Gears of War 2 review at 2pm GMT

By Tom Bramwell Published 3 November, 2008

Epic heart-in-mouth time.

As you may have heard, Microsoft is set to lift the embargo on Gears of War 2 reviews today at 2pm GMT, and we'll be ready with ours.

Developer Epic's second instalment in the third-person cover-based shooter series is due out this Friday, 7th November, and did well enough last week to make it into your Eurogamer Expo Top 10 at 8.

"8" has some significance for Gears, of course, as it was the score that Kristan gave it in our Gears of War review almost exactly two years ago.

So, has Epic done enough to push it a mark or two higher? Or has it gone backwards? Feel free to loiter on the Gears of War 2 gamepage for the next few hours until you can find out.

Picture of Tom.

About Tom Bramwell

Tom is Operations director of Eurogamer Network and Editor-at-Large of Eurogamer.net. He joined the company in February 2000.

Read more articles from Tom by visiting the Tom Bramwell archive page.

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Comments (102) Latest comment 3 years ago

Comments threads automatically close after 30 days, but please feel free to continue chatting on the forum!

  • spookyzombie #1 3 years ago

    10/10 time for another 360 title??

  • Gnort #2 3 years ago

    Whatever the score, it's going to be a bloodbath on the comments thread afterwards...

  • Razz #3 3 years ago

    I think it will be 8/10

  • Eighthours #4 3 years ago

    Ladies and gentlemen, I am issuing you all with tin hats. At 2pm, please put them on and duck for cover.

  • DFawkes #5 3 years ago

    I predict a 8/10, same as the first one. Doesn't look like there's enough new to justify a higher score than the first, but there probably enough to justify not docking points. That guess is based on footage that I've seen so far, for all I know it could be radically different.

    Embargos are bullshit though.

  • RedPanda #6 3 years ago

    Post deleted at 14:31:59 28-01-2012

  • Darren #7 3 years ago

    I've been looking forward to the release of LittleBigPlanet so much this Wednesday that I'd totally forgotten that this game was out! I can't see it getting much playtime this week at all and with Banjo-Kazooie: N&B out the week after, well it's a good job I'm taking a loooooooooooong Christmas break really!

    As for the review, I expect it will get an 8 as I've heard this game is just more of the same really, just a bit bigger and a bit better but you expect that with sequels anyway. So long as the campaign is longer than the first and has a better final level and ending, well I'll be happy. The first game was good, I really enjoyed it (campaign and co-op only, mind) but it's definitely not, in my eyes, a classic like Halo was on the Xbox... it never had that 'wow' factor for me in respect of the gameplay. The graphics were superb though.

  • Pirotic #8 3 years ago

    Don't like the sound of this to be honest, it's very difficult to rate a multiplayer focused game when the servers are not live yet. Unless they got 8 xbox's lan'd together.

  • GamerG #9 3 years ago

    I still cant believe you EG only gave Gears an 8, i'm still playing it to this day.

    Time to put your Sony Bias behind you EG and give the game a fair crack of the whip, I know its not on a Sony console just pretend it is for the sake of fairness.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 09:36

  • Ninja_Tino #10 3 years ago

    Eurogamer are Sony bias now? Wow, they're like, so totally biased to every game company. Wait, does that mean that they're not biased at all then? You've created a time paradox! Yeah, I predict a 9. A 9 is what I would personally give Gears 1 anyway!

  • Darren #11 3 years ago

    Well I thought the first Gears was a 7/10 game personally but then I never "got" the online modes. Co-op was cool though but the game was too short and too repetitive for me... a corridor shooter effectively consisting of some spectacular set-pieces to disguise the run (horrid, horrid camera though), duck, shoot, repeat to end gameplay. The production values were amazing though and I thought it was great first time round. It doesn't stand up well to repeated plays for me though sadly. Good while it lasted. :)

  • Colin8703 #12 3 years ago

    Gears is all about the multiplayer as the single player was really boring. I still play it online now though so can't wait for this.

    I'd go with a 9 if they sort out the single player campaign.

  • Goodfella #13 3 years ago

    Sony bias?

    Hahaha hahaahahh hahahahha hahahahha ahaaa!!

    *Falls off chair*

  • Darren #14 3 years ago

    @Colin8703 - Sorry but I found Gears of Wars online multiplayer boring, the campaign mode was far, far better, especially in co-op. Don't like online games especially anyway, prefer story-based campaigns and stuff.

  • siro #15 3 years ago

    7 or 9.

