Gears of War 3

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2035 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,606 out of 2035
  2. Mixed: 244 out of 2035
  3. Negative: 185 out of 2035
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  1. gypsygib
    Oct 17, 2011
    7
    As a long term Gears fan I must say the 3rd tittle is more than a little disappointing. The MP is better than in Gears 2 but the SP is pretty bad. The AI is idiotic and having your teammates constantly revive changes the game dynamic in such a way that it doesn't have any of the Gears magic anymore. Also, level design, story, and dialogue just seem off for some reason. This games SPAs a long term Gears fan I must say the 3rd tittle is more than a little disappointing. The MP is better than in Gears 2 but the SP is pretty bad. The AI is idiotic and having your teammates constantly revive changes the game dynamic in such a way that it doesn't have any of the Gears magic anymore. Also, level design, story, and dialogue just seem off for some reason. This games SP just feel like the worst in the series. Overall, if you're looking for a solid MP only - Gears 3 is fine. But, if you want a comprehensive package, which is what is expected of the Gears series, look elsewhere. This game, sadly, is a big disappointment and way overrated by the major review sites. The metacritic users have it closer.… Expand
  2. Robbie111222
    Nov 2, 2011
    7
    Not a bad game at all, for me it's the graphics, and the gameplay, solid effort, their are a few little issues here that dampen the experience here within the multiplayer aspect that negates the score. Worth a buy if you own an xbox360, as not many more exclusives to come, unless you own a kinect.
  3. MatJoker
    Nov 16, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I was really expecting this game and it not let me down, despite some minor problems. If you take it for a brainless game, just for the fun of the action, you'll enjoy it, otherwise it's quite shallow and do not offer a real challenge. The game it's really short, the storytelling seems rushed and you lose all the sympathy you had to use with Marcus and company. I missed some machine using. The sub part, for example, you should drive it, as cars and maybe even motorcycles to get some action and break the liniarity of the game. In other hand, Graphics are amazing and really beautiful. At least, give you some closure for the trilogy. If you are a fan and like to play multi players online, you must have, otherwise, just rent. In a rainy Sunday you might get to end of this game.… Expand
  4. coopers41
    Sep 27, 2012
    7
    I delayed getting this game because I was worried that the game would be a carbon copy of the second, well my fears were right. Unfortunately there is very little new here gameplay wise, same old duck and cover, same old shooting and same cinematic cut scenes. While the story is epic and movie like I was hoping for something that little bit more. Don't get me wrong, I love the gearsI delayed getting this game because I was worried that the game would be a carbon copy of the second, well my fears were right. Unfortunately there is very little new here gameplay wise, same old duck and cover, same old shooting and same cinematic cut scenes. While the story is epic and movie like I was hoping for something that little bit more. Don't get me wrong, I love the gears universe but its just missing that spark to have taken it to the next level.
    On the plus side, the multiplayer have improved vastly. With ribbons to earn and earning the cash to buy weapons etc this is the reason to purchase this game. The multiplayer is the saving grace.
    All in all the graphics have improved with every game, the story is worthy of a Hollywood blockbuster and a fitting end to fenix's story. I'm not saying that gears 3 is not worth getting, if you liked the other entries in the series you will no doubt like this but like I said its just missing that certain spark, the something that takes it up a notch.    … Expand
  5. rotku
    Mar 25, 2012
    7
