Gears of War 2 Comments by Christian Donlan

@ Xerx3s - go ahead and check the very first page of LBP (well, any page for that matter) for the troll comments from the Xbots. Its there for everyone to see, including you.

Spydy
12-Oct-08 23:02:13

LittleBigPlanet lets them run wild, with unprecedented results, but it locks the majority out of the creative process, because it's time-consuming and simply not very enjoyable.

EPIC FAIL!

Remember 2 years ago when Eurogamer was a genuinely great place for insightful reviews? Now we get generic reviews that offer similar hype as every every major game review site :(

First off this seems to have turned out pretty good, I like what hear/read, they seem to have listened to the critisisms of the first game... anyone denying; that is not one of the messages we should come away with from a review such as this is a liar or in denial(Im sure some prat amateur will disagree for hits and we'll have a Sonybot point it out "see this guy says everyone is wrong... take that"), for those saying theres not enough critisism? I mean come on, at least try and make it less obvious you are fishing for troll ammo... or in the unlikely event you are just a concerend 360(or would be) owner realise the possibility that although like every game ever made there are bound to be some, that they really arent worth mentioning(even the ones mentioned were somewhat trivial) and very unlikely to upset the "sounds like a..." balance(which I suspect some were just looking for anything they could use to suggest that incase people are excited about a 360 game... didnt find it, attacked reviewer, site and its community ect = same as every other high profile game, in any way related to MS).

A translation of the Sony Fanboys is: "Bash 360 games and give PS3 games better scores or overrate them immensely like we do"

Still whining because EG didnt quite think LBP was 10/10 worthy.

Sorry but LBP doesnt excite me, there are many people who wont go for it and its not because they are Xbots... it happens with most games bar very few and this never looked like one of those(despite the claims, its not really done enough for that kind of praise on any level... its not going to change gaming... influence maybe but that happens alot more often), the reason for this kind of reaction is only because of "the console war" and some people just need to beleive its the next big thing that will turn the tides. You'd think theyd just read the reviews and be happy that its the awesome game they beleive it to be(for them), which funnily enough is the reaction most of the Xbots(or 360 owners/would be owners as normal people refer to them as) have had to this score/review... "It turned out good, Im happy with that, cant wait to play it/I may just buy it! :D" much better attitude, if that makes someone an Xbot then its quite a good thing to be if you ask me.

/Graphics whore mode initiate...

The graphics will be some of the best to grace a console to date, please dont confuse this with art style... if you dont like that fair enough but all the improvements they talked about for the engine will be in the game. Although Id prefer consoles to have some of their own proprietery engines which use ALL of the hardwares features possible, as optimal as they can acheive ect(without thinking how the heck we gonna port this code to platform B if we do that) its probably more expensive to begin with but you will get more out of the hardware, which will mean they can continue to further impress us for longer. Having said that though as far as engines go in general, especially multiplatform... Epic deserve some props, theyve continued to raise the bar and I think this HD gen would have struggled alot more so without UE3.

Apologie: "this is a very entertaining action game... good score, too bad it aint coming to Pc given the fact that the Xbox version have some texture and framerate problems, not to mention that with a good Pc you can play it 1080p, with better antialising and anisotropic at 60/70 fps average.... "


The problems you mention are barely noticeable, seriously. You'll be able to load the entire game onto your HDD after the 19th of November. That should get rid of the already minimal texture pop-in.

I think EPIC have done a great job with Gears 2. It's surely the most visually impressive console title to date.

Not surprised this got a 9.

looking to the right.. mirrors edge will probably get a 10.

@ Calgon... fair dos and theres plenty of the same apathy for GOW2. Its not called GOW1.5 for nothing. More of the same, duck and shoot, duck and shoot, rinse-repeat.

Ill get it only cos im a geek for monster stories and epic cinematics but at its essence it does far less than LBP does in terms of innovation and generally trying something new and tbh mostly from the reviews pulls it off, so much that MS has now something in the works to rival it.

Regarding GOW2, a good game it is, a great game? Well that depends who you talk to. I didn't particularity like the 1st one in fact I played Resistance 1 a tonne more.