  • Beano #16 3 years ago

    Loved the first GOW in single player - way to short though. Hoping GOW2 will be longer and maybe even bring something new to the game.

    Predicting a 9/10 for GOW2 and 7/10 for R2 :D

  • Beano #17 3 years ago

    @Goodfella : I must admit that was pretty funny. EG having a Sony bias? LOL :)

    They just gave Fable 2 a 10/10... sure it's a good game... but 10 ?!?!?
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 09:58

  • Colin8703 #18 3 years ago

    @ Darren.

    We're all entitled to have a different opinion mate. That was the game that got me into online stuff as I held off for ages before then.

    I'm a fan of pretty much all types of games and it's usually just sports games that bore me. I like a good single player campaign but it felt a bit light with Gears 1. I am hoping i will different about 2.

  • Beano #19 3 years ago

    @Colin8703 : The new "horde mode" (not sure about the name) in GOW2 sounds like it could be fun.

  • defdaz #20 3 years ago

    Gears of War 1 was the most fun I've ever had with my pants on. Except for Fight Night Round 3, of course. ;)

  • Physically_Insane #21 3 years ago

    It's an easy 9. If I'm wrong I'll go down the street buy a hat and eat it.

  • The-Bodybuilder #22 3 years ago

    >"a corridor shooter effectively consisting of some spectacular set-pieces to disguise the run (horrid, horrid camera though), duck, shoot, repeat to end gameplay."

    Are we still talking about gears, or the highly-rated COD4?

  • Colin8703 #23 3 years ago

    @Beano

    Horde mode sounds great as it seems to be of the vain of a 'last stand vibe' like rourke's drift for the English or the Allamo for the Americans. I'm also hoping it will capture that moment from Resident Evil 4 when you're in the Evil Dead style shack fighting off the enemy but as a multiplayer.

    I can't deny that I'm really excited about this game.

  • DFawkes #24 3 years ago

    @Physically_Insane

    Due to your username, I think you were planning to anyway. Just make it a cheap hat, for some reason expensive hats do not taste better.

  • Petulant_Radish #25 3 years ago

    I went back to Gears a short while ago in preparation for the new one, I thought that it held up pretty well seeing as I hadn’t played it since completing it ages ago. I’d never really played online on it before as I hated the fact you couldn’t play ranked matches with your friends, though they’ve sorted that now so I’ll be looking forward to having a spin on it. But what is the point in waiting until 2pm?

  • CUR715 #26 3 years ago

    I've completed the main campaign. Even though Cliffy kept his "Bigger, Better more Badass" promise, i can't see it scoring any higher than the original.

  • zuljin #27 3 years ago

    My predictions: -

    7 for SP
    10 for MP

    So I'ma thinking a 9 overall... Anyways, not long to wait for the review, or the game for that matter either!

  • Benno #28 3 years ago

    I reckon its a 9, but I hope its an 8 for the fanbois

  • Dizzy #29 3 years ago

    I am thinking a 9 ;)

  • Benno #30 3 years ago

    The multiplayer will be pants again. Unbalanced weapons/attacks mixed with host advantage - no thanks!

  • t8yman #31 3 years ago

    I predict a 9.

    hated gow1 multiplayer, loved the (albeit short) campaign.

  • Colin8703 #32 3 years ago

    @Benno
    I thought they were supposed to have removed alot of the underhanded tactics from Gears 2?

    I'm guessing that from playing Gears 2 online loads then you must know?

  • penhalion #33 3 years ago

    Why is it epic heart in mouth time as you guys have pretty much given everything released this quarter a 9 or a 10 regardless of if it deserves it or not.

  • The-Bodybuilder #34 3 years ago

    either way, I'm getting it.

  • spammage #35 3 years ago

    Why does everyone get such and hard on about putting a numerical value on something so subjective? It seems to drop the already moderate average IQ of the readership by about 50 and turns them into trolling hardware nazis. Go read a book or something.

  • zuljin #36 3 years ago

    @Benno
    "The multiplayer will be pants again. Unbalanced weapons/attacks mixed with host advantage - no thanks!"

    Not played it but plenty of previews have stated host advantage was taken out, and you slow down when you're being shot, hence no more rolling towards the enemy and shotgunning to the face.

    Actually EG, can you mention this in the review, I'm mainly getting it for multiplayer so if they have mucked that part up, I may think about delaying my order...

  • septimus #37 3 years ago

    8/10 single player, 9/10 multi-player. 8/10 over all because it just doesn't come across any better than the first.

    If it gets 10/10 it will be utter bs. It's short, too easy, and the story line blows now they have added some so called "emotion". Still fun though for that brief period.

