Gears of War 2: Dark Corners – 360 – Review

Last year’s Gears of War 2 was a
tour de force for Xbox 360 owners, offering some great gameplay and fantastic
multiplayer. Additionally, Microsoft and Epic Games have done a nice job of
supporting the game’s online fans by offering up several downloadable map packs
via Xbox LIVE. Now, they are releasing another collection of multiplayer maps as
well as a brief single-player element with their recently released Dark Corners
pack.

The collection not only includes a
variety of new maps, but also allows you to play through a deleted chapter that
follows Marcus and Dom as they work their way further into the Locust stronghold
underground. Following a brief introduction by series creator Cliff Bleszinski,
you are put right into the fray. This mission is a bit of an anomaly, giving you
the choice to play through either utilizing stealth (the two characters don
Theron Armor) or going all out and blasting your way through.

As far as the Gears of War 2
single-player campaign is concerned, Road to Ruin would be considered a place
holder chapter at best. The new mission doesn’t offer much in the way of
storyline, and basically serves as a way of showing how the two heroes got from
one area to another, without much happening in between. While the mission does
introduce a familiar character, their introduction short-lived and isn’t
important to the plot whatsoever.

Going the stealth way isn’t terribly
compelling, as you simply have to trail Dom and move at just the right time in
order to get to where you’re going. It feels very much on rails and isn’t
challenging whatsoever until the action picks bad up towards the end. While
going the action route as opposed to the stealth route fares a bit better, you’d
probably still have just as much fun (if not more) playing through a couple of
rounds of Horde mode with a buddy.

Fortunately, the online portion of
the collection fares much better than the new single-player element. The new
maps (the Dark Corners DLC adds 7) are great fun, and include some great
additions, including War Machine, a retooled version of a classic map from the
first Gears game; Nowhere, a frantic shootout in a motel, and Allfathers Garden,
which employs the use of a lot of heavy weaponry.

The new multiplayer maps are a
blast, and are quite varied in terms of layout. Additionally, each one adds
their own unique elements to Gear of War 2’s multiplayer suite. While the
single-player stuff alone isn’t worth the cost, the new multiplayer maps are a
great addition for fans of the game’s online elements.

Review Scoring Details for Gears of War 2: Dark Corners

Gameplay: 8.0
While the single-player Road to Ruin element is pretty underwhelming, the
new multiplayer maps are well done and pretty fun to get into.

Graphics: 9.5
Even though the graphics haven’t been changed from the original release,
it’s one of the best looking titles around.

Sound: 9.0
Once again, unchanged from the original game, but still nicely done.

Difficulty: Medium

Concept: 8.5
Even though the single-player section isn’t too great and fairly
short-lived, the new multiplayer maps are great incentive for online players.

Multiplayer: 8.5
A fine collection of maps, the All Fronts Collection is a great way for fans
to get onboard with all that Gears of War 2’s multiplayer has to offer for a
discount.

Overall: 8.3
Despite the underwhelming Road to Ruin deleted scene (I guess it was deleted
for a reason), the multiplayer maps are great. Gears of War 2 fans with 1200
Microsoft Points to spare (or 1600 should they spring for the full All Fronts
Collection, which offers up all previous multiplayer map packs as well as Dark
Corners)