First Gears of War reviews roll in

by Kevin Kelly { Nov 7th 2006 at 12:15PM }

G4tv and Gamespot have posted video reviews of Gears of War. The verdict? They both love it. Although, Morgan Webb says the game's hardcore setting is "borderline impossible to play solo" while Gamespot's Jeff Gerstmann says that hardcore isn't too bad until later in the game. Who to believe? We'll go with Gerstmann.

Gamespot's review is much more in-depth and you'll feel like you learned something by watching it; by comparison, who wants to listen to Morgan Webb obviously read something from a script over gameplay video ... again? It's just painful when she says "bitchcakes."

Not only that, but the Gamespot video plays a helluva lot smoother on our computer than the G4 dreck. And can someone please slip Adam Sessler a note about his wardrobe? He dresses like he got knocked on the head and thinks he's Carlos Santana.

Gamespot says, "games don't typically look this good." We hope he's right.

[Thanks, Mactor]

Watch - X-Play's Gears of War video review (multiplayer only)
Watch - Gamespot's Gears of War video review

Tags: Adam Sessler, emergence day, Epic, Gears of War, GearsOfWar, GoW, Morgan Webb, Sessler, video, Webb, Xbox 360

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

jharr @ Nov 7th 2006 12:22PM

The reviews at Metacritic look great. Seems like everyone loves it!

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/gearsofwar

Zoot Suit Jedi @ Nov 7th 2006 12:23PM

But Morgan Webb is supafine. (Nice Pic!) We all know this game is going to rock, so screw the rewiews and mute the TV whenever X-play is on and enjoy the views.

Oh yeah, and Sessler is a tool.

Saneless @ Nov 7th 2006 12:24PM

Can't say I care for Webb. Someone who in normal life is no more than an above average at best, the fact that she has something to do with games makes stupid boys retarded.

Izuna Drop @ Nov 7th 2006 12:24PM

I just played a few minutes of it across the street in our other office and it looks pretty amazing. I'm excited to start playing the game... as soon as I get it. I will say, in the few moments I played, it seemed a bit hard to run into cover, but I will add that I don't really know what I am doing yet so that's not quite a fair assessment.

jlk @ Nov 7th 2006 12:25PM

Good. Perhaps this will shut those idiots up yesterday complaining that since there were no reviews a day before launch that it must be complete dreck or some vast conspiracy to hide the truth. The only truth here is your own idiot fanboyism.

Neoxkc @ Nov 7th 2006 12:26PM

http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html

IGN review here

Dave @ Nov 7th 2006 12:32PM

This is about how G4 an IGN are the first to review the game. So it's about both. Is that confusing to some people?

Ashley Allen @ Nov 7th 2006 12:33PM

The Quality of the G4tv review is very poor.

I downloaded the Gamespot review in WMV-HD and streamed it to my 360.

Awesome doesn't even come close to how good GoW looks.

JodyAnthony @ Nov 7th 2006 12:37PM

I can put my nintendo fanboyism aside for a moment and say although I am not a fan of first person shooters (except for wolfenstein 3d) I am glad that this game is getting positive reviews, because I know a ton of people have been looking forward to it for awhile.

side note: man, I love video games. something about them makes me all warm inside.

reguy @ Nov 7th 2006 12:39PM

so the average score sits about 9.5 for this game.
seems like it did live up to the hype

hey *daver* (you dumb sony shill) there are your reviews happy now?
the sony guys are just hating bcuz this inferior console gets gears while they get resistance

but whatever, putting down others because they cant come up with anything new is what sony and its great fans do best

Dingo @ Nov 7th 2006 12:47PM

GameSpot says the game has no story.

Pretty disappointing. I'm playing fear, another mindless shooter. I will move to Gears, another mindless shooter.

Odds Bodkins @ Nov 7th 2006 12:48PM

Morgan Webb rocks. To me, she's more funny than she is "OMG! Drool!". Course, I also think Sessler's pretty funny too. And no, he's not somebody drool-worthy either.

Glad to hear that Gears of War is getting the good reviews. We all knew the graphics were going to look great, glad to hear that gameplay doesn't suck. I'll have my copy later today. :)

diskoboy @ Nov 7th 2006 12:51PM

1up's review = 100/100

The 360's first perfect score. Definately lived up to the hype - especially seeing as how 1up gives everything a shitty review. I'm about to go on the hunt for it.

Eric Von Shpeel @ Nov 7th 2006 12:55PM

1up says theres control problems, lag online, lack of online modes, linear levels, bad voice acting and sloppy AI and it still gets 10/10. Im guessing the guys who wrote Killzone PSP and Neverwinter Nights 2 PC didnt write this review! With enough money you can buy any review score you need sadly.

