Gears of War 2 Dark Corners impressions (videos)

Dark Corners is scheduled to drop onto Xbox Live Marketplace shelves on July 28th for 1200MSP. We've been fortunate enough to get our hands on Dark Corners early to give you our impressions for what is possibly the last piece of downloadable content for Gears of War 2. While Dark Corners is technically the new content, there is also another pack dropping at the same time, the All Fronts Collection at 1600MSP. The latter is simply a combination of all Gears of War 2 Map Packs, and also includes the Dark Corners content. Storage wise though, All Fronts comes in at 766MB, although while it contains all Gears 2's Map Packs, it does not replace existing installed Map Packs, basically you'll need to go into your Hard Drive's memory and manually delete the individual Map Packs. There doesn't seem to be any issues in having the same content twice for the one game, it's just frankly a waste of HDD space. We're looking specifically at what 'Dark Corners' brings to the Gears 2 experience. It's certainly the biggest piece of DLC that we have seen for a Gears game, containing a deleted scene from the campaign and an astonishing seven multiplayer maps. Included in these are two returning classics, the first being the much requested War Machine, and the last being Sanctuary, which is a former, and was the final PC exclusive map from the first game.

Dark Corners: 'The Deleted Scene'

We'll kick things off by taking a look at the deleted scene from Gears of War 2, that is Road to Ruin, which unfortunately didn't make it into the final game and ended up on the cutting room floor. The Road to Ruin scene kicks into Gears 2's storyline immediately following Dom's teary-eyed 'reunion' with his missing wife, Maria. The player is given a choice to either 'Use Stealth' or 'Go In Guns Blazing', regardless of this choice you end up taking the same path, it's just the method of how you get from A to B that differs. Going in guns blazing, is as you might imagine, the typical Gears routine in pushing forward and demolishing any and all Locust in-sight - which just so happens to be the way we like it, usually. Obviously the mere mention of the word 'stealth' isn't something you'd normally associate with the Gears universe, although this is what all the fuss is about as it brings a change of pace to the gameplay and sees protagonists Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago do a bit of cross-dressing as they don some Theron Guard armour. It proves pretty entertaining and brings at least some sense of tension as you try to move, or rather, sneak your way through, whilst keeping your distance so any near-by Locust don't pick up your vile human scent. What's interesting about the stealth choice, is that if you ever get spotted (or are smelt out) by the Locust, your cover is immediately blown and a stray bullet from nowhere immediately pops off your Theron helmet, which means your essentially back in Guns Blazing mode, at least until you clear out that area of enemies, after which Marcus instructs Dom to try the Theron helmets again before proceeding further.

There are a few gripes to the Deleted Scene, there's nothing wrong with the content itself, the sneaking and later action therein can prove just as, if not, more entertaining than some of the sections in the game's original campaign; my gripes as it were are that the Road to Ruin chapter sits outside of the main campaign, only being accessible from the main menu. Perhaps that's just my preference in preferring it to have been featured, added into the existing campaign, playing out the main story as a director's cut type of thing. That's not really an issue though, my gripes rather come with the fact that you can not save your progress to continue later, and unlike the Campaign and Multiplayer, there is no lobby system in place for the Road to Ruin scene. This brought about some issues with co-operative play, for instance, launching the Road to Ruin deleted scene gives 'you' the choice of difficulty to select. As there is no pre-game lobby system for Road to Ruin, any friend that you wish to join for co-op is to be invited into the existing game. That right there is an issue, as my co-op partner learnt the hard way (me choosing Hardcore and him defaulting to Insane difficulty based on his last chosen difficulty from the main Campaign lobby); basically as there is no lobby system, your co-op partner cannot define his chosen difficulty as he could in the original campaign. Anyone that wishes to join should therefore launch their own Campaign lobby and choose the desired difficulty from there, and then come and join the in-progress Road to Ruin game. Not ideal at all, I'd at least hope that these issues are addressed via. another patch. A few issues aside, Road to Ruin proves to be a small slice of an entertaining romp. I had concerns as I had heard that it can be completed in a mere 20 minutes, this is indeed true, for Normal difficulty at least. Although on Hardcore/Insane difficulty our sessions of Road to Ruin seemed to average in at just under the 50 minutes, which is much, much better. Value wise, I don't think the deleted scene would stand well on its own as Premium-DLC, I like to think of Road to Ruin as the 'cherry on the top' or the 'icing on the cake', of what does represent excellent value, that being seven quality, albeit very different multiplayer maps, which we will take a look at now.

Dark Corners: 'Map Pack'

Gears of War, an action third-person shooter released in November 2006. Microsoft, the publisher, as with any exclusive title to their Xbox 360 platform, they have a way of making sure that the exclusives get the hype, Epic Games' Gears of War was no exception. Running up to the original's release, Gears of War had garnered much interest towards its campaign, more specifically co-operative play. Now, I've always been a big fan of co-operative and multiplayer online gaming, it seems even Epic were surprised by the the response to their multiplayer in the first game. It was phenomenal. Sure, there were a few issues, such as the slightly annoying host advantage, and for some reason playing Ranked games with friends were always made awkward to get into, but ultimately the gameplay was fun in the online environment, and that addictive gameplay that was found in the co-operative campaign transferred even better to multiplayer. Who knew people would take such great pleasure in blasting each others brains over the pavement? It's no secret that Gears 2 has had persistent online issues since its release. You can play the game and see that it's set-up to be user friendly with the ditching of the custom game lobbies in favour of matchmaking and a party system similar to the Halos and Call of Dutys of the gaming world; although something there seems to have caused more issues... the allure of Gears 2 was that it was said to have fixed host advantage, although this is the least of Gears 2's problems online. The game's received a number of patches, resulting in many bug fixes, although still suffers from lag in multiplayer. It may not be as bad as it once was, and Epic is always improving and trying to narrow down the issues, but it's a shame that something such as this can tarnish such a phenomenal game. When it works, it's great - when you get several lag-fest matches on the trot, it's a game that will surely push anyone's patience to breaking point. Fortunately, in this unfortunate situation, Gears 2's Horde mode really is the best addition to the game, it's the saving grace if you will, simply because it is addictive co-operative play at its best, and for the most part, it does not suffer from lag - perfect for those times when you need to take a breather from multiplayer.

