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Sunday Savings: Gears of War 2 and 007 deals
This Friday is the big day for Gears fans, because a wee lil' game by the name of Gears of War 2 will be available at retailers worldwide. So, we thought we'd wrangle up the best Gears 2 offers from retailers nationwide, including Circuit City's free 1600 Microsoft point offer that we heard about last week. Here's what we found: Circuit City: Free 1600 Microsoft points Toys R Us: Free $15 gift card Best Buy: 25% off strategy guide Best Buy Canada: Free Lancer keychain / bottle-opener Future Shop: Free Locust headshot figure And for those who aren't into Gears 2 or are just looking for other deals, we discovered that Best Buy is also offering a free t-shirt with purchase of Quantum of Solace and free earbuds with HSM3. Over at Toys R Us, they're giving out a $15 gift card with Quantum of Solace and Circuit City is selling the original Gears of War for $30 and the 360 Intercooler for $15. Enjoy!
Video: Gears 2 multiplayer map madness
If you're at all interested in Gears of War 2 multiplayer then the video embedded above should be on your must watch list. It's an IGN produced Gears 2 multiplayer montage featuring gameplay footage from (you guessed it) Gears 2 including the newly new maps. New maps including Stasis, Security, Ruins, River, Pavilion, Jacinto, Hail, Day One, Blood Drive and Avalanche. The maps look solid, the gameplay looks gruesome, and we're loving every moment.
Gears movie not a true prequel, will stay true to video game franchise
In an interview with MTV, Gears of War movie screenwriter Chris Morgan commented on the movie admitting that "it would be a crying shame not to deal with Marcus and Dom" and that it isn't a full-fledged prequel to the video games."There are elements to it that can be considered a prequel, but it's not a prequel as far as I'm concerned" commented Morgan, "I want to see 'Emergence Day.' I want to see this stuff happen." As far as the movie's look and content, we're assured that prominent Locust creatures (including the Berserker) will be included in the script and that the film will use a blend of live-action footage and CGI. According to Morgan, Gears movie director Len Wiseman wants to "make it as realistic as possible." We're cool with that.[Via IGN, Thanks Cody Joy]
1600 MS points FREE with Gears of War 2 purchase at Circuit City
Thanks to X3F tipster therza2169, we've been graced with next week's Circuit City retail flyer (November 2nd - November 8th) and within' its digital pages is a very special Gears of War 2 offer. Buy Gears 2 and get 1600 Microsoft points FREE! The free 1600 Microsoft deal goes into effect on Gears 2's release (Friday, November 7th) and is available with both regular and limited editions. Interesting too is the fact that you can score a free $10 gift card with a Gears 2 pre-order, so there's a possibility you could pre-order the game at Circuit City now and receive both the gift card and Microsoft points for free. Though, we aren't certain about the logistics of such a method, so we'll say YMMV. Now we must decide, a free Gears 2 Centaur RC tank at Best Buy or free Microsoft points at Circuit City. Decisions, decisions.[Thanks, therza2169]
Video: Gears 2 as blockbuster entertainment
The seventh and final Gears of War 2 video documentary titled "Blockbuster Entertainment" has just made its way online and, this time, Bleszinski and team Epic talk about how Gears 2 is big blockbuster entertainment.The video (embedded above, you're welcome) talks about the Gears franchise as more than a video game release, explaining it to be more of an entertainment event than anything else. We'll let you digest the video goodness and listen to team Epic hype up Gears 2 as if it were the greatest game that ever existed. Then again ... it just might be ...
Gears of War 2 soundtrack out Nov. 25th
Today, Sumthing Else Music Works announced that the official Gears of War 2 soundtrack - with original music composed by Mr. Steve Jablonsky - will release to retail stores on November 25th. The soundtrack will include twenty-seven tracks (viewable after the break) that, according to Jablonsky, are "a bit more serious, cinematic, and refined with a harder-hitting approach toward composition and production." It's also a soundtrack that may be our first CD purchase since early 2002. Remember too, kids, Gears of War 2 is out on November 7th ... so, get excited and start screaming or something.
Gears 2 'Last Day' trailer, the new 'Mad World'?
