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gears of war 2 came to x-box 360.
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{{Infobox VG
|title = Gears of War 2
|image = [[Image:Gow2 offbox.jpg|256px]]
|caption = <small>The official game cover art unveiled at E3 2008</small>
|developer = [[Epic Games]]
|publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]
|designer = [[Cliff Bleszinski]]
|composer = [[Steve Jablonsky]]
|engine = [[Unreal Engine#Unreal Engine 3|Unreal Engine 3]] with [[PhysX]]
|resolution = [[720p]]
|released = November 7, 2008<ref name="Gears Dated">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/888/888919p1.html E3 2008: Gears of War 2 Dated]</ref>
|genre = [[Third-person shooter]]<br/>[[Tactical shooter]]
|modes = [[Single player]], [[System Link]], [[Multiplayer]], [[Cooperative gameplay|Cooperative modes]]
|ratings = {{vgratings|ESRB=M<ref>[http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/g/gearsofwar2/ Xbox.com Gears of War 2 Detail Page]</ref>|BBFC=18<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=225565 |title=Gears 2 bonus content revealed News // Xbox 360 /// Eurogamer - Games Reviews, News and More |publisher=Eurogamer.net |author=Ellie Gibson |date=26 August, 2008 |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref>}}
|platforms = <!--NOTE TO EDITORS: Please do not add mention of a PC version here, as it has been confirmed by the developer that no PC version of Gears of War 2 will be made.-->[[Xbox 360]]
|media = [[DVD#Dual layer recording|DVD-9]]
|input = [[Gamepad#Xbox 360|Gamepad]]
|}}


http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:Ch3GAb7jexoI5M:http://www.aeropause.com/wordpress/archives/images/2008/08/gears-of-war-2-10.jpg
'''''Gears of War 2''''' is a [[tactical shooter|tactical]] [[third-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Epic Games]] and published by [[Microsoft Game Studios]] for [[Xbox 360]].<ref name="GamePro">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/games/xbox360/140321/gears-of-war-2/|title=''Gears of War 2'': Epic's tactical shooter gears up for round two|publisher=[[GamePro]]|accessdate=April 2008}}</ref> It is the sequel to ''[[Gears of War]]'', and was announced by lead designer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] during the February 20, 2008 [[Game Developers Conference]]. The game uses a heavily upgraded version of the [[Unreal Engine 3]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/30824.html |title=Gametrailers.com - Epic Games - GDC 2008: Unreal Engine Tech Demo |publisher=Gametrailers.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref> During [[E3]] [[E3 2008|2008]], a worldwide<ref name="Gears Books Announced">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/892/892316p1.html Epic Games and Del Rey Announce Novels in the Gears of War Video Game Universe]</ref> release date for the game was set for November 7, 2008.<ref name="Gears Dated">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/888/888919p1.html E3 2008: Gears of War 2 Dated]</ref> Since its release, ''Gears of War 2'' has been received with critical acclaim,<ref name="GRANKINGS SCORE" /> and in its opening weekend the game sold over two million units.<ref name="First Sales" />
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:o0eYl65Yd1Pj2M:http://ui08.gamespot.com/167/gearsofwar3_2.jpg

In ''Gears of War 2'', the Locust have found a way to make giant emergence holes capable of sinking entire cities at once. Marcus Fenix and the rest of the COG Delta Squad are now drilling underground to "take the fight to the Locust." In a teaser of the first scenes of gameplay of ''Gears of War 2'', COG soldiers engage in battle with a large army of Locust as they travel to drill into the underground region. Comic book writer [[Joshua Ortega]] says, "The stakes are raised. This is humanity's last stand. Everything is at risk. Nothing is safe."<ref name="gameinformer preview">{{cite news | pages =46-57 | date = May 2008 (Issue 181) | title = Gears of War 2: Great Expectations | work = [[Game Informer]]}}</ref>

