I have been studying video game mechanics since the early days of the arcade, and so I understand that simple ideas executed well can result in entirely new types of games. Although Gears of War’s (cover) mechanics appear simple — press a button to hide behind objects and peek out to shoot — the simplicity of the mechanics combined with its technical execution resulted in a completely new genre of game. The cover mechanics were adopted throughout the gaming industry as the new standard for third-person shooters because of the fact that the cover system provided an intuitive method of balancing offense and defense in a fair and effective manner.
In addition to creating an entirely new type of game, Gears of War’s single mechanical innovation also created a chain of implications for other aspects of the game’s design. For example, cover mechanics required level designers to design levels that supported the mechanics of cover; as such, cover created positional strategic requirements; and ultimately, cover created a completely new form of combat (cover-based) that played out entirely differently than traditional first or third-person shooting. As such, the developers of Gears of War were able to develop a complete suite of interconnected systems that were designed to work in harmony.
What Gears of War Actually Does
In Gears of War, you play as a soldier who is fighting aliens using cover-based tactics. The control scheme used in Gears of War to execute these mechanics was very intuitive, as a player could easily transition between taking cover and peeking out to shoot. The developer implemented a “snap-to” cover system, in which pressing a button will quickly snap the player into nearby cover. Additionally, players are able to blind fire over the top of their cover without needing to actually aim. Players are also able to precisely aim shots to get headshots and such. Another key feature of the Lancer bayonet is that it is a highly effective close-range tool. In addition to providing cover, the level design in Gears of War is specifically designed to present the player with cover opportunities and encourage the player to transition between covers.
The difficulty of the game increases fairly naturally and appropriately. The casual mode is forgiving and allows the player to learn the mechanics of the game without experiencing much penalty. The normal mode provides a good amount of challenge and is the most representative of what the average gamer can expect to experience. The hard mode provides significantly more challenge and encourages the player to think more tactically. Finally, the insane mode is brutally difficult and challenges even the best players.
The squad AI is also a great feature of Gears of War. The AI-controlled teammates are very helpful without feeling like they are controlling the actions of the player. The teammate will fight along side the player and provide supporting fire. The teammate will also distract enemies while the player attacks them. However, the teammates will not solve the problems for the player. Instead, the player will be working in conjunction with their teammates to coordinate and implement tactical plans.
Additionally, the variety of weapons available to the player is very high and helps to keep the gameplay experience fresh. The Lancer with the chainsaw bayonet is perhaps one of the most iconic features of the game. The Shotgun is extremely deadly in close quarters and is a favorite among many gamers. The Sniper Rifle is very precise and requires careful planning. The Rocket Launcher is extremely destructive and is capable of leveling large parts of the map. Each of the weapons has specific uses and requires the player to employ specific strategies in order to utilize effectively.
Why Cover Mechanics Changed Third-Person Shooters
One of the primary reasons that Gears of War was successful was due to the fact that the developers of Gears of War understood something that previous third-person shooters did not — that cover is the core mechanic of the game, not an afterthought. Prior to the release of Gears of War, third-person shooters existed, however cover was optional. Gears of War made cover mandatory in order to survive, and this fundamental change in perspective changed everything.
The cover mechanics in Gears of War provide the player with a positioning strategy. Players cannot simply run and gun, instead players must transition between cover points, take shots, and then transition again. The level design in Gears of War supports this positioning strategy by placing cover points in strategic locations throughout the environment. Areas that are open and do not have sufficient cover are inherently more dangerous. Conversely, areas that are well designed and have cover points that allow the player to progress through the area in a logical and safe manner will encourage the player to use cover to navigate the environment.
Another benefit of the cover mechanics is that the blind fire mechanic creates a sense of risk/reward. Players are able to fire blindly over the top of their cover, however their accuracy will suffer as a result of firing blindly. Players may choose to fire blindly if they believe that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Alternatively, players may choose to expose themselves in order to gain a higher degree of accuracy. The ability to choose whether or not to fire blindly or to expose oneself creates a constant series of tactical decisions for the player regarding risk vs. reward.
Finally, the chainsaw bayonet is a very satisfying feature of Gears of War. When the player chooses to engage in melee combat with an enemy at close range, they are rewarded with a visually stunning and mechanically devastating attack. The chainsaw bayonet is essentially a finishing move for the player and the visual feedback the player receives during the attack provides the player with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
The Technical Achievement
The graphics of Gears of War were state-of-the-art for 2006. The characters and environments are very detailed and animate smoothly. While the environments in Gears of War are destructible, the destruction is not as realistic as it would be in later games in the series. In Gears of War, players can destroy certain environmental elements and break some forms of cover. The visual effects in Gears of War are also quite impressive and provide the player with a true sense of destruction when they engage in combat. The art style of Gears of War is also very distinct and creates a unique atmosphere. The character designs are also very memorable and unique.
