Gears Of War: Judgment

This is not for the faint of heart as blowing up Locusts is a messy affair, we just love the blood and gore...

This prequel to the previous editions is set around 14 years before the first game. Our favourite bad-mouthing killing machine, Marcus Fenix, is replaced by Damon Baird, who leads a team of trigger-happy soldiers called the Kilo Squad. The team comprises Gears champions Augustus Cole and Baird and two rookies, Garron Paduk and Sofia Hendrick. The game starts with the Kilo Squad standing on trial for an act of treason as the squad went against direct orders not to set off a lightmass missile. Each team member gives their testimony and with each flashback you take control of each soldier. This is the first time in the Gears of War series where a narrative style is used and gamers get to replay what happened leading up to the present.

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Slight tweaks

The graphics make you feel at home if you have played the previous Gears of War titles. Even if you are a first timer, third person shooting will get you hooked to the gruesome violence in no time. There is no doubt that the developers have worked hard to ensure GoW: Judgment is a treat for the eyes with sharper and crisper visuals. The biggest change, and a sure shot delight for gamers, is a host of new weapons to play with. Previously, one would be stuck with only a pistol, but now the Gears are equipped with a Lancer, Gnasher, or any other weapon while using a Boomshield. Also, now you can only have two main weapons, which allows you to swap and choose the ideal gun for the upcoming Locust onslaught. Activating grenades has become a lot simpler too, by using the left bumper.

New features

The “declassified” testimony adds objectives or challenges by making your campaign tougher. There are situations that will force you to use a certain weapon, equip the enemies with better guns and not to forget, the fact that they have put a time limit on areas, which can be quite annoying if you don’t get it right quickly. The game will also put you in tight spots where you will be in a dust or smoke filled room and your objective is to get out of there without getting shot. The multiplayer option too receives some changes like the removal of Locust, which leads to Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) army vs COG matches. This is a free-for-all mode, which is a first in this series. The second new mode is OverRun where one team chooses a soldier, medic, engineer, or scout and makes them defend E-holes and generators from Locust attack. Similar to Beast Mode, the other team chooses from a variety of Locust characters that have to try and get past COG’s defences.

Verdict

Whether you are a GoW fan or not, as long as you like blood, gore and drilling chainsaws through Locusts, this one is a must have. It might not have the essence of its previous titles, but in no way does it fall short of expectations. It is a perfect mix of fabulous gunplay and graphics.

Pros: Retains the hardcore action packed gameplay; improved sound effects and graphics. Negative: The levels have become easier; the level-ending fight scenes with the big boss finish too quickly. Rating: 4/5

From the May 2013 issue of FHM India.