==Gameplay==
[[Image:Gearsofwar2 duel.jpg|thumb|250px|left|[[List of Gears of War characters and adversaries #Marcus Fenix|Marcus Fenix]] engaged in a chainsaw duel with a Locust.]]
[[John DiMaggio]], the voice actor of the game's main character, [[Marcus Fenix]], confirmed to [[IGN]] that players would be able to fight the large Brumaks in ''Gears of War 2''. He also revealed there will be a deeper story with new characters, new weapons, and new enemies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/855/855853p1.html |title=IGN: Marcus Fenix Talks Gears of War 2 |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |author=Patrick Kolan, IGN AU |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref> The game also includes the ability to duel with an AI or human opponent when both use the [[chainsaw]] attachment of the Lancer rifle, as seen in the 2008 Game Developer's Conference promotional video, later confirmed in informal interviews with developers<ref>{{ cite web | url =http://weblogs.variety.com/the_cut_scene/2008/02/gears-of-war--2.html | title = Gears of War 2: Chainsaw Battles | publisher = Variety | first = Ben | last = Fritz | date = 2008-02-22 | accessdate = 2008-02-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.oxmpodcast.com/?p=130| title=''KOXM'' podcast #103|date= 2008-02-22}}</ref> and a ''[[Game Informer]]'' preview.<ref name="gameinformer preview">{{cite news | pages =46-57 | date = May 2008 (Issue 181) | title = Gears of War 2: Great Expectations | work = [[Game Informer]]}}</ref> Epic released a gameplay video which revealed the player may now use "downed" enemies as [[human shield|shields]]. Bleszinski confirmed also that players who have been injured can crawl as a final desperate attempt at life. Players may tap the 'A' Button to crawl faster. The level of blood and gore has been increased, for example, when the player is close to death, wherever he moves there are trails of blood behind him. This is the same for enemies, and the opponents who've been used as a meat shield. There are also more ways to kill an opponent, such as punching them while they are downed, using the sniper rifle as a sledgehammer, or using the torque bow as an axe.<ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/878/878566p1.html Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Details]</ref>

The cover story in the May 2008 issue of ''Game Informer'' revealed several new gameplay features. Players can now play on individual co-op play settings. One player may, for instance, play on Casual difficulty while the other teammate plays on Hardcore. A "communal combat system" will adapt to give a player at a lower difficulty an equivalently fair challenge as the player at higher difficulty. The player will be able to maintain multiple save files that work with the drop-in/drop-out co-op features. There is also a fourth difficulty level that is a level above Casual called Normal, a difficulty below Hardcore; senior producer Rod Fergusson admitted that — for the first game — "We overshot on <nowiki>[</nowiki>the Casual<nowiki>]</nowiki> difficulty and a game that was a little harder than we intended." Some of the [[Xbox Live]] achievements can be completed through both play in single player and multiplayer mode, such as achieving 1,000 headshots. New enemy creatures are planned on being added, including one described by [[Cliff Bleszinski]] as one "that [makes] the Brumak look like a baby panda bear."<ref name="gameinformer preview">{{cite news | pages =46-57 | date = May 2008 (Issue 181) | title = Gears of War 2: Great Expectations | work = [[Game Informer]]}}</ref> In a developer's video, Cliff Bleszinski stated that ''Gears of War 2'' would feature "drop in and out" co-op in the campaign.<ref name="IGN Clears Rumors">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/874/874664p1.html|title=IGN exposes rumors on Gears of War 2|publisher=IGN|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-03}}</ref> A feature carried over from the original is the optional mature content filter, which, when active, makes blood appear as sparks and removes harsh language from the dialogue.<ref name="Violence Filter">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/896/896785p1.html|title=Gears of War 2 Toned Down|publisher=''[[IGN]]''|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-07}}</ref>

The collection of COG tags has been expanded to include the collection of story-based items such as personal letters and medical records, and a "war journal" will track which collectibles have been found and where missing ones can be located. The cut-scenes will also use the better facial rendering technology of Epic's Unreal engine, and will use more dramatic angles for the conversation, as well as using a video screen on Jack (the all-purpose robot used by Delta squad) to talk with their commanders "face-to-face."<ref name="gameinformer preview" />

New weapons have been announced as well as the return of weapons from the previous game. The accuracy, function, and power of several weapons have been altered, and all grenades can now be used as mines by placing them on walls or floors, and will detonate when approached by enemies. In addition, players can now be knocked over by the concussive force of a nearby detonating grenade.<ref name="IGN Multiplayer" /> [[Cliff Bleszinski]] has also announced that there will be more vehicle missions in the campaign than before, such as the Centaur Tank which Cliff describes as a "tank with monster truck wheels."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/05/24/gears-of-war-2-x360-multiplayer-details-confirmed/link |title=Xbox 360 Fanboy |publisher=Xbox360fanboy.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref> Players will also be able to ride a Brumak in the game; previously, the Brumak could only be fought by the player as an enemy, in the PC version of the game.<ref name="Gears Dated" />

