Gearheads of War

After you have fully written out your spoiler-free thoughts on what you've played of Gears 2 so far  in 3Suns diary, compile your thoughts into one sentence and share the love!

What is one sentence that can sum up your thoughts of Gears 2 thus far?

Mine would actually have to be a quote from my mom while watching me play:

"Whoooohahahahahah! You shot off his head and he just stood there! Hahahaha!"

Weird I know, but that "Holy crap! I can't believe it!" followed by some intense laughing pretty much sums up the fun to be had in Gears 2. I love it!

Also, feel free to post any pics you've taken from multiplayer, because according to suns, the site for that is up!

Gearheads, it's the day you've been waiting for for two years.  Gears of War 2 officially releases tonight at midnight.  Some people have been fortunate enough to pick it up early thanks to some clueless 7-11 clerks, but almost every Gearhead should have a copy of the game in their hands tomorrow.  

I'm assuming most folks will want to work their way through the campaign before touching the multiplayer, but I also know that most people that I've talked to have taken the day off from work tomorrow just to play Gears 2.  It's like a national holiday up in this joint.  Any way, I'm working my way through the Gears 2 campaign and I do plan on trying MP for the first time during FFF tomorrow night.  It will be breaking me in and there's no other group of people that I'd rather do it with. We can try a bunch of the new modes such Meat flag (sorry, no calling is submission here) and Wing man. We can even break off into teams of five and try the new Horde mode.

I'm pretty damn excited.  I think it's going to be a ton of fun for everyone involved.  I'm planning on starting my multiplayer adventure around 8 or 8:30 p.m. PST.  So sign up below and let's get going on this.  We enter a new era of Gearheads starting at midnight tonight.  Are you guys fired up or what?

For midnight launch line chat follow this read lettering!

Ladies and Gentlegears, the day is here!

In just HOURS we will be standing in line, waiting for Gear of War 2. Heck, some GearHeads are playing it RIGHT NOW! Like all of you, I am giddy in anticipation and can't wait to get my hands on the game tonight.

As these hours will seem like days as we wait for the game to launch, use this story to chat with fellow GearHeads about what you'll be doing tonight. Going to a big event? Participating in a tournament? Let us know!

Also, for those of you who can post on GearHeads via your phone or your laptop while in line, let's use this to chat it up as we wait!

I'll be sending updates to my Twitter as well if you all want something interesting to read while you wait. =)

http://twitter.com/SweetTea023

Also, AOL is premeiring the Gears 2 soundtrack to listen to online! Haven't tried it yet but if it works, we can listen to the Gears 2 soundtrack while we wait, online!

Just hours now, GearHeads! HOUUUUUUURSSS!

READ OTHER GEARHEAD IMPRESSIONS INSIDE!!!

As many of you may or may not know, i got Gears of War 2 yesterday at my local 7 Eleven.

First and foremost, may all the thankfulness of the world go to David Ellis, who is a legend among men.

Now to the good stuff. I have to right this before heading off to the same old grind today, so i am going to list facts about Gears 2 (opinions?) based on my time with the game.

Less' do dis.

• Graphics: Omg. There seems to be little additions to everything that make the game seriously shine. Especially with all the new variations in environments. The amount of blood is also crazy. Super colorful! And on top of it all, little touches like destructable environments add A LOT. Lots of new animations as well!
• Gameplay: Playing the game for the first time, it felt Different. But after 5-10 minutes, it was unbelievable and i was in constant awe. This is one of the best feeling shooter games. Picking a dude up as a meat sheild is the most efficient tactic in the game so far.
• Multiplayer: Have barely played any, BUT... Machete hosted a game that i joined, and i had no bullet lag at all. He is in New Jersey, I am in Washington.
• Audio: MY FAVORITE ADDITION. Every gun holds so much more weight. The snob pistol sounds ridiculous EVERY SHOT. And you watch the bullet trail.

The cutscenes are amazing, the guns are SICK. Everything is balanced and solid. Matchmaking is like Halo's system, where you are all in a lobby before campaign, horde etc.

This is the best game i have ever played. Bar none.

There will be no going back to Gears of War 1. There would be no reason at all. This is everything that game represented and MORE.

Peace and Love!

READ OTHER GEARHEAD IMPRESSIONS INSIDE!!!