    Yes it's more of the same but the storyline feels more realistic this time around with an ending of hope (until the fourth installment anyway). The addition of more in depth online gaming and different modes adds longevity beyond anything the first two parts had.
  6. Makaveli
    Mar 6, 2012
    7
    By all means this is not a bad game at all. However I didn't like the multiplayer, it felt like they tried a CoD approach, and I hate CoD. Gears 1 and 2 I was addicted to those for a long time. This game not at all. I bought this game at launch, And single player ending was not as good as I thought it would be.. Gears 1 was the best and Gears 3 is the worst.
  7. killdrphil
    Oct 3, 2011
    7
    Very much like a movie heavy on special effects and little else. In other words, all style and no substance. Pretty shallow really. And can be very boring at times. But, if you're in the mood to just check out your brain and not think - just roll, shoot and say "ohhh pretty" over and over then this is your game.
  8. BovinePiracy
    Nov 4, 2011
    7
    Good conclusion to a stellar storyline. Multiplayer still a bit lacking though. Nothing improved from previous attempts. 4 player co-op rocks, and horde mode still stands strong. Beast mode was not as fun as I hoped it would be though. Overall a pretty good game and worth the bucks for the single player alone.
  9. coolinb123
    Dec 29, 2011
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. overall the game was fun, good on almost all aspects but the sp lacked alot, i was not satisfied with doms death, or the story. kinda sad after an epic gears 2 story..... i dislike the lack of playing with carmine, and the delta squad.. epic games, didnt leave with a bang so this game is a bit lower than it should if few things were changed. i like beast mode, the new horde the lack of 4 PLAYER OFFLINE coop, really killed it after they said they included it, kinda sad gameplay-8 fun-7/8 creativity-8 lasting gameplay-9… Expand
  10. Daematune
    Sep 21, 2011
    7
    Gears of War 3 feels like a giant step back as well as a small step forward in some areas. Gameplay wise there are some invaluable new additions, they sadly proved to be pointless. However, somehow they managed to unbalance the game a bit. The melee is no longer auto-targeted and the damage has been broken down a fair bit, a few guns have also been messed with far too much. The campaignGears of War 3 feels like a giant step back as well as a small step forward in some areas. Gameplay wise there are some invaluable new additions, they sadly proved to be pointless. However, somehow they managed to unbalance the game a bit. The melee is no longer auto-targeted and the damage has been broken down a fair bit, a few guns have also been messed with far too much. The campaign feels extremely sluggish and dull, it was not executed properly at all. The story also had great promise. Cole Train returns to his hometown, sees his stadium in ruin.. Marcus finds out his father his actually alive-- Dom dies.. none of these story elements were taken seriously, it felt lifeless. A couple new characters were also thrown at you that no history behind them, they weren't very likeable either. The multiplayer section of this game lives up to expectations, more or less. The new and 'improved' horde mode is much, much better. It adds an engulfing amount of depth into the map. You can build different types of defenses and offenses, the boss battles are also very challenging. The new beast mode is also surprisingly fun as well, different playable 'beasts' had a number of strengths and weaknesses. Within the other half of multiplayer, player vs player.. nothing really changed. Of course you still have your new maps and all. Overall, I wish they could have been as innovative as they were with Gears 1 and 2.… Expand
  11. Thefallenhun
    Sep 20, 2011
    7
    Its good, well polished, quality sounds an effects, but there is virtually nothing to distinguish it gameplay wise from the first two titles except different weapons and enemies. The script writing is pretty hackneyed, and I didn't care about the characters at all.

