KEY POINTS:
If you're afraid of occasionally having your head blown off, this sequel to popular third-person blaster Gears of War is not for you. Deserving of its adult rating, a lot has been added to one of this year's most-hyped games. A far tighter story sees the Cogs up against it again, and the human race nearing its end. There's a new threat coming from below, so your well-armed team goes underground to hunt the resourceful and numerous Locust Horde.
Graphics have been significantly improved, with so much detail in the expansive levels that gameplay couldn't be better. Violent and utterly relentless, there's a lot to kill yourself included. The new multiplayer Horde mode is a 50-wave challenge, and Submission like Capture the Flag, but the so-called meat flag is an armed enemy.
It gets very hard, very fast: newbies are recommended to run through the training levels, slightly time-consuming but definitely necessary.
Verdict: Fragtastic. Its nasty, frustrating and challenging, players are armed to the teeth (including chainsaw and flamethrower) in a strong sequel with never-stopping action.
