Gears of War

 Xbox 360
User Score
8.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 3029 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,457 out of 3029
  2. Mixed: 306 out of 3029
  3. Negative: 266 out of 3029
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  1. MattP.
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    Yeah this game is f..king kick ass you guys did good job on the game only thing i dont like is when u run n u get chainsawed like 10feet away beside that game is kickass been up for 32hrs playing non-stop.
  2. AnthonyV.
    Nov 18, 2006
    5
    Overhyped, overrated. Awful dialogue, contrived and non-existent story elements, short single-player. The A button is used for far too many things - running and cover is a pain the neck to pull off. Multiplayer is solid as long as you can put up with the controls. And for the life of me I can't understand how this game is getting so many good reviews; "pretty" looking graphics and Overhyped, overrated. Awful dialogue, contrived and non-existent story elements, short single-player. The A button is used for far too many things - running and cover is a pain the neck to pull off. Multiplayer is solid as long as you can put up with the controls. And for the life of me I can't understand how this game is getting so many good reviews; "pretty" looking graphics and good enemy AI can only do so much if you can't control your own character. The difficulty level of this game is more of a reflection of the cover system than how good the game is.… Expand
  3. J.T.
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    Ok I knew that the game would be good but i have to say that Gears Of War exceeds my expectations 100 percent!! The Gameplay is smooth and inovative, unlike any other game on the market. The graphics are absolutely stuning, and the multiplayer is intense and loads of fun. But the best part of the game has to be the chainsaw...there is nothing like cutting a big grasshopper from elbow to Ok I knew that the game would be good but i have to say that Gears Of War exceeds my expectations 100 percent!! The Gameplay is smooth and inovative, unlike any other game on the market. The graphics are absolutely stuning, and the multiplayer is intense and loads of fun. But the best part of the game has to be the chainsaw...there is nothing like cutting a big grasshopper from elbow to a..hole!!!… Expand
  4. gregchaboinker
    Nov 18, 2006
    8
    this is obviously a great game. the graphics are stunning and the gameplay is phenomenal. this game was very overly hyphed though. i really thought it was missing something. i think they should have spent more time too make it absolutley perfect. its still a great game and should be boughten, but i think it cud be better
  5. andrewjohnson
    Nov 17, 2006
    0
    frist off im not a big first shooter fan anyway but wanted to try this game becuase it was hyped and theres not many good games for the 360 yet. the game has great graffics but it still dosent challenge the player in new and fun ways. just mindless shooting and nothing else.
  6. KBeatty
    Nov 17, 2006
    10
    It's been a long time since I've sat in my office thinking about getting home so I can play a game. Gears has captivated me completely. There are so many standout moments along with the "best I've ever seen on a console" graphics, that this game should not be missed.
  7. NeilV.
    Nov 17, 2006
    8
    Its really a neat game, but the game isnt long enough. My friends and I beat it so quickly...it left as asking, "Thats it???"
  8. Alex
    Nov 15, 2006
    10
    Wow. Its really hard to truly describe the masterpeice that is Gears of War. between the hectic gameplay, heart-stopping visuals, chainsaw bayonet, the unforgettable campaign moments (such as the first Berserker fight), the spot- on voice acting, the cinematic appeal, and the overall AWESOMENESS of it all, its really hard to pick which part of GoW stands out the most. but stop for a Wow. Its really hard to truly describe the masterpeice that is Gears of War. between the hectic gameplay, heart-stopping visuals, chainsaw bayonet, the unforgettable campaign moments (such as the first Berserker fight), the spot- on voice acting, the cinematic appeal, and the overall AWESOMENESS of it all, its really hard to pick which part of GoW stands out the most. but stop for a second, throw the super smooth co-op into it all, and you've got all of the aforementioned, only doubled, and with a friend, making the overall game a true 360 MUST BUY title. plus, its got offline split-screen, which is a feature that (sadly) is becoming incredibly rare now a days. there are the occasional hiccups with the physics and graphics, but these are almost non-existant when you take into account the whole scope of the game. here's to hoping for Gears of War 2. 9.9 out of 10 p.s. Dominic Santiago is a badass.… Expand
