Gears of War 2 (Gears 2) is a brilliant online game, offering co-op campaign missions, all the usual deathmatch modes and the fantastic horde mode. However, the multiplayer aspect can sometimes seem daunting to the uninitiated. These tips offer a gamer the chance to get one over on the enemy with the minimum of fuss.
Tactical Movement Tips for Gears of War 2 on Xbox 360
Communicate - Constant communication is the key to a successful match over Xbox Live, be it Horde or standard deathmatch. Work together with a team to track down and eliminate opponents, and warn teammates of heavily armed enemies or flanking movement.
Also remember that dead players can still talk to live ones, so offering information 'from beyond the grave' can be a major advantage in a tense match, if a little controversial.
Use cover - Gears 2's strong cover dynamic is essential for surviving a round, but even more so for taking out the enemy. Move from cover to cover using the A button or by the roadie run, peek out and shoot at targets while keeping the character’s body under cover and learn to aim while blind firing.
Also, when hugging a wall in a standing position, click the left thumbstick to crouch- this will throw off an enemy expecting a player to stick their head out to aim, giving the player behind the wall a chance to get a shot off first.
Pair up and work together - Simply put, one Gear or Locust is fine, but two is better. Working as a pair offers a strategic opportunity for a clever gamer- a pair can watch each other’s back and bring their partner back to combat readiness if they are downed.
Working as a pair in conjunction with other pairs is even better, as many teams splinter as soon as the round starts, making picking them off one at a time much easier- two guns are better than one.
Weapons Tips for Gears of War 2 on Xbox 360
Never drop the shotgun - The shotgun is the ideal weapon for Gears of War 2, comprising a high damage factor, large ammunition capacity and decent range when active-reloaded correctly.
Instead of dropping it for another weapon, instead consider dropping the Hammerburst or Lancer, as the shotgun is useful at both long and short range and is the ideal partner to a Scorcher or other weapon.
Master the active reload - Using the active reload is par for the course in Gears 2, but mastering it can offer considerable advantages in both damage and range.
Also try to practice the active reload while in a roadie run, as this allows the gamer to be ready to fight when the run ends or an enemy rounds the corner. Be aware, however, that a mistimed active reload can leave a gamer stranded, as it is impossible to switch a jammed weapon until it is reloaded.
Use heavy weapons carefully - The heavy weapons in Gears 2, the Mulcher machine gun and the Mortar, offer a massive advantage to a careful gamer, both in Horde mode and normal multiplayer. Use the mortar to strike at enemies from a distance, co-ordinating with teammates to hit the target accurately.
Also remember that an active reload practically doubles the offensive strength of the Mortar. The Mulcher is brilliant for forcing the enemy into a bottleneck or for surprise attacks from the rear- let the enemy pass by then pop up behind them and unleash the Mulcher’s high rate of fire. Remember, however, that carrying the heavy weapon slows down the gamer considerably.
Tips for Horde Mode in Gears of War 2
Use shields - As the levels climb in Horde mode, the clever use of the Mauler’s shields becomes essential to success. Use the shields to close off narrow passageways and force the enemy into a killing field, also try to use shields to advance on the enemy- one Gear can use the shield while two walk slowly behind that Gear, shielded from the majority of enemy fire.
Keep your distance - In higher levels, Boomers (Locust armed with the deadly Boomshot) become a lot more common and can present a major threat to the COG. Try to avoid teammates clustering together, as a Boomer can easily take out a team in one shot. Split up into pairs and flank the enemy, work together to draw out the bigger Locust and pick them apart from two directions.
Down and grab - When there is only one Locust left alive, don’t immediately kill it. If it is a drone, shoot it in the legs until the beast is downed and crawling about, then use the time granted to recon the map and grab all the weapons and ammo available- once this last locust dies, the ammo vanishes within 20 seconds, so downing that last locust offers considerable time to canvass the map, grab anything and everything and set up for the next wave- this is essential at wave 20+.
Kill the Kantus - The Locust’s Kantus monks are by far the most irritating enemies thrown into the mix. Not only do they carry ink grenades, which kill very quickly, they can also resurrect downed Locust twice, making the wave much harder to defeat.
Teamwork is essential for victory over a Kantus; as they are nimble and strong, and will knock over any Gear stupid enough to approach from the front with a sonic wave- use heavy weapons and teamwork to kill these beasts as soon as possible.
Gears of War 2 is a fantastic multiplayer game. With time, experience and these ten tips, the fast paced and bloody action offered by Epic’s brilliant shooter should become all the more enjoyable.
Andrew Hemphill - Andrew Hemphill is an award-winning journalist and author from England. A university graduate, he currently works in the media in London ...
