Filed under: Gears of War 2

Zero Punctuation chainsawdomizes Gears of War 2

After what seems like a breathless eternity, Yahtzee has finally reviewed Gears of War 2 for Zero Punctuation. The verdict: He likes it. Naturally, he levels a few complaints at the game, most notably the strange abundance of chest-high walls on the planet Sera. Overall, the review praises the game as a good mainstream title with a a healthy amount of variety (a little too much variety in the case of level design). Find the review after the break.

Update: Ahem, now the video is after the break.

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Grab the in-game Gears 2 Gold Lancer for free [Update]

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

If you picked up your copy of Gears of War 2 used, you now have a chance to get your hands on the elusive gold-plated Lancer, which was -- until today -- only available via a voucher code included with new copies of the game. It's available now on the Xbox Live Marketplace as a free download.

Don't look so surprised. Earlier in the month, Microsoft released the Flashback Map Pack -- another item initially made available only to new buyers of the game -- on the Marketplace. At least this time, the content is free. No word if it will remain that way.

Update: This content seems to only be available on the Xbox.com Marketplace, not on the Xbox 360 Marketplace.

Download the In-game Gold Lancer for Gears 2

[Thanks Travis D!]

Die Hard 4.0 director wants a Gears film trilogy, 'a harder edged Lord of the Rings'

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

Live Free or Die Hard and Underworld director, Len Wiseman, told Bloody-Disgusting.com that he'd like to turn the Gears of War franchise into a film trilogy to flesh out the world and cover all the bases of its story. "Basically a harder edged Lord Of The Rings," he told the horror focused website.

Wiseman said he hopes to focus the film on science fiction elements and not on the creatures themselves, opting to take the sci-fi action route rather than the horror film route with the series. While not much of a gamer himself, Wiseman said Gears of War first caught his eye when filming the fourth Die Hard film, where a video game was required to play in the background of a key scene. Wiseman said after looking at dozens of games he stopped on Gears of War, which appears in the film on more than one occasion. "I just really connected with it; the design of it the world, the whole thing. So I actually bought an Xbox 360 to start researching what it was," Wiseman said.

The Gears of War movie is still in the early stages of development. Len Wiseman is set to direct and is currently co-writing the script with Chris Morgan (Wanted.)

[via Joystiq]

'13 Days of Gears' sweepstakes shells out $25K in prizes

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

We thought Epic and Microsoft would use a patch to entice players to play Gears of War 2, turns out the plan is to use $25,000 in prizes! For 13 days in February, Microsoft is giving away $25,000 in prizes to random Gears of War 2 players, in celebration of the upcoming movie, Friday the 13th. Prizes include HDTVs, signed Gears of War 2 posters from the development team and Locust busts.

To enter, you need to register here by January 31, then play one match in the daily designated gametype, from February 1 to February 13. The pairing of Gears of War 2 and Friday the 13th may seem random but we hope this means someone will finally turn all that Marcus Fenix vs. Jason fan fiction into a flick, one day. Chainsaw vs. Blade. Space Du-rag vs. Hockey Mask. Believe.

Prizes and gameplay dates after the jump. Contest is open to US residents only.

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Third Gears 2 title update already being discussed

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

If the first or even the second Gears of War 2 title updates weren't enough to satisfy your need to patch the Gears experience, then know that a third patch is already in the planning stages.

OrtanaIV of the official Epic Games forums put together a comprehensive list of quotes by Epic members who've been discussing features they're working on for the third Gears 2 patch. Among what's being discussed is toning down of the ever popular "two-piece", re-tweaking of smoke grenades, looking into the lag situation and more. Make the jump to read up on what the third title update may offer, but know that the Epic crew has yet to officially confirm a release date or even its existence.

[Thanks, Faiz R.]

Gears of War 2: Players' gaming habits get statistical

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Gamasutra with data compiled from GamerDNA's 150,000 Xbox Live members have focused their analytical powers on Gears of War 2, gamers' playing habits and how much DLC affects gameplay. Their analysis of the gaming data shows that more gamers (74%) tried the original Gears after the first two months post launch than Gears 2 (43.4%) during the same period. We also learn that DLC has what they call a "diminishing return", meaning that the spike in player activity after DLC releases slowly trickles back to normal levels.

Make the jump to view even more Gears 2 stats and figures (including a pie chart!) all while pondering whether or not the recent title update will get you back into the mix or if you've permanently shelved Gears.

Video: Cliff explains the Gears of War 2 update

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Last night, G4TV's X-Play had a change to sit down with Epic's Cliff Bleszinski (via satellite, if it matters) to discuss the recent Gears of War 2 title update, the changes it has brought and where Gears 2 is headed. During the interview, Cliff talks about what sources they use to gather feedback about the game, what balancing issues they're addressing and even discusses the Gears 2 movie. Video after the break and know that it's a must watch for ~~Cliff~~ Gears 2 enthusiasts.

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Gears of War 2 patched: Glitches fixed, achievements added

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

After weeks of waiting, and having all of its faults pointed out to us, Gears of War 2 has received a second title update which hopes to correct many of the glitches in the game. According to release notes the title update (aka patch) that went live this morning includes fixes for everything from Crabwalking (firing, while roadie running), unlimited Lancer ammo, grenade tagging through walls, using two-handed weapons with a shield, picking up weapons while sliding into cover and much more.

The update also activates brand new achievements worth 175 GS points, which were discovered earlier this week. Each of the new achievements are DLC-based. In order to unlock all seven new achievements, players will need to get their hands on the Flashback Map Pack, free for gamers who purchased the game new but also available on the Marketplace for 400

and the Combustible Map Pack, available for 800

.