JRM @ Nov 7th 2006 1:01PM

I'd take Morgan Webbs review more to heart because:
1)she isn't taking any of it seriously. My interest level plummets when people start talking seriously about a game, while I actually get more curious about seeing what Adam & Morgan are making fun of

2)Being a gamer with so-so skills (i.e. I can barely hold my own in online matches) I'll take Morgan's word, because she probably isn't a fanatic gamer like Jeff. I'd say she actually has a social life to take care of first.

flymolo @ Nov 7th 2006 1:04PM

Nintendo fan here, just wanted to say that I've been looking at videos of resistance and gears and, from what I've seen, visualy resistance doesn't hold a candle to gears.
Is there a better game to compare in-game graphics? because if resistance is the best ps3 has, the ps3 has a year or two to go before it reaches this level.

Or maybe I'm way off base comparing these two games.

@ Nov 7th 2006 1:04PM

Cool!

MosquitoControl @ Nov 7th 2006 1:15PM

Morgan looks awful with curly hair.

Anyway, I'll get this game anyway, but early gushing reviews aren't necessarily a good thing. Remember all the gushing Doom 3 reviews before it was released? All the magazines seemed to spew the same BS they said in the preview, then say the gameplay sucks, then give it a 95%. Verdict - early reviews are afraid to badmouth AAA, highly hyped titles.

However, all those reviews complained a lot before giving huge numbers. GOW reviews don't complain much.

Sonrics @ Nov 7th 2006 1:16PM

Where r the sony trolls saying that GOW will flop??, with this reviews from all sources, I dont think it "flopped"...
GAMESPOT 9.6
1UP 10.0
IGN 9.4
TEAMXBOX 9.6
GAMEINFORMER 9.5

hohoho @ Nov 7th 2006 1:19PM

given the amount of violence and gore, and the upcoming us' election;

could we expect more game bashing politic**ts?

cheers

ihya @ Nov 7th 2006 1:20PM

Eurogamer gave it an 8/10

http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69696

daver @ Nov 7th 2006 1:21PM

reguy

i am a sony shill because i want to see some concrete reviews ! smarten up and dont be so hasty assuming i am a sony fanboy - i'm not.

its never idiotic to have an opinion.

Deadpool @ Nov 7th 2006 1:28PM

Daver,
I think it was your(and I am paraphrasing, "lets see a review on this piece of shit" comment yesterday that has gotten this reaction. Calling something a piece of shit and calling for reviews is going to make people think that you have already made up your mind and are just looking for review to re-inforce your opinion.

unimental @ Nov 7th 2006 1:28PM

Killer. Ap.

Bubba @ Nov 7th 2006 1:30PM

Am I the only one who noticed that Ms. Webb said that INSANE difficulty is "borderline impossible", not Hardcore? Don't get me wrong, I hate G4 as much as the next guy, but at least get your comparisons right...

Moe @ Nov 7th 2006 1:31PM

Am I the only one who is wary of these insanely high review scores? It's likely a great game, but perfect scores? Reminds me of Halo 2's reviews as well.

computer gamer @ Nov 7th 2006 1:31PM

Right, so now the Sony Biatches can be quiet for once. Fact is it is a good game, it has flaws (what do people expect? the second comming?). It's a GAME.

Nothing is perfect but carefully crafted pieces of entertainment can be stunningly enjoyable. Gamers who want the best games and who want "the next gen" will be looking at buying gears of war. If they don't own a 360 they should seriously be going out and picking one up before there is an Xmas shortage due to this game (and others on the horizon).

The only people who won't admit it's a damn fine piece of entertainment are, as usual, the Sony zealots who have so much Sony PR as their daily mantra that they are scared to believe anything else can actually be good. I implore to not deny yourselves, go and buy a 360.. then a wii and finally a PS3 (if you must) but don't loose out just because Sony know a lot about Hype and Marketing while forgetting about gamers needs.

fawazr @ Nov 7th 2006 1:31PM

I rather look at Webb's perky rack than Gerstmann's sweaty jowls and double chin.

This game looks great. I have to pick it up soon and devote my life to it for the next few weeks.

daver @ Nov 7th 2006 1:32PM

"Cutting through the bullshit, on a purely gaming level Gears of War is not doing anything extraordinary or new on any level."

It seems it is far from GOTY material. Its funnny when you read the reviews, the visuals and sound are mentioned in pretty much every paragraph but the gameplay is extremely simple. Next gen coat of paint coupled with maybe x gen gameplay.

One more thing - 1up gave this game 10/10 but mentioned quiet a few flaws !!! Glaring obvious bad flaws. It seem to my, in my opinion, that a 10/10 game should never have the kinds of flaws mentioned in the review.

I'll wait for the Edge review. They are less subject to hyberbole. Anyone know what edge gave this ??

daver @ Nov 7th 2006 1:35PM

deadpool

i am just wary of hype. 'piece of shit' gow is not.

i bought God of war couple years ago and found it highly disappointing. It too scored massive reviews !

Lefty @ Nov 7th 2006 1:38PM

daver

your so funny. if you notice he said he kept trying to find reasons to give it a lower review but it kept wowing him and pulling in him. this game is just down right addictive and fun. thats what i was trying to tell you yesterday. butr wait for every review you want. be like the other hater 2 who said they were bought. the game is out not one xbox owner who has it is dissappointed. i can not wait to get my copy. you won't see me for like months.

good job epic and ms.

