Fans of the series and newcomers looking for a shooter challenge should flock to this prequel immediately.
Doing a sequel to a series is tough enough as it is, but doing a prequel almost seems tougher. Not only do you have to create a game experience that reflects on past releases, but you also have to structure something that fits eloquently into the universe, or it throws everything out of whack. Still, more prequels have been succeeding as of late, particularly the previously released Tomb Raider and, to a high extent, Sony's God of War: Ascension.
But now it's Gears of War's turn, and the pressure is really on Epic Games, as it has handed development duties over to People Can Fly, the developers behind Bulletstorm. We're not sure what brought this transition forth, but no matter – we were eager to see if the team was up to task in putting Baird and Cole (aka "Cole Train") in the spotlight usually reserved for Fenix and Dom.
Let me say this, though – perhaps this was the change that the series needed, because with Gears of War: Judgment, it feels fresh again. That's not to say it's perfect by any means, but it almost feels like the excitement is back, thanks to the inclusion of a new structure, some extras that add challenge to each mission, and multiplayer that is sure to get the community addicted all over again. The only thing missing is the sheer absurdity that was Bulletstorm – but this is Gears, so no matter.