===Multiplayer===
''Gears of War 2'' features an upgraded [[multiplayer]] mode that will allow up to ten users to simultaneously play.<ref name='omp'/> ''X360'' magazine reported that ''Gears of War 2'' will contain at least three new online multiplayer modes, called "Guardian," "Wingman," and "Submission."<ref name='omp'>{{cite news | first=César | last=Berardini | coauthors= | title=Gears of War 2 Versus Multiplayer Mode – New Info | date=2008-05-25 | publisher=[[TeamXbox]] | url =http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/16603/Gears-of-War-2-Versus-Multiplayer-Mode-New-Info/ | work = | pages = | accessdate = 2008-06-04 | language = }}</ref><ref name="IGN Multiplayer">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/886/886441p1.html IGN Gears of War 2 Multiplayer Hands-on]</ref> "Guardian" is essentially a modified version of "[[Gears of War#Versus Modes|Assassination]]" from the original ''[[Gears of War]]'', but allows players to continue fighting after the leader has been killed, but losing the ability to respawn.<ref name='omp'/> "Wingman" splits all ten players into five teams of two, where both members of a team play as the same character.<ref name='omp'/> "Submission," formerly known as "Meat Flag,"<ref name="IGN Multiplayer" /> is a version of [[capture the flag]] in which players attempt to "down" an enemy controlled by the game's [[AI]] and move its body to their team's base to earn points.<ref name='omp'/> A [[Halo 3|Halo-like]] matchmaking system has been utilized for the online multiplayer.<ref name="gameinformer preview" /> In a [[Game Head|GameTrailers TV]] E3 special, it was confirmed that [[AI]] "bots" have also been introduced in this installment. Players can now engage in multiplayer scenarios with both human players and bots, or with bots alone, and may modify their intelligence level (from Casual to Insane) in the options menu prior to starting the game.<ref name="GTTV E3">[http://www.gametrailers.com/gametrailerstv_player.php?ep=27&ch=3 GameTrailers TV E3 2008 Special]</ref>

A new co-op game mode was confirmed during Microsoft's E3 2008 press conference; called "Horde," this mode allows up to five players to fight off waves of attacking Locust together.<ref name="Gears Dated" /> Horde Mode does not feature bot support as in competitive multiplayer, and can be played alone. The Locust attack in waves of multiple enemies which become more difficult as players progress.<ref name="Horde Preview">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/889/889086p1.html E3 2008: Gears of War 2 Horde Hands-on]</ref>

Cameras in the multiplayer modes have also been improved significantly. Rather than static views from different points on a map, the new Battle Cam allows players to pan around a map as the camera focuses on areas of intense fighting, and the Ghost Cam allows a player to roam freely around a map. A photo mode is also be featured, with each photo taken by a player rated on the amount of action in the shot and can be uploaded to the official Gears of War website.<ref name="IGN Multiplayer" />

==Story==
===Setting===
''Gears of War 2'' takes place six months after the detonation of the Lightmass Bomb at the end of the first game. Though most of the Locust Horde was destroyed, the explosion also caused much of the liquid Imulsion underground to vaporize, causing a fatal disease called rustlung to spread among the diminished human population. After months of peace, the cities of Tollen and Montevado suddenly and mysteriously disappear underground, leading the COG to suspect the resurgence of the Locust.<ref name="Gears of War series timeline">{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/GOW2/TheGame.htm#/timeline |title=Gears of War series timeline|coauthors=Epic Games|publisher=Epic Games|language=English|accessdate=2008-07-16}}</ref> Soon after, the once impenetrable Jacinto, one of the last remaining safe havens for humans, begins to show signs that the same fate awaits it. In order to stop the fall of Jacinto, the COG responds with a large-scale counter-offensive against the Locust.<ref name="gameinformer preview" /><ref name="Gears of War series timeline" /> Senior Producer Rod Fergusson says "In order to save Jacinto, [the COG] have no choice but to take the war to the Locust."<ref name="gameinformer preview" />

===Characters===
{{see| List of characters in the Gears of War series}}
Returning characters includes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago and [[List of characters in the Gears of War series|others]] from the first game, including Marcus and Dom's frequent companions, Augustus Cole and Damon Baird. Also returning in supporting roles are radio dispatcher Anya Stroud and senior officer Colonel Hoffman. Lead designer Cliff Bleszinski confirmed that the character Carmine would be returning, but did not reveal how or in what capacity as Carmine was killed in the original ''Gears of War''.<ref name="Gears Cutscene">{{cite web|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/33954.html|title=Gears of War Cutscene|publisher=''[[Game Trailers]]''|language=English|accessdate=2008-08-07}}</ref> It was later revealed that the original Anthony Carmine would not be present in the ''Gears of War 2'' campaign, but rather his brother, Benjamin,<ref name="Benjamin Carmine Gears 2">[http://comic-con.gamespot.com/blog.html?topic_id=26510268&tag=blog;title;1 Xbox Creator's Showcase: Gears of War 2 and Fable 2]</ref> will make an appearance.<ref name="SDCC 08">[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/894/894079p1.html SDCC 08: Gears of War 2 Panel Report]</ref> The game also introduces several new characters. They include Chairman Prescott, the near dictatorial military leader of COG; Tai Kaliso, "a spiritual and meditative warrior from a tradition of honor bound fighters;" and Dizzy, a former Stranded who joined the COG in order to keep his family safe. Dominic's wife Maria also makes an appearance, and Dominic's search for her plays an important part in the story.<ref name="gameinformer preview" /> Greg Ford writes that ''Gears of War 2'' "adds some character to the characters..."<ref>Michael Donahoe, David Ellis, and Greg Ford, "''Gears of War 3: Can't break these chains of gore''," ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' 235 (December 2008): 78.</ref>