My words would only slow down your bursting into these reviews so I’ll keep them short: Feel free to go out and find as many reviews as you can and post links so we can keep this updated.  The only disclaimer- If a review has some kind of story spoilers, please say so before linking there!

Why read when you could watch? 1UP’s Video Review! (Possible Boss Battle Spoiler, Vehicle Scenes shown! =))

[Editor's Note: I haven't read any of the links i posted below, just scrolled to the bottom to see the "bottom line" and score. Be cautious of spoilers -Zoso]

IGN: 9.5
TeamXbox: 9.8
OXM UK: 9.0
Empire Online: 5/5
1up: A
Gamespy: 5/5
Giant Bomb: 10/10
X360 Magazine UK: 10/10
VideoGamer: 10/10
360 Gamer Magazine UK: 9/10
Level7.nu: 9/10
Computer and Video Games: 9.3/10

For a full list:

Meta Critic's Got us Covered! Thanks, Kenai

Gears of War popularized several things that games have imitated.  The cover system is the most obvious, but games like Dark Sector also borrowed Gears aesthetic and art style.  

One thing that I think should be borrowed a lot more frequently is the active reload.  I was thinking about this while playing Far Cry 2.  There are times when the gun jams and you have to simply press X to get it to fix.  It's so much less satisfying because there is no interaction.  There's just a random punishment feeling to the guns because if you pick up someone else's gun it's usually a POS.

Gears nailed that active reload (outside of the cheap sniper down for it).  I wish more shooting games would adopt this from Gears and not just the obvious elements like the cover system and roadie run.  

What do you guys think?  Do you like the active reload in Gears?  Would you like to see that element more popularized?

Gearheads, listen up.  This is the final FFF with Gears of War 1.  Next week, we will be cracking open Gears 2 for our first FFF.

I probably won't be on until a little later just because it's Halloween and I'm guessing my daughter will be all amped up from the candy.

So, are you dressing up to go to a party?  I'm hoping a bunch of Gearheads will be on for our last night with Gears, but we shall see.  Sign up below.  And I leave you with this thought for Halloween.  Bow down to a sponge that's greater than you.

I’ve had Fable 2 for over a week, played well over 12 hours and have arrived just past the half way point in the game.  In this time I have been hailed as a hero and loved by all; eaten so much food I made Homer Simpson look sexy and broken too many villagers hearts to count-male and female alike.

Here are my mid way through impressions and a potential score which tell the story I’ve experienced so far...

"And so our story begins..."  This is what a mysterious female voice will tell you as you enter the menu for Fable 2.  In a similar fashion, I’ll begin this review with a story.  As I popped in my copy of Fable 2, my roommate stopped by to watch me play.  Over an hour later he took his turn.  Another roommate walked in and upon seeing us playing said "Are you guys seriously playing a video game?" Thirty minutes later, this same critical guy was still watching my roommate play. Such is the compelling nature of Fable 2.  

Click on "Full Story" to read the full mini-review or scroll down for a summary of my thoughts of Lionhead's sequel to the Xbox hit.

Fun Factor:  Not only is this game fun, but it is addicting.  Even the quiet moments are entertaining thanks to the humor throughout.  For example, I was attending a funeral at a pretty serious moment in the game and accidentally pressed the "Fart" expression.  A monk next to me heard this and started snickering, trying his best to hold back his laughter.  When the action ramps up however, the fun is taken to a whole different level.  Combat is smooth and engaging, the storyline is deep yet easy to follow and the repercussions of how you play the game noticeable throughout.

The Bottom Line: Fable 2 offers a number of ways to have a blast.  Whether you want to reign terror on innocent civilians, feel like a hero and have them asking for your autograph or stick to fighting and make your foes look silly by using magic to make them dance while you finish off their friends...Fable 2 is fun.

Taken from Kenai's impressions:

"I was in the Castle Master Suite, getting ready to get it on with one of the ladies that followed me in.  Just before the "Magic" moment, the butler runs in and tells me that bandits are raiding my New Castle.  Next thing I know, the bandits are in my bedroom and then proceed to kill my lady friend.  Oh well..."

If you enjoy a good story and the basic elements of an RPG I am confident you will have a blast with Fable 2.

Potential Score: 9.5

I've yet to log onto Xbox Live without seeing a GearHead playing Fable 2...What did you think? Post your experiences and they just might join Kenai's here on the front page. =)

We just got an email from Gears of War 2's Community Manager, Six Okay with a link to an interesting story about a couple who is getting married next year.  The catch? They met in Canals.

