Topic: Gears of War Video

[IceCold]

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I've played everything from PD, PD0, Timesplitter series, Goldeneye, Halo 1 and 2, Red Steel along with others

Hmm.. were you at E3? I don't think I've read any of your impressions..

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: IceCold

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I've played everything from PD, PD0, Timesplitter series, Goldeneye, Halo 1 and 2, Red Steel along with others

Hmm.. were you at E3? I don't think I've read any of your impressions..

Oops a typo there! I meant another FPS, Red Faction which was the one where the developers bragged about how enviroments were fully destructable (I think it came out for PS2 first).  

[Kairon]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Wow, multiple paths to more open spaces with conveniently placed cement walls? I'm impressed. Taking cover? Never seen that before. Squad based gameplay? How INNOVATIVE. Curb stomping? Um ok. Shakey camera? Another sparkling feature, I'm impressed. Destructable cover? Haha. Two years in development? Yeah we know time in development equals greatness, like Superman 64. If those are seriously your examples of innovation in Gears of War, that is beyond sad and further cements my point that it could easily be generic and mindless (taking cover does not make this game deep from what I've seen), perhaps with some fun thrown in towards the beginning.

With all that said I'm still keeping it open as a purchase, but I do not see a special game, solid action game, yes, but I fear it could get super repetitive once you get past some of the control and level design features. I've seen much better on the PC in the way of action games.

Those were my examples just from the demo level of E3 2006. And despite your belittling them, if they are executed correctly these features will be killer. After all, how many great features did Halo need? You can drive horribly controlling vehicles, play co-op and only carry two weapons! HOW WONDERFULLY INNOVATIVE! Boy, with a dud like that, I wonder how anyone could respect Gears of War.

And I don't understand how people worry about level design here. From the E3 2006 demo, Epic conveyed to me a good sense of narrative design to their levels. They also went on to say that vehicles and squad based mechanics would be features in the game, but ONLY later. Cliffy B. spoke of his belief that too many games through all their features at you at once, then never really used them. He intimated that as you play the game, eventually more features will be added. Somewhere down the line they'll give you vehicles, and that'll probably change the dynamic of how you're going to approach playing the game, and it'll change the way levels are designed and played. Then, when you rescue all four of your squadmates, you'll have a form of squad combat going on, and that too will probably change the way levels are designed and played through.

With the measured introduction of new gameplay features, and the tightly constructed E3 2006 demo level, I only see reason to be optomistic about GoW's level design.

Seriously, our own fanboyishly and subjectively unimpressed hang-ups aside, this game, viewed objectively, deserves to be anticipated, not derided.

~Carmine M. Red
Kairon@aol.com

[GoldenPhoenix]

Well if you read my previous posts I am not too high on Halo either so I agree, it isn't innovative and I consider it a dud in the grand scheme of the FPS genre. As Bustin brought up, Black got a ton of hype as well and turned out to be average. Also without playing any of those announced features for Gears of War, like Red Steel, I am going to hold them as a concern. IN regards to the demo level design, did you not notice the reptition in the way the battle sections were laid out and how the enemies came marching in like you were in a shooting gallery?

That kind of stuff worries me because it could be a signal that GoW lacks depth and could be an overhyped game that will dissapoint many. I've been around far to long in gaming to start blindly anticipating a game like Gears of War that is obviously built around being "cool" trying to reach the GTA and Halo crowd.  I could turn that fanboy argument around in that the average Xbox 360 owner are so anticipating a game to fill the Halo gap, that they will blindly leech onto Gears of War to get their "killing" kicks.  Besides I am also leary of Epic's Current track record, besides the Unreal Tournament games they really haven't done much in recent years in regards to single player experiences (which makes me wonder even more if Gears of War will be best in multiplayer).

On a related note I found it interesting that this guy who I talk to from time to time in school, who is a huge Xbox 360 nut, openly stated that the reason he is excited for Gears of War is because there has been such a drought and it is better than nothing, though still remains optimistic. I tried to talk him into getting a Wii but he doesn't have the money, time,  nor really any incentive (which is why I am super thankful I play games on all systems). Honestly though my anticipated Xbox 360 game has already came out, and that was Dead Rising (see I am not totally against mindless).