  9. GuangmianK.
    Nov 15, 2006
    9
    This game has some impressive textures but I am really disappointed by the particle effects and the bullet holes. The drawing of the bullets and the gun holes look absolutely last gen, and do nothing other than block your view when you are firing at enemies at a lare distance. The graphics are good, but only on the textures and characters, but not in a way that actually matters to you and This game has some impressive textures but I am really disappointed by the particle effects and the bullet holes. The drawing of the bullets and the gun holes look absolutely last gen, and do nothing other than block your view when you are firing at enemies at a lare distance. The graphics are good, but only on the textures and characters, but not in a way that actually matters to you and enhances gameplay. More detailed it might be, but it is much less visually attractive compared to Lost Planet and GRAW and even Halo 2. Its like, the game is very detailed, but somehow you don't want to stand there to admire the scenery. Halo 2 was a game which i felt didn't really look that detailed, but the way the plasma shots and explosions and lighting are drawn, really makes the firefight really beautiful. But this is not the case in Gears .The game play is okay, but the drones' AI could really get some improvement. It feels like you are just shooting at rubber ducks that bob up and down from the cover. The controls are a bit out of control when you come into melee range of your enemy, and that is when you realise that Gears could really make use of Rainbow Six: Vegas's first/third person system. The game is still good and above average in my opinion, but its single-player just isn't as good as everybody hypes it up to be. The speeches in the cutscenes are sometimes embarassingly dumb and meaningless, when they could potentially be used to great effect to bring out the story much much more. With a more effective art styling and some tweaking of the controls and camera angles, I feel that the game would have felt alot more organic and easy to play.… Expand
  10. LoganD.
    Nov 15, 2006
    8
    Its a great game..but it is far to short..and the plot makes no sense..its jumps around and around.
  11. CliffB.
    Nov 15, 2006
    4
    After all the hyped up broohahah over this game, I was expecting more. It all sounded like it had so much potential... Yeah great graphics and 'cinematic' style and as you jump in the excitement and feeling of action is great, but shouldn't that be a given, on next gen? Whatever happened to that thing called "gameplay"? Gears gameplay is repetitive, and definitely not After all the hyped up broohahah over this game, I was expecting more. It all sounded like it had so much potential... Yeah great graphics and 'cinematic' style and as you jump in the excitement and feeling of action is great, but shouldn't that be a given, on next gen? Whatever happened to that thing called "gameplay"? Gears gameplay is repetitive, and definitely not innovative - just a rip off of Killswitch and a few others. Oh and a chainsaw? Ooooh, never seen that before. Plus there are lots of annoying things that ruin what could have been a pretty "solid" game. Like objects sticking to you as you run past. Lame physics on enemies with limbs flying around in all directions. Numerous disc read, collision and weapon bugs..Allied A.I. is just terrible! I remember bitching about dumb friendlies getting in your way as long ago as Half Life and these guys still haven't figured it out. And nobody seems to have noticed how weak the effects are. This is XBox 360 for god's sake it should be possible to do way better than this, I can't see any excuse for it. As far as overall presentation goes, the story and characters are just adolescent and the setting is pretty stupid too (why are there burnt out cars from the 80s lying about in a futuristic alien world?) Finally, it's only around 6 to 8 hours long. Worth a rental to look at the pretty environments but that's about it.… Expand
  12. WallyD.
    Nov 15, 2006
    10
    This game is definantly one that is an instant buy. I played through the campaign mode with a buddy of mine and we loved every second of it. The level of visual quality is perfectly paired with the level of sound quality in this game. The voice overs are awesome. The guns, enemys, enviorments, etc. all combine to help you immerse yourself to a level that was once know only by Halo. Along This game is definantly one that is an instant buy. I played through the campaign mode with a buddy of mine and we loved every second of it. The level of visual quality is perfectly paired with the level of sound quality in this game. The voice overs are awesome. The guns, enemys, enviorments, etc. all combine to help you immerse yourself to a level that was once know only by Halo. Along with the awesome online support. Co-op online, COME ON! Personally that is something I have been wanting for a long time, and boy did this game deliver. So in the end this game definantly gets a perfect score from me.… Expand
  13. ChristosT.
    Nov 15, 2006
    6
    Yo this game is fun, to co-op is cool, the action is tight, so is the look but online sucks. There needs tobe a 4 player split screen and you will spend most of your time trying to get in to the same game along with your friends. Therefore please update your online cause it is really weak.