LOL!!! If I was interested in opinion I would have raised a (nonsensical) point against it, but I'm concerned with the clear lack of distinction between an achievement in game development and a retread from last year. I agree, liking Gears 2 more than LBP is a matter of personal taste... But reviewers have a responsibility to be objective. As an achievement in gaming Gears 2 is nowhere near the highs of LBP. The fact that so many gaming sites have scored them evenly is demonstrative of the quality of journalism in gaming.

"Its not called GOW1.5 for nothing."

No it's not. We heard that crap so much with so many games.

"More of the same, duck and shoot, duck and shoot, rinse-repeat."

So you carry the notion that a sequel should suddenly be radically different from the original (even though that gameplay was top-notch)? How stupid is that? In that respect, you just condemned every sequel ever made.

"Ill get it only cos im a geek for monster stories and epic cinematics but at its essence it does far less than LBP does in terms of innovation and generally trying something new and tbh mostly from the reviews pulls it off, so much that MS has now something in the works to rival it."

Just because something doesn't innovate, doesn't mean that it isn't a great game. In the end there is only one thing that counts in games. That's the fun factor. That's what gow had in spades and I reckon this will have as well.

"Regarding GOW2, a good game it is, a great game? Well that depends who you talk to. I didn't particularity like the 1st one in fact I played Resistance 1 a tonne more."

Fair enough. I thought that R1 was mediocre at best. The controls alone where completely untweaked imo. Played gow a megaton though. Horses for courses I suppose.

DaemonB, Another me too attempt from MS?! Imitation is indeed the best form complement. ;o) Do you have a link to the story?

Xerx3s, I tire of this notion that the only thing that matters in games is fun. It's an incredibly limited view on the possibilities of gaming.

"Xerx3s, I tire of this notion that the only thing that matters in games is fun. An incredibly limited view on the possibilities of gaming."

Hate to butt in rash' mate but I'm curious, what else are games supposed to be other than fun? Isn't that the fundamental principle behind, not just computer games, but all games?

While us lot on here take it a little too serious at times, It's not like they will change your life or anything. They are just video games at the end of the day ;)

"Xerx3s, I tire of this notion that the only thing that matters in games is fun. It's an incredibly limited view on the possibilities of gaming."

Errrr.... So you play games if they aren't fun to play?

why are people comparing resistance to gears ?? fall of man was shit .. realy shit, it was a poor halo rip off .
/it seems to me the ps3 fan boys will cling on to anything that is exclusive .. face it ladys you brought a very expenisve dvd player

bad09, You see there in lies the problem with the perception that games can only be fun; it allows people to accept that "it's only a videogame". Maybe it is. It's a matter of opinion, but it's too soon to limit the creative possibilities of our beloved pastime.

I can't believe people are comparing Gears and LBP.

Xerx3s, Well of course games are fun. That's a nobrainer. So why can't we be more articulate with our appreciation of them? This whole games must be fun first and foremost is... well, both patronising and insulting.

Had some Playr's Sky+'d last night. Lots of good things on it, Gears 2 looked really nice, the main episode seemed devoted to Motorstorm which also looked nice and Unreal Tournament 3 was looking good (reviewed in 360 form). Tempted to dig out UT3 and give it some serious attention at some point.

"Xerx3s, Well of course games are fun. That's a nobrainer. So why can't we be more articulate with our appreciation of them? This whole games must be fun first and foremost is... well, both patronising and insulting."

No it isn't, we don't have any problems with the latest action flick. Games are an entertainment product and as such, their primary task is to entertain. It is nice if they do other things as well but in the end it boils down to entertainment. If it isn't fun, you won't play it, ergo, fun is the only mandatory factor, all else is optional.

I'm not saying that developers shouldn't try to innovate though. It just isn't mandatory to deliver a great product. Imo, marking a game down that doesn't innovate but is highly entertaining is as such, bs.

PS: Games are a long way from being more than just games. Most art forms have set their mark on society one way or another, I'm yet to see games do that.