    The multiplayer is a mixed bag. The deathmatch I don't think is much fun because it pretty much boils down to explosive    Its good, well polished, quality sounds an effects, but there is virtually nothing to distinguish it gameplay wise from the first two titles except different weapons and enemies. The script writing is pretty hackneyed, and I didn't care about the characters at all.

    The multiplayer is a mixed bag. The deathmatch I don't think is much fun because it pretty much boils down to explosive weapons and shotguns. The availability of cover and dive rolls means you won't be killing anyone with your rifle weapons. However, horde and beast modes are pretty fun, and are a less aggressive multiplayer arena and should provide some good fun.

    Still, this game is not at all innovative and I will probably get bored quick.    … Expand
  12. Woodlin37
    Oct 2, 2011
    7
    Firstly the story in campaign mode bored me to death really, i was really disapointed with it and could not wait for it to end, rather than me wanting more, also its a little on the easy side. Gameplay is brilliant and flawless in my opinion. Multiplayer is also perfect this time around after the disapointment and buggy Gears 2 at release, Good not great game a worth while pick-up when atFirstly the story in campaign mode bored me to death really, i was really disapointed with it and could not wait for it to end, rather than me wanting more, also its a little on the easy side. Gameplay is brilliant and flawless in my opinion. Multiplayer is also perfect this time around after the disapointment and buggy Gears 2 at release, Good not great game a worth while pick-up when at a cheaper price.… Expand
  13. Ali1247
    Sep 22, 2011
    7
    The story had so much potential but it could have been executed in a much better way I would have enjoyed the story and gotten into it if it wasn't for this poor execution the bad humour and the lack of seriousness among the characters really ruined it for me. The characters from the previous 2 games return along with some new characters but I just could not get myself to care for or takeThe story had so much potential but it could have been executed in a much better way I would have enjoyed the story and gotten into it if it wasn't for this poor execution the bad humour and the lack of seriousness among the characters really ruined it for me. The characters from the previous 2 games return along with some new characters but I just could not get myself to care for or take any of them seriously because of their bland and annoying personalities specially the buff male characters who look like freaks of nature and mutated themselves. The campaign was fun and they have made some improvements over the gameplay but it is still very linear with its share of frustrating moments and still way to short for the wrap up of the triology but I still enjoyed it and the EXP system is really a great addition and exactly what the previous two games needed in the campaign and the new weapons are also unique and fun to use. The multiplayer is definitely much better than the one from Gears 2 they have added new modes and reworked the Horde mode and they are all really fun and much more strategic than repetitive and boring.. The online multiplayer for the campaign which allows a 4 player Co-Op is really cool however playing the campaign with offline multiplayer with a friend by your side with the awful split screen can be really frustrating. The graphics are just amazing it is nice that despite being out for so many years the 360 is still not showing its age. The game's voice acting is fine but could have been alot better and realistic. Also I still did not see that many changes in the Single player from Gears 2 this game it still feels more like it predecessors. Overall I think Epic Games took 2 steps forward and 2 steps back in my opinion don't get me wrong I still think this is a really good game but I think it is getting overpraised because as the ending of a 5 year triology it is a little disappointing. 7.5/10.… Expand
  14. Rammsoldat
    Sep 22, 2011
    7
    Where to start. Multiplayer is better than ever and i feel that the game is worth the purchase on the strength of that alone. The maps are well designed and the weapons are fun and match a nice variety of playstyles wich has bred a fair amount of discontent from the hardcore fanbase who are used to only having 1 type of player to deal with.

    Story mode falls on its face a little. With any    Where to start. Multiplayer is better than ever and i feel that the game is worth the purchase on the strength of that alone. The maps are well designed and the weapons are fun and match a nice variety of playstyles wich has bred a fair amount of discontent from the hardcore fanbase who are used to only having 1 type of player to deal with.

    Story mode falls on its face a little. With any story i feel the toughest part to nail down is a satisfying ending and gears of war 3 pulls the old "i win button" one wich is a fairly large cop out in story telling. There were some great parts of the story to play through such as defending anvil gate but its a bit short and some of the plot is a bit daft.

