Best console shooter since Halo.
I guess Halo comparisons are inevitable with any Xbox/360 sci-fi shooter, but the comparison here doesn't hold as far as gameplay goes, but both games have that same indefinable something about them that I haven't felt in a shooter since playing Halo. That something that makes getting killed ok since it will give you the chance to play thru that scenario again. I'm not sure what to call this thing, but it's certainly easy to sense when a game has it or when it doesn't, and Gears definitely has "it".
The graphics are as or more amazing than anticipated and I found myself just staring at the environments a lot. The factory level at night during a rainstorm is particularly stunning. But beyond the graphics there is the amazing gameplay. It really doesn't play like any other shooter I've known. The game it reminded me the most of was Resident Evil 4, though the gameplay is very different. Obviously the makers were big fans of that game. So much so that they directly lifted the berserker from the similar blind character in RE4 that also hunts you by sound, though the berserker is even tougher than that guy. The other RE4 comparison is in the near perfect pacing of the game. Weapons combat is the staple of the game but it's often broken up by vehicle sections, a rail car ride (another RE4 tribute?), turret shooting, and (again another RE4 comparison) some really cool boss fights.
In short, you really need to buy this game if you are at all a fan of the shooter or action genre. Don't be put off if you, like me, aren't a fan of tactical shooters b/c this isn't like any other tactical shooter out there. Also don't be put off if you don't like squad based shooters, b/c controlling your squad is completely optional and usually not necessary.
The multiplayer is similarly fun and really forces you to play as a team b/c if you don't, you'll die and in turn your teammates will die. This is a game where being outnumbered is the kiss of death. Don't think your leet skills will save you from the attack of 2 or 3 guys from the other team, b/c it won't.
Anyway, quit reading this and go buy this game.