bit-tech Shopping: Microsoft Gears of War (XB360)

• 1080i (HDTV)
• 480i (SDTV)
• 480p (EDTV)
• 720p (HDTV)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 7

Strengths: Fun online and offline campaign co-opFun multiplayer modesInteresting StoryFrequent UpdatesDownloadable Content (Map Packs)

Weaknesses: Host advantage in multiplayer gamesno dedicated-servers

Summary: I got Gears of War Thanksgiving Weekend for free along with my Xbox 360. First game I chose to play on it and I never regret choosing it. The Story is really interesting, with humans on one side and Locust on the other. The campaign has a choice of 3 difficulties, which makes it very replayable online with Xbox-Live friends or offline with friends. There are also a wide variety of multiplayer modes: Assassination Kill the Leader of the enemy Warzone- Kill all enemies, downed enemies cannot stand back up by themselves Annex- Like King of the Hill that follows warzone rules Execution- Kill all enemies, Downed enemies can quickly stand back up by themselves I personally enjoy playing either Warzone and Annex. There is also frequent updates. First major update added the Annex game mode. Second major update added new achievements worth 250 points. I also somewhat enjoy the map packs. The first map pack was free and provided 2 new maps. The second map pack isn't free and adds 2 more new maps, though, it will be free in September. What I don't like is that there is a advantage for the person hosting the game. Since the host is the host, he experiences no bullet lag when the other players in the game do. If there were dedicated servers, there would be no such thing as the host advantage.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 90 Days

Strengths: Best shooter ever. Online and local co-op and multiplayer, one player campaign, new downloadable map and play mode. Best graphics.

Weaknesses: Several scenes are a bit dark. Online mode sometimes glitchy, other than that eveything else is perfect.

Summary: Totally redefine the way i think about a shooter. I am a huge friend of Japanese games and were not into FPS and shooter games before i played GOW. Now i am a big friend of shooter as well as 360 in general. Also i never think before this that Microsoft can come up with such a good piece of software.

Rating: 8

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Looks and plays great. Good Co-Op and Multiplayer. Chainsaws!

Weaknesses: Sinngle player a little short.

Summary: Gears of War is the latest shooter in the development of FPS's and it's very, very good at what it does. It has a short and somewhat easy single player that is best played on the higher difficulty settings. But where the game really shines is multiplayer. It looks great, the pace is frantic, and it's a whole lot of fun. It's really a great fit for the 360 and a must buy.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 4 Months

Strengths: Graphics, Sound, Co-Op online, Online Play, and Gameplay.

Weaknesses: Short Single-Player

Summary: Gears of War is an action/3rd person shooter for XBOX 360. You play as Marcus Fenix with his allies against the Locust Horde who have pretty much destroyed all civilization. Cover is very important in this game and you'll learn to use it through GOW's cover scheme. The graphics look amazing and nothing on any of the consoles out right now even compares to GOW. Online Co-Op is great. Online play is very strategic and requires a lot of team play. My main gripe with the game is that its really short. Only 5 chapters long. Should of been 10. I give the game 5 stars, since its truly a well put together game and a lot of fun.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: best graphics on a console, multiplayer co-op, superb voice-acting

Weaknesses: some levels too dark

Summary: as you probably already know, this game has the best graphics on any game console at the present time. the gameply is also great and i especially enjoy the multiplayer co-op mode. there are levels where you are forced to take different paths and that adds an interesting dynamic. the voice-acting and presentation are also top notch and draw you into the game. my only complaint is that some of the levels are too dark and make it hard to play. it also makes doesn't allow the game to show off its great graphics.