots. Said to be the perfect compliment to a meatshielder.
- "Hammerburst" weapon: Changed a bit, now requiring players to pump the trigger as fast as possible (think Halo 3's Carbine). Though, recoil will increase the faster it's fired. - Grenades:
- Can be stuck to people, walls, the floor and any other surface to be used as a makeshift proximity mine.
- As before, players will spawn with one smoke grenade.
- Smoke grenade: Now carries a "stun" effect that "ragdolls any player within their blast radius".
- Poison gas grenade: Spews poison that will kill anyone who lingers in its poisonous cloud. - Chainsaw Duels:
- Whoever does the quickest amount of "B" button tapping will be victorious.
- Your teammates can help give you an edge in the duel by shooting the opponent which will give you the upper hand on the "B" button mini-game.
- No duel will occur if a player is chainsawed from behind. Instead, the sexy "butt to head" chainsaw animation will kick in giving the attacker and instant kill. - The cover system has been subtly reworked, where players' gun and body sit tighter to cover making it harder for your enemies to get an attacking angle.
- Bullet shields described as "metal bucklers" that can be carried as indestructible cover. The trade-off being that only a pistol can be wielded and movement is slowed dramatically. One benefit of the bullet shield is that it can be planted into the ground for mobile cover, though we're told enemies can kick it over if they get close enough.
- Once killed in a non-respawn game, players will enter a "dynamic battle-cam" that floats above the action.
- Also available (when dead) will be a Ghost Cam where players can view the action from the battlefield and take screenshots that can be uploaded online similar to Halo 3.
- Hammerhead Grunt Locust revealed and named as such because of his shark looking helmet.
- The GoW2 Collector's Edition may include a weathered looking Polaroid of Dom's wife, the same one seen at the beginning of the game.
- Development on Gears 2 is roughly at 65% complete.
- Don't count on Call of Duty 4 style XP or perks, Cliff says they will not be adding these types of character building elements to the Gears universe.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Doom3killer @ May 24th 2008 12:02PM
wait! gridlock is a remake of gridlock! NO WAY!!!
btw, i'm being sarcastic
Bucfann @ May 24th 2008 12:05PM
http://forums.gametrailers.com/showthread.php?t=366685
I dont think this is what this post refers to, but good stuff none the less. Page down for some nice scans
Chris @ May 24th 2008 12:10PM
i was so looking forward to online XP and perks...
not to mention hopefully a lot more weapons, maps and modes as the first one was way too limited when put up against call of duty 4
Lord Bowser @ May 24th 2008 12:15PM
I can see the man lust in his eyes.
Bucfann @ May 24th 2008 12:18PM
I cant find the damn scans of the X360 mag. Anyone have them?
Dustin Burg @ May 24th 2008 12:20PM
damn you copyright laws!
Bucfann @ May 24th 2008 12:26PM
http://forums.gametrailers.com/showthread.php?t=409620
Poor quality camera phone pics but better than nothing.
Triforceowner @ May 24th 2008 12:19PM
I love fishing when my enemies are downed, hint, hint.
ryan @ May 24th 2008 4:12PM
i hear the fish love a hot cup of tea.
Jon @ May 24th 2008 12:26PM
well it looks like i started something with that UFC comment when the gamerscore blog first showed the multiple melee hits on a downed opponent.
Now where is my royalty check at?
(J/K)
UFC term claimed by MDK x2002x
Triforceowner @ May 24th 2008 12:27PM
I hope that if you are taken as a meat shield you are considered dead and can respawn. It won't matter in matches without respawning, but sitting their watching someone use you as a shield when you could be, I don't know, playing the game could get boring.
veridis @ May 24th 2008 2:24PM
i'm sure on the last gow2 post they said that once you've been taken as a shield your put in the respawn queue, or the death cam so better than being dragged around
Ben @ May 29th 2008 5:46PM
When you are used as a meatshield in multiplayer games where you can respawn you are instantly considered dead (as if you were stomped or chainsawed) and will respawn as such.
This was revealed in this month's EGM, as well as pictures of the new weapons and side by side comparisons of the new Gridlock to show what's changed (nothing much, it just looks better... not like the new Lockdown in Halo3, where they ruined it).
itsburnsie @ May 24th 2008 12:31PM
"# There will be respawning multiplayer modes, but the focus is still towards traditional non-respawn gaming."
Freaking sweet, I always thought that's what set the first Gears apart from a majority of other multiplayer shooters.
As long as they bring back Execution, everyone on my friends list will be happy. One of my favorite game-types ever!
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 1:39PM
Indeed. Execution > *
I imagine that all the new stuff (except maybe wingman which sounds sweet) will end up like Annex as something that people break out every once in a while to mess around with. Execution should remain the go-to gametype that people spend 90% of their time on.
Unless these new weapon specific executions screw it up by not leaving you a quick way to execute a downed opponent without entering some lengthy curb-stomp-like animation.
Smacksmackums @ May 24th 2008 12:32PM
Yes, those fishing moves when an enemy is downed are sure fantastic.
You forgot the one where you drive up to your grandfather's cabin on the lake and take the canoe and a few rods and lures out though.