[GoldenPhoenix]

You know, since I've been so critical of Gears of Wars, I might as well say why I may still get the game and am not anti-GOW, just cautious.

Positive Aspects:

-Controls look intuitive and solid so they could make for a more absorbing experience
-It is flat out gorgeous, and even better it runs at silky smooth framerate which will make my upcoming PS3 funded HD-TV a great deal .
-It looks like it can be alot of fun, how long that fun lasts, I don't know (for reasons I've stated). I'm hoping the demo is just there to give people a feel of the controls
-I do enjoy team based games with AI allies as long as they aren't stupid (I'm looking at you GRAW)
-The visual artistic style may not be unique but it seems to have a good atmosphere
-Vehicular combat could be a blast if done right
-The bosses look stunning


Some other minor concerns (I've mentioned the major ones):

-I'm afraid the shaky camera could get nauseating
-Story, dialogue, acting and cutscenes seem really blah, I am not only hoping things improve here. I really would like to see CoD2 esque storytelling where it is happening as you play
-Lack of enemy variety (I guess this a bigger concern, but this one I can easily give to the gameplay footage being from a demo)
-I dunno the chainsaw looks really out of place

 

[Pryopizm]

Chainsaws are never out of place.  And don't play the age card, I'm 29.  I've been gaming since the 2600 was hot stuff and recall eagerly anticipating (figuring out and beating) the wonderful E.T.

[Flames_of_chaos]

Well after reading this thread I think most of us are jaded about the FPS genre of how saturated it is and how dull it got. There are some winners out there IMO F.E.A.R.(can only run it on 360), Red Steel (im anticipating it), Gears of War (anticipating it), Timesplitters 2 and FP(even though not the greatest but it is very fun) because not because its just a shooter but the enviroments are amazing and the AI looks awesome and the game play mechanics looks top notch in timesplitters case the game is just fun hands down sure the console controls hurt but the point of a game is to have fun with it right.

And now the duds Black(the person who greenlighted the idea to it single player is a moron), Halo(I hate hate hate the shelf regeneration sheilds idea and the max 2 weapons trend it started) and the countless WW2 shooters yes including call of duty 2 and the upcomming 3. To me these are the generic run of the mill shooters that barely innovated anything or just had horrible ideas such as the vehicle controls in halo which is pure garbage or the IR SMART SHOOTER mentality of Black or how they keep doing the same damn theme, level design and weapon designs of WW2 shooters since have been coming out since the 90's.

[Nick DiMola]

It seems as if VG has been taking a beating on this thread so I have decided to step up and allow you guys to beat me around some too. I HATE Halo, and I will never see the great "innovation" that Halo brought to the table. The only part of Halo I truly have respect for is the vehicles which handled like a dream. I truly get the same vibe from Gears of War that I get from Halo. I have a feeling the single player might wind up boring me to tears and then we are just left with the multiplayer, which I couldn't give a rats ass about anyway. Gears of War might wind up being great, but I'll see if it stands up to the test of time before I drop almost 70 bucks on it. Everyone I know who owns a 360 is buying it so I'll just have to play it and see how it really turns out. Like I said earlier, Viva Pinata is coming out around the same day, as is Guitar Hero 2. My spending dollars have better things to buy.  

[Flames_of_chaos]

Hmm well Viva Pinata looks interesting but hopefully its good considering Rare's not so great track record lately. Also I can careless about guitar hero 2. I am anticipating gears not just because of the setting but the gameplay mechanics interests me (minus the shaky cam) and Im not getting it because there a dought on 360 I have been busy with school and other games and work so I can careless now if theres a games dought especially with all the blitz of games the DS.

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: Pryopizm
Chainsaws are never out of place.  And don't play the age card, I'm 29.  I've been gaming since the 2600 was hot stuff and recall eagerly anticipating (figuring out and beating) the wonderful E.T.