    I give the game 7 out of 10 based largely on multiplayer, the story itself has good characters and not alot else and seeing as its haf the game its underpreforming brings the overall score down for me.    … Expand
  15. TheBruteHazard
    Nov 8, 2011
    7
    If you are looking for the ultimate installment in this long running series, then this one is the one to get. Gears of War makes no sacrifices and enhances upon an already solid TPS. You've got action, fun, and beautiful visuals in one package.
  16. Bigredd77
    Nov 12, 2011
    7
    Awesome game, would have given it a 8 but holy crap look at all the 10's!! I haven't given a game a 10 ever, that means it's flawless. Graphics wise it is awesome, weapons are getting a bit tired and the shtick coming from the corny characters is hard to deal with. Overall I find the game very fun but not addictive. True GOW fans should love this one as it doesn't take itself tooAwesome game, would have given it a 8 but holy crap look at all the 10's!! I haven't given a game a 10 ever, that means it's flawless. Graphics wise it is awesome, weapons are getting a bit tired and the shtick coming from the corny characters is hard to deal with. Overall I find the game very fun but not addictive. True GOW fans should love this one as it doesn't take itself too seriously. Visually a great game.… Expand
  17. Dangerousdavid
    Nov 10, 2011
    7
    The campaign was okay, I thought 2s was better though. Other than that the new MP maps are solid, new weapons are good and I like how they tightened up gameplay even more than 2. I cant give it a better score though because I feel like Epic Games were too conservative in the development in this game, unwilling to change hardly anything.
  18. Crabman
    Nov 10, 2011
    7
    I have been a fan since the first Gears. I have owned every installment and played all of them to death. That being said I didn't feel the campaign lived up to expectations. The story just felt like it ended period. I understand there are thousands of Gears in their universe but they introduce new ones every game and expect me to care for them isn't going to happen. With that being saidI have been a fan since the first Gears. I have owned every installment and played all of them to death. That being said I didn't feel the campaign lived up to expectations. The story just felt like it ended period. I understand there are thousands of Gears in their universe but they introduce new ones every game and expect me to care for them isn't going to happen. With that being said the multiplayer is tight and polished. Horde mode 2.0 keeps you hooked for hours at a time and beast mode is fun too. The only problem with beast is that it is short. Oh and not to mention playing the story with 3 friends is real good fun.… Expand
  19. NoMoreNiceGuy
    Nov 11, 2011
    7
    I got to say, i am a little dissapointed. the Campaign is decent and long, but i've played most parts of it in GoW1&2, sure some parts are new, buts its mostly run, cover, gun again. i love Beast and Horde, they're both awesome. But i dislike the fact that i have to buy weapons and ammo in Horde. The MP is great, but i still mostly see gnashers again

    In short: +Beast mode + Horde + long    I got to say, i am a little dissapointed. the Campaign is decent and long, but i've played most parts of it in GoW1&2, sure some parts are new, buts its mostly run, cover, gun again. i love Beast and Horde, they're both awesome. But i dislike the fact that i have to buy weapons and ammo in Horde. The MP is great, but i still mostly see gnashers again

