Gears of War 3 Review

Revving up the lancer's chainsaw for the last time, the campaign came to a end encompassing the truth behind why the locust came to the surface and why the battle against the human's began in the first place against the two once co-existing races.

The game is still fundamentally Gears of War and that hasn't changed at all. You'll still race around with a lancer, taking cover and inevitably end up cutting your way through some poor locust's head. The difference's lie in the new enemies, locales and impressive polishing the game underwent to make it a moment in time to remember for everyone who took part in the final adventure.

Gears of War 3 begins where the Gears team left off. They had just flooded the locust's main base and most of the world has been thrown into disarray. Many people have been left behind and are fending for themselves with no love for the Gears or their prior accomplishments. With the team stuck out at sea and a sudden on-set  emulsion-infected lambent attack ensuing, it's time to get to work on once again taking out the trash.

The game pulled at my heart strings twice throughout the campaign but I dare not mention the specifics so as not to spoil anything for those who haven't yet played or completed the story but I will admit that it's been a long time since I've played a shooter with a proper ending that will both enthral and answer every question possible about the series.

As I've already mentioned, Gears of War 3 is the same beast as its predecessors but all that much more refined than them both. Picking cover and moving is swift and rewarding when faced against the mighty artificial intelligence of the locust. The game throws literally everything at you to both the players cunning and skill... I found it immensely engrossing to take down enemies when the odds were clearly against myself and the Gears team.

It's good news then that the Gears team mates can all handle themselves very well. It's possible to take the game online for up to four player's in campaign but if you find yourself alone, know that the team will not let you down. With many new weapons such as the sawed-off shotgun and cleaver littered around to use, there's no end to the possible killing methods placed at one's fingertips.

The graphics are seriously impressive. Epic Games took the idea of polishing this title to a new extreme and I seriously thank them for it. The new animations for reloading and revving up the chainsaw excellent and the facial movement (even while not in a cutscene) is perfect down to the last inch. The game's maps look brilliant too (although, once again there's a lot of browns) with lots of variation and possibilities coming from their layout.

The voice acting is fantastic. John Di Maggio and Carlos Ferro give it their all in showing that they truly were a working unit. The connection between Marcus and Dom was felt from the outset in the series and it reaches new heights here. The music was moody and at times rather intense dependant on the fight taking place. My heart raced throughout boss fights because of the score's revved-up ballads.

With the game clocking in at around 15 hours, it's not a short game. It's reasonably littered with cutscenes, vehicle fights and boss battles to engross even the most unsure of shooter gamers. This game won't bore you, it will surprise you all the way to the end.

What we're left with is an excellent game brought to an explosive finale. Much from the previous games is answered and with the series having now come to an end, I'm left wondering what will Epic Games do next.

If you've played any of the previous titles in the series, it's time for you to come aboard and finish off this gaming marvel. If you've yet to play any of the Gears games, then snap them up and prepare for one hell of a thrill-ride.

• I haven't reviewed the multiplayer. The multiplayer is brilliant but I was aiming for a campaign review for the moment. If you would like to see a multiplayer review, please tell me below in the comments.