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November 8, 2008

11.8/2008

I went and picked up Gears of War 2 at its midnight release on the seventh, and this game is phenomenal. Although I feel like the shotgun has been nerfed, the co-op has been improved (length-wise, computer-AI-wise, and in relation to the content), multiplayer has been augmented with the abilities to use downed opponents as "meatshields," pick up shields and use them to defend yourselves, have chainsaw duels, and a Halo-esque matchmaking system.

The best part of this sequel, by far, has to be Horde mode. This is a five player co-op mode against waves-upon-waves of computer AI opponents. Each wave gets progressively harder until it reaches the next wave after each 10th. (For example, it gets a little easier going from wave ten to wave eleven. This is because the enemy waves start over from scratch, but are more powerful, take more damage before dying, and are more accurate.) Horde mode is all about team play: It involves setting up a part of the map as a base and knowing the offense-defense tactical dynamics of the match. It's like a Gears puzzle of sorts. I've already beaten the last wave of this, but it still keeps me coming back because the amount of real-time teamwork required is astounding.

There's nothing quite like Gears co-op.

For some reason, I felt like reading over my old, physical journal from high school. Man, one thing I can comment on, in an entirely good sense, is the fact that my writing has vastly improved. Additionally, it's interesting to see how my mentality has changed about people over time. Some people I once detested have become good friends of mine, and some good friends of mine and I have parted ways due to distance or growing apart when I didn't believe such a thing was possible. Another thing which I found interesting, in retrospect, was how many opportunities I missed out on due to ignorance (i.e a lack of understanding different ways that people reach out or not keeping in touch with certain people). It's kind of a shame.

I wonder if I'll feel the same way about this journal in a few more years...