  • penhalion #38 3 years ago

    @Septimus

    A reviewer friend of mine says exactly the same thing. It is too short, too easy and the emotional drivel of Dom is just annoying. He also said that the twist in the tail is utter bollocks but, refused to spoil it for me by telling me what the twist was.......bast could have saved me a playthrough. I think he just want's me to suffer like he did when he reviewed it.

  • mcmonkeyplc #39 3 years ago

    Give it another 8! Please!

  • Benno #40 3 years ago

    You cant remove host advantage lol. Epic say it as if it was something they accidently left in on gears 1.

    The slowdown sounds good. Hopefully no more rolling and hitting/tagging as that was a bit silly really.

    Gears just doesn't work right online, its meant to be a single player campaign game. It works when you are fighting against computer controlled enemies. Its great Co-op, and I imagine the hordes mode will be great as well, but when you're drilling 100 bullets into another player without them dying only to see them roll into you and tag you with a greande, it really makes me wonder how it was the most played game on xbox live for so long.

    I haven't played gears 2 (my friend has, but hes a massive gears fanboy so I dont trust his preview) but its looking like a gears 1.5, so I am only assuming these issues will still be present.

  • mkreku #41 3 years ago

    7.

  • andywilkie35 #42 3 years ago

    I'm hoping they've done enough for a 9 this time. I booked this friday off work a few weeks ago and only realised last week that this is out, wahey! hungover Gears, love it

    edit: I agree with Benno in that Gears 1 was one of my favourite co-op games and I've no doubt this will be great too. I hated Gears multiplayer, thought it was shit so won't play this online I imagine. Might do horde tho, that looks quality
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 10:52

  • Rash' #43 3 years ago

    I think it'll get a 10 or 9 in EG. Judging by their preview it'll probably get an 8 in Edge.

  • DontLikeJelly #44 3 years ago

    The best memories I have on talking with people in multiplayer is with Gears. Don't know why, e.g. Halo3, COD4 doesn't have the conversations.

    Btw: predict a 9

  • Dogs-in-Hats #45 3 years ago

    Self righteous Eurogamer
    really - get over yourselves

  • muscleblade #46 3 years ago

    I predict a 9/10 for Gears 2 and 8/10 for Resistance 2. Depends on the reviewer of course. I mean 7/10 for the fantastic Dead Space. Dead Space is atleast 9/10 game imo.

  • Petulant_Radish #47 3 years ago

    I predict I will have a sandwich at lunch, I’m planning on giving it an 8 our of ten, though it might get bumped up to a 9 dependant wholly on the chorizo content. The bread is usually only a 5 out of ten though the average is pushed up by the plump contents, either way, once I’ve completed it it usually comes out a 9 out of 10.

  • brinlarden #48 3 years ago

    well gears isn't advertised on the site so obv it isn't going to be a 10.

    Microsoft have to pay for that privilege.

  • Beano #49 3 years ago

    @muscleblade: They'll propaby get that Oli guy to review R2. He did such a great job on MGS4 and LBP... LOL :)

  • brinlarden #50 3 years ago

    '7 or 9.'

    QFTW

  • gooners2006 #51 3 years ago

    i didnt really like the first Gears of War and wont be buying this one.....but knowing Eurogamer it will be another 10/10 for a 360 exclusive

  • Beano #52 3 years ago

    No matter what the score... I predict 500 posts in 24 hours :)

  • Vanmunt #53 3 years ago

    @BRINLARDEN

    Git, I was just about to say that... then if going by the Fable 10 this should be at least 13 or 14..

  • drumbaby #54 3 years ago

    It'll score more than Resistance 2, whatever its quality. This is EG.

  • GamerG #55 3 years ago

    Resistance 2 will be lucky to get a 7 from what i'm hearing of it.

    Gears of War 2 has corrected a lot of the issues of the first, it should get an extra point for that fact and get a 9 I reckon.

  • Beano #56 3 years ago

    @GamerG : You are "hearing" incorrect things.

    The online modes alone are worth the price.

  • zuljin #57 3 years ago

    @Benno
    "You cant remove host advantage lol. Epic say it as if it was something they accidently left in on gears 1."

    Considering the host advantage was only really there for the shotgun, yea. I think they can fix it.

  • Benno #58 3 years ago

    No it wasn't.

  • ThePissartist #59 3 years ago

    Where's the Quantum of Solace review?

  • magicpocket #60 3 years ago

    Embargos arent bullshit Mr/Miss/Mrs DFawkes.

