Multiplayer

Multiplayer is one of the big attractions for Gears of War 2 obviously, both in terms of co-op and versus modes and the good news here is that unlike the singleplayer, the multiplayer has had a series of really big and appreciable enhancements.

While the singleplayer game is only iteratively improved over the first game in terms of function, the multiplayer is much chunkier. It feels properly like a sequel, while the singleplayer occasionally feels more like an expansion pack.

The major update to the multiplayer comes in the form of a new co-operative player mode, called Horde.

The basic premise for the Horde mode is a direct copy of the old Invasion game mode from Epics Unreal series. You and up to four team mates are dumped in a small, enclosed area stuffed with a full variety of weapons and tasked with defending yourselves.


It doesn’t sound hard, right? Nor does it start that way; with the first few assaults involving little more than a few dozen AI controlled Locust grunts. Slowly though, the tide begins to build and the Locusts soon start crashing upon your defences in increasingly furious waves. What started as a few dozen grunts carries on building until you’re facing off hundreds of increasingly powerful enemies. They get bigger, badder and closer with each assault.

Communication is the key then in Horde mode, hence the recommendation for headsets and a trustworthy friends list. Just like with Invasion in Unreal, success relies on finding ways to exploit the levels and find certain chokepoints, alternating fire and conserving ammo.

Only one of your team needs to survive the wave for the whole team to get through to the next round too, so the mode often breeds some interesting situations where weaker team mates will throw themselves into the line of fire to ensure the survival of a healthier ally with a better chance.


On top of this, there’s also the usual selection of re-badged multiplayer templates. Wingman is our favourite new addition to the game, where up to ten players are all divided up into teams of two. Submission is pretty good too – basically it’s just capture the flag, but the flag is actually an AI grunt that has to be killed and dragged back to your base.

The multiplayer is where Gears of War 2 really excels. Horde mode can quickly become totally infuriating, but contrary to our original impressions in the preview, we actually reckon that’s part of the point. The difficulty is supposed to escalate; the curve is supposed to get steeper and steeper until it hits a totally vertical slant. Where that slant is is determined only partly be level design – most of the blame lies on your lack of ability. Yes, you.

The standard co-op is back too, with the entire singleplayer game playable as a team effort. Here the frantic action of the singleplayer instantly becomes much more fun and interesting as you yell orders back and forth, co-ordinating defences and so forth.

The early sections of the game especially, where you’re riding the ridiculous monster trucks through the forests to the drilling areas where you’ll be funnelled down into Locust-land, work really well for co-operative play. There are some arenas spaced throughout the game which have really been designed with co-op in mind, making the game a real must-play for anybody who enjoys two player action.