Gears of War 2

[Synthesthesia]

Sorry man but Epic don't do crappy code. They're one of the more experience devs around, and with Tim Sweeney that have a real talent. If Gears was their first title, then fair enough. But along with id, they practically wrote the book on netcode. And there's no way they couldn't fix bad netcode in a patch IF the problem was their code (which I'm arguing it is not, of course). They've patched previous Unreal games to improve netcode, particularly the first Unreal Tournament.

Any improvements in Gears 2 will likely be "cheats" to balance the host with the clients.

The problems I've spoken of aren't purely in Gears 1, they're in all Live games I've played. Though I do wonder if the problem hasn't gotten worse the last year or so.

Then why would they want to drop it so close to launch if it WASN'T a problem with the net code? They already had the gameplay down for the single player.

[Matt]

Then why would they want to drop it so close to launch if it WASN'T a problem with the net code? They already had the gameplay down for the single player.

Sorry I'm confused. Drop what?

[nonny]

I think its fair to say Gears' original multiplayer was rushed out the door with inherent problems and most of which arent really balancing issues per se but more balancing issues with some weapons became noticeable because of host favouritism.

What I mean by that is if you play Gears' on a LAN its nowhere near as bad as running the gauntlet online with a host using the shotgun. So there are balancing issues offline in multiplayer but they are magnified significantly with host advantage.

Strip that all away for a moment though and GoW still stands out as a great online title, mainly because its so different in playing style to other games in similar genres. I still love it now but only play with friends to avoid the usual cheating that is now prevalent in public matches.

From what we've read recently regarding GoW2 it sounds like they've spent the last year really listening to what players like/dislike in the multiplayer and will look to remedy as much as possible. For me thats all they really need to do, move on from their previous benchmark in the right direction.

[prinnysquad]

As someone who couldn't give a cock's bell-end about Gears' 'confrontational' multi-player, I'd like to see a longer single-player mode this time. Just by a couple of hours, to make it feel like you've been on more of a substantial crusade.

I'd also like Epic to do that thing that Rockstar managed for GTA free mode. If the host, or a player, drops out through losing their connection (which my ****bag modem does all the time), then the ownership of the 'lobby' transfers to another player. I lost interest in co-op missions on Gears last time around because my connection sucks big time. I know this is the case with most games, but the intense nature of Gears made it feel even more crucifyingly depressing when progress was lost near the end of a level on a high difficulty setting because my modem dropped. Halo 3 being the other one (damn you, co-op Legendary, Tsavo Highway! How many times did I crash near the end???).

But having tasted GTAIV's drop-and-it-don't-matter genius, I've got the taste. Unless it can't be done during in-game co-op missions????

[Synthesthesia]

Sorry I'm confused. Drop what?

If you read some interviews (not sure which one) in one of them they mention that the multiplayer was such a mess close to launch they were considering dropping it from the game completely.

[Matt]

If you read some interviews (not sure which one) in one of them they mention that the multiplayer was such a mess close to launch they were considering dropping it from the game completely.

Didn't know that.

[Matt]

I think its fair to say Gears' original multiplayer was rushed out the door with inherent problems and most of which arent really balancing issues per se but more balancing issues with some weapons became noticeable because of host favouritism.

What I mean by that is if you play Gears' on a LAN its nowhere near as bad as running the gauntlet online with a host using the shotgun. So there are balancing issues offline in multiplayer but they are magnified significantly with host advantage.

Strip that all away for a moment though and GoW still stands out as a great online title, mainly because its so different in playing style to other games in similar genres. I still love it now but only play with friends to avoid the usual cheating that is now prevalent in public matches.

I have deep affection for Gears and always will.

As I've said, the host's weapons don't become more powerful when online, it's that for the clients the weapons become less "powerful" due to latency. Short of nerfing the host or super charging the clients there's not much that can be done.

Try the PC version

[Largo]

I rekon we should get the ntsc gears players together for a mini friendly tourney, just as a salute to the game and its farewell when gears 2 is released

[Keith]

That's a great idea. Wonder if MarioMark or Ezee would like to sort it out.

[PhilG]

Count me in if so

[ezee ryder]

That's a great idea. Wonder if MarioMark or Ezee would like to sort it out.

MarioMark is the sole online gaming mod now, I'm sure he would be delighted! It is a good idea though but the last few NTSC-UK Gears tournaments failed big time.

[Keith]

I know he is, just thought you'd like to be involved.

I do know what goes on around here y'know sonny, even if it doesn't seem like it!

[ezee ryder]

Glad to know I am thought of by you

Slightly more Gears related, if your a Gears nut then you can now pick up the first set of figures from Gamestation for £11.99 each. Four of them at the moment include Marcus, Cole, Locust sniper and just an ordinary Locust soldier. They are quality!

[Largo]

Happy to help out here, like i say doesnt have to be anything serious, as they tend to become a nightmare to organize, just a few game-o-laughs etc, whatever people want really

[El Leone]

EGM issue gives us some new details as well:

Only returning MP maps are Gridlock and Subway

Locust Y execution will rip a guy's arm off and beat him to death with it...

If you go down with a frag in your hand, you can detonate it while you're downed, and take-out anyone trying to execute you.

You can call for help while downed and your indicator will flash on teammate's screens.

According to this the Gnasher is the one with the golf club finisher, and the Longshot gets slammed straight down on the enemy's skull, butt-first. Looks like the melee executions will still be the quickest way to execute someone up close, taking reportedly, a half-second...

ARing the Scorcher increases its effective range.

All grenades can be stuck to walls, and the smoke's blast will knock shields out of enemy hands.

Random weapon spawns will be sensitive to similar styles of weapons, so, the Longshot would be replaced by the Torque...

There appears to be a black-clad Theron-style locust with eerily familiar eyes and a suspicious, triangular, black marking on his head in one of the shots...

The Y button allows for a variety of executions, including the fist-pummeling for the COGs, the rip-the-arm-off move above for the Locust, and many weapon-specific executions, for instance, you can take the enemy's head, place it on the Torque's blade tip, and rip it off with your foot.

When using a shield, any exposed body parts are still fair game.

Passing mention of a new "Wall hugging" ability. Not sure what that refers to.

Screenshots taken while dead will be scored based on variables such as how many particle effects are present, or how close to centered the enemies are, is there blood or an execution present... The system was likened to Pokemon Snap or Dead Rising. The images will have their own Leaderboards so players can compete for who has the best screenshots.

The meatflag in Meatflag is a loudmouth Stranded. The scoring area in MF will move around to various locations after a while.

The new Locust pistol is once again called the Gorgon. I suspect Medusa was a mistake.

Solid cover will not be completely destructible (at least in MP) but you will be able to chip away a couple inches to get a slight angle on someone.

Scorcher Flamethrower: Short range power weapon, active reload delivers a more effective range.

HammerBurst Assault Rifle: Tweaked for the more advanced players; semi auto, more accurate and does more damage per bullet than the lancer at long range, you can also fire more quickly by rapidly pulling the trigger.

Boltok pistol: now fires more quickly after an active reload.

Gorgon Burst Pistol: Has two clips, allows for a fast rate of fire. Works well with shield.

Smoke grenades: initial blast now temporarily disables players and causes them to drop sheilds

Poison grenades: can be tagged on enemies causing slow death, linger too long and you die.

More to come: Epic told us that they have plenty of other new weapons to reveal at a later date, including some in the superweapons class (alongside the hammer of dawn).
We got some hint of a mortar-type weapon along those lines.