Ryan and Kristina’s wedding will pay homage to their online meeting, too. They plan to have stations set up at the reception where guests can play Gears of War 2, and they’re also getting matching Crimson Omen tattoos after the ceremony!

Follow this link to read Six Okay's fun interview with the happy couple.

Sounds like a sweet wedding to me! It's amazing how far video games have come that a couple can find each other while playing online...not to mention that an online community like GearHeads can form and be as close knit as we are, all without officially meeting each other. (For the most part)

This young couple met in Canals-Do you remember where you were when you joined your first GearHeads match? What are some highlights from some of our early matches?

Great interview, but don't read the comments after the interview! Apparently there are spoilers....(Thanks Noobpancake!)

Can you believe that we're close enough to Gears 2 to be getting a LAUNCH trailer?! Well believe it, then see it:

GameVideos Link (HD)
GameTrailers Link (HD) and SD

Then re-watch (for the 14th time) the "Last Day" trailer, read Papi's thoughts on it, then post your own!

I'm never one to run away from being wrong about something.  If I'm wrong, I'll often openly and freely admit it.  Well, Gearheads, I've got to say that I was very wrong when I had a lengthy discussion with Blankman a few nights ago.

What was I wrong about?  Well, my first visceral reaction to the Gears of War 2 commercial was not a positive one.  My general feeling was, "Wow, this is basically another Mad World, but since we've seen Mad World already, I was hoping for something a little different with a different vibe."  I also said, it feels a bit like Gears of Emo.

Well, I stand corrected.  I've watched the commercial multiple times now.  You know, it's really effective. And it's effective for the same reason that the first ad was.  The commercial has very much a movie trailer feel to it.  And there are very few times that I see a video game commercial where it has that emotional connection with a viewer.  Granted the ad probably has a disconnect from the actual content of the game, or at least the first ad and game did, but the ad resonates with you.  There truly is nothing out there in video games that approach advertising like the Gears ads have.  I mean, I'm not sure if there is a more visceral video game franchise out there right now and so the advertising seeks to evoke a pure emotional response from the viewer.  In many ways, the visceral nature of gameplay in Gears speaks directly to those emotions of joy when getting a perfect headshot or sneaking up on an opponent and sawing them from behind.  

So the commercial seeks to evoke the sadness that Dom feels in searching for Maria.  The reluctance of fighting that Marcus feels.  And the memory of a beautiful Sera when Cole sees the flower through the sniper scope.  Ultimately, advertising is intended to do a few things, including raising brand awareness and evoke a gut emotional response.  I think this ad does accomplish that.  

I'm free to change my mind on things and upon further examination, I think the Gears 2 ad is brilliant and I expect it to help move a ton of Gears 2 units.

I figured hot on the heels of the Gearheads' Cliff podcast, you guys might want to check out this extremely long look at Cliff and his views.

I found the piece to be fairly accurate in capturing my bro and what he's all about, course I would've loudly objected to this:

Mostly I would object to anyone ever calling Cliff shy.  Yes, he might have been shy with the ladies, but I can't count the number of times I had to fight other, older, much larger kids because my brother was mouthing off to them (often while playing ice or street hockey).  My role was definitely being the heavy as a child.  I bloodied many a kid's nose over Cliff's loud mouth.

This is going to be a bit of a rant, but the article also got me to thinking.  I do find it incredibly fascinating that shows like The Daily Show often bring on movie and TV actors, but don't often bring on game designers or even voice actors when they do parts in games.  I mean The Daily Show runs ads for video games all the time so it's their demographic.  It would be interesting to see someone like Cliff on The Daily Show to talk Gears of War 2.  Course, being that many of us see and hear from Cliff all the time, it's not like those interviews would really do much for us, but I do think that it's high time that late night shows and other television media begin to acknowledge the dramatic impact that this medium is having on our entertainment landscape.  I believe that's when we'll really see gaming cross over into the mainstream and not something just for the nerds amongst us.  I live to see the day when David Letterman, Conan O'Brien and Jon Stewart might welcome my brother to the stage.  Not that gaming needs that kind of validation, but it certainly would be damn nice for some of these shows like Conan and The Daily Show to actually interview some folks who are speaking to their demographic, don't you think?