Nowhere:

This map looks like it was pulled right out of a western movie, that is if it wasn't for all the damned broken down cars. Although they're ideal for cover, especially if a Sniper or Mulcher is situated up on the building across the way. If you hear the Mortar going, you better high-tail it into one of the small derelict buildings, back outside here you should find a Longshot Sniper to be picked up, perhaps sneaking in a sly headshot whilst the opponent is occupied with one of your comrades, if you're lucky. Be sure to be aware of the incoming sandstorms, they really are a Locusts pain in the neck when trying to line up that perfect headshot.

Way Station:

There's only very few maps in Gears 2 that are Locust "themed". The more popular choice that shipped with Gears 2 is Ruins, Way Station is yet another to add to the Locust collection. This dastardly looking map is essentially separated down the middle by a cart track hovering over a stream of emulsion. There's a small bridge enabling players quick access from one side of the map to the other, however pushing forward reveals a small room either side of the map, and further up is the main stairwell which leads to a large room at the top, which is accessible from both sides, as well as from a room underneath. All in all, the various rooms are perfect for some up close and personal shotgun battles, with more open space on the outside and larger rooms nearer the main stairwell.

Allfathers Garden:

This map fits particularly well within the Gears universe, the more darker maps the better. Perhaps darkness in general just fits in with the horror/action theme of the game somehow, either way we love it. There are nooks and crannies galore for cover and sneakily well executed flanking opportunities. There's plenty of weaponry spread out, as well as two Longshot Snipers available for pickup, which should put some interesting sniper battles into motion. Allfathers Garden is full of atmosphere, we mentioned it was dark, it's also very cloudy with thunder n' lighting going off in the background, there really is nothing better than the sound of that during an intense fire-fight, is there?

War Machine:

Something eerie and all too familiar with this map... ah the abandoned train station from Gears of War! I knew I was missing something. It's got a new lick of paint too, and some nice lighting work, some weapon placement differences. There's another 6 maps as well, they're not needed now, but the more merrier. War Machine isn't a map that I'd have imagined Horde being all that exciting on, I was wrong.

Highway:

Another Locust themed map from deep within the Hollow, Highway features some good flanking opportunities, most noticeably the ability to flank underneath the main stairs and come up the other side, which should prove useful if being pursued. In the main area there's some open space, but plenty of short cuts to be had to get where you want to be. With little rooms to dart through and staircases on either side of the map to get up top, as well as the previously mentioned central stairs which sit atop a Boomshot. There's Mortars, Pistols and Grenades littered about, as well as a Sniper situated farther back up some steps, although this is in the open some what; just try not to get too distracted during battle by the Brumak, who is stomping along the bridge in the distance.

Memorial:

Once these hallowed grounds were a place of peace, where we go in remembrance and respect of those fallen before us. These days, this brightly lit area serves as yet another stomping ground for the Locust. In a battle for the weaponry; the Boomshot, Longshot Sniper and Hammer of Dawn will prove to be extremely useful in disposing of the enemy. Another spacious map, certainly ideal for Horde with its upper floor to be situated at (camp, I mean camp at), also there's plenty of powerful weaponry to run round for between waves.

Sanctuary:

For those PC gamers out there, this may be one you'll recognise, the third and final piece of the puzzle, the last Gears PC exclusive map makes its Gears 2 debut on Xbox 360. This dark and spooky graveyard is a rather close-nit map, with very tight opportunities to work your way around the outer edges of the map, either bottom or top side, some useful weaponry along the way includes the Mortar. A Mortar is always handy, although I can't help but feel that it's really out of place on such a small map, but it's enough to ensue some chaos and force a close-nit team to spread out just that little bit more. The action is sure to come thick and fast, the central area houses the Torque Bow and Longshot Sniper, if playing Horde this makes for an ideal area to be, with a team mate or two being either top side, which usually results in a spawning Mulcher or Boomshot near-by.

'Dark' Thoughts

A few mentioned issues aside for the Deleted Scene, the campaign mission itself is certainly entertaining and represents a good, and more importantly an entertaining and lengthier challenge with the difficulty bumped up. Replay wise, it's not likely going to be something that sees multiple playthroughs. I do actually enjoy revisiting the main campaign with friends that may not have completed it, it would have certainly been a bit more valuable if it had been inserted into the main campaign like a Director's Cut as well as being accessible from the main menu, like it is, for those that want to purely just play the new content only. The pricing fits well, 1200MSP for seven multiplayer maps and a new campaign chapter, can't go wrong by that at all. The valuable and re-playable portion certainly comes from the Dark Corners maps themselves, which would be worth picking up at this price point even without the campaign content. I can't help but be a bit concerned about the online play; here's hoping everything goes smooth and plays well (for the most part) come the July 28th release to the Live Marketplace.

Posted By: Wayne Julian

Date: 2009-07-24