    In short:
    +Beast mode
    + Horde
    + long campaign
    - repetive campaign    … Expand
  20. the5thfreedom
    Nov 14, 2011
    7
    oh excuse me ok hold on thats better sorry had to remove my hype goggles to get a clearer picture of this game. so will start with the single player easily the best in the series (which def help with my score being more postive) the story isnt nonsense like the other two installments probably due to the fact that it actually had a real writer this time around. anyways i throughly enjoyedoh excuse me ok hold on thats better sorry had to remove my hype goggles to get a clearer picture of this game. so will start with the single player easily the best in the series (which def help with my score being more postive) the story isnt nonsense like the other two installments probably due to the fact that it actually had a real writer this time around. anyways i throughly enjoyed the campaign it was action packe d and full of everything i want high intense action and amazing boss fights as well a rich story that you could feel for the charcters as they took this journey. now for the multiplayer were to start first off this is a COVER based shooter so wheres the cover every map that was playabe on launch features litte to no cover no matter were u went a person could easly shoot and kill you while you took cover instantly changing the type of gameplay from the amazing tactical shooter it once was to a borderline third person copy of a popular FPS. im not complaining about the weapons at all new games means new weapons which takes adapting to but when u change the way the whole game palys you lose your hardcore fans who are the ones who keep the community alive. so Since epic wants us all to play the Most popluar shooter on xbox live (since the changed almost everything about there game to fit the type of game) i traded in gears of war to get the most popular FPS out there ( for a refence i am a huge Gears fan bought the epic edtion and i even have a gears tattoo) at least when the second game came out i want so betrayed by the company and it was still a Gears of war game so unless EPIC has some patches planned to make gears similar if not exactly what it use to be then ill stick to my FPS instead of GEARS OF DUTY.… Expand
  21. Aarvex
    Nov 22, 2011
    7
    Gears of War 3 takes what I've seen out of Gears of War and puts it in a new game with higher quality graphics. This isn't the worst thing as the series is a compelling one but new features or motions would be exceptional and bump this game to a 8 or maybe 9. The multiplayer improved drastically from being one where you'd have to be excellent to get any enjoyment out of it to being oneGears of War 3 takes what I've seen out of Gears of War and puts it in a new game with higher quality graphics. This isn't the worst thing as the series is a compelling one but new features or motions would be exceptional and bump this game to a 8 or maybe 9. The multiplayer improved drastically from being one where you'd have to be excellent to get any enjoyment out of it to being one where anyone can excel and get some fun from it but there is still that WOW factor missing from it that other shooters seem to have.… Expand
  22. Warlike
    Dec 13, 2011
    7
    The online in this game is as good as ever, but the story just wasn't there at all. every time a cut scene happens after a long mission of fighting they will talk for a few seconds before they are once again attacked by the lambent or locust. I also did not like the lambent from previous games so finding out they were the main enemy wasn't pleasant, they did fix the problems i had such asThe online in this game is as good as ever, but the story just wasn't there at all. every time a cut scene happens after a long mission of fighting they will talk for a few seconds before they are once again attacked by the lambent or locust. I also did not like the lambent from previous games so finding out they were the main enemy wasn't pleasant, they did fix the problems i had such as using the chainsaw on lambent no longer damages you like in previous games. Although the story wasn't what i wanted it to be the online multi-player is still great and the new maps live up to the gears of war name.… Expand
  23. GCMANINDAHOOD
    Jun 21, 2012
    7
    I'm a longtime fan of gears and this game was great. The Campaign was by far the best of all the 3 games and it really raps up. Honestly if it weren't for the amazing campaign this game would have been a disaster. Aside from the campaign I'd say everything else was made worst from Gears of War 2. They took GoW2 and tried to make it like Cod and thus GoW3 was born. The new Horde isI'm a longtime fan of gears and this game was great. The Campaign was by far the best of all the 3 games and it really raps up. Honestly if it weren't for the amazing campaign this game would have been a disaster. Aside from the campaign I'd say everything else was made worst from Gears of War 2. They took GoW2 and tried to make it like Cod and thus GoW3 was born. The new Horde is terrible, the fact that you have to buy your weapons and all this other stuff ruins the fun, their trying to turn horde into CoD Zombies which is not cool. classic horde were you could just grab a gun and start killing some grubs without any nonsense. Multiplayer was just as bad as GoW2 no multiplayer in the history of gaming could match up to how great GoW1 was where you could host your own game and random people would join. But again Gears constantly trying to be like others copied Halo's matchmaking and they made so called "true skill" matchmaking which isn't true skill at all and ruined online multiplayer. Also everything looks kinda sloppy green guns and all this colorful stuff like those glowing spikes and command posts ruin the scenario. Beast mode is fun and a good improve but only for a brief time + it could be better. Other than that nothing too new, interesting, or extravagant other than the campaign. It is above average.… Expand
  24. Matriix
    Feb 14, 2012
    7