I didn't play the age card it was a question, hence the question mark and "Tough to tell" since you questioned how much experience I had in console FPSs. Please read what I say before you think I'm attacking you. So you anticipated ET ehhe? Well there is proof there that you have been wrong in your anticipation.

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: Mr. Jack
It seems as if VG has been taking a beating on this thread so I have decided to step up and allow you guys to beat me around some too. I HATE Halo, and I will never see the great "innovation" that Halo brought to the table. The only part of Halo I truly have respect for is the vehicles which handled like a dream. I truly get the same vibe from Gears of War that I get from Halo. I have a feeling the single player might wind up boring me to tears and then we are just left with the multiplayer, which I couldn't give a rats ass about anyway. Gears of War might wind up being great, but I'll see if it stands up to the test of time before I drop almost 70 bucks on it. Everyone I know who owns a 360 is buying it so I'll just have to play it and see how it really turns out. Like I said earlier, Viva Pinata is coming out around the same day, as is Guitar Hero 2. My spending dollars have better things to buy.

I'm not sure about Viva, Rare worries me now days so I'll wait and see, as of now Gears of War is more on my interest list than Viva unless Rare proves they can come out with some great games again (which I hope they do because I want BK3 to be great). With that said Gears of War is in a similar situation with me as Viva is in some ways, in that I am not sure I trust the developer creating it. If you look at Epic's current trackrecord it is all in multiplayer games, specifically Unreal Tournament. Besides Unreal 1 (I'm not sure if they made Unreal 2 which was considered a mass dissapointment) have they even made any single player experiences after it? If that isn't a cause for concern I don't know what is! Heck it is the same fear I hold about Fall of Man for PS3, but at least that developer has experience in action/platformers.

P.S. I really want to try out guitar hero, but I'm not sure which system I want it on, PS2 which is coming out soon or Xbox 360 which is next year

[Ceric]

I'm excited about Gears of War.  I think if I ever get a chance to play it I will but thats going to be a few years from now with how things look.

[Pryopizm]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution

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Originally posted by: Pryopizm
Chainsaws are never out of place.  And don't play the age card, I'm 29.  I've been gaming since the 2600 was hot stuff and recall eagerly anticipating (figuring out and beating) the wonderful E.T.

I didn't play the age card it was a question, hence the question mark and "Tough to tell" since you questioned how much experience I had in console FPSs. Please read what I say before you think I'm attacking you. So you anticipated ET ehhe? Well there is proof there that you have been wrong in your anticipation.

Shoosh, I was also 5.  Plus, I was too young to realize how awful the game was.  However, I was awesome enough to beat it.  So, there you go.  I rule and am always right.

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: Pryopizm

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution

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Originally posted by: Pryopizm
Chainsaws are never out of place.  And don't play the age card, I'm 29.  I've been gaming since the 2600 was hot stuff and recall eagerly anticipating (figuring out and beating) the wonderful E.T.

I didn't play the age card it was a question, hence the question mark and "Tough to tell" since you questioned how much experience I had in console FPSs. Please read what I say before you think I'm attacking you. So you anticipated ET ehhe? Well there is proof there that you have been wrong in your anticipation.

Shoosh, I was also 5.  Plus, I was too young to realize how awful the game was.  However, I was awesome enough to beat it.  So, there you go.  I rule and am always right.

Well I have to give you props for finishing it, you must of been like the only person to ever complete it without your brain hemorrhaging or maybe it did, that is why you are so hyped for Gears of War. Hehe j/k  (OR AM I!)

[Pryopizm]

In honor of this trailer, I made my own new opening for TV's The Office.

[MaryJane]

Someone else may have said this I didn't look, but that song Mad World is awesome Donnie Darko is the shiznit. That song rules! I watched the trailer 4 times, the first two for the song the second two for the graphics. They are really really good, I'm not a graphics whore, but that blows the Wii 1st gen games back to the 64 days.

Although I do have to say the game itself does seem somewhat generic, I'm not too interested, I may rent it.

Edit: watched it again, i may have to buy it, i didn't notice the little spiders crawling under the big one, seems strange i know, but to me for some reason it says the difficulty is at a very nice level that I would love to test out.