Complete patch notes and achievement listing after the jump.

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New Gears 2 achievements appear on Xbox.com

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Probably in preparation for the soon to be released Gears of War 2 title update, Xbox.com has posted an additional seven Gears 2 achievements. The new achievements - which aren't unlockable until the patch releases - add an extra 175 Gamerscore to Gears 2's total and all are targeted toward achievements made in multiplayer on the Flashback and Combustible DLC. Thanks for the achievements Epic, but would it be too much to ask to drop Seriously 2.0's killing requirements to, say ... 10,000? Please?

Skeletons in your Closet (20G) - Complete waves 1 through 10 on all Flashback Map Pack maps in Horde (any difficulty)
More Mystery, Less History (15G) - Win a multiplayer match on each of the 5 Flashback Map Pack maps (any mode except Wingman)
Bound by a Shared Past (15G) - Win a Wingman match on each of the 5 Flashback Map Pack maps
Trial by, and on, Fire (20G) - Survive first 10 Horde waves on Combustible Map Pack maps as a team
The Roof! The Roof! The Roof... (15G) - Win a multiplayer match on each of the 3 Combustible Map Pack maps (any mode except Wingman)
Forged in the Fire (15G) - Win a Wingman match on each of the 3 Combustible Map Pack maps
Annex: Now With Execution Rules (75G) - Win an Annex match on each Flashback and Combustible Map Pack map (public matches only)

[Thanks, surinder]

Gears of War 2 serves 4 million in two months

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Gears of War 2 continues to sell well, so well that Gears 2 global product manager Guy Welch has given us another sales update. To date, Epic's Gears sequel has sold over 4 million copies worldwide since its release in November 2008. How epic!

Last time we check, Gears 2 just surpassed the 3 million mark, but with December NPD numbers revealing an additional 745K units and other worldwide sales, Marcus and crew are sitting at a comfortable 4 million. In comparison, the original Gears sold "only" 2 million copies during the same period. That's, like, double the sales pace.

Gears of War 2 Flashback maps hit XBLM for $5

by Richard Mitchell { 1 year ago }

Hey, remember the Flashback Map Pack for Gears of War 2? You know, the one that you can only get by purchasing a brand new copy of the game at your favorite retailer? Guess what? It's now available on Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 Microsoft Points, also known as $5. That's five maps for a buck a piece, which isn't too shabby. Strangely, the text description of the content still says that it's only available as a free download with new copies of the game, but it's definitely listed for 400 points. If you've been worried about losing the Flashback maps by picking up a used copy of Gears 2, it looks like you can officially rest easy. Play your cards right and you could even save some money.

Find a video preview of the Flashback Map Pack after the break.

[Thanks to everyone that sent this in.]

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Gears 2 patch detailed, adds new achievements, set for Jan. release

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

There's no denying it, Gears of War 2's online multiplayer is less then perfect. Ever since Gears 2's launch, the community has been demanding a patch to fix the various (and numerous) game bugs. Finally, Epic Games is speaking out about the patch, what it'll fix and has even informed us that they expect the patch to release sometime this month.

Over on the official Epic forums, Epic's Mark Rein detailed exactly what the Gears 2 patch will fix and the enhancements that'll be made once the patch is released. You can view a comprehensive listing of all the fixes that'll be included in the patch after the break. And from what we can tell, the patch should resolve most (if not all) the Gears 2 exploits we've heard about including that dreadful melee through the wall exploit. Oh, we should also mention that the patch will bring some new Gears 2 achievements based on the DLC. How 'bout them apples?

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3 months of Xbox Live free with Gears 2 purchase

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Just thought you'd like to know that the always deal plentiful Amazon.com is offering a free 3 month Xbox Live subscription card with purchase of a $53.99 copy of Gears of War 2. That's a retail savings of about $20. This Gears 2 and free Xbox Live bundle offer is valid through January 13th, so be sure to decide on a purchase within' the next week or so.

Some of us around Fanboy Towers think Gears 2 is Game of the Year worthy and highly recommend a purchase. Just saying ...

[Thanks, Daniel]

List of the most played Live games of 2008

by Dustin Burg { 1 year ago }

Just in case you weren't keeping (weekly) track of the most played games of 2008, our pal Major Nelson thought he'd do the community a service by listing the Top 20 Live Games of 2008, based on Live connectivity over the course of the past 52 weeks. We copied 2008's top five 360 games below, because we can, but you can view a listing of 2008's twenty most played games after the jump. For those who are interested in XBLA and original Xbox 2008 stats, Major posted those as well. Congrats to Halo 3, Castle Crashers and Halo 2 for being so darn popular.

1. Halo 3
2. Call of Duty 4
3. GTAIV
4. Gears of War 2
5. Gears of War

Taking aim at multiple glitches in Gears of War 2

by Xav de Matos { 1 year ago }

Here is the scenario: You're Epic Games and you release a game hailed by most as yet another gem in your impressive portfolio. Gamers are excited, "Gears of War 2!" they shout as they line up to get their hands on it as soon as possible. They buy it in droves to the tune of nearly 3 million units. Weeks ... nay ... days pass and online aficionados realize the game doesn't work properly. Matchmaking seems slow, sometimes asking your customers to wait 10 or 20 or 30 minutes for a match. Suddenly your blockbuster game is falling from the top of Xbox Live charts like a one-legged stripper from a dancer's pole. Now, as gamers decide which title to call the best of the year, someone has compiled most of the egregious bugs your game has throughout its online modes into one tidy little video package. Well, at least the customers have new maps for $10, amirite?

Seriously, can a brother get a title update to make the Live play as fantastic as the single-player, please? 'Cept Horde. That's still rad and flawless.

[via Destructoid]