===Plot===
<!--NOTES FOR EDITORS, PLEASE READ:
*This video game has been recently released, and the plot details may change dramatically within the next several days/weeks.
*Please do not add in-depth plot summaries, speculation, original research, or trivial details to this section.
*This plot section is not meant to be a full explanation of all events in the game, but rather a short, concise summary of the plot's main events.
-->
With the COG army continuing to lose large numbers to Locust raids, the COG plan a counter-attack against the Locust by sending troops in Grindlifts deep below the surface to attack the home of the Locust, the Hollow. Though they suffer losses due to the leader of the Kantus monks, [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Skorge|Skorge]], the human forces continue their plan. After their descent, Delta squad, consisting of [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Marcus Fenix|Marcus Fenix]], [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Dominic Santiago|Dominic "Dom" Santiago]] and [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Benjamin Carmine|Benjamin Carmine]], later joined by [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Augustus Cole|Augustus Cole]], begin to search the Hollow and discover that the Locust are taking prisoners, as they managed to save [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Damon Baird|Damon Baird]] from imprisonment. Delta squad finds another imprisoned squad member, [[List of characters in the Gears of War series#Tai Kaliso|Tai Kaliso]], who has suffered wounds inflicted by the Locust while torturing him. Though Marcus tries to arm Tai for a fight, Tai instead commits suicide, the physical and emotional trauma too much for him to bear. Delta squad continues to search the Hollow and discovers that the Locust are using a giant Riftworm to eat away at the rock structures at the outskirts of Jacinto in hopes of sinking it. They try to evacuate, but are swallowed by the Riftworm. The squad manages to kill the worm from the inside, but Carmine is killed by parasites.

Delta squad manages to escape to the surface only to be given orders to investigate a nearby abandoned COG outpost where they learn of a back door entrance to the Hollow in the nearby Kadar Mountains. The team fights its way to the caverns in a Centaur tank and discovers that some Stranded have taken shelter near the entrance. Marcus orders Cole and Baird to evacuate the Stranded while he and Dom search further. They find more prisoner cages and Dom convinces Marcus to help him seek his wife. They manage to find her, but the Locust torture has left her too traumatized and unable to communicate, so Dom chooses to [[Euthanasia|euthanize]] her. Marcus and Dom continue their assault on Nexus, the Locust capital, and are soon joined by more COG forces from the surface, including Cole and Baird.

Delta squad is able to break through the Locust queen's defenses. They discover that the Locust have messages from Adam Fenix, Marcus' father, that suggests a drastic way of ending the war: to sink Jacinto in order to let sea water flood the Hollow and wipe out the Locust. They learn from the Locust queen herself that she is pursuing the same plan not only to wipe out the humans, but to also destroy [[lambent]] Locust that have been exposed to Imulsion and are attempting to overthrow the queen. Marcus realizes that humans must sink Jacinto first, before the Locust mobilize and escape to the surface.

Delta squad escapes the Hollow on a pair of Reavers, defeating Skorge and his Hydra, and then return to Jacinto where a mass evacuation is underway. The COG have decided that they can sink Jacinto using a Lightmass bomb and Delta squad is ordered clear out the main sinkhole of hostiles, allowing a helicopter to safely transport the bomb into the caverns. Marcus orders Cole and Baird to assist with the bomb, while he and Dom manage to kill a Brumak driver, hijack the Brumak, and use it to arrive at the Hollow and fulfill their objective. As the helicopters arrive, the Brumak, exposed to high levels of Imulsion, begins to mutate. As it changes, it attacks the helicopter transporting the bomb which falls into the Imulsion. The Lightmass bomb lost, Marcus makes a plan to kill the lambent Brumak as a replacement. He uses the Hammer of Dawn to kill the Brumak which explodes, taking out the last supporting structures of Jacinto which sink it, flooding the Hollow with seawater. As the COG forces and civilians evacuate, a [[voiceover]] of the Locust queen talks about unintended legacies.
<!--NOTE TO EDITORS:
PLEASE DO NOT ADD MENTION OF THE MONOLOGUE THAT FOLLOWS THE GAME'S CREDITS.
AS IT CAN BE INTERPRETED IN NUMEROUS WAYS AND HAS NO CLEAR CONNECTION TO THIS GAME'S PLOT, IT DOES NOT BELONG IN THIS SECTION AND HAS ALREADY BEEN INCLUDED IN THE ARTICLE "List of characters in the Gears of War series" UNDER THE SECTION "Adam Fenix."
-->

