Gears of War 2 (Xbox 360)

You can play the whole of story mode with a friend

The Boomer enemies are back in many different varieties

The game’s ethos of “destroyed beauty” is still in full effect

Shoot the Ticker enemies before they explode in your face

The bestselling third-person shooter is back: bigger, better, and gorier than ever before. But you can't just blast your way through it--this game requires far more tactics and cunning than your usual mindless shooter. A refined cover system means you can use the enemy as “meat shields” as well as hide behind the fully destructible scenery.

The graphics are looking better than ever, and the game is purposefully more bloody and violent than before. The story and characterisation has also been improved, making this an action game sequel with brains as well as brawn.

• Brothers in arms: Have a friend join or leave your single player game whenever you want, and even battle together on different difficultly levels.
• Evolving enemies: You finally get a chance to take down the giant Brumak enemies, as well as even larger monsters and new creatures, such as the explosive Ticker.
• Practise makes perfect: Practice the multiplayer mode on your own with computer controlled “bots”--then use the new matchmaking system to find a real opponent of the same skill level.
• Chainsaw massacre: If you loved the chainsaw bayonet in the original game, you now can duel computer or human opponents with gaming’s messiest weapon attachment.
• Hordes of options: Try the new five-player Horde mode, where you all face off against an unending wave of enemies, or any of the seven other multiplayer modes.