Gears of War 3 (
Xbox 360)
Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Microsoft Studios
Genre: SciFi Third-Person Shooter
Platform Played For Review: Xbox One via Xbox 360 Backwards Compatibility
"...one of the best
games, shooter or otherwise, of the last generation."
Two years after Jacinto, a new enemy has emerged, the Lambent, forcing to COGs to find refuge at sea on helicopter carriers...
Gears
of War 3 continues the story of Marcus Fenix, his band of allies, and
the fight for survival. The COG have essentially been crippled due to
the disappearance of Chairman Prescott and several other losses. The
survivors find themselves adrift at sea, continuing the fight for Sera
against a new foe – the Lambent. When Prescott reappears, Marcus
discovers the status of his father, Adam Fenix. Adam is alive and well,
working on destroying the Lambent once and for all. So, Marcus, Dom,
Baird, Cole, and a set of new active Gears, such as Anya and Jace, head
out to save Adam and win back Sera. Much like the original, most of this
game feels like a grand adventure from one place to another
a la Lord
of the Rings – I enjoyed this vibe. The story takes you on a roller
coaster with massive action set pieces and effective drama. The ending
is also superb, including the strong final boss.
This is how you finish a
trilogy and leave an impression.
 |
| After some effective buildup, Gears of War 3 tosses you directly into the action. |
Gears of War 3 is a step above
its predecessor – the same way
Gears of War 2 was better than the
original. Gears of War 3 takes everything you loved from the second game
and makes it better. From the gameplay to the plot, this is the
definitive Gears of War experience. (Of course, you still have to play
the first two to really ingest the full experience.) The story is more
refined, balancing its action, drama, and characters well. Although a
shooter at heart, Gears of War 3 manages to be more thanks to its
characters and universe. There are several moments that hit hard
thanks to the focus on character. I know, I know, Gears of War has
often been treated as the 'dudebro' poster child, but I don't get it.
Honestly, I don't see how a game with well thought-out characters and a
grimly vibrant SciFi world could be considered 'dudebro,' but I digress.
 |
| The variety in gameplay also includes the opportunity to play as the Cole Train. Woo! |
Aside
from offering an engaging story and wonderful world, Gears of War 3
also offers excellent gameplay. Moving from cover-to-cover is flawless
now. You'll rarely find yourself getting stuck on walls, like I did in
the original. The shooting is satisfying, every weapons has the proper
weight and accuracy. Speaking of weapons, there is also a new set of
weapons added to your armory, including incendiary grenades and a
sawed-off shotgun. You'll also be able to use the Silverback, a mech
with machine guns and rockets. Like its predecessor, you'll also ride
along in some on-rail shooting experiences, like when you're riding on
the back of a truck or in a submarine. The different weapons and
vehicles are balanced well to keep the game
engaging. In other words,
this is more than a hallway shooter.
 |
| For a game on hardware released in 2005, Gears of War 3 looks amazing. |
John DiMaggio returns as
Marcus Fenix, delivering his lines with the gravelly voice we've come to
adore. Carlos Ferro, who plays Dom, has also improved. It's always
great to hear Lester Speight as the Cole Train, too. The game is also
visually impressive, especially for an Xbox 360 game. The final chapter
in the trilogy is still gritty and forlorn, but there's much more color
to this world. Although some like the grimy style more, I actually
welcome the vibrant colors – I enjoyed them in
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition for example. Aside from more color, the lighting is also
improved. It's improved so much, some stages are actually
designed to
show off the visuals – and rightfully so.
 |
| As gritty and forlorn as ever. |
The character models,
however, must have received the greatest improvement – from blocky and
ugly to smooth and, well,
ugly but in a good way, I suppose. The
characters, especially their faces, look much better now. They're still
scarred, but they actually look closer to people than before. The music
is also great, hitting the right notes at the right times. The
visual-audio presentation truly create an epic experience. Fortunately,
the experience is not soiled by any significant technical flaws. The AI
is also great – friends and foes react well, working to develop the best
strategies. The framerate is mostly great, too. It's a great story with a
great technical experience.
Overall, Gears of War 3 is an
excellent video game. From its tormented characters to its rich world,
Gears of War 3 solidifies itself as the definitive third-person shooter.
It may not have as many scripted events as some other adventure games,
but it certainly has more originality and gameplay than most of its
peers. Playing through the trilogy leaves a lasting impression – the
brotherhood is transmitted from screen to audience. It may sound like
exaggerated praise, but I truly loved this game. It is one of the best
games, shooter or otherwise, of the last generation. If you haven't
played it or haven't even touched the series due to the misconceived
'dudebro' title, you are truly missing out.
Score: 10/10
Parental Guide: Strong violence and gore.
[Screenshots captured on Xbox One and used for review purposes only. I do not claim ownership to the IP.]
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