Kill Paul Newbery! Options

[michael]

The success of Gears of War needs no explanation. Graphically polished and tweaked to deliver the ultimate Xbox Live experience, Cliffy B and the boys at Epic Games deserve all the praises heaped upon them. Tipping the mighty Halo2 off the spot as the mose popular online Xbox game, the adventures of Mr Fenix and co. have brought many Ringers together, both new and not so new. This era of new found gaming pleasure and unity will end on Christmas Day when Mr. Newbery opens his copy.
Those too young to remember must take warning. I have borne witness to the destructive power of RP Wingnut across too many battlefields, race tracks and hostage standoffs to recount. His ability to assimilate himself into any game in a matter of minutes will only result in your immediate, humiliating demise. He can out-snipe, out-run and out-gun anyone her wishes with effortless impunity. Wingnut + Gears of War = Death for You and Me. It's that simple.
This time, I have a plan. I'm not paying Microsoft £40 a year just so I can watch Paul clean up every map from the comfort of my dead-man's spectator-view. I spent far too much time doing that on Counterstrike. No, this time I want to raise an army. An army with the balls to stand up to RP Wingnut and be counted. An army, trained on every map, skilled in every weapon and aware of every camping spot to give us the advantage that we so desparately need. Tactical estimates gives us just 36 hours before The Real Emergence Day, taking dinner and the Queen's Speech into consideration. Sign up now! Get in the Fight!

[michael]

Success can be counted as 2 million copies selling in just six weeks. It's popularity stems from the instant thrills it delivers in online play. Previously most multiplayer games favoured the pasty-ones persistance by rewarding them with hidden weapons and sniping spots only available from hours of play. Level design is even and well-thought out. The choice of weapons is also well-balanced with no one gun being particulary better than the other. Those who played Counterstrike will no doubt remember those AWP campers that would play every game with the same weapon and pick you off, regardless of what your tactics were. In GoW, every advantage you think you have with a weapon or a level is short lived as there is a tactical nemesis to counter it. Changing tactics on the fly makes for a challenging experience with teamwork being the best weapon. Running off to get all the kills single-handed will generally result with a chainsaw bayonet shoved through your chest cavity.
With any interest or actvity, moderation is the key. Unlike MMO's such as World of Warcraft, Gears of War does not require a substantial amount time invested to appreciate it. It's just eight people, blowing the shit out of each other with unfeasibly large and vicious firearms. However it's done so in an intense, balanced scenario that always has you looking over your shoulder, counting your ammo and seeking audible assurances from your team-mates that they've 'got your back'.