Rash' you didn't really answer the question. What should games be if not fun? What creative possibilities do you speak of?

and there is no maybe about it dude they are just video games, just fun, just play things, a hobby, something to bore the girlfriend with and something to argue about on the net :)

/ shivers at the Braid "life altering experience" brigade

Rash you are talking pure, uncut, columbian horses arse.

Games absolutely SHOULD be fun foremost. Your fanboyism is paper-thin mate. It's very obvious you are evangelising on LBP because you simply want to paint GoW2 in a limited light. Oh, it's not creative so it's instantly rubbish. Bullshit! I still play GoW 1 and will undoubtedly have years worth of replay in GoW 2. Will people be playing LBP in 2 years time? I very much doubt it.

We've had 2d platformers before, we've had level construction kits before. LBP isnt the next coming of Jebus, and it's not for everyone, accept that.

Now go back to your LBP fanclub and be in the company of all the other sheep. This thread is about Gears of War.

Xerx3s, there are games out there that are used as education tools so clearly entertainment isn't the only definition. by definition however games are suppose to be fun, so I'm sorry suggesting games should be the blatantly obvious is patronising and insulting. lets just disagree on that.

i'm not suggesting a game should be "marked down" because it only entertains, i'm questioning the logic that thinks a game that entertains is equally as relevant as a game that innovates as well as entertains.

Re. Games have a long way to go: you have a knack for stating the obvious. they do indeed but that shouldn't discourage us from demanding greater things from them.

As others have said I also replay Gears Of War 1 two years after release. GOW2 is an essential buy. Great franchise.

As I also own PS3, Resistance 2 complements this game perfectly.

What a year for gaming!

Bring on 2009 :)

@Farticus
Everyone should really have just ignored Rash' comment to begin with. LBP & Gears2 are completely different games.

"Games absolutely SHOULD be fun foremost."

Which is actually where LBP shines incidentally :-) - co-op platforming is a lot of fun when approached the right way.

"Will people be playing LBP in 2 years time?"

Yes they will. Aside from the core creation possibilities the game will continue to grow and expand with new content - in much the same way I expect Epic will support Gears 2 - like they did Gears 1 - with new multiplayer stuff.

@Rash'
What's wrong with a game which innovates and entertains but has a loose control scheme getting the same mark as one which entertains and has a very tight control scheme?

LBP is a back of pretentious wank for people that still beleive that user generated content is going to change the gaming world

LBP reminds me of one of those arty films that come out every year, that every one should run out and see, but no one actually does.

Of all the games launched with toolkits, really, how many people really, i mean REALLY use them?

5%?

10%?

bad09, sorry, but i didn't answer the question because it's not for me answer. that the job of those working in the industry pushing the creative boundaries. my love is to appreciate. ;o)

@rash:
"revoltkid, It's not about taste. It about the facts. The design of LBP pwns everything Gears 2 offers in it's package and yet it is considered equal."
"In terms of it's design LBP is the most revelatory experience of all the games I see coming this christmas and yet throw some fancy graphics, some guns and gore and the dim witted come foaming. I don't know what bothers me more; the under appreciation of LBP or that so many consider it and Gears equally good."

A platformer with access to the development pallets is a relavatory experience? Nice, yes . . . the second coming of Christ? No.

You complain that the 2nd Gears isn't "revelation" that the first was. You're complaining that a sequel to a game grows and expands on the game?!? What the hell were you looking for . . . dance contests to settle the fights?

You like LBP, goodie for you. Seems like a good game. I like gears (had enough with spending endless hours developing user content in my Forza livery . . . 2 years ago). But to call one crap and the other genius makes you look like an unbelievable, bigoted twat. Shame really, since you sound like you might have intelligent things to say. Unfortunately, this blatant Xbashing-for-principle taints everything you post now.

Rash why do you actually care so much, it’s not like the director of Epic took your mother out for a chicken dinner, slept with her and then never called her again, is it? It’s not a personal affront to you that two different games, in two different genres, on two different platforms got the same review score by two different reviewers, is it?