ArseOnToast @ May 24th 2008 1:00PM
Oh god, not Halo 3 style matchmaking... Why can't I just choose my own map? and get suited with good people and bad people?
SadisticHam @ May 24th 2008 1:10PM
While i enjoyed that this way is better. Host shall be random so no more running into some "host whore" who does nothing but host and shotgun like mad.
You'll actually have a party system unlike gears 1 so no more having trouble playing with your friends.. I think this ways better.
Triforceowner @ May 24th 2008 1:19PM
I don't see why they can't just meet half-way. Use a party system, but let the party leader choose the match. That way you get to play what you want to play and there are still parties. To fix the host issue, don't let people host. Let them start a match lobby, once they begin the game the host is selected by who has the best connection in the lobby.
And if it is matchmaking, than just let players chose the map and game type they want to be matched into. Why can't I pick a matchmaking list in halo that is called Shotty Snipers. Instead I must pick Team Slayer and wait for Shotty Snipers to come up only to have it vetoed.
NvM @ May 24th 2008 1:26PM
I'm sure there will be a Custom Games option like CoD4 and Halo.
Matchmaking is just the way to go on consoles.
Sgt Barone @ May 24th 2008 1:17PM
the best thing is defenitly the halo style matchmaking system. that's soooooo much better than looking through a list of servers.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 1:22PM
Holy wow.
I am a bit worried about weapon specific executions on the B button though. So now there's no way to just melee someone when they're down as you run by to finish them off? You have to either shoot them (wtf do you do if you have a boomshot or torque or something out?) or go into some long execution maneuver? That sounds really lame.
Other than that, awesome though. Wingman mode sounds sweeeettttt. 2v2v2v2v2.
Cutty @ May 25th 2008 12:01AM
yah, i never thought about that, hopefully the weapon specific executions will be quick, that would be the best way to do it......you down someone with the snipe, run up to him and golf his head off real fast...........that would be pretty sweet.......but it will only work out if they're fast executions......
Ben @ May 29th 2008 5:47PM
There will still be an instant melee kill, that has not changed.
This is straight out of EGM:
X = Curb stomp (1-2 seconds, like GOW1)
Y = Execution. Riskiest as they can take up to three seconds to perform, but are both race and weapon specific. For instance, a COG will beat in the Locusts' face while a Locust will rip off a COG's arm and beat him to death with it.
A = Grab.
B = Melee (1/2 second)
Shotgun = golf club
Longshot = skull crush with rifle butt
--
Now what they didn't mention in this article (and apparently the magazine) is that you can also do things /while downed/.
R trigger = Call for help. Puts a "man down" icon on your teammates' screens to let them know where you are and that you're in trouble.
Tap A = CRAWL. You will slowly crawl to allow you to avoid the old multiple downings that occur from snipers (and jerks) to allow you a chance to get away. You can't shoot or will still bleed out. You will also leave a trail of blood that your enemies can follow to you.
If you were downed with a frag grenade in hand (not just on you) R Trigger instead allows you to martyr yourself, taking out anyone stupid enough to get close to you.
ToRo @ May 24th 2008 2:04PM
Sounds ok. Some of that stuff seems like it'll have balacing issues though. All I want to know is if it will have host advantage or not. It's what's gonna decide weather I buy or rent the game.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 2:08PM
They said in a recent interview that they were aware that it was a big problem and it was near the top of their list of priorities.
Hopefully that means they'll work out a fix for it, even introducing some artificial lag for the host would work. Although, given that multiplayer was sort of a last minute addition to Gears 1 maybe they'll spend more time streamlining the net code this time and ping won't be as much of a factor.
nmmalone @ May 24th 2008 2:30PM
I'm not that big a fan of "over-the-shooters" but maybe the new Gears will change my opinion. The first Gears was okay...
SpekOpz @ May 24th 2008 2:36PM
This is awesome, the only thing I didnt like that much is the limiting 5v5 size.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 4:38PM
Gears would be terrible with more players. I'm already worried that 5v5 will be too much.
Sharpie @ May 24th 2008 5:23PM
With the limits of the UE3 engine and the 360 5v5 is probably all they could push out of the engine/system.
People will just keep telling themselves that it's a "balancing issue" and that it would never work well in Gears.
elmersglue @ May 24th 2008 8:03PM
the first gears worked well with limited numbers of people... thats just the style of the game. If you're looking for a madhouse match with a million people running around, look somewhere other than the gears franchise.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 8:28PM
Sharpie, doesn't Unreal have more than 5v5? So what the heck are you talking about. The engine, etc are all extremely similar to Gears.
Have you ever played the game's multiplayer? It's not meant to be mindless chaos. It's meant to be intimate enough that through communicating with your team you keep track of where the entire other team is such that cover can be used effectively, and to make flanking a difficult but extremely rewarding maneuver.
A 12 player shotgun battle while 2 guys lob boomshots and HoD's into the pile would just be retarded. It's not like CoD where most battles take place between people that are 70 feet apart.