    Embargos ensure that everyone gets a fair slice of the pie. This is especially important because America are a good few hours behind us and if all of the European sites went out with their reviews before them, it wouldnt be fair.

  • septimus #61 3 years ago

    "penhalion: @Septimus

    A reviewer friend of mine says exactly the same thing. It is too short, too easy and the emotional drivel of Dom is just annoying. He also said that the twist in the tail is utter bollocks but, refused to spoil it for me by telling me what the twist was.......bast could have saved me a playthrough. I think he just want's me to suffer like he did when he reviewed it."

    Twist is an exaggeration ;) You know exactly what is coming by halfway through the game.

    It's still great (if even easier) on co-op so it is worth going through in that way.

  • septimus #62 3 years ago

    @ThePissartist: Quantum of Solace. Shite. Really really shite.

    Bought it Friday, took it back this morning, thankfully Gamestation still do returns. The levels where Treyarch think the CoD engine and controls can handle a Mirrors Edge style sequence are the most painful.

  • GamerG #63 3 years ago

    @ Beano

    What I heard was on the 1up Yours podcast where they went into great detail of the game (R2), I then factored in that EG are even more critical of the type of faults they pointed out which is why I think EG will give resistance 2 a 7 (maybe even a 6).

    Also just because its a 7 or even a 6 does not mean its worth the asking price, it just means it brings nothing special to the table that warrants a higher score.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 12:26

  • ebony69 #64 3 years ago

    GOW 1 only game I ever played that deserved to be docked points for being so short. Ridiculously short even in this day of sub-10 hour campaigns.

  • Dizz #65 3 years ago

    Still.... I rofl@embargos on reviews too.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 12:27

  • GamerG #66 3 years ago

    @ ebony69

    Maybe so but that point should be redeemed because of the drop in drop out Co op which was awesome, especially for the day, and added enormous re playability to the game.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 12:29

  • GamerG #67 3 years ago

    embargoes are good, otherwise reviews would race through the game in a day to get their reviews up first and garner more hits.

    Force them to play the game for a week or two I say and let the initial euphoria die down.

  • Beano #68 3 years ago

    @GamerG : I heard their podcast and saw The 1UP Show which also featured R2.
    They focused A LOT on the worst side of the game - the campaign.
    Sure the campaign mode may not revolutionize the genre but should be a lot of fun and the online mode is a blast, which they also had very good things to say about. The online modes (like R:FoM) are the best part of the game - I have been playing both the private and public beta a lot. The co-op mode is truely something new in the genre.

  • Vanmunt #69 3 years ago

    @GamerG

    What are you on about with R2, is that wishful thinking?

    5 reviews, 91% check out metacritic my good man.

  • themorganator #70 3 years ago

    I'm thinking 9...

    I played it at the expo and it was better than the first - more polished.

    Whatever people say. its way better than resistance (which I also played) but I think Killzone may be graphically superior.

  • stepneg #71 3 years ago

    Can't wait for the review but it's a must buy for me regardless of the score, I loved the first one single player and muliti and as long is this is more of the same with some improvements it can't go wrong.

  • miiiguel #72 3 years ago

    Well, it should be fun. In an opposite direction, EG.pt gave Fable 2 an 8 (and didn't mentioned a single virtue) while R2 got a 10, and I suppose that's the only EG subsidiary that a member can't have a "heart-in-mouth" as the reviewrs ask you to not disagree, or better yet, they ask you to leave if you dusagree, publicly.

  • muscleblade #73 3 years ago

    @stepneg

    You said it my friend.

  • ThePissartist #74 3 years ago

    @septimus

    Thanks for the information - I was kinda hoping the multiplayer (with COD perks) might have been good.

  • Beano #75 3 years ago

    @miiiguel : No not really. R2 is no 10 either. I just want more consistancy in their scores. Fable 2 is a 8 though... just completed it last night. A really good game but short and boring story and very unpolished ;)

  • T4RG4 #76 3 years ago

    I predict a riot.

    Will put my pre-order in before the Eurogamer score arrives just to be a little rebel. It sounds like more of the same, brief play I had of multiplayer confirmed this (for that area of the game) and that sits fine with me. In all honesty I think it primarily suited to co-op/campaign rather than multiplayer (compared to the likes of COD4 which saw me complete the great campaign then only ever play the superb multiplayer).

    I dont touch Gears multiplayer, it's not my cup of tea!