==Development==
Gears of War designer Cliff Bleszinski has done several interviews to highlight improvements to the game. Heavy netcode optimization has been done to negate the host advantage problem in the first title<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14232680/gears-of-war-2/videos/gears2interview_070708.html |title=IGN Video: Gears of War 2 Xbox 360 Interview - Multiplayer Reveal |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref> and hundreds of tweaks have gone into improving the cover system and movement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14232680/gears-of-war-2/videos/gears2_interview.html |title=IGN Video: Gears of War 2 Xbox 360 Developer Commentary - Video Interview |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref> In order to provide a deeper story, the team brought aboard novelist [[Joshua Ortega]] as to incorporate more personal drama within the sci-fi setting.<ref name="gameinformer preview" /> [[Steve Jablonsky]] will be providing the music for the game.<ref>[http://kotaku.com/5029602/gears-of-war-2-features-backwards-compatible-linked-achievements Gears Of War 2 Features "Backwards Compatible" Linked Achievements]</ref>

A teaser image posted to the official ''Gears of War 2'' website on July 8, 2008 suggested that the game was to be released on November 9, 2008, but it was confirmed during the Microsoft E3 2008 press conference that the game would be released on November 7, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/53499 | title = Epic Teases Gears of War 2 Release on Nov. 9 | first =Chris | last = Faylor | date = 2008-07-08 | accessdate =2008-07-08 | publisher = [[Shacknews]]}}</ref><ref name="Gears Dated" /> On July 14, 2008, the teaser image was removed and the official website relaunched and updated for ''Gears of War 2''.<ref>[http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/Templates/Secondary.aspx?id=332 New Gearsofwar.com Launches, Golden Age to Follow]</ref>

''Gears of War 2'' was a focal point during Microsoft's [[E3]] [[E3 2008|2008]] presentation on July 15, 2008, which included a "hands on" demo.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://e3.g4tv.com/e32008/videos/27001/Face_Time_Gears_of_War_2_Demo.html |title=G4 - Face Time: Gears of War 2 Demo |publisher=E3.g4tv.com |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref><ref>[http://e3.g4tv.com/e32008/blog/post/686842/G4s_Massive_E308_Coverage_Announced.html G4 E3 2008 Coverage]</ref> A second trailer titled "Rendezvous" was made available on July 14, 2008 as a part of E3. The trailer takes its title and dialogue from [[Alan Seeger|Alan Seeger's]] poem "Rendezvous."<ref name="Rendezvous">[http://xbox360.ign.com/dor/objects/14232680/gears-of-war-2/videos/gears_of_war2_rendezvous_071408.html Gears of War 2 "Rendezvous" Trailer]</ref> The game's release date was also set, with a worldwide release to occur on November 7, 2008.<ref name="Gears Dated" /> Microsoft and Epic Games announced on October 10, 2008 that ''Gears of War 2'' had gone [[Software release life cycle#RTM|gold]].<ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/918/918586p1.html "Gears of War 2 Goes Gold"] IGN.com, Retrieved October 10, 2008.</ref> It was confirmed by Cliff Bleszinski that, unlike ''[[Gears of War]]'', the previous installment, ''Gears of War 2'' will not feature a computer port.<ref name="no pc port">{{cite web|title=''Gears of War 2'' achievements and more|url=http://uk.xbox360.ign.com/articles/906/906298p2.html|date=2008-08-29|accessdate=2008-11-13|publisher=[[IGN]]|first=Nate|last=Ahearn}}</ref>

===Graphics===
[[Image:GoW2 screenshot.jpg|280px|right|thumb|Comparison of the map "Gridlock" in ''Gears of War'' and ''Gears of War 2''.]]
At the 2008 [[Game Developers Conference]] in [[San Francisco]], [[California]], as a [[showcase]] for the functionality of the [[Unreal Engine 3]], Gears of War creators [[Epic Games]] showed various improvements to the engine with specific reference to the sequel itself. The video showed several demonstrations of the improvements, the initial being improvements to the [[lighting|in-game lighting]] through [[ambient occlusion]], in which dynamic shadows could be generated through the use of a [[pixel shader|pixel shading]] technique to render more realistically lit and shaded objects and actors, illustrated through comparison between character and environment models in the original game engine to that of Unreal Engine 3. Also showcased was the ability of the engine to render hordes of actors within the engine, as demonstrated with a large crowd of locust flocking through the "Gridlock" multiplayer map from the original game. Alongside this technology was improvements to "Matinee," an artistic tool used for the rendering and editing 3-dimensional scenes within the game.