Troy @ May 24th 2008 9:55PM
@ Sharpie
You are obviously a ps3 fan-boy, all your posts have been pro-ps3 and against the 360. No one in their right mind would say GoW will come to the ps3 period. It’s published by Microsoft, get over it. Secondly you are talking about the 360 not being capable of more than 5v5 (for Gears)??? Get the f*** out. Gears of War is a small squad based shooter; any more than 5 v 5 would be going too far from its style. So whether or not the 360 can handle it means nothing, even though I know it can. I mean hello, the unreal engine is used on unreal tournament 3, and do you think it will be 5v5 on the 360? Hell no it won’t. As for it being 65% done; it’s been in development (as far as I know) for about a year. So 35% till November is not that big a reach assuming they keep up their pace. On a final note, Sharpie, the majority of multiplatform games get far higher ratings on the 360 than on the ps3, go look it up for yourself, it's a fact.
Gary Harwell @ May 24th 2008 2:57PM
Chainsaw Duels:
- Whoever does the quickest amount of "B" button tapping will be victorious.
...alright, guys. Get to work making turbo controllers...
Mr.ESC @ May 24th 2008 3:01PM
Yes, Gears of War 2 will have a Halo-style matchmaking system.
That sucks.I liked to chose the match but oh well.
Eveything sounds fantastic but again I will be too busy playing the ***** out of the single player mode to play online also that I wanted to play Left 4 Dead too.
Craig @ May 24th 2008 4:21PM
Development is 65% complete and it's supposed to be released this November? Leads to skepticism of the amount complete or, more likely, the release date. Do they have time to finish the last 35% of development, test, and ship to manufacturing to make November?
the awesome @ May 24th 2008 4:46PM
Oh, they'll easily make November. They'll just grab another idea from Halo and have the last third of the game be going backwards through earlier levels.
Sharpie @ May 24th 2008 5:30PM
That is a great point and a great reply by the awesome. He is probably right I'm sure many corners will be cut and like Halo 3 they will do something cheap like backtracking or just cut things short.
I am going to be waiting for the PC version which will be better on every level and probably include all the things the 360 wasn't capable of doing. I might even try the PS3 version once it's released just before Gears 3 on PS3.
elmersglue @ May 24th 2008 8:07PM
sharpie, I think I speak on everyones behalf when I say....you're an idiot.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 8:30PM
@Sharpie
AHhahahahahahaahahahahahahahhaahahaha.
Good one man.
Oh wait, you were serious? Ahahahahahahaha.
SEE YOU 1N HELL @ May 24th 2008 5:02PM
WTF nothing about Shotguns does that mean they got rid of them if so that would suck.
Deck @ May 24th 2008 5:58PM
I still want my info on four-player co-op. That's the main things for me!
Anticrawl @ May 24th 2008 6:10PM
That is if there is four-player co-op.
Lambert @ May 24th 2008 7:16PM
Exactly--4-player co-op would make this game absolutely amazing--no news...really?
ZenGaijin @ May 24th 2008 6:07PM
Ugh, everything about this game makes it seem more and more awesome. This is bad for me as I still play Gears daily and its nearly 2 years after its release.
Vcize @ May 24th 2008 8:22PM
Yep, I've gone two days straight without Gears and I'm about to have convulsions here.
Few games have kept me this addicted to them this long after release. Gears is still by far my most played game to this day. By far.
Anticrawl @ May 24th 2008 6:09PM
Matchmaking? FUCK, they better have a standard match searching feature like the original Gears or every single other EPIC game made.
They better have both forms of matches. They can keep matchmaking for Ranked and Public matches should be like they were in Gears 1. I hate the stupid random map bullshit that always ends up churning out the same damn maps and then people veto the ones I enjoy. I'd much rather be in a room where all the maps cycle in one room.
Mr.ESC @ May 24th 2008 7:17PM
See is really that hard to give reasons why you hate "X" stuff.
Is true browsing through matches is better than the randomness of matchmaking .Well at least it solves 2 problems the original Gears had 1-People only played a limited set of maps 2-I guess (don’t quote me on this) fixes host advantage.
Anticrawl @ May 24th 2008 7:31PM
Public matches should simply be created from the party lobby, the leader decides on the gametype, map rotation and weapon placements and then starts the game. Then the netcode decides who would be the best host for the room and the game launches after the teams are setup which could be set as random, fixed or standard.
Anticrawl @ May 24th 2008 7:36PM
I always have specific reasons for criticizing games and their respected developers. I never stop by and post, "This game sucks because I say so."
It's just people like you don't always like to hear what I have to say. I don't play favorites with these companies. But when a company like DICE does things right and at least acts like they care what we think it's nice and really brings out the hate in me that I have for developers like Guerilla that abuse their fans. I don’t feel like listing off all the things they’ve done, if you’ve had your eyes and ears open at all since their initial E3 showing you’d understand my point of view. DICE however brought up the issue of charging for the unlockable weapons with their publisher and had things adjusted, not to mention they are bringing the awesome Battlefield Heroes to us free of charge. Don’t get me wrong though, I didn’t much care for Battlefield 2 but it is nice to see a developer with passion for their work (especially one as large as DICE and under the wing of a big-time publisher).