A brand new ad for Gears of War 2, which hits shelves in two weeks, has just been released. Entitled "Last Day," it features Marcus Fenix and his fellow COG soldiers spending their last moments above ground before an underground assault on the Locust's home turf. The song featured in the trailer is "How It Ends" by DeVotchKa and tells viewers "You already know how this will end," as Dom and Marcus descend below the surface. Let there be no doubt, the commercial is definitely well produced.We can't help but be reminded of the famous (infamous?) "Mad World" ad that promoted the first Gears of War, which makes sense considering it was created by the same team. Like the "Mad World" ad, "Last Day" is a radical departure from most action game advertising. Of course, that's precisely what makes it stand out. Find the ad after the break.Our only question now is how long it will take for enterprising filmmakers to start remixing the ad with different music, or throwing the music onto other game commercials. Get to it, internets!
Gears of War 2 too violent for Germany and Japan
Coming as no surprise seeing that the original shared the same fate, Gears of War 2 has been deemed too violent, resulting in a sales ban in the great country of Germany. Then again, we don't quite understand the ban seeing that Microsoft could have made the German edition locked into Gears 2's new family friendly mode. But we digress.Even more odd is that Gears 2 has also been banned in Japan. We guess the Japanese market just can't handle the awesomeness that is Gears of War 2. Sucks for them.
X3F scores a Gears of War 2 COG tag
(click to embiggen) Behold, fanboys! It's one of those lovely (and quite heavy) metal Gears of War 2 COG tags that other media sites received and other fans are searching for across the globe. Admittedly, we're a bit late on our COG show and tell, but we have a really good excuse. The X3F COG tag was delayed in-transit, thanks to some Locusts interfering by intentionally messing up the package's Fanboy Towers mailing address. No problem, we now have the COG tag in our possession and figured we'd share pictures of it and its CSID. Enter the COG tag's CSID "807081-DJ2T2-EL" over on the Gears 2 Last Day website and you'll unlock a nifty little icon. Did we mention the COG tag is heavy? %Gallery-34894%
Stalk Cliff's music habits with your Gears Zune
Ever wondered what Epic's Cliff Bleszinski listens to while on the road promoting Gears of War 2? Ever had the urge to peer in on his music playing habits and critique his every song playing move? Well, thanks to the Zune software and the promotion of the Gears of War 2 Zune, you can!Simply head on over to Cliff's official Zune page (we're told by MS PR that this is the real Cliff) to see what he has been playing, what his favorite songs are and wonder why Mr. Gears has played Usher's "Yeah!" twenty-four times. Really Cliff, Usher?
Video: Abusive Gears of War 2 multiplayer
If you're on the hunt for a few minutes of Gears of War 2 multiplayer footage, we recommend you watch the gory-delicious video above.IGN put together a nice Gears 2 multiplayer preview video that takes a look at all the new (and old) matchmaking game modes, a preview of some of the new maps, gameplay from the Horde mode and an interesting fountain of razor hail. Painful razor hail. Watch the vid, it's Gears, fall in love.[Thanks, PotteryBarnShopa]
Gears of War 2 Flashback map comparison pics
With Microsoft's official confirmation that Gears of War multiplayer maps Gridlock, Canals, Mansion, Subway, and Tyro Station would be remade for Gears 2, comes new comparison shots. The comparison photos (galleried below) show what each map looked like in the original Gears and the prettified version that'll be a part of the free Flashback Map Pack DLC for Gears 2. Let us be the first to say an icy Canals makes a chilled tear run down our cheek. It's lovely.So, take a gander at the Gears vs. Gears 2 map comparison photos as well as the newly released multiplayer screens. Long live Tyro Station. %Gallery-34582%%Gallery-34576%
Gears 2 surpasses original's pre-orders, launch plans revealed
Today, Microsoft announced that Gears of War 2 has surpassed the original Gears' pre-order numbers and also informed us that it's "poised to become the must-have video game this holiday season." Can't argue that. Also as part of the press release, we're informed of all their Gears 2 launch plans and offers including a gold Lancer unlock with the limited edition, gold Hammerburst unlock given out at all 20,000 midnight launches, gameplay tips from the Epic team and a special Game with Fame weekend. Not just that, but Microsoft also confirmed that they'll be releasing a Flashback Map Pack (featuring five remade Gears maps) on launch day, which will be a free download with redemption code found in new copies of Gears 2. Bring on November 7th!
Video: Gears of War 2 is art and is gorgeous
Continuing Epic's series of Gears of War 2 subject by subject analysis featurettes, we bring you the latest where Cliff and crew chat about Gears 2 as art and where their inspiration comes from. You can watch the latest video (currently exclusive to Yahoo!) embedded after the break and take in Gears 2's gorgeous vistas, hear the inspiration behind the architecture, learn what the design focus was and get a sense for the new graphical enhancement the sequel has over the original. Most notably, at around 1:50 minute mark, you'll witness one the most visually stunning underground caves that your eyes have ever come across. Jiggly wiggly plants, jaw dropping water, fog ... oh yeah ... we're in love.