  14. BryanM.
    Nov 15, 2006
    4
    It is way too overhyped! It is not that good its just a shooting game that you just hide behind walls and other stuff most of the time, but if you like Ghost Recon, this is your game!
  15. BobM.
    Nov 15, 2006
    10
    Best Shooter To Date. I Cant Wait For Part Two!
  16. JonSteine
    Nov 15, 2006
    10
    this game is the best third person shooter i have ever played. A sweet campain story. The bosses fights are so sweet that will just be saying "sweet". The chainsaw is the one of the best weapons ever having the blood spray all over the screen. but to Steve M. you are on crack and wasted and you deserve to have Marcus Felix come over to your house and chop you up with a chainsaw forthis game is the best third person shooter i have ever played. A sweet campain story. The bosses fights are so sweet that will just be saying "sweet". The chainsaw is the one of the best weapons ever having the blood spray all over the screen. but to Steve M. you are on crack and wasted and you deserve to have Marcus Felix come over to your house and chop you up with a chainsaw for saying that.… Expand
  17. PatrickC.
    Nov 15, 2006
    9
    Killer app. Period. A must try and for most gamers, a must buy ! Top of the notch game ! -0,5 for a lack of story originality. -0,5 for a too short single player campaign.
  18. BigJake
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    Incredible graphics and gameplay to match. Well done fine sirs...well done...
  19. Mr.Anderson
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    This is a game for me. The immersive environments, the better-than-hollywood story, the obviously incredible graphics all enhance the most enjoyable action gameplay I've experienced in years. I'm not usually a big fan of online multiplayer, but this one utilizes strategy and teamwork to an addictive degree. I'm also not one to typically play through an action game's This is a game for me. The immersive environments, the better-than-hollywood story, the obviously incredible graphics all enhance the most enjoyable action gameplay I've experienced in years. I'm not usually a big fan of online multiplayer, but this one utilizes strategy and teamwork to an addictive degree. I'm also not one to typically play through an action game's story more than once (I do that with RPG's some), but I am now going through it the 2nd time on the harder diffculty and can't put it down. It never gets old or frustrating (actually it does when your online and in a match with a team that plays it like it's Halo or doesn't communicate - hopefully that will end soon). If you don't own a 360 - Here's a reason to go get one.… Expand
  20. NicholasT.
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    I would give a 9.7, since there is one fault Why don't they make it 4 player split screen, EPIC this game could be better than Halo if you do this in some kind of update!!! please!!!!, stop with only online multiplayer!
  21. SteveM.
    Nov 14, 2006
    4
    This game was hyped way to much!!! The game is beautiful, but the game play gets boring after about an hour. Its the same thing over and over agian. No new originality. I think they focused to much on the graphics and not on the gameplay. The single player campaign is way to short and lacking in a lot of areas. I would rent this and then take it back, because once your done with it, you This game was hyped way to much!!! The game is beautiful, but the game play gets boring after about an hour. Its the same thing over and over agian. No new originality. I think they focused to much on the graphics and not on the gameplay. The single player campaign is way to short and lacking in a lot of areas. I would rent this and then take it back, because once your done with it, you wont want to play it again.… Expand
  22. MattO.
    Nov 14, 2006
    10
    Don't let those folks giving this game anything less than a 9 fool you: Gears of War is THE BEST title for the 360 by far! Even if you do complete the campaign level in 6 hours (which means you're playing it on the easiest level and are, therefore, a wimp), you'll definitely want to go back and beat it on the Hardcore and Insane settings. Throw in the multiplayer and your Don't let those folks giving this game anything less than a 9 fool you: Gears of War is THE BEST title for the 360 by far! Even if you do complete the campaign level in 6 hours (which means you're playing it on the easiest level and are, therefore, a wimp), you'll definitely want to go back and beat it on the Hardcore and Insane settings. Throw in the multiplayer and your search for all 30 COG Tags, and this game has tons of replay value. The graphics are sick and have to be seen to be believed! I'm a huge Oblivion fan, but Gears of War has it beat!… Expand
  23. JamesChennault
    Nov 13, 2006
    9
    This game is a must buy for any Xbox 360 owner. This is really the killer game that the system needed. It does not get a full 10 out of 10 due to retarded AI, texture glitches, and random Multiplayer glitches. Still is one of the best game i have played this year, hands down.
