Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow

1. GTMippey

   Dec 18, 2011

   10

   Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow is the first story-driven piece of DLC for Gears 3, and hopefully not the last. This bite-sized campaign hits aGears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow is the first story-driven piece of DLC for Gears 3, and hopefully not the last. This bite-sized campaign hits a lot of highs in a short amount of time, and is thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.
   
   Playing as Michael Barrick and Zeta Squad is refreshing, after being given heavy doses of Marcus Fenix and Delta over the course of Gear's lifespan. Granted, you will care more about the characters if your knowledge of the Gears universe comes from more than just the games, as Barrick and Tai Kaliso feature in the comics and the books. The story itself is simple, and serves as a prequel to Gears 1. The objective is to evacuate civilians from Iilima before the Kryll Storm hits, and for what the story is, it works well. There's often a sense of impending doom and isolation, knowing you're amongst the last squads in the city. The gameplay is varied, and although you'll spend the bulk of your time blasting Locust, the game offers up different, exciting scenarios and set-pieces each time. One minute you're crushing Seeders with buildings, the next you're trodding through an empty school in darkness, with something haunting your every step. The DLC gives off some nostalgia that harkens back to Gears 1, and this is amplified by the return of emergence holes, beserkers and not to mention, the titular character.
   
   Of course, I'm referring to General RAAM, who makes a grand re-appearance. It's good to see Epic listens to their fans. He's as much of a badass as you remember, and this time, you can step into his shoes during certain parts of the story. These sections play out the same the whole time, but they never last too long and definately give you a sense of power. For me, however, it was a strange feeling to kill Gears so easily and quickly, as the games and companion novels spend so much time making us care about the COG and their plight, and show them as tough, battle-hardened warriors. It felt oddly out of place to just mercilessly slaughter them in the hundreds. But, that's a side of battle we haven't seen yet in the games, and it was good to get a different perspective nonetheless.
   
   The multiplayer works just as you'd expect, 4 player coop the whole game. The extra players play as the other members of Zeta Squad, and during the Locust sections, members of RAAM's personal entourage (2 Special Maulers with reflective shields and a Theron with a Bayonet-Enhanced Sawn-Off.) If you played coop in Gears 3 already, then you know what to expect. Good multiplayer fun.
   
   RAAM's Shadow isn't the deepest or longest piece of the Gears universe, but it fits right in to it, and offers up various bite-size chunks of the Gears gameplay we know and love, with the added twist of playing as
   the biggest badass of the series. If you're a Gears fan, or even a newcomer, it's definitely worth checking out.… Expand

   • 3 of 6 users found this helpful
2. FineapplePucker

   Dec 27, 2011

   10

   Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow is what every dlc should be. The overall package is well worth the money, and then some. The story behind ZetaGears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow is what every dlc should be. The overall package is well worth the money, and then some. The story behind Zeta squad and RAAM is excellent and the game provides much diversity in gameplay. The add-on goes back before Gears of War to the darker and more depressing roots providing a setting that reminds me of what made Gears of War and Gears of War 2's campaigns so much fun. Even though you may already know the fates of certain characters the game still draws you in making anxious to find out what will happen to them. Playing as RAAM and his squad is also a new approach that is very well crafted. When playing as RAAM you walk around with your big butcher knife, and command kryll to decimate your cog foes while feeling nearly invincibly. This new combat style plus a new execution makes you feel like a badass.You should also definitely play in 4 player co-op. Don't worry about not playing as RAAM in co-op because the Theron Elite and the Maulers also have there own gameplay features that you should not skip out on, the retro sawed off with the theron and the reflective shields with the maulers. Despite the short 3-4 hour campaign, the high replay value makes up for it. Additionally, the new characters are brought out and introduced very well in this short time and fan favorites also return. New multiplayer skins, weapon skins, new achievements, and a solid campaign; what more could you ask for. I personally found this add-on more fun than the actual Gears 3 campaign due to the diverse gameplay and overall feel. This add-on is the perfect reason to buy the season pass and one of the reasons why I still play Gears of War 3. What are you waiting for? Get yourself a copy of Gears of War 3, some microsoft points, grab some friends, and have one hell of a good time.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
4. The-BEAST

   Dec 16, 2011

   10

   In a day with 15 dollar dlc with only 3 maps. this dlc comes as a pleasent surprize. Comes with a Campaign that will talk about 3 hours moreIn a day with 15 dollar dlc with only 3 maps. this dlc comes as a pleasent surprize. Comes with a Campaign that will talk about 3 hours more or less. Gun skin and 5 or 6 new charecters that can be used in multiplayer with additional acheviements. Well worth it and free with the season pass, how can i complain… Expand

   • 2 of 5 users found this helpful
5. PrinceHandsome

   Mar 16, 2012

   9

   RAAM's Shadow is definitely worth the fifteen dollar price tag. With a new two to three hour campaign and a ton of great new multiplayerRAAM's Shadow is definitely worth the fifteen dollar price tag. With a new two to three hour campaign and a ton of great new multiplayer skins, any fan of Gears of War should buy this add-on without a second thought.… Expand

   • 0 of 0 users found this helpful
6. Kenmei

   Jan 1, 2012

   9

   This is good for what it is: A good piece of DLC. This isn't a brand new game and it shouldn't be reviewed as such. The price could use a bitThis is good for what it is: A good piece of DLC. This isn't a brand new game and it shouldn't be reviewed as such. The price could use a bit of a decrease to at least 10 bucks, but there's nothing wrong with this DLC. It's got all the aspects, both good and bad, of Gears 3 and I'd recommend it to anyone who likes to play that game, especially online. Playing as RAAM in the campaign was a fun diversion to everything else and the fact that this also adds a few new characters, maps, and some weapon skins for multiplayer. If you like Gears 3, you'll like this DLC. If you didn't like Gears 3, then you definitely won't like this DLC.… Expand

   • 1 of 1 users found this helpful
7. Sirdjay14228

   Dec 16, 2011

   9

   Great story driven shooter, a ton of replay value, huge online multiplayer element with many, many unlockables to be had. if you have a pulseGreat story driven shooter, a ton of replay value, huge online multiplayer element with many, many unlockables to be had. if you have a pulse buy this game !… Expand

   • 1 of 3 users found this helpful
8. 4newsit

   Dec 15, 2011

   8

   Raam's Shadow offers essential gaming experience for fans of the saga, although not done too much light on the past of the variousRaam's Shadow offers essential gaming experience for fans of the saga, although not done too much light on the past of the various protagonists, is a must buy for fans of the series. Steel gameplay, more than three hours of additional campaign, with the possibility of a cooperative deal with up to four players should be enough for them to purchase the DLC.
   
   Please note that the cost of HB 1200 (or free if you purchased the "season pass"), you'll take home 5 acts of full-bodied single-player campaign, a brand new skin for weapons, six new multiplayer characters and 10 new targets for A total of 250 player points. Perhaps the price could not turn up their noses to the fans of this game, but our advice is to make us a little thought. http://www.4news.it/9985-recensione-raams-shadow-dlc-di-gears-of-war-3.php… Expand

   • 0 of 4 users found this helpful

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