Gears 2 Multiplayer Details Surface News

Gears of War 2 will cater for up to 10 players with its multiplayer offerings later this year. Additionally, there will be a range of new modes on offer, while combat has also seen significant additions.

Respawning will also be in the game for the first time. One of the newly revealed modes (in this month's X360 mag) called Guerrilla, is basically Assassination from the first game with respawns. However, the game's main focus will still be waiting patiently in the lobby for the next game once you've died the first time around (i.e. there are no re-spawns for the most part).

There's also Wingman, where two players share the same character, and Meatflag, which takes advantage of the game's new Meatshield feature. A varation on capture the flag, Meatflag places one AI character in the map that must be downed and taken back to your base while being used as a Meatshield.

Speaking of downing players, there will also be a wider range of finishing moves in Gears 2. Melee finishes are now more weapon specific (e.g. the sniper rifle can be used as a golf club), while the Y button flips the downed player over so that you can beat them to death. Meatshield is also an option, although it limits your weapon choice to a pistol and the shield is prone to dismemberment after taking enemy fire.

New weapons include the Scorcher (a flamethrower) and Medusa, which is a powerful Locust pistol that fires five or six rounds at a time. Players will also have the option of spawning with the Lancer or Hammerburst, while random weapon respawns across the map will also be a factor (although not for pistols, grenades, or power weapons).

Grenades can now be stuck to any surface (as well as people), turning them into improvised mines. There will also be the new poison gas grenade, while smoke grenades (which you'll still spawn with) have a stun effect on players within their blast radius.

The victor in the new Chainsaw Duels will be the player who taps B the fastest. However, the button mashing mini-game will not be instigated if a chainsaw kill is attempted from behind. Supporting fire from your teammates during these duels will help to sway the battle in your favour.

Similarly to the Meatshield, GoW2's Metal Bucklers will also offer some portable cover in the game. These are indestructible bullet shields, although they limit a player's weapon to a pistol and slow their movement considerably. They can be planted in the ground, but enemies will be able to kick them down if they get close enough.

Epic's Gears sequel will take from Halo 3's successes as well. After dying, players can use a Ghost Cam to take screenshots of the action, which can then be uploaded online. The matchmaking system is also said to borrow from Halo 3's successful formula.

New maps include a remake of the first game's Gridlock (which has become somewhat overgrown). There's also Security, which features a laser security system that can be turned off, and finally River, which comes complete with symmetrical sniper towers.

It certainly sounds as if Epic has got it spot-on with their multiplayer improvements for Gears 2. This is particularly the case with the 10 player slots: while it's certainly a plus to have two extra players, any more might have detracted from Gears' close-knit, team based gameplay.