  24. GiggensK.
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    This game is by far the best game for the 360. Yes the campaing is short but it has a high replay value and its multiplayer is by far the best ive ever played.
  25. Mahfu83
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    Dont believe the other ratings! These people only rated the single player mode. Multiplayer and online are so utterly amazing that it outshines anything ever created for online. If you love to get the blood pumpin and enjoy edge of your seat competion....then buy this game. The hype was under-rated!
  26. ShirleyFilms
    Nov 13, 2006
    9
    I am not really a fan of 3rd person games, generally speaking (I enjoy a good first person shooter). HOWEVER. This game is so good... that it really turned me around. After the first few minutes of having to deal with the "use of cover" and rolling from one cover to the next.... I thought...."This will get old REALLY FAST". but. I was wrong. The story is above average. The level designs I am not really a fan of 3rd person games, generally speaking (I enjoy a good first person shooter). HOWEVER. This game is so good... that it really turned me around. After the first few minutes of having to deal with the "use of cover" and rolling from one cover to the next.... I thought...."This will get old REALLY FAST". but. I was wrong. The story is above average. The level designs are outstanding. The graphics are beyond compare. Music and sound are stellar. My only TINY complaint is the voice acting. Two things - why is it that characters in games can only say 5 phrases? Would it be that hard to get them to say like 50 things? so it doesnt get so old??? Also... the voice acting of the lead is a LITTLE weak. Its not as bad as some games.... but. I dont know. There are SO MANY voice actors out there... is the really the best they could do??? The guy who plays Gus was outstanding tho. Overall... this game lives up to the hype and then some. Games usually DONT live up to the hype (in my opinion ... take FEAR for example) But this one (while a little short) is definitely worth the price of admission.… Expand
  27. MARCG.
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    Awesome gameplay!! the graphics are superb, but the gameplay is just as good. the innovative reload system and the great cover system make this game highly enjoyable. and with the AI having all the same resources and moves you do it is great to play. they take cover, flank, duck away from gunfire and shoot better than enemies in most games. I love this game!!
  28. BenK.
    Nov 13, 2006
    7
    Its a solid shooter that is really marred by crappy AI and linear level design. The texture detail is pretty amazing though and the environments are really great to look at. Its unfortunate that the gameplay cannot live up to the standard set by the visuals.
  29. XBOBU
    Nov 13, 2006
    10
    They raised the bar for Halo 3! GoW is finally a game that not just shows off technology advancements but offers one of the best gameplay experiences ever. Even if you are tired of FPS games like I was you can't help but get into this game once you start. I spent like last 3 days playing single player to the end and I wish there was more story. GoW is a world you won't want to They raised the bar for Halo 3! GoW is finally a game that not just shows off technology advancements but offers one of the best gameplay experiences ever. Even if you are tired of FPS games like I was you can't help but get into this game once you start. I spent like last 3 days playing single player to the end and I wish there was more story. GoW is a world you won't want to leave. A milestone in gaming.… Expand
  30. KarlB.
    Nov 12, 2006
    7
    Campaign mode is sorely lacking. The game is fun and the graphics are awesome but you'll be disappointed if you shell out sixty bucks. Rent it and beat it in the 6 hours it takes to do so.
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Best Xbox 360 Game of 2006
1
#1 Most Discussed Xbox 360 Game of 2006
2
#2 Most Shared Xbox 360 Game of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
94

Universal acclaim - based on 88 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 88 out of 88
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 88
  3. Negative: 0 out of 88
  1. Yahoo!
    90
    The hallmark of Gears' weapon design is the balance of powerful tools with critical, exploitable weaknesses, and it's executed with real finesse.
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  2. 1UP
    100
    Each stage is memorable...They all combine for an unforgettable adventure through 36 hectic, desperate hours of a group of soldiers' lives...A visual and visceral masterpiece.
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  3. TeamXbox
    96
    If you're a graphics whore, you absolutely, positively need to pick this game up. To say that Gears of War features "next-gen graphics" is a gross understatement. It's got the most impressive graphics ever seen in a video game, and the stellar art direction only makes it more beautiful.
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