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: MaryJane
Someone else may have said this I didn't look, but that song Mad World is awesome Donnie Darko is the shiznit. That song rules! I watched the trailer 4 times, the first two for the song the second two for the graphics. They are really really good, I'm not a graphics whore, but that blows the Wii 1st gen games back to the 64 days.

Although I do have to say the game itself does seem somewhat generic, I'm not too interested, I may rent it.

Edit: watched it again, i may have to buy it, i didn't notice the little spiders crawling under the big one, seems strange i know, but to me for some reason it says the difficulty is at a very nice level that I would love to test out.

This is a second generation game too, and has had more than enough time to polish the visuals which could easily contribute to the apparant graphical leap over Wii. I still would like to know how much downsizing it would take for the visuals to work on the Wii, because there are some gorgeous games out there for GC/Xbox generation as well that look better than most of the upcoming Wii games (splinter cell and RE4 being two). Not sure about judging a game's difficulty off the looks of enemies is a good strategy either, I've seen alot of games where the boss fights appear to be tough when looking at them but are in actuality quite easy (Kameo comes to mind).  Personally if I get GoW I hope it isn't overly difficult because I don't have the time anymore.

[Smoke39]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Not sure about judging a game's difficulty off the looks of enemies is a good strategy either, I've seen alot of games where the boss fights appear to be tough when looking at them but are in actuality quite easy (Kameo comes to mind).

Doom 3 final boss lol

[GoldenPhoenix]

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Originally posted by: Smoke39

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution
Not sure about judging a game's difficulty off the looks of enemies is a good strategy either, I've seen alot of games where the boss fights appear to be tough when looking at them but are in actuality quite easy (Kameo comes to mind).

Doom 3 final boss lol

Forgot about him, if you were to base a game off the boss's design that would definately be a good example of how wrong you can be!  

[IceCold]

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Someone else may have said this I didn't look, but that song Mad World is awesome Donnie Darko is the shiznit.

I wonder, do you guys like the cover song more than the original?

[Pryopizm]

Original = better.

[Svevan]

Original's music video = inhumanity to man

[Smash_Brother]

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Originally posted by: VGrevolution I'm not sure about Viva, Rare worries me now days so I'll wait and see, as of now Gears of War is more on my interest list than Viva unless Rare proves they can come out with some great games again (which I hope they do because I want BK3 to be great).

Just to give people a heads up, a friend of mine and I watched an episode of VP and the show was so absolutely awful that we couldn't watch any of the other episodes we had downloaded.

Basically, the makers of the show don't seem to understand that "child" doesn't equate "low standards". The show was pretty insulting to intelligence, even to young kids. If I had kids, I wouldn't let them watch it for fear it would turn them into vacuous idiots.

I don't know what that says about the potential of the game, but my guess would be this right now: it's going to bomb. I firmly believe that all of the competent Rare employees must have left after the buyout because I've played through PD0 and it was immensely unimpressive.

I don't have much hope for BK3. BK1 was still a much better game than BK2 and wasn't nearly the massive collectathon. With even more devs gone, I can't imagine BK3 being anything but a disappointment.

Also, the 360 isn't the right audience for most Rare games. Games like VP and BK3 would do well on a platform where mascots get sales, like the PS2 or GC, but they're going to do awful on the 360 because it's just NOT the right audience. The Xbox wasn't and quite a few mascots went there to die. Why would the 360 be any different?

[Nick DiMola]

I think you make a good point smash. I hope Microsoft realizes Rare isn't producing and they let them out into the wild again. Perhaps if they are cut loose they will develop for whatever system they want without being a second party and maybe attract some new talent that can bring back life to their characters.

As for Viva Pinata, I thought the gameplay sounded pretty interesting. I don't know too much about the show, but the game seems really weird and something new in general which I am always interested in trying. Not to mention, my fiancee REALLY wants the game, so it has kind of added to my excitement to get it.

[Ceric]

But Viva Pinata the Show is any indication of the 360 games graphics then I be really impressed.