Gears of War 2

 “[Gears of War 2 is] bigger, better, and more badass,” declares design director Cliff Bleszinski about the title that’ll make or break Xbox 360’s holiday lineup. But we’re not dense. That sound bite–ready slogan smacks a lot of marketing hype — but after receiving a guided demo through a white-knuckled level of the game that pits you (as the returning Marcus Fenix) against everything from garden-variety Locusts to hulking Brumaks to creepycrawly Corpsers, we have a feeling there’s some truth behind Bleszinski’s claim.

You’ll pick up your Lancer six months after the ending credits rolled on the original Gears of War. You’re still eyeball-deep in the increasingly bleak struggle against the Locust invasion that’s been churning heavy since Emergence Day on planet Sera. “Humanity’s back isn’t just up against the wall,” warns Bleszinski, “they’re about to be thrown over it.” Ah, desperate times, indeed.

But desperate times call for…loads of new vehicular assistance. Starting off aboard a giant military-style transport called a Derrick that’s currently leaving the city of Jacinto — the last stable outpost of humankind — and headed for the town of Landown, you’re able to roam the deck to wield your personal firearms against encroaching (and ensuing) Locust or hopscotch up to a mounted turret to take down flying Reavers. There’s a certain amount of freedom to tackle obstacles as you see fit amid the intense, large-scale scuffles occurring all around you.

But those Locusts won’t go down easy — and you’re not the only warrior with some new tricks up his sleeve. They’ve got grapples, and during your ride, they’ll try to latch onto the sides of the Derrick to climb aboard for a display of what Bleszinski calls “more intimate violence.” Fail to shoot the grapples off, and you’ll get up-close-and- personal with the Locust that’s attached.

And there’s no better time to exploit the chainsaw on your Lancer. But, like most Gears nuts have already noticed from the artsy, redtinged teaser trailer that announced Gears 2, whipping out your Lancer doesn’t guarantee that the other guy won’t do the same. In fact, locking chainsaws prompts a button-mashing sequence to determine who will successfully chainsaw who. Spam the B button quicker than that poor Locust chump, and you’ll be the victor. Or better yet — avoid the chainsaw duel by getting behind an enemy to split him from “taint to throat,” advises Bleszinski. Lovely.

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