After months of playing the same Gears of War 2 maps, Microsoft and Epic spiced things up with the Snowblind Map Pack, available through Xbox Live for 800 points. Although it doesn't come with new modes, weapons or enemies, the four snowy maps allow for plenty of new strategy, particularly in Horde mode.
Our favorite map, Under Hill, partially takes place along a highway full of abandoned vehicles where you try to reach the apex by snagging a mortar. As you make your way across the battle-scarred road, you eventually come to a building that house with pillars (useful for hiding) and a wide-open area in the middle. There's also a button that opens and closes a gate, allowing you to either lock opponents out or invite the carnage inside.
Lowering the gate puts a new spin on Horde mode, since players will attempt to keep waves of Locusts out. Doing this takes some skill and patience, since the gate closes too slowly to keep enemies at bay. You'll also need to defend other open areas.
Overall, the map looks gorgeous, with a light dusting of snow along the ground, a beautiful sunset/sunrise and skyscrapers in the background. It reminds us a little of New Jersey, minus the machine gun wielding aliens.
Most gamers will love the second map, Grind Yard. First, you spawn near a walkway that gives you the high ground against charging Locusts. Second, there's a tower in the center of the map that has one way up; survive long enough and you'll score a mulcher. This makes Horde mode especially enjoyable, since you and some friends can camp and repel the Locust invasion. We suggest making a run for the grenades and flamethrower in the center of Grindyard before reinforcements arrive.
Next up is Courtyard, an open map that's surrounded by gothic-style buildings. You'll finds lots of cover, from destructible statues to staircases. As you explore the map, you'll come across a sniper rifle, torque bow and plenty of other toys. In addition, there's a hiding space underneath the main staircase that, similar to Grind Yard's tower, allows you to make a final stand in Horde mode.
Gears of War 2 Gallery
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 1 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 2 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 3 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 4 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 5 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 6 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 7 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 8 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 9 of 36)
Gears of War 2 is the highly anticipated sequel to the 4.7 million-selling blockbuster third-person tactical action game, and one of the most popular Xbox 360 games in history. Gears of War 2 picks up six months after the events of Gears of War, and thrusts you back into a deep and harrowing story of humankind's epic battle for survival against a nightmarish force of underground creatures known as the Locust Horde. (Screenshot 10 of 36)
Finally, there's Fuel Depot, a popular map from the original Gears of War, albeit snowier. Aside from other minor (dare we say insignificant) changes, the map looks almost exactly like its predecessor. You still need to pick up grenades near the fuel pumps and hope another player doesn't make them explode, and you can take cover within a giant warehouse or behind a helicopter. While not wholly original, having the luxury of playing Fuel Depot without popping in the prequel is a guilty pleasure.
Although some extras would've made this package even sweeter, the Snowblind Map Pack is a must buy for Gears of War 2 players. The snow doesn't affect gameplay, but each of these maps breathes new life into multiplayer matches while giving players pretty things to look at before taking a rocket to their heads.
Reader Comments (1)
"...each of these maps breathes new life into multiplayer matches while giving players pretty things to look at before taking a rocket to their heads." If only rockets existed in this game...