The physics engine in Gears of War is also very solid. The weight of the player and the player’s weapons are very well represented and the movement is very responsive, yet does not feel twitchy. The cover snap system is also very intuitive and responds very well to the player’s input. The aiming system is also very responsive and fair. Overall, the technical achievement of Gears of War is a testament to the ability of the team to realise their creative vision.
The Sound Design of Gears of War is also excellent. The Lancer chainsaw is one of the most recognizable sounds in the world of video games. The various weapons in Gears of War each have distinct audio signatures that help the player distinguish between them. The impact sounds that occur when the player takes damage or fires a rocket launcher are very well done and convey the amount of damage that the player is receiving. The enemy vocalizations also provide the player with a clear indication of the threat that they pose. Finally, the soundtrack of Gears of War is very intense and is very fitting for the overall atmosphere of the game.
Does Gears of War Still Hold Up Today?
While the graphics of Gears of War are certainly dated and are not as detailed as those found in today’s games, the art style and atmosphere of the game remain intact. The character models of Gears of War are relatively simple compared to today’s games, however they are very expressive and distinct. The environments in Gears of War are not as detailed as those in modern games, however the designers of the game were able to convey the overall atmosphere of the environment in a clear and concise manner. The destructibility of the environments in Gears of War is also limited compared to today’s games, however the destruction that does occur is meaningful and adds to the overall experience of the game.
Overall, the cover mechanics in Gears of War still work as well as they did when the game was originally released. The controls of the game are still very intuitive and the positioning and tactics still matter. The difficulty of the game still scales fairly and the progression through the game is still rewarding.
The Campaign is Still Engaging
The campaign of Gears of War is still very engaging. The storyline of Gears of War is very straightforward and is told in a very effective manner. The pacing of the campaign is excellent and the action does not feel drawn out or boring at any point. The difficulty of the campaign increases fairly naturally and the boss fights are memorable without being unfair.
The Multiplayer is Still Tactically Interesting
The multiplayer component of Gears of War is still a very tactically interesting game. The maps in Gears of War are specifically designed to promote cover-based gameplay. The weapon balance in Gears of War is still very well done and the ability of the player to work with their squad mates to achieve their objectives is still very important. The flow of the gameplay in Gears of War is still very smooth and enjoyable.
Why This Game Defined Third-Person Shooting
Gears of War defined third-person shooting by proving that cover mechanics could be the defining feature of an entire genre. Gears of War also demonstrated that third-person shooting could be both tactical and fun. Gears of War also showed that mechanical innovation could lead to entirely new possibilities for level design and strategy.
The franchise continued to build upon the success of the original game with multiple sequels that refined the formula. The majority of third-person shooters developed subsequent to Gears of War borrowed heavily from Gears of War’s cover-based mechanics. Modern third-person shooters often borrow directly from Gears of War’s cover-based mechanics. Even games such as Fortnite, a battle royale game that has become one of the most popular online multiplayer games in the world, borrow directly from Gears of War’s cover-based mechanics. As such, the cover-based mechanics that were pioneered in Gears of War have become the standard that third-person shooters are judged by.
Conclusion
Gears of War is a third-person shooter that demonstrates the value of cover mechanics in creating a tactical and engaging experience for the player. The controls of the game make executing the cover mechanics very intuitive. The level design of the game supports the tactical positioning of the player. The weapon balance of the game is very well done and the player can use the cover-based mechanics to their advantage. The squad AI is also very helpful and the difficulty of the game scales very naturally.
Every aspect of the game was designed to support the cover-based mechanics. The developers of Gears of War understood that mechanical innovation can create design opportunities. The innovations that were created in Gears of War have had a lasting impact on the third-person shooter genre and have continued to influence the development of third-person shooters for years to come.
If you have never played Gears of War before, you should definitely try playing it and see why the cover-based mechanics became the standard for third-person shooters. If you have already played Gears of War in the past, you may want to replay it and appreciate how well the underlying mechanics still hold up today. If you are developing third-person shooters, you should definitely study Gears of War as it is a prime example of how mechanical innovation can fundamentally change the nature of an entire genre.
Rating: 10/10 – The third-person shooter that proved cover-based mechanics create engaging and tactical experiences for the player
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