In 2006 Epic Games delivered the killer app that Microsoft’s Xbox 360 desperately coveted. Just like with the original Xbox and Halo, it was worth picking up a 360 just to play Gears of War. The original Gears’ jaw dropping graphics, unique art style, over the top character models and third person cover mechanics were a breath of fresh air that has influenced and been imitated by numerous titles since its release.

Needless to say the announcement of a sequel this February and every subsequent piece of marketing released since has whipped the gaming world into a hype-fuelled frenzy. Surely no game other than GTA IV can live up to such lofty expectations. I can safely say that in nearly every facet of the game Gears of War 2 will match and quite possibly exceed gamers’ expectations.

The most striking component of the game early on is the quality of polish and presentation on display. It is doubtful anyone would have expected the game to look this much better considering the original’s graphical credentials. Some of the grey has stepped aside to allow a much needed infusion of colour into the environments, Epic continue to present the game as a living, breathing world which at times is truly breathtaking. Even the iconic Gears character models show much more detail with lighting in particular playing a big part in the third person presentation of Marcus and the rest of Delta Squad.

Apart from the gorgeous visuals that could be the best consoles have seen, toss a coin between this and MGS4; the other obvious improvement is with the controls. Shooting and aiming just feels so much tighter and more enjoyable, with some excellent sound effects for each weapon complimenting the feel of firing your weapon perfectly. The original’s much maligned cover system has been tweaked extensively resulting in far fewer instances of inadvertent snapping into cover at moments most inappropriate. Probably my favourite refinement however is the much improved roadie run. Snapping into and out of the game’s unique sprint mechanic is noticeably more responsive and infinitely more enjoyable as a result.

The gameplay itself is nothing revolutionary, the pacing this time around is a different beast altogether. Rarely if ever does the game feel repetitious, with it alternating between intense large scale firefights only hinted at previously and fast paced moments best described as amusement park rides. Throw in some huge boss battles and you have one incredibly enjoyable campaign. Some of Gears 2’s vehicle levels challenge Solid Snake’s supreme efforts for sheer visceral thrill and graphical splendour. One in particular is so visually stunning it wouldn’t be out of place in a CGI animated feature.

The campaign length of the original was hugely criticised and once again the sequel delivers. At the halfway mark it appeared only a minor lengthening had been achieved, but the back end of the third act and the entire fourth act stretch it out to an estimated 10 hour experience. Only the most cynical could complain this time around, not every game needs to be the length of Bioshock. For seasoned Gears veterans, playing through the first time on Hardcore difficulty is highly recommended to maximise your enjoyment.

Prior to release, Microsoft and Epic placed great emphasis on the sequel’s story, claiming improvement over the first. That wouldn’t be hard considering there wasn’t one. There is a fleshed out story this time around, but Shakespeare it isn’t. The story itself is complete and avoids a cliffhanger ending á la Halo 2, but raises more questions than it answers. The much publicised search for Dom’s wife Maria is ultimately a letdown, culminating with a payoff that comes across as tired and clichéd. Make sure you sit through the end credits to catch a prominent teaser at the end. No doubt it will build anticipation for the inevitable third chapter but quite frankly this should have been explored in this instalment considering the question was raised in the original game. The story is nothing to write home about and as forgettable as any summer popcorn movie complete with bucketloads,(or is that 10 bucketloads?) of cheesy dialogue. It is only when the story tries to take itself seriously that it detracts from the experience.

Playing through the campaign in co-op is even more enjoyable this time around. While the levels are still linear many of the set pieces are expansive allowing for numerous opportunities to flank or set up intersecting fields of fire. Vehicle levels are also excellent with two players requiring communication and teamwork to avoid repeated checkpoint loading. The designers even got creative a few times. One mission in particular requires Marcus and Dom to carry a large container with one on each end allowing only pistols for defense whilst delivering the package.

Multiplayer has been revolutionised as well, but not all may be happy. Gone is the one dimensional race to the cool weapons and shotgun rolling, replaced with the overpowered Lancer fire and chainsaw fest that now ensues. It is infinitely more accessible now, but hardcore Gears veterans will probably scream broke. My favourite of the new game modes is Wingman, 10 players split into 5 teams of 2 with last team standing the winner. This makes for some unique strategies, campers will hang back and look to pick off the scraps and you absolutely, positively have to stick together.

Even after heaping all these superlatives upon Gears 2, I still haven’t touched upon the most entertaining part of the package. It is called Horde and it is phenomenal. Horde is a 5 player co-op mode playable on any of the game’s multiplayer maps where COGS must work together to defeat wave after wave of Locust Horde. From waves 1 to 10 the enemies gradually ramp up in numbers and deliver bigger, meaner beasties each time. After each wave of 10 the enemies reset to the first, but with increased stats. For instance wave 11 begins with enemies having double accuracy, this continues every 10 waves with health and damage also boosted along the way up to wave 50. Even on Casual difficulty the action becomes frenetic and intense. You’ll be forced to find an area with defendable checkpoints, the catch is these spots will not be where the best weapons and ammo spawn. It induces instances of panic, desperation and sheer exhilaration few games have ever delivered. Listen to your teammates swear and panic when beset by a Boomer with a flamethrower or a Bloodmount. It is equal parts tense and hilarious and insanely awesome.

There are so many elements that could be explored here but at the end of the day if you love shooters, you have to play Gears of War 2. Only Halo 3 and Call of Duty 4 could consider arguing they deliver as much entertainment value. There really is something for everyone this time around. You just need to play it.