Other physics-related features included improvements to the rendering of water in which specular light and physical interactions with were displayed more realistically, improvements to [[Soft body dynamics|soft body]] entities demonstrated with a "Meat Cube" and a floating ball possessing properties similar to that of [[liquid helium]]. The largest of these physics engine related changes was the introduction of destructible environments due to the implementation of [[Real-time computing|real-time]] [[structural analysis]] tools to generate the damage of the materials and subsequently their [[deformation|deformed]] shapes based upon resultant forces placed upon them. This was demonstrated with the use of explosive arrows fired from the "Torque Bow" of the original game causing damage to wooden planks, and also revealing [[rebar]] present after destroying areas of a [[stone]] structure.<ref name=x3ftechdemo>{{cite web|url=http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/02/20/gdc08-gow2s-water-is-going-to-be-freakin-hot/|title=GDC08: GoW2's water is going to be REALLY hot! [update]|date=2008-02-20|accessdate=2008-02-21}}</ref>

===Downloadable content===
On February 20, 2008, coinciding with the game's official announcement at the Game Developers Conference, a free set of gamer pictures and a dashboard theme, as well as a teaser trailer titled "Duel," were made available via the [[Xbox Live Marketplace]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox360fanboy.com/2008/02/20/free-gears-of-war-2-teaser-trailer-theme-and-pic-pack-hit-live/ |title=Gears of War 2 teaser trailer, free theme and gamer pictures hit Xbox Live | date=2008-02-20 |accessdate=2008-02-20 |publisher=Xbox 360 Fanboy}}</ref> The first footage of gameplay from the campaign, highlighting new features of the game, was released online and to the Marketplace on May 9, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/52608 | title = First Gears of War 2 Footage Debuts Tonight | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | first = Chris | last = Faylor | date= 2008-05-09 | accessdate = 2008-05-10}}</ref> After the Microsoft E3 press conference, the "Rendezvous" trailer and the press conference demonstration was available for download as well as a new free set of gamer pictures and a dashboard theme.<ref name="Rendezvous" /> Upon release, every new copy of ''Gears of War 2'' features a code to download the "Flashback Map Pack" which includes five enhanced maps from the original game including "Gridlock" and "Tyro Station". Customers who attended the [[GameStop]] ''Midnight Madness'' event received a code to unlock a gold-plated Hammerburst rifle for use in multiplayer and a code for an exclusive dashboard theme optimized for the [[Xbox 360 System Software#New Xbox Experience|New Xbox Experience]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/915/915989p1.html | title = Gears of War 2 Adds Five Maps: Free DLC at launch. | publisher = [[IGN]] | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | date= 2008-10-03 | accessdate = 2008-11-04}}</ref>

The first downloadable content after release was the "Combustible Map Pack", consisting of three new maps, released on December 15, 2008.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/56365 | title = Gears of War 2 DLC Releasing at Midnight | publisher = [[Shacknews]] | date = 2008-12-14 | accessdate = 2008-12-14 | first = Chris | last = Faylor }}</ref>

===Limited Edition===
{{Gears of War 2 Versions}}
A Limited Edition of the game was confirmed on February 20, 2008.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/358821/gears-of-war-2-coming-in-two-flavors |title=Gears Of War 2 Coming In Two Flavors | date=2008-02-20 |accessdate=2008-02-20 |first = Mike | last = Fahey |publisher=[[Kotaku]]}}</ref> On July 14, 2008, more information about the Limited Edition's contents was revealed. The edition features alternate cover art, a SteelBook case with a bonus content DVD, a book entitled "Beneath the Surface: An Inside Look at ''Gears of War 2''" which includes concept art and story-related information, a keepsake photo of Dom and Maria, and an exclusive Xbox Live code to unlock a gold-plated Lancer assault rifle for online play.<ref>[http://www.gamestop.com/Catalog/ProductDetails.aspx?product_id=69460 Gamestop Gears of War 2 Limited Edition Info]</ref><ref>[http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/892/892335p1.html Gears of War 2 Limited Edition Content Revealed]</ref>
{{-}}on x-box 360