Bubba @ Nov 7th 2006 1:39PM

Daver - give it up, already. You're starting to sound like even more of a jackbag than you made yourself out to be yesterday.

Don't play it if you don't want to. Many folks will, and will have plenty 'o fun.

Go ahead and comfort yourself with your PS3 preorder slip.

Geirskogul @ Nov 7th 2006 1:41PM

No, daver, but it is idiotic to write comments lacking completely in puncuation and capitalization.

I still think that you're payed by Sony, the way you act around here.

Darren Cornwell @ Nov 7th 2006 1:45PM

Edge isn't out yet, released last friday of the month (this month), so you'll be waiting for a while. But agreed, at least edge can give a fair review (minus hype and hyperbole).

I must admit, this game does look good, but it's not out in the UK until next friday, so I guess we'll be waiting :(

_habit_ @ Nov 7th 2006 1:51PM

That's quite a repulsive picture you got there Joystiq...

Sam @ Nov 7th 2006 1:53PM

I . . . uhhh . . . actually have some . . uhh . . . complaints I could really make about . . .uhh, gamespot's review too. Cause at least Morgan uhh . . . really, you know, . . uhhhh . . knows how to really speak clearly and . . uh . . cleanly.

Michael @ Nov 7th 2006 2:03PM

@ 17 project offset IMO is better visually than GoW or resistance. Although it’s only for PC so far, and hasn't been confirmed for any console. It's also not coming out anytime soon. Check it out: http://www.projectoffset.com/

Darkness @ Nov 7th 2006 2:08PM

I've read some reviews and so far the Eurogamer review I find to be the most honest. We should alway take reviews with a grain of salt, though. Hopefully it'll stand up to prolonged playtime.

Doom @ Nov 7th 2006 2:14PM

Dan Hsu has all the credibility of any other deepthroating advertisement shilling video game pseudojournalist.

I'll determine whether Gears of War is good or not by way of my own experience with it.

RUSKULL @ Nov 7th 2006 2:38PM

Well, Morgan Webb hates video games. I mean, just look at X-Play! So her opinion is a little hard to take seriously ;)

aegies @ Nov 7th 2006 3:10PM

the 1up review would have a little less credibility to it if not for the fact that it was Dan Hsu who posted it. this man practically defines gaming credibility this year. if you can't trust the guy who went straight after Peter Moore's family settings in his first post-launch interview with him, then really, who can you trust? would you only listen to a review of this game if it was written by Phil Harrison or something? can J. Allard review Resistance?

burn @ Nov 7th 2006 3:14PM

All my eyes see is legs. Long, long, legs. Was this post about games? I wouldn't know.

chenry @ Nov 7th 2006 3:36PM

Webb's got a face as broad as Mt Rushmore.

So want to play Gears of War though. Because, y'know. bang bang!

chasing @ Nov 7th 2006 5:05PM

Professional courtesy would dictate you offer Webb at least a little slack - I mean, certainly you realize plenty of your readers also watch her. So why crap where you eat? It's tacky (and not so smart).

DakidOG @ Nov 7th 2006 6:18PM

If you ask me, I see a lot of x-box fanboys out to cheer for GoW getting high reviews and calling it a great game. I believe a game isn't good or bad until I HAVE PLAYED IT! I don't take these reviews seriously because they have been completly wrong on numerous occasions. ppl before we go omg! this game is the king play it. btw NO I'AM NOT A SONY OR NINTENDO FANBOY.

ManekiNeko @ Nov 7th 2006 7:21PM

Someone needs to put Morgan Webb on full sandwich alert. You could use her friggin' leg as a lockpick!

JR

MrJynx @ Nov 7th 2006 9:36PM

Yep, I picked up Gears of War this evening up here in Canada. So far the game has been amazing. I'm very impressed with the camera effects, I had no idea how much it could truly help a game such as this. And the graphics.. damn, I was in love with Ghost recon but this is a notch up from that..

Controls are good, difficulty is good. I tried hardcore and it was REALLY HARD! the enemies are pretty smart so far to. I can only imagine what's in store for me..

And to think, I was going to pick up a PS3.. I think this and Call Of Duty 3 will keep me occupied until they are more readily available, oh well. no blu-ray player just yet!

November regardless will be an expensive month for me

MrJynx

makesevenupyours @ Nov 7th 2006 10:42PM

i dont care who the FUCK you are, morgan webb is SUPER-hott!

and that pic...oh shit...

anyways, good to see the positive reviews for this MAJORLY hyped up game.

makesevenupyours @ Nov 7th 2006 11:02PM

"One more thing - 1up gave this game 10/10 but mentioned quiet a few flaws !!! Glaring obvious bad flaws. It seem to my, in my opinion, that a 10/10 game should never have the kinds of flaws mentioned in the review."

games have flaws, and thats expected, but isnt the purpose of video games fun and entertainment? if the fun outdoes some of the flaws THAT MUCH, i see no problem with that. thats what its all about. FUN.