Outstanding! Game changer for the 360
The game has a very simple premise but it's execution is spot on, really making you use the cover system and feel the fear of popping your head out to take shots - like playing paintball. There is a story of sorts - enough to move things along nicely and get you involved. It's pretty samey with the odd set peice thrown in but when it's handled this well, that's fine by me. I think the story works nicely and the Locust are an awesome enemy - General Raam is one of the better Nemesis I've faced in gaming, shame he didn't appear more.
The only slight gripe I have is that because the Gears and Locust can take so much damage, the weapons feel a bit innefective. I realise that's a choice the team made and is not a fault as such, more of a preference of mine that is a bit at odds with Gears.
Multiplayer - Gears is the first game I really played online (linking 2 Playstations together to play Doom doesn't count...) and it blew my mind. I loved the team element and although a little bit slow and messy when really close to your enemy (I've seen shotgun/rolling confrontations go on for what seems like minutes). Matchmaking was a bit of a ball ache but the game itself was worth it.
Graphics - great design and technically very strong. The middle to far distance backgrounds now look a little soft and lacking in clarity but when it was released it was peerless on consoles.
Sound - generally really good with meaty effects and music - the only issue I have is that the weapons don't sound loud and brutal enough
Overall, a bit simple and dumb, but since when did games HAVE to be intricate ind cerebral? Fantastic game. Full stop