It’s appropriate that they didn’t name it Gears of War 4 because I can hardly
call this a continuation of the Gears series. That’s my overall impression, but
to be fair it’s not a bad game it’s just not what anybody expected or perhaps
wanted. I’ll touch on its stronger points later but let me first unload the hot
mess of mistakes that Judgment brought to the Gears games. (Bear with me as
this is my first public review of anything)
Bad
Game types. The fun factor goes way down for me if I can’t play the game types that were curiously removed from the list- specifically King of the Hill, Capture the Leader, and Horde mode. King of the Hill appears to be replaced by ‘Domination’-fromCOD::cough::cough:: The widely popular Horde mode was replaced by ‘Survival’, which is more like Rush from the Battlefield series- featuring a class system that’s rather limited.
Flow. Compared to its predecessors, the pacing is a lot quicker, controls feel looser, and movement, like other changes about this game, make it less… “Gearsy”. Multi-level maps combined with the ability to jump off high cliffs add an unnatural verticality to the flow of games and I feel sometimes pieces of cover aren’t used for combat but are just obstacles and obstructions.
Ugly
Multiplayer. Down but not out (DBNO) is only used in specific game modes, you can’t curb stomp in ANY game mode (despite the fact that I’ve seen bots to it), the Locust are no longer playable characters, punching a guy is more effective than shooting him…with your GUN, and somehow the Sawed-Off still exists. Some of these could be my own personal distaste, but for the most part, a lot of the characteristics that defined Gears of War have been mysteriously removed, much to its disheartening dismay.
Good
Campaign. The interesting backstory told from multiple perspectives makes for a solid prequel and I found myself eager to keep playing through the single-player mode. ‘Declassifying’ missions modifies them so you might have to use a certain weapon or fight in reduced vision and these challenges make it more enjoyable/rewarding. Plus, in story mode, I can down a locust with my Lancer then properly finish him off with a chain saw to his chest.
Weapons. Unique, new weapons and grenade types diversify the action very well. Just don’t ask where they were during the rest of the war.
By the skin of its gruesome teeth I am able to say I got my money’s worth, but the upsetting changes in the Multiplayer are slowly swaying me to possibly selling it or at least going back to Gears 3 so I can obliterate someone’s skull with my size 14.
Bad
Game types. The fun factor goes way down for me if I can’t play the game types that were curiously removed from the list- specifically King of the Hill, Capture the Leader, and Horde mode. King of the Hill appears to be replaced by ‘Domination’-fromCOD::cough::cough:: The widely popular Horde mode was replaced by ‘Survival’, which is more like Rush from the Battlefield series- featuring a class system that’s rather limited.
Flow. Compared to its predecessors, the pacing is a lot quicker, controls feel looser, and movement, like other changes about this game, make it less… “Gearsy”. Multi-level maps combined with the ability to jump off high cliffs add an unnatural verticality to the flow of games and I feel sometimes pieces of cover aren’t used for combat but are just obstacles and obstructions.
Ugly
Multiplayer. Down but not out (DBNO) is only used in specific game modes, you can’t curb stomp in ANY game mode (despite the fact that I’ve seen bots to it), the Locust are no longer playable characters, punching a guy is more effective than shooting him…with your GUN, and somehow the Sawed-Off still exists. Some of these could be my own personal distaste, but for the most part, a lot of the characteristics that defined Gears of War have been mysteriously removed, much to its disheartening dismay.
Good
Campaign. The interesting backstory told from multiple perspectives makes for a solid prequel and I found myself eager to keep playing through the single-player mode. ‘Declassifying’ missions modifies them so you might have to use a certain weapon or fight in reduced vision and these challenges make it more enjoyable/rewarding. Plus, in story mode, I can down a locust with my Lancer then properly finish him off with a chain saw to his chest.
Weapons. Unique, new weapons and grenade types diversify the action very well. Just don’t ask where they were during the rest of the war.
By the skin of its gruesome teeth I am able to say I got my money’s worth, but the upsetting changes in the Multiplayer are slowly swaying me to possibly selling it or at least going back to Gears 3 so I can obliterate someone’s skull with my size 14.
