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Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow DLC Review
Gears of War 3 warranted some pretty enthusiastic adjective usage: "polished," "well-paced," "fantastic," even. I'd go so far as to call it the most refined, well-put-together shooter of 2011. So when the first piece of add-on campaign DLC, RAAM's Shadow, was announced, I was excited for it. More Gears 3, but set before the first game? It sounded great. Unfortunately, RAAM's Shadow elicits some different adjectives: "sloppy," and "underdeveloped."%Gallery-141261%
Raam's Shadow DLC showcased in latest Gears of War 3 screens
Surprisingly, the Raam's Shadow DLC for Gears of War 3 is about more than just a solemn Locust brooding in the darkness. It's also about shooting lots of stuff with enormous future guns, as portrayed in the latest screens.
RAAM's Shadow priced and dated; Horde Command Pack maps go free on Nov 24
If you've purchased the Gears of War 3 Horde Command Pack, now available, you've got access to three new maps titled Azura, Rustlung, and Blood Drive. However, if you wait until November 24, you'll be able to snag those three maps along with two Gears 1 favorites, Swamp and Clocktower, in the free "Versus Booster Map Pack" update. Of course, that free update leaves out the new Horde fortification upgrades, the new playable characters and weapon skins and, perhaps most importantly for some of you, the Horde Command Pack's 250 Achievement points. But if it's single-player DLC you're interested in, RAAM's Shadow will be available on December 13 for 1200 Microsoft Points ($15). That buys you "more than three hours" of prequel gameplay, six new multiplayer characters, and another 250 Achievement points. It also gives us another opportunity to learn more about Locust war hero, General RAAM ... what are his motivations? What about his feelings?%Gallery-135685%
Gears of War 3 ventures into 'RAAM's Shadow' DLC this December
You can now count time travel and resurrection among the miracles made possible through DLC. Microsoft and Epic Games have announced "RAAM's Shadow," an add-on campaign for Gears of War 3 that precedes the events of the first game and brings back a few familiar, snarling faces. Due on Dec. 13, "RAAM's Shadow" sees Zeta Squad attempting to evacuate Illima City in the wake of Emergence Day. Your muscular protagonists for the trip are Michael Barrick (plucked from Gears of War comics), original character Alicia Valera, Gears of War 2's tattooed Tai Kaliso, and a perforation-free version of Lt. Kim. (Presumably, he's still got the codes.) RAAM's running time is pegged at three hours, and it offers a couple of other bonuses. For $15 / 1200 MSP you'll also get six more multiplayer characters, the "chocolate" weapon set (we're unclear if that refers to a color scheme or a dairy-based construction), Achievements amounting to 250 Gamerscore and -- oh, what's this? "In addition to fighting as a new squad of Gears, players will step into the boots of RAAM himself, and for the first time storm the human stronghold from the perspective of one of the series' most legendary bosses." As with the first round of upcoming DLC, "Horde Command," Gears of War 3 Season Pass owners get RAAM'd for free.%Gallery-137122%