==Reception==
{{VG Reviews
|1UP = A<ref name="1UP R">{{cite web |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3171066&p=4 |title=Gears of War 2 Review at 1UP.com |accessdate=2008-11-03 |date=2008-11-03 |last=Ford |first=Greg |publisher=1UP.com }}</ref>
|Edge = 9/10<ref name="EDGE R">http://www.edge-online.com/magazine/review-gears-war-2</ref>
|EuroG = 9/10<ref name="EURO R" />
|GamePro = 5/5<ref name="GamePro">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamepro.com/games/xbox360/140321/gears-of-war-2/|title=''Gears of War 2'' Page|publisher=[[GamePro]]|accessdate=2008-11-10}}</ref>
|GSpot = 9.0/10<ref name="GSPOT R">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar2/review.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=gssummary&tag=summary;read-review |title=Gears of War 2 for Xbox 360 Review |accessdate=2008-11-06 |date=2008-11-03 |last=Cocker |first=Guy |publisher=GameSpot }}</ref>
|GSpy = 5/5<ref name="GSPY R">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war-2/926309p1.html |title=Gears of War 2 Review at GameSpy |accessdate=2008-11-03 |date=2008-11-03 |last=Tuttle |first=Will |publisher=GameSpy }}</ref>
|GT = 9.5/10<ref name="GTRAILERS R">{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/gamereview.php?id=6236 |title=Gears of War 2 Review at Gametrailers |accessdate=2008-11-03 |date=2008-11-03 |publisher=Gametrailers }}</ref>
|IGN = 9.5/10<ref name="IGN R" />
|XPlay = 5/5<ref name="X-Play R">{{cite web|url=http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/reviews/1860/Gears_of_War_2.html
|title=X-Play: Gears of War 2 Review |publisher=g4tv.com
|author=Mr. Sark |date= |accessdate=2008-11-06}}</ref>
|OXM =
|-
|compilation=yes
|-
|GR = 94%<ref name="GRANKINGS SCORE" />
|MC = 93/100<ref name="METACRITIC SCORE" />
}}

===Reviews===
''Gears of War 2'' has received positive reviews, and currently holds a 93.8% aggregate review score at [[Game Rankings]],<ref name="GRANKINGS SCORE">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/938611.asp |title=Gears of War 2 Reviews at Game Rankings |accessdate=2008-11-06 |date=2008-11-03 |publisher=Game Rankings }}</ref> and a 93/100 aggregate review score at [[Metacritic]].<ref name="METACRITIC SCORE">{{cite web |url=http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/xbox360/gearsofwar2 |title=Gears of War 2 Reviews at Metacritic |accessdate=2008-11-19 |date=2008-11-19 |publisher=Metacritic }}</ref>

While the game has been praised for the addition of a deeper plot than the original ''[[Gears of War]]'' and being highly polished, reviewers noted that some problems from the first game carried over to the sequel. [[IGN]] noted that while the first four acts of the game were satisfying, in the final act "the last boss is a complete joke and the ending feels just a tad too abrupt," and that there were some bugs and lag in the online multiplayer. Overall, IGN stated that "[Gears of War 2] has its flaws when it comes to the technical side of multiplayer and the last act of the campaign and the voice acting might turn some off. Still, none of that comes close to holding back Gears of War 2 from its destiny: being one of the best games available on the Xbox 360."<ref name="IGN R">{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/926/926305p1.html |title=IGN: Gears of War 2 Review |publisher=Xbox360.ign.com |author=Nate Ahearn |date= |accessdate=2008-11-03}}</ref>

Both IGN<ref name="IGN R" /> and [[Eurogamer]], among others, positively mentioned the new "Horde Mode" feature, with Eurogamer saying that "Horde is a weighty slab of fun that can turn almost any of them into a time-sink, and the leaderboards are likely to be as compelling a reason to stick with ''Gears of War 2'' as the leveling system has been for ''[[Call of Duty 4]]''."<ref name="EURO R">{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=281039 |title=Gears of War 2 Review at Eurogamer |accessdate=2008-11-03 |date=2008-11-03 |last=Donlan |first=Christian |publisher=Eurogamer }}</ref>

===Awards===
''Gears of War 2'' won several awards following its presentation at [[E3 2008]]. [[IGN]] gave it Overall Best Shooting Game and Overall Best Graphics Technology of E3 2008.<ref>[http://games.ign.com/articles/893/893833p1.html IGN's Overall Best of E3 2008 Awards]</ref> [[Game Critics Awards]] gave the game Best Action Game of E3 2008.<ref>[http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/winners.html Game Critics Awards 2008 Winners]</ref> ''Gears of War 2'' also won Best Shooter<ref>http://www.spike.com/event/vga/page/vote/category/29522</ref> and Best Xbox 360 Game at the 2008 [[Spike Video Game Awards]].<ref>http://www.spike.com/event/vga/page/vote/category/29410</ref>

However, ''Gears of War 2'' did not receive as many "[[Game of the Year]]" nominations in comparison to its [[Gears of War#Awards|predecessor]]. Both IGN and Gamespot, who both named the original title the "Game of the Year" in 2006,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/xbox360/39.html|date=2006-12|publisher=IGN|accessdate=2008-12-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/gameofyear/index.html?page=2|title= GameSpot's 2006 Game of the Year |date=2006-12|publisher=Gamestop|accessdate=2008-12-26}}</ref> did not nominate ''Gears of War 2'' for the same award in 2008.

