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Need more Gears 2? Check out the X3F Gears of War 2 page
A lot has been said about Gears of War 2, especially here at X3F. With a handful of exclusive features for the anticipated shooter, X3F is your source for reviews, previews and multimedia coverage. Can't play the game because you're at work or school? Kill the hours until you can wield your Lancer by checking out our extensive Gears of War 2 coverage. Check out the Gears of War 2 page
Stranded launch Gears of War 2 in Toronto tunnels
The setting was hot, dark and dingy ... the perfect place to launch one of the most anticipated titles of the year. Deep beneath the blistering city of Toronto, Microsoft held an invite only event to introduce the world to Gears of War 2. Located in the closed off section of the Bay Street subway tunnels, dozens of people ranging from press to community had a chance to play Gears of War 2 on November 6. The setting felt perfect to launch a game based on the survival of the human race and everyone seemed to have a blast playing through the campaign, multiplayer and five-player co-op Horde mode. Don't believe us? Check out the images from the event.%Gallery-36543%
Spoiler Warning: Gears of War
In this special feature we dive into the past of Gears of War to give players a recap of the events leading into Gears of War 2. Make no mistake, this feature is filled with spoilers of the first game and acts as a story primer for those eager to jump into the fight against the Locust Horde.Want to refresh your memory or simply kill time until you get your hands on Gears 2? This is the feature for you ... but if you've never finished the original Gears this will ruin the entire campaign. You've been warned! Continue toSPOILER WARNING: GEARS OF WAR
Fanswag: Win Gears of War 2 and a pile of swag!
click to embiggen This is it kids, the mother of all Gears of War 2 giveaways. In the image above, you can see the following: Gears of War 2 Gears of War novel Aspho Fields Gears of War art book Gears of War comic book Gears of War hoodie Gears of War messenger bag One limited edition red wireless Xbox 360 controller As sweet as this pile of swag it, get this: We have two sets to giveaway. The first prize winner gets the swag stash with the limited edition of Gears of War 2, and our second prize gets the same swag stash with the standard edition of Gears of War 2. Let us assure you, the messenger bag and hoodie are nice. The messenger back even has a laptop pocket. Anyway, enough about the swag. Here's how you win: Gears of War is famous for having a gun with a chainsaw bayonet. Leave a comment on this post describing another object you'd like to see attached to a (virtual) gun. You may leave one comment. Posters of multiple comments will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until 5:00PM eastern today, Friday, November 7th. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). On Friday, we'll pick two winners via a random drawing. One grand prize winner will receive one Gears of War 2 Limited Edition, one Gears of War novel, one Gears of War art book, one Gears of War comic book, one Gears of War hoodie, one Gears of War messenger bag, one red wireless Xbox 360 controller worth approximately $200 total. One second prize winner will receive one Gears of War 2 Standard Edition, one Gears of War novel, one Gears of War art book, one Gears of War comic book, one Gears of War hoodie, one Gears of War messenger bag, one red wireless Xbox 360 controller worth approximately $190 total. Complete giveaway rules can be found here.
X3F TV -- Gears of War 2: Multiplayer Map Preview Part Two
In our second and final part of our Gears of War 2 multiplayer map preview we take a look at the five remaining maps included on the retail disc. Why do we make this distinction? Well, those of your who purchase a new copy of Gears of War 2 -- sorry rental fans and used game buyers -- will nab five bonus maps. In this view we run through Pavilion, River, Ruins, Security and Stasis and explore weapon placement as well as the environmental effects found in the maps.Check out our Flashback Map Preview video to check out how those bonus maps stack up against the original versions found in Gears of War and the first part of our Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Map Preview. We're so close to release, we can almost hear the chainsaws.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
X3F TV -- Gears of War 2: Multiplayer Map Preview Part One
We've already shown you the bonus maps -- only available to people who purchase a new copy of Gears of War 2 -- now we're continuing with the rest of the maps. In this first of two videos we examine the multiplayer maps included on the retail disc for Gears of War 2. Watch as we run through the maps Avalanche, Blood Drive, Day One, Hail and Jacinto showcasing some of the weapons found throughout the map as well as the various environmental effects you'll encounter when the game launches tomorrow.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
Reminder: Win GoW2 COG, huge giveaway Friday
You have less than two hours to enter for a chance to win a copy of Gears of War 2 Limited Edition and the cool neat nifty epic Last Day metal COG tag. It's a promotional item, dont'cha know. To enter our Gears of War 2 fanswag giveaway, simply make your way over to the official blog and post comment by 5:00PM eastern. Note too that even if you entered yesterday you can enter a second time today. So, get to it!Also, we wanted to tease everyone in regards to what we have planned for tomorrow's Gears of War 2 launch day giveaway. Let's just say there will be a HUGE Gears 2 fanswag surprise this Friday. Feeling teased yet?
