Previously On… Gears of War

A couple of months ago we started a feature called ‘Previously On. The idea was that, with a new instalment of a popular franchise on the way, we take a look back at the story so far as a little refresher. With Gears of War 3 set to launch next week, we thought it pertinent to revisit Sera once again.

First off is a warning; this will contain spoilers for Gears of War and Gears of War 2. In fact, it’s one giant spoiler.

The game that, in my opinion, blasted the Xbox 360 onto the map. Set on the planet Sera, it takes place fourteen years after ‘Emergence Day’, which is the term used to describe when the vicious Locust Horde burst up from underneath the ground and started to lay waste to every human city in sight.

At a time like that one would think humanity might band together, but that isn’t the case due to a weapon of mass destruction known as the ‘Hammer of Dawn’. In a fit of desperation, the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) decided to fire this satellite-based weapon on every major city bar the Capitol to wipe out the Locust. Unfortunately they only gave civilians three days to traverse thousands of kilometres to try and get to safety. Many didn’t make it, and those who survived were left homeless, angry, and to fend for themselves. These people became known as the stranded; fierce opposers of the COG.

[drop] You play as Marcus Fenix, who at the start of the game is four years into a prison sentence for abandoning his military post and trying to save his dad’s life. Even though the entire area is under siege from the Locust, the top brass have decided to let him rot.

Unfortunately for them, Fenix’s best friend Dominic Santiago breaks his way in and drags him out. Reluctantly, Colonel Hoffman reinstates Fenix and he is taken to meet Delta Squad.

Delta Squad are tasked with finding the “resonator”, which will map the network of tunnels that the Locust inhabits. The plan is to then detonate a Lightmass Bomb at the heart of the area. During their travels they encounter the brutal Locust leader, General RAAM, and, although they find the resonator, many lives are lost.

Delta Squad successfully detonates the resonator, but it fails to map the entire tunnel network. However, they discover a larger map of the network that originates from Fenix’s old home, specifically his father’s laboratory. Delta Squad make their way to the Fenix estate, and despite encountering heavy resistance they manage to collect the data.

They then board a train carrying the Lightmass Bomb, defeat General RAAM, and finally uploading the data. The Lightmass Bomb is launched into the Hollow, and appears to destroy the Locust tunnel networks. There is no time for celebration though, as during the end sequence the voice of the Locust Queen is heard giving a battle speech to her Horde, saying that humanity does not understand why they wage the war and cannot stop until they win or die.

Gears of War 2 starts six months after the detonation of the Lightmass Bomb. To put it bluntly, the device failed and the Locust have returned, this time somehow sinking human cities. To counter this threat the COG plan to insert soldiers underground in transport drills known as Grindlifts. However, just as the operation launches they are attacked by Locust, led by the rather intimidating Skorge.

Perhaps the luckiest group in the world, Delta Squad survive and manage to launch their Grindlifts thanks to the intervention of COG soldier ‘Tai Kaliso’, who jumps in to take on Skorge by himself, hand to hand. Split up, Delta Squad begin searching underground and discover the Locust are using a massive Riftworm to eat away the rock supporting cities, and its next target is the Capitol, Jacinto.

Whilst searching for the remaining members of Delta Squad, it is uncovered that the Locust have been taking and torturing hostages. Amongst these hostages is Tai Kaliso, but when Fenix tries to arm him to continue the fight Tai chooses to end his own life, haunted by the things he has seen.

[drop2] Before being evacuated Delta Squad are swallowed by the Riftworm. This might be enough to tip most people over the edge, but instead they set out to kill the giant by destroying its heart. They succeed but guess what? The Riftworm has three hearts! It takes a while but they eventually end the beast’s life; hurrah for team human!

After finding a way back to the surface Delta Squad are informed of a back door into the Locust hollow, and are ordered by Hoffman to get in there and check it out. When they reach the caverns they find more prisoner cages; one of which contains Dom’s wife, who he has been searching for over the years. It’s sad to say that she is basically a shell of a human, left too traumatized to even communicate. Although it breaks his heart to do so, Dom shoots her dead.

After this rather depressing scene Fenix and Dom infiltrate the Locust Capitol, known as the Nexus. It’s here where they discover an unnerving fact; the Locust are being killed off by a new player in the game known as the Lambent, who have a tendency to explode when killed. Could this be why the Locust suddenly appeared from underground all those years ago? Whatever the reason, it appears the Lambent are after the Locust Queen, and in a face to face meeting with her it’s uncovered that she plans to sink Jacinto, simultaneously flooding the Lambent and killing off the humans.

She escapes, but Delta Squad does get to kick Skorge’s ass. Then the COG reveals their final plan; they are following in the footsteps of the Locust Queen, and have decided to sink Jacinto to flood the Locust and Lambent. Delta Squad transport a Lightmass Bomb to the detonation site, but a massive Locust Brumak is there, and has been exposed to a substance known as Imulsion. The Brumak starts to mutate into a Lambent, and then attacks the helicopter, causing the bomb to fall out and become lost in an Imulsion pool.

Being a bright spark, Fenix orders a Hammer of Dawn strike against the Lambent Brumak, which has far more explosive power than a bomb. The Brumak self-destructs, and Jacinto falls (luckily they actually evacuated people this time). It appears to be the end of both the Locust and the Lambent, but at the end of the credits you hear the voice of the presumed dead Adam Fenix over the airwaves.

“What have you done?!”

13 Comments

  1. Also, the books are well worth reading.

  2. argh! Really want to read but only completed the first few chapters of the first game. having Gears 2&3 for xmas

  3. I don’t see the point of me reading as I don’t own a 360. I’ve played a little of Gears 2 over a friends house and I must say it was good! Also saw the advert for Gears 3 on TV and it’s fantastic…but I’ll never play it :(

  4. I’ve broke out my copies of Gears 1 and 2 in the last few weeks to get me ready for Gears 3.

    I only replaced my 360 for Gears 3 and I’ve even got a week off work planned to play the hell out of it. I’m worse than a kid at christmas for this one.

  5. I am doing a massive videos, pics, blog, clan matches etc… for the http://www.psxscotland.com
    If you want I can post over to you guys ;)
    I cannot wait for this and it’s going to get CRAZY!

  6. Story has never been a strong point for the games, despite the books and comics being very good reads.

  7. Ugh…always thought Gow was more known for its multiplayer, chapters spilt into 5 acts didn’t really do it for me imo.

  8. For me the strong point of the single player was the characters moreso than the story,stereotypes but loads of fun.Did Dizzy make it?

    • He does. You find out loads more about him in the latest book. Quite a sad story!

  9. Borrowed an Xbox to play the first, payed no attention to the story at all and assumed it was earth, lol. Was great fun though.. Didn’t really need the story.

  10. Despite owning the games since launch, I didn’t enjoy Gears online so I didn’t bother with online on gears 2. That was until a mate introduced me to hoard mode at the weekend, now I want the 3rd game even more

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