Microsoft just announced a Gears of War edition Zune releasing this fall alongside the blockbuster title.  The glossy black 120 GB Zune will ship in “collectible” Gears packaging and will ship with 244 pieces of Gears of War media such as the soundtrack and behind-the-scenes videos.  It will run fans $280 and pre orders start tonight at midnight PDT on Walmart.com and Amazon.com.

Props: [Engadget]

For those few who have yet to preorder your copy of Gears of War 2, it seems you have a hard choice to make and that is where to reserve the game.  But of course, it doesn’t come down to the location.  It’s all about the swag so let’s see who has the best.

First up is Gamestop with an exclusive GoW 2 theme for the new Xbox Experience.  Very nice.

Up next is Blockbuster.  If you pre-order Gears of War 2 at Blockbuster, you’ll get a copy of the Gears of War Comic with an exclusive cover.  I refuse to buy a game from Blockbuster but this is tempting.  Or was tempting until the next piece of swag came around.

Saving the best for last is Best Buy.  Starting October 5th, those who preorder the Limited Edition will receive a free remote control Centaur tank.  Comic Book, theme or an RC tank.  Decisions, decisions.

These details come from the next issue of Gamepro magazine and a poster from Evil Avatar spilled the beans.  I have skimmed down old announcements so you guys don’t have to wade through the crap like suckers.

• No Kryll or Berserkers in the game but according to Cliff “they might work there way back in in the future in some new interesting way”
• Brumaks are controllable at some point late in the game.
• New Locust Enemies - The Butcher wields a large cleaver and can take alot of damage.  The Grinder looks like a Boomer in Theron armor, they wield the Mulcher and yell “Griiiind!” before they strike.  The Mauler are giant Melee fighters that wield a flail along with a giant shield.
• Gold Lancer can be earned by those who refuse to pony up an extra $10 for the limited edition.
• Those attending midnight releases will receive the Golden Hammerburst. It is also earnable like the Gold Lancer
• There will be release day DLC containing 5 classic maps. Along with the previously announced Gridlock and Subway, Canals, Mansion, and Tyro Station will be downloadable. These five maps will be free and will only be available through a voucher inside new copies of the game.
• CliffyB and team have only reached level 40 out of the 50 levels that are in the co-op survival horde mode.
• Horde mode can be played on every multiplayer map, even the Gears 1 remakes.
• In regards to the photo editor, it can be used by anyone who is either dead or in spectator mode. Epic claims that there will be monthly contests for best pictures and captions and such. However, the article says that the photo editor’s features won’t all be present on release day.
• In the campaign mode, you can “collect secret documents, internal memos, and other bits of refuse to piece together a bigger storyline. You’ll collect and track all these items using the scrap-book War Journal, which will track your achievements.”
• Tai and Dizzy, the two new members of Delta Squad, are separated from Marcus and Dom early in the game and are last seen in a stand off against Skorge.
• Cliffy claims that the game will have a much darker and serious storyline, but will still retain that Summer Blockbuster feeling.
• Underground sections only make up 30% of the campaign.
• The main underground section you will be in is called the Hollows, which is home to the Kantus and Rockworms.

For the full list, click here.

This first video is an introduction to all the new enemies gamers will come across this November. If you are like me and you find the sound of the Tickers soothing, then you have also played way too much Gears.

The next 2 videos showcase gameplay from the first Act of the campaign.[Props > NeoCrisis]

At a London Press event, Epic Games has let trickle a couple of new details on Gears of War 2. The most interesting one is Raam’s replacement. Skorge is the new Locust badass and his weapon of choice is a Dual Chainsaw Staff. He is twice the height of Marcus Fenix and he is the last enemy players will meet when (if), they make it to level 50. Just like Raam in the original, Skorge is a playable character in multiplayer although he will be scaled down. For example, the staff is not available in multiplayer.  Pfft…He doesn’t look so tough.

Props > AddictGaming

This week, Ubisoft finally released Brothers in Arms: Hell’s Highway after countless delays and naturally, everyone has the same question in mind.  Did Gearbox Software utilize the extra time in the oven to cook us a masterpiece or a catastrophe?  After having a taste, I must say, Brothers in Arms :HH seems to have been burnt to a crisp but I can’t help but come back for seconds.  Hit the jump for the full review.

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Sorry about the lack of a weekly wire last week. Technical Difficulties.

 

I hope that couch still seats two because that’s the only way you and your friend will be playing Fable II together at launch.  Lionhead Studios has revealed to GamerScore blog that online co-op will not be ready in time for Fable II’s scheduled October 21st release date.  Now now gamers, before you go reaching for the caps lock key you must first embrace the bright side.  More development time never hurt anything and a flawless yet delayed co-op experience is much better than a rushed and broken one.  Plus the wait wont be long, as Lionhead expects an update within a week of the game’s release.  This gives me more time to spruce up my home and regale my friends with interesting stories while visiting my 25 estranged kids spread throughout Albion.  Score one for positivity.

Half off on all Rockstar Games at Steam.  Everything must go.  Max Payne 1 & 2 for 5 bucks each is a steal .  GTA: San Andreas for 5 dollars is highway robbery.  The entire Rockstar collection for $25 is grand larceny.  You can’t do better than that.  Click, Order and Rejoice.

Rockstar Collection - [Steam]

The latest Gears of War 2 Dev Diary focusing on the game’s characters and story…