Preview – Gears of War 2: Dark Corners (X360)

Epic Games has a reputation for supporting their titles for years after they have been released, so it came as a surprise to nobody when they began to release downloadable content for their current generation of console titles. The original Gears of War saw two downloadable map packs that added a great deal of value to the game, and with the release of Dark Corners and the All Fronts collection on July 28, Gears of War 2 will see its third.

The sheer amount of content included in the Dark Corners add-on is impressive. Players that purchase the content will receive seven new multiplayer maps, bringing Gears of War 2’s total to an incredible twenty-nine, as well as a deleted campaign chapter entitled Road to Ruin.

GameNorth was given an opportunity to sit down with the new content, and despite being completely engrossed in the gameplay, managed to record some of our impressions. Here is what you can expect from the Dark Corners add-on (which is also included in the All Fronts collection) come July 28:

Multiplayer Maps:

Allfathers Garden

Set in the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders, Allfathers Garden is a large map filled with statues, pillars, and lush greenery. The vibrant green grass and mossy areas are a welcome departure from some of the more drab set pieces in the Gears of War universe, and make the level itself very pleasant to explore.

The level is a large rectangle with two main paths originating from the spawn points. The upper path features a Longshot on either end and a grenade spawn positioned between them. The lower path features a Torque Bow/Boomshot spawn point, and the hallway in the middle – which connects the upper and lower paths, leading to the grenades – features a Scorcher.

With two Longshots and a Torque Bow being used at the same time every other round, Allfathers Garden can create some very exciting gameplay situations. Fortunately, the level also features plenty of cover and hiding spots that will allow players to avoid getting killed by the long distance weapons. Due to its size and layout, expect Allfathers Garden to be a popular choice for Guardian mode, and favourite for anyone that loves a good Longshot duel. Additionally, with so many places to hide and take cover, Allfathers will likely be a hit in Wingman.

Highway

Deep in the Locust Hollow, Highway is large map that uses the Nexus setting and textures. Similar to the scene found in the campaign mode, Nexus features a Locust highway as a dynamic backdrop to the level, with squads of Locust and the occasional Brumak making an appearance.

The layout of the level may seem confusing at first, with two upper routes and one lower route available from the spawn point, but it’s actually quite simple. The upper routes lead to different areas of a large, open mezzanine that features a Mortar/Mulcher spawn in the middle, and the lower route leads to an open area with a grenade spawn and a set of parallel stairways that each lead up to a Longshot/Torque Bow spawn. The lower area also features a Boomshot/Scorcher spawn between another set of parallel stairs leading up to the middle of the mezzanine area.

The action in Highway can unfold in several different ways, depending on the routes chosen by each team. If both teams choose to remain on the lower area, a fast and furious skirmish will no doubt occur over the grenades and the Boomshot/Scorcher – which are in very close proximity – and the winner of the Longshot/Torque duel will wreak havoc on anyone below. The mezzanine is rather barren, only offering the Mortar/Mulcher way at the back, but offers great vantage points on the combat below. The size of the level and the relatively secure mezzanine area will make this level a popular choice for Guardian, and the furious action of the lower area will be attractive to fans of Execution and Warzone. And like Allfathers, having duelling Longshots/Torque Bows is always a great selling point.

Memorial

Set near the Eternal Flame, a Coalition tribute to fallen soldiers (and not the Bangels), Memorial is a cleaner, more pristine level than most. Visually, it shares a lot in common with Jacinto, a bright level with a civilized, Coalition influence, and is about the same size as well, if not larger.

The level features three possible routes from each spawn point: a lower route leading to the large courtyard that features the Eternal Flame memorial, a route leading up to an elevated area overlooking the courtyard, and another route that leads under the elevated area to another set of stairs at the back.

The courtyard features a Mortar spawn in the middle, hidden behind the Eternal Flame, and a grenade spawn just below the balcony of the elevated area. The elevated area offers a Longshot/Torque Bow spawn at the back, and the lower area features a Boomshot/Scorcher spawn where the hallways meet at the base of the stairs. There is a balcony directly overlooking the Boomshot/Scorcher spawn, making it a very risky endeavour, but whichever team secures the Boomshot and the Longshot/Torque will easily control the map from the elevated area. However, a well-placed volley from the Mortar in the courtyard could change everything in an instant. Like the other two large levels, Memorial will be great for Guardian, but its multiple routes should also make it fun for Annex and Submission.

Nowhere

Perhaps my favourite map of the newest additions, Nowhere is a very small level set in a barren refuelling station in the middle of the desert. The level is very bright and features several new textures and scenery, and periodic sandstorms can greatly reduce visibility.

Only a little larger than Raven Down from the original Gears of War, most of the action in Nowhere takes place at the centre of the map, in a small lot littered with abandoned cars and other random obstacles. Grenades can be found at the middle of the lot, and a Mortar/Mulcher can be found on top of an old diner that overlooks the entire level. On the opposite side of the lot from the diner are two abandoned shops with pistol spawns and windows that look out to the centre of the level. Between the two shops is a water tower behind which a Longshot/Torque Bow spawn can be found.

Nowhere plays very fast, and gives you little time before you encounter your enemy. The Mortar/Mulcher spawn and the Longshot/Torque spawn will be heavily contested, and the winner of either could easily dominate the level. With such fast-paced action, Nowhere is likely to be very popular on Execution and Warzone playlists, and will produce some very hectic Annex and King of the Hill matches.

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