Also , it’s patently obvious that no one cares what you are going on about, so why continue?

DrDamn, Well if it entertains, the more appropriate question should be are the loose controls that much of an issue?

Once again, for me it's not a question about the quality of the games rather the quality of journalism in gaming. It's an observation. And if it bothers you all so much I'll stop.

Anybody who thinks a squeal should be innovate is stupid. It's a squeal, it's not supposed to be different! I didn't hear anybody say "MGS4 is just the same, hide, shoot, hide". Makes me think that the only people complaining are the PS3 fanboys.

@Rash'
I think they will detract from the entertainment for some people - however I also think to a large extent they are a consequence of the core design decisions which make the game so good too.

Your clandestine ways do not fool me, your allusions are clear young one.

DrDamn, agreed. i've peeved off enough taking my merry old time getting to my point, so i'll give a rest. Gears 2 looks to be brilliant game. not taking anything away from anyone. many thanks to those that prodded with intelligent responses.

''Anybody who thinks a squeal should be innovate is stupid. It's a squeal, it's not supposed to be different!''

I actually LOL'd :) Typos are awesome.

Rash I really can't believe what a plonker you're being. The score at the end is an OVERALL score! It takes into account such things as:

Playability, Graphics, Sounds, Longevity and Value.

Maybe ask EG to add a little 'Innovation' Score next to every game for Christ's sake.

The fact is Innovation in itself is not always a plus point. Sometimes innovation, no matter how original, is crap.

LBP got rated with a score from 1-10 as a whole. So did Gow 2. They're roughly 9/10 games as a whole package. End of. I can't believe that you think originality is some how is deserved of higher scores.

Magnolia is a great, innovative film that I've seen about 6 times. Is it better or worse than Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom? Dunno, but with a scoring system that only goes up to 10 I'd probably give them both a 9.

Finally, I expect you to make a similar comment in the Resistance 2, Wipeout HD and Killzone 2 reviews. ;) Thanks.

Edit: A minor retraction after reading further responses.

User generated content is not going to change the world.

Every article on this site has a fair amount of user-generated content tagged on at the end. And not necessarily for the better.

SPKRFCKR just sent me a personal message, he copy and pasted an 'xbot's' insulting comment from the LBP comments section, and then wrote ''You lose'' at the bottom......
Strange, strange boy :/

@captainrentboy

Hehe, it's very strange to think that he actually thinks his personal message will have some kind of effect on you... apart from evoking pity that is...

Halo - 8/10 Gears of War - 8/10
Halo 2 - 9/10 Gears of War 2 - 9/10
Halo 3 - 10/10 Gears of War 3 - Isn't it obvious?

fucking numbskull big explosions gaming at its finest and most dumbed down

@merkdot

You edited that post of yours, but it's still not in English. Translate your gibberish please.

quod erat demonstrandum

@simakperrce

You are making the assumption that fun = braindead. That is an incorrect assumption to make.

I find puzzle solving fun, I find deciding which stats to spend points on in RPG's fun, I find planning chains in Puzzle Quest fun. Many people do not find these things fun, but the thing is that fun is what you make it, not something categorised or predefined and certainly not something as limited as 'the braindead blockbuster'.

@simakperrce:
It is actually fun to think. You should think about it.

I mean, english is not my 1st language, but I did have a good and enjoyable (fun?) evening last Saturday when I saw Fassbinder's Querelle (for the 4th time).

Another awful review. Hate to seem like I have a hard on for this guy, but seriously - who hired this chump?

Surely you’d only have a hard on for him if you loved the review? No? Unless you’re a masochist of course…

Registered just to say I thought this is an exceptionally well-written review.

Probably won't return.

Best,

Zootroy.

"Anybody who thinks a squeal should be innovate is stupid. It's a squeal, it's not supposed to be different! I didn't hear anybody say "MGS4 is just the same, hide, shoot, hide". Makes me think that the only people complaining are the PS3 fanboys."

Disclaimer: This comment, and its lack of grammar, in no way reflects the views of gamers in general or of XBOX 360 owners.

Thank you.