    After Eights out of 10. Ah, Horde mode... bet Eurogamer give it 9 :)

  • bodypopper #77 3 years ago

    I the score for GoW2 is not precisely what I want it to be I will consider it a personal slight and never read this website again or recommend it to anyone.
    If you're going to review game EG, make sure you score them according to what the majority of people would like it to be.
    Now that's sensible journalism.

  • miiiguel #78 3 years ago

    Beano: well, completly uderstand your opinion, but I'm sure you can understand mine. I just wish you could read portuguese and give me an opnion on EG.pt Fable's one. Anyway, I'm at home sick... boooh ooooh..., see you guys at 2pm.

  • urban #79 3 years ago

    these embargo's are fucking absurd, do something about it journo's!

  • LeD #80 3 years ago

    I'd go for a solid 7 myself. Unless I'm wrong, I think it's just more of the same with extra polish and nice set pieces. Reading some recent previews, I just don't feel the excitement that the 1st one created. I think with the likes of Fable 2, Fallout 3, LBP out, albeit in completely different genres, this title will struggle to stand out as more than an exciting on rail shooter.

  • hiddenranbir #81 3 years ago

    Devs: " Let's score an extra point!"

  • Beano #82 3 years ago

    @muscleblade : I agree - Dead Space is a clear 9. Again... no consistancy whatsoever :(

  • muscleblade #83 3 years ago

    "Unless I'm wrong, I think it's just more of the same with extra polish and nice set pieces"

    You are very wrong. No doubth.

  • Cider86 #84 3 years ago

    I predict a riot...

  • Beano #85 3 years ago

    Bring out the water canons...

  • muscleblade #86 3 years ago

    @Beano

    I agree with you that Fable 2 is an 8 too :). The total lack of any challenge ruined it alot for me i guess.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 13:13

  • miiiguel #87 3 years ago

    muscleblade, you were right about Jericho and EG.net was wrong, it is rather shity...

    Plaing it right now, and I'm getting sicker...
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 13:18

  • GamerG #88 3 years ago

    @ Vanmunt

    Sorry I dont put any store in the Metacritic system nor exclusive early reviews like IGN's was. This is because I know nothing about 80% of the sites used, that some have different scoring mechanisms (ie Giant bombs 5/5 scale, 1ups A-f etc). When you see scores from the Greek official playstion magazine I simply switch off.

    The only review scores I look for are Eurogamer, Games TM, Edge and 1ups. 1Up have give the game B+, I expect the others to be in the 7 to 8 bracket.

    I also don't put any store in the SDF games opinions after being thoroughly disappointed with Uncharted.
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 13:25

  • Gearskin #89 3 years ago

    The original should have gotten the 10 two years ago. At the time it was other-worldly levels of awesome.

  • solidSnake04 #90 3 years ago

    as long as its fun to play co-op i dont care about the score. had a lot of fun with gears 1. the blind monster is the best !
    i believe it will score an 8 here. 9 at best.

  • stevetuck #91 3 years ago

    paidoff/10

  • chrisjm #92 3 years ago

    i dont mind review embargos. at least it encourages sites to review it properly than to be the first to review it and mark it up or down due to not playing it enough.

  • The_Game_Guy #93 3 years ago

    9 tops. The SP will let it down.
    Oh, and set servers to CRASH!
    Edited by 1 at 03/11/08 @ 13:45

  • Beano #94 3 years ago

    Refreshing... takes cover...

  • Beano #95 3 years ago

    Again...

  • G1GAHURTZ #96 3 years ago

    Well???

    Where is it then???

    ...

    It's 2pm!!!

  • LeD #97 3 years ago

    It's a 10!

  • stepneg #98 3 years ago

    Come on I have a meeting I supposed to be in and I need to know..

  • DFawkes #99 3 years ago

    It's 2. I'm F5ing until it breaks the site, or loads the review.

  • Rash' #100 3 years ago

    RE: Lack of consistency with EG review scores:

    I think the problem with the inconsistency lies with the set up for reviews. Having individual reviewers' opinions represent the sites standing on game is a flawed system. I believe Edge still has the best arrangment, where the view of the publication and site are representative of a team in dialogue about a product.

    There is also lack of historical awareness. Many here are predicting a 10 for the multiplayer aspect of Gears 2 (which I wouldn't put past EG's line of thinking) but considering the strides Halo 3 made in the multiplayer arena and the previews I've read of Gears 2 so far I fail to see where that logic comes from.

  • mazzl #101 3 years ago

    and what is the time in 'real time' ;-) that the embargo is lifted?

  • mazzl #102 3 years ago

    so.. the embargo should be over now?