Gears of War
The Xbox 360 game of Gears of War features a multiplayer section that is arguably one of the most fun multiplayer games out right now. Usually compared with the hit Halo series but really the only thing they have in common are the fact that they both have guns in them. Halo is a run and gun game where all you basically need to know is how to pull the right trigger. Gears of War uses tactical strategy, making you use cover, blind firing, etc. Below is everything you will need know about Gears of War multiplayer.
Knowing the Maps
Just as in most shooters, knowing the arena in which you're fighting, where weapon placements are, choke-points, etc are important to your success. Gears of War features 12 multiplayer maps with more going to be available in the future.
Canals: This takes place in the waterways in the center and the passages to the left and right(depending on which side you spawn on)
Weapons: On this map there are three power weapons:
Longshot: It rests on the first bridge at each spawn; picking it up can give you a great advantage over the enemies in the waterway, but leaves you open to anyone with the sniper rifle on the opposite bridge.
Torque Bow: Under the center bridge; this and the Longshot are usually the first weapons taken. I've never found much to like about it on this level but you might so experiment.
Grenades: Same location of the Torque Bow but instead of under the bridge it's on top of the bridge.
Helpful Tips:
Flanking the Waterways: Most players will rush straight on through the the canals trying to get the Torque Bow. Instead of running up face-to-face with the enemy, try your team's sniper, or taking the upper halls and trying to get around the enemy to surprise them.
Grab the Sniper Rifle: You may not even be good with it, but grabbing it and trying to help your team works pretty well. You may not be able to get a headshot but at least damaging them could help your team. Active Reload can and probably will be your best friend with this weapon.
Clocktower: Here you can jump right into the battle in the center of the map or head up above to the balcony.
Weapons: Three power weapons:
Longshot: It is sitting in the far back of the balcony, peeking over the balcony with it lets you help your allies or keep the Boomshot within eyeshot.
Boomshot: Directly opposite the Longshot. Go to the center and hop over the wall. Grab it fast, though, as the sniper can see you perfectly.
Grenades: Underneath the balcony there is a small out-of-the-way cove where the grenades lie waiting.
Helpful Tips:
Distraction: Have two teammates head up to the sniper at the beginning. Leaving yourself and someone else to take cover behind the broken pillars, wall etc, just outside of your spawn. When your team pick up the sniper, the enemy will head up there. If any of them head your way, wait for them to start heading up and get out of cover and follow them. Don't roadie run or roll after them because your character grunts while doing it.
Under the balcony: When outnumbered, head over to the grenade spawnpoint and hang out. It is great because it's tucked away, hardly anyone goes there besides at the beginning, and there is only one entrance, so only one way to direct your fire. Be sure not to pick up the grenades as it will alert the enemy to your hiding spot.
Escalation: If you played the story mode, you'll remember this from Act 4. One teams spawns on the bottom floor, the other on the top.
Weapons: Two power weapons;
Longshot: There are two the spawn on the lower floor, one on eachside.
Grenades: Again two spawn down with the lower level team, then one spawns in the middle section.
Helpful Tips:
High Ground: Spawning on the top gives you a slight advantage, because it's easy to spot and keep track of your enemies.
Weapons All around: The lower side does have something to compete with the higher side – they have two longshot snipers and two grenades. Go while the other team has run to their grenades.
Fuel Depot: This is probably one of my favorite maps. You're in a fueling facility, with lots of cover and lots of room to fight.
Weapons: Three power weapons;
Longshot: Each side spawns with one, in the giant open crates. If no-one else on your team is going to take it then you had better.
Grenades: Each team spawns with them relatively close. One between the gas pumps and the other inside a pipe thing.
Hammer of Dawn: Inside the main facility building next to the flaming debris.
Helpful Tips:
Fag Tag: Most tend to rush for the sniper or Hammer but frags are just as good on this map. Plus, it keeps you prepared for the little close-range fights, of which you'll have a lot on this map.
Gridlock: An urban street with lots of downed cars.
Weapons: Three power weapons;
Longshot: In the center building thing in the far back.
Boomshot: Under the archway across from the Longshot.
Grenades: In between the Boomshot and sniper on the street.
Helpful Tips:
Tower Power: The small towers on each side are a pretty safe place to camp out. You can see enemies across to the map pretty easily. Having at least one teammate guard one of the entrances is a good idea for a secure camp.
Hide and Seek: With all the cars around it makes for a great place to hide. When you see you enemy before he sees you it's usually a best idea to take cover and wait for him to walk by so you can surprise him with a chainsaw from behind. If your on the other end of the this always roll past or go the long way around the car you think someone may be hiding behind. It may take you a little long but you will live longer.
Mansion: A remake of the Fenix estate from act 4.
Weapons: Three power weapons all in a row;
Longshot: Inside the mansion on the second floor, in between two couches. It overlooks the grenades.
Grenades: In front of the main entrance door of the mansion. Overlooks the Boomshot.
Boomshot: Behind a long wall outside of the mansion.
Helpful Tips:
Sticking together: Whether you want to go inside or outside you should always travel with at least one teammate to watch each other's backs, because it's easy to get surrounded by enemies and killed.
Furniture: While this map has a lot of cover indoors, the only thing you should remember is that all the furniture can be shot apart. If you see an enemy taking cover on a couch, unload fire into the couch to bust it apart. If you're the one taking cover, you can try blindfiring, it will take them longer to rip the couch plus you apart than it will to you take to down them.
Mausoleum: A graveyard, with tombstones, crypts, stone architecture, etc to hide behind.
Weapons: Five power weapons;
Longshot: Depending which side you spawn on, it will be different every time you spawn. It is in a little fenced-in balcony next to a statue.
Boomshot: It spawns in the center of the map, you must take a one of the two routes to get it.
Grenades: They spawn close to your spawn points, on either of the sides.
Torque Bow: Opposite the sniper, so if you were trying to grab it and you went the wrong way, pick this up instead.
Helpful Tips:
Ditch the Longshot: With all the tombstones and crypts, the Longshot is basically useless on this map – you will be letting the enemy know your location more than getting headshots.
Split Up Gang: At your spawn, two teammates go one way, the other two go the other way. It will let you cover both ways with our being to vulnerable.
Rooftops: Exactly what it sounds like, you're fighting on rooftops.
Weapons: There are four power weapons;
Hammer of Dawn: In the small shack just outside of each spawnpoint.
Longshot: A little way down the path from the Hammer.
Grenades: Once you get to the top, you will see a little path that overlooks your team's sniper location. The grenades are sitting at the end.
Torque Bow: Is in the center of the map – usually a mad rush towards it.
Helpful Tips:
It's Hammer Time: Grab the Hammer – it can be pretty useful to sweep across the map to kill enemies that are hiding. If you're trying to avoid the hammer, try hiding in places with roofs overhead.
Dugouts: Many people like to hide in these with the Hammer or Torque Bow. Try to sneak around and chainsaw them, or throw a frag in.