===Sales===
''Gears of War 2'' has achieved significant success after its release. In its opening weekend, the game has sold over two million units,<ref name="Sales">{{cite web |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/929/929341p1.html |title=Gears of War 2 Sells in Huge Numbers |date=2008-11-12 |accessdate=2008-11-12 |last=Ahearn |first=Nate |publisher=IGN }}</ref> and set a new record for the number of simultaneous players on [[Xbox Live]], with over 1.5 million people logging on to play the game.<ref name="First Sales">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6200949.html?om_act=convert&om_clk=hot-stories&tag=hot-stories;title;1 |title=Gears 2 Opens to Double Platinum Sales |date=2008-11-12 |accessdate=2008-11-14 |last=Jenner |first=Laura |publisher=GameSpot }}</ref> Over three million copies were sold worldwide within the first month of its release.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.shacknews.com/onearticle.x/56283 | title = Gears of War 2 Breaks 3 Million Units Sold | first = Chris | last = Faylor | date = 2008-12-09 | accessdate = 2008-12-09 | publisher = [[Shacknews]]}}</ref>
{{-}}

==Soundtrack==
{{Infobox Album | <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Albums -->
| Name = Gears Of War 2 - The Soundtrack
| Type = Soundtrack
| Artist =
| Cover = Gears of War 2 soundtrack.PNG
| Released = <div style="white-space: nowrap;">November 11, 2008<br /></div>
| Recorded = <!--Unknown-->
| Genre = [[Video game music|Video game soundtrack]]
| Length = 62:27
| Label = <div style="white-space: nowrap;">[[Sumthing Else Music Works]]</div>
| Producer = Steve Jablonsky
| Reviews =
| Last album =
| This album =
| Next album =
}}
''Gears of War 2 The Soundtrack'' is the upcoming soundtrack of [[video game music]] from the video game ''Gears of War 2''. It was released on November 25, 2008, under the record label [[Sumthing Else Music Works]]. The music was composed by [[Steve Jablonsky]].

===Track listing===
{{track list
| title1 = Return of the Omen
| length1 = 1:57
| title2 = Hope Runs Deep
| length2 = 5:30
| title3 = Green as Grass
| length3 = 2:36
| title4 = Expectations
| length4 = 1:58http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:Ch3GAb7jexoI5M:http://www.aeropause.com/wordpress/archives/images/2008/08/gears-of-war-2-10.jpg
| title5 = Finally, a Leadbelly



image quality
96548 360
| length5 = 3:14
| title6 = Armored Prayer
| length6 = 3:56
| title7 = Hold Them Off
| length7 = 1:44
| title8 = Derrick Chase
| length8 = 1:15
| title9 = Building Thunder
| length9 = 2:06
| title10 = Hell Breaks Loose
| length10 = 1:38
| title11 = Bedlam
| length11 = 2:15
| title12 = Breakneck
| length12 = 1:38
| title13 = Landown
| length13 = 3:24
| title14 = Racing to Extinction
| length14 = 1:34
| title15 = If They Can Ride Em
| length15 = 1:44
| title16 = Hollow
| length16 = 1:49
| title17 = Unexpected Changes
| length17 = 1:56
| title18 = March of the Horde
| length18 = 2:05
| title19 = Highway
| length19 = 1:12
| title20 = Denizens of the Deep
| length20 = 2:30
| title21 = With Sympathy
| length21 = 2:53
| title22 = Insurmountable Odds
| length22 = 3:16
| title23 = Bump in the Night
| length23 = 2:06
| title24 = Frenzy
| length24 = 1:50
| title25 = Outpost
| length25 = 2:16
| title26 = Finale
| length26 = 3:32
| title27 = Autumn of Mankind
| length27 = 0:33
}}

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[http://gearsofwar.com/ Gears of War Official Website]
*[http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/lastday/landing.aspx The Last Day: Promotional Site]

{{Gears of War series}}

[[Category:2008 video games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360 games]]
[[Category:Xbox 360-only games]]
[[Category:Third-person shooters]]
[[Category:Tactical shooter video games]]
[[Category:Gears of War]]
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[[Category:Video game sequels]]
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[[Category:Cooperative video games]]
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Revision as of 19:19, 27 December 2008

gears of war 2 came to x-box 360.

http://tbn2.google.com/images?q=tbn:Ch3GAb7jexoI5M:http://www.aeropause.com/wordpress/archives/images/2008/08/gears-of-war-2-10.jpg http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:o0eYl65Yd1Pj2M:http://ui08.gamespot.com/167/gearsofwar3_2.jpg

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