    did not live up to the hype. i felt that the campaign was the least good out of all gears games, the AI in this campaign runs through the levels with incredible speed and adds so much frustration to you and your buddy playing this in co-op especially on the highest difficulty. the multiplayer is solid and good for the fans. the horde mode fell flat in my mind. it was a really gooddid not live up to the hype. i felt that the campaign was the least good out of all gears games, the AI in this campaign runs through the levels with incredible speed and adds so much frustration to you and your buddy playing this in co-op especially on the highest difficulty. the multiplayer is solid and good for the fans. the horde mode fell flat in my mind. it was a really good experience untill you realised that its pointless building better defense sine there is a bossfight every 10th level and you simply cant afford building it all up after he destroys it (without any problems i might add) 7/10… Expand
  25. Micho
    Aug 12, 2012
    7
    A good game. I played Gears 1 and 2, which i enjoyed even though there were some lag issues(Multiplayer). The campaign was fantastic, i loved the whole new twist on it with the lambent and the fact that it's 4-player co-op! Beast Mode is kinda boring if you ask me. It's repetetive as hell, and reaching the last few rounds there will always be one or multiple guys using the berserker whichA good game. I played Gears 1 and 2, which i enjoyed even though there were some lag issues(Multiplayer). The campaign was fantastic, i loved the whole new twist on it with the lambent and the fact that it's 4-player co-op! Beast Mode is kinda boring if you ask me. It's repetetive as hell, and reaching the last few rounds there will always be one or multiple guys using the berserker which will ruin it for you. I love Horde Mode 2.0. Very well done, the whole leveling system for your fortifications is awesome, and was thought out very well. I'm also pleased that there's finally host migration, i never liked Horde on GoW2 because the host would usually leave early, which would just stop the whole match. And Multiplayer.. well.. i have mixed feelings about it. I love how smooth it plays, but the one thing that pisses me off are these damned retro-lancer users. People complain about the sawed-off, but it's not that over-powered IMO(Even though it's the shotty for people who suck at using a Gnasher). It has like, what, 4 shots? Just stay on some distance to kick ass with your gnasher, they won't be able to hit/kill you. But the Retro? I can't even run across the battlefield just to get sprayed down by another retro-user sitting behind cover. They'll even spray you down in no-time from close-range, and you basically have no chance when they have an active reload. Any person with EYES can use this weapon effectively. I dont know why EPIC dumbed it down this much. Well, maybe i do, just to get more casuals buy it, play it, and achieve a 5.0 K/D just by camping with the damn retro. And the thing that really proves that they dumbed it down is replacing Guardian with Team Deathmatch. I just have NO words for this. I'm just glad they included it in DLC, even though the fact that you can see the enemies with the tac-com as the leader is **** Still, i really enjoy it. There's plenty of other players using a Gnasher ofcourse, but you can't even fight him for 10 seconds without someone walking up with a retro or sawed-off and just making you his ****
    I really want to give this a higher rating, but dumbing everything down in the Multiplayer was just a dumb, (but for them a clever and moneygrabbing) move.    … Expand
  26. dirtierburigo
    Dec 26, 2012
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. the campaing is great, the multiplayer awesome, the horde is good, but the game sucks compared with the others gears, because the environment is not so heavy and the crosshairs is diferent. the crosshairs
    in the others gears is better.    … Expand
  27. houyi111
    May 10, 2013
    7
    Pretty much the same as the previous one regarding SP. Haven't beat it on insanity, since cannot find a friend who is willing to play campaign with me.
  28. gorelequint
    Apr 23, 2013
    7
    Well I was not disappointed with this game, some very cool new weapons and some brilliant adaptations on Horde plus a new game called Beast. Me and my friends have had hours of fun playing both these games, the campaign was not bad not amazing but worth playing. So much carnage to in this game I love Gears of War. Do try and find a bargain price for it tho, I ordered it second hand forWell I was not disappointed with this game, some very cool new weapons and some brilliant adaptations on Horde plus a new game called Beast. Me and my friends have had hours of fun playing both these games, the campaign was not bad not amazing but worth playing. So much carnage to in this game I love Gears of War. Do try and find a bargain price for it tho, I ordered it second hand for about £10 and managed to get a brand new game in the wrapper still. If you love the gears games buy it, if you are new and intrigued then buy it and enjoy the blood shed and carnage with your trusty chainsaw lancer … Expand
  29. XxJoseManuelxX
    Sep 3, 2016
    7
    Gears of War 3 is a military science fiction third-person shooter video game developed by Epic Games and published by Microsoft.

    + Fun Gameplay
    + Coop
    + Multiplayer
    - Bad Story
    - Stupid Characters
    - Repetitive
  30. GhiriGhiri
    Aug 27, 2016
    7
    Gears of War 3 has the best coop-game that I've never seen before. This is the only reason to buy Gears of War 3. Multiplayer has a lot of bug to aim heads and monsters, but is a really easy win.
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Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2011
5
#5 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2011
4
#4 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2011

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 96 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 94 out of 96
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 96
  3. Negative: 0 out of 96
  1. GameCritics
    Jan 18, 2012
    65
    Rather than the perfect end to a thrilling series, it seemed like the developers were afraid to take real risks with either the story or the gameplay of Gears 3.
    Read full review
  2. DailyGame
    Dec 12, 2011
    85
    Gears of War 3 is a solid game and likely worthy of the praise it's received. I just happen to think it falls a bit flat.
    Read full review
  3. Xbox World 360 Magazine UK
    Dec 2, 2011
    90
    An unmissable, unbeatable offering. [Dec 2011, p.95]
See all critic reviews »