Cliff claims Gears 2 is 'Epic's best work yet'
Epic Game's Cliff Bleszinski has a confession. Something that he has to get off his chest. His confession; Gears of War 2 is the best game to come out of Epic Games. We agree. "After two years of pouring our heart and passion into Gears of War 2, the team is immensely happy with what we've created," admitted Bleszinski to CVG. "This is Epic's best work yet, and we can't wait to see the response from fans and newcomers to the series alike." You know, we can't wait to see what the response will be either as we sit here sharpening our chainsaw blades in eager anticipating for Reaver riding and all the joy Gears 2 will bring us this November.[Via Game Stooge]
Gears 2 'The Last Day' COG tags unlock goodies
First off, we'll be honest and say we're a bit slow on getting the word out on this whole Gears of War 2 "The Last Day" viral COG tag thing. We blame the Locusts who created an Emergence Hole under our blogging desk ... damn Locusts, we apologize. So, remember that mysterious Gears of War 2 COG tag that popped up on the Gears 2 vidoc? Well, there's no more mystery, because we know exactly what they're all about. It's a community driven, interactive and viral The Last Day online campaign aimed at getting fans to participate and unlock all kinds of digital Gears 2 goodies.Each COG tag has a special CSID code on it and were randomly sent to community sites, media outlets, etc. This special code can be entered on the official The Last Day website and, if entered correctly, will unlock a digital wallpaper, buddy icon, audio clip or artwork. So far, Gears 2 community lead SixOkay has a Flickr folder of community discovered COG tags, Gamertag Radio has an account of their experience and the official Gears forums are abuzz with the latest finds and news. So, start your COG tag code search, unlock some Gears 2 goodies and DEMAND that Xbox 360 Fanboy get a special COG tag code to share. Yes, that was a very blunt request.
Video: GoW2's Marcus can ride Reavers too
Although not entirely new, there's a semi-fresh Gears of War 2 video over at IGN that includes game footage we spotted last week, but also features some exclusive new Reaver riding action. Hot Reaver riding action.In the video above, fast forward to the 2:20 minute mark (or watch the entire vid, it's your call) and you'll see some never before seen Reaver riding footage as shown in the recently released Gears 2 screenshots. And did we mention it's HOT Reaver riding action? Hot, hot, Reaver riding action. Mr. IGN voice-over guy compares the Reaver riding sequences to that of Panzer Dragoon, which is something you won't hear us complain about.[Thanks, Matt Guido]
Joystiq plays Gears 2, we're insanely jealous
Our mother-ship (Joystiq) recently got some hands on time with the finished campaign build of Gears of War 2 and were told to get as far as they could. And after six hours of gaming, our Joystiq friends came away with of memories of curb-stomping Locusts, impressive destructible environments, COG journals, a much deeper storyline and plenty of non-stop action.Their campaign impressions mirror that of what Epic has promised us all along, a bigger, deeper and more action packed sequel that delivers. All said, they were quite impressed with their Gears 2 hands-on session as we can only hope that next time, Epic decides to invite us over for a test run. Emergence day is coming, friends, be prepared. %Gallery-33819%
Video: How Gears of War 2 does multiplayer
Team Epic just released yet another Gears of War 2 video featurette, this time the focus is on multiplayer. The video (currently exclusive to ESPN.com) is a pretty good look into the new multiplayer features, each multiplayer mode, the achievements and we also learn that Cliff's favorite trash talking phrase is "douche nozzle". Yup. Check out the vid and take it all in, because Gears 2 is less than a month away.[Thanks, BAK6E]
Eight Deadly Sins of Gears 2's Horde mode
Are you aware of the seven deadly sins? No, no, not those deadly sins, we're talking about the Seven Eight Deadly Sins of Gears of War 2's Horde mode, which our OXM pals just posted.OXM's list of Horde deadly sins was formed after recently getting a chance to try out Gears 2's four five player co-op Horde mode and each sin comes across as sound advice. Horde mode advice that not only will save you from being called a "n00b" or "bag of loser dust", but advice that could potentially aid in your team's Horde mode success. You can read all eight deadly sins after the jump, but we just have to point out our two favorites. Number two "Thou Shalt Not Hang Around In The Spawn Zones Like A Douche" and number five "Thou Shalt Not Go All OCD And Take Every Ammo Box" sound spot on to us.