X3F TV -- Gears of War 2: Flashback Map Pack
Tomorrow, one of the most anticipated titles of the year ships with a sizable bonus regardless of which version you pick up. On top of the ten included multiplayer maps in Gears of War 2, Epic Games has included a download code within each new copy of the game to download five additional maps. Taken from the original Gears of War, the Flashback Map Pack not only adds a dose of nostalgia to the Gears of War 2 multiplayer experience but it keeps the action fresh with new designs for each of the maps in the pack.The waters of Canals have been frozen, Gridlock has been taken over by lush vegetation, Tyro Station seems to have had an upgrade in tech, Mansion appears more abandoned than ever before and Subway had dried up and now rains pieces of ash from the ongoing war.Want to see the changes for yourself, in action? Check out our video that includes footage from the in-game Battle Camera.[iTunes] Subscribe to X3F TV directly in iTunes.[Zune] Subscribe to the X3F TV directly (Zune Marketplace link coming soon).[RSS] Add the X3F TV feed to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.[MP4] Download the MP4 directly.
X3F Live: One final farewell to Gears of War
Gearheads unite! Tonight, team Xbox 360 Fanboy will be signing onto Xbox Live at 9:30PM eastern to play X3F Live Gears of War multiplayer. It'll be our final farewell to the Gears we've all come to love over the past two years seeing that, this Friday, Gears of War 2 will be making its way to retailers. Think of it as one final Gears gaming "hoo-rah!"To join the fun, look out for team X3F's gamertags (listed below) and send a friend request to Gamertag X3FLive to connect with other fanboys. It's Gears of War tonight at 9:30PM eastern, send requests and get online. X3FLive (your fellow fanboys) SuperDunners (Dustin) SenseiRAM (Richard) Snypz (Xav)
Gears of War 2: Heroes of Sera
In the fight for ultimate survival, the people of Sera must rely on the Coalition Forces. These COG soldiers are the only hope survivors have of ending this ongoing war that has raged on for the last 15 years.Who are these heroes? Who will humanity look to in its darkest hour? X3F examines the Heroes of Sera in this special feature in preparation of the release of Gears of War 2 on November 7, 2008. Continue to the Hall of Records and meetThe Heroes of Sera
Fanswag: Win Gears of War 2 and a COG tag [update]
Update: This giveaway is now closed and a big congratulations goes to PsEG and scooter shooter for winning these EPIC goodies.So begins our Gears of War 2 launch week fanswag giveaways (nope, we didn't forget) and today we're giving away two copies of Gears of War 2 Limited Edition and will be parting with our super rare, super collectible and super metallic Gears COG tag. Yes, the same metal COG tag that was part of the Last Day campaign. Yes, it's hard for us to part with it.We'll be selecting two winners on Thursday (one will win the game, the other will win the game and COG tag) and all you have to do is enter by commenting on this post. You'll have two chances to enter (once today, once tomorrow), so get entering and win. A metal COG tag awaits ... To enter the giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling us what your favorite Gears execution is. Do you prefer the curb-stomp? More of a chainsawdomizer? Or maybe you like Torque Bowing your foes? You may leave one comment per calendar day eastern time. Posters of multiple comments per day will be disqualified. We'll accept entries until Thursday, November 6th at 5:00PM eastern. You must be at least 18 years old to enter. This giveaway is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding Quebec). On Thursday, we'll pick two winners via a random drawing. One grand prize winner will receive (1) metal Gears of War 2 COG tag and (1) Gears of War 2 Limited Edition worth $70. One second prize winner will receive (1) Gears of War 2 Limited Edition worth $70. Complete giveaway rules can be found here %Gallery-34894%
Review: Gears of War 2
Gameplay in Gears of War 2 can do no wrong. I don't mean that in the hardcore, mouth-breathing, 1337 sense that the entire experience is flawless but the gameplay itself is already well established ... and, why shouldn't it be? Gameplay in Gears 2 is nearly identical to the 2006 Game of the Year original from Epic Games with slight tweaks that make the experience less jumpy and more enjoyable. Writing a review that focuses on the gameplay of Gears of War 2 would be about as helpful as explaining the importance of breathing so the focus of this review will be based on the story and additions.Ultimately, Gears 2 has a few promises to live up to. When it was announced the first marketing spiel thrown out with it was, "Bigger, better and more badass." Does it answer those claims or does Gears of War 2 fall faster than a burning Locust Reaver? Jump in for the full review.Ed. Note: This review does not include any story spoilers.%Gallery-35421%
X3F Hands-on: Gears of War 2 - Act One
var digg_url = 'http://digg.com/xbox/X3F_Hands_on_Gears_of_War_2_Act_One'; Whether you realize it or not, Gears of War 2 is the most important title for Microsoft this holiday season. Promising a longer and more story focused experience than the 2006 award-winning original, Epic Games hopes the return of Marcus and Dom will resonate with story loving gamers of a post BioShock, Portal world. We had a chance to play through the first act of the final version of Gears of War 2 recently, jump in to find out if the beginning of the anticipated shooter starts off strong or leaves us wishing for more. Disclaimer: While major story elements have been made purposely vague in this article we should qualify that some of the following feature contains spoilers of the characters and scenarios in Act One of Gears of War 2. %Gallery-35421%
