Gears 3 DLC: RAAM's Shadow Review

Written by Craig Will (puffkix) Tuesday, 20 December 2011 13:27

RAAM's Shadow Didn’t get your fill of blasting Locust forces in Gears of War 3? Me neither. Luckily Epic decided they’d give the people more of what they want by releasing the RAAMs Shadow DLC. Is it actually what we want though?

You are put in the shoes of Zeta Squad, comprised of four newly playable Gears – Barrick, Val, Kim, and Tai – as you fight your way through Ilima City prior to the events of the first Gears of War.

The best thing about this DLC is the level design. Everything from ammo placement to actual layout of the maps is spot on and makes it easy for me to forgive that stupid submarine level in the main game. There are two chapters that really showcase not only the team’s ability to create fun levels but their flexibility as well.

I wouldn’t pick Epic Games to head up an atmospheric horror/thriller game based on the Gears property but not only do they attempt it in the school level, they knock it out of the park. Linear hallway routes mixed with eerie music, strange goings-on, and a distinct lack of enemies to shoot (at first) reminded me of some of the more tense moments in the first Silent Hill. And that’s a good thing.

*SPOILER*
The other level that stands out is the first time you play as General RAAM and the accompanying feeling of invincibility as you stalk through the streets impaling COGs with your giant knife and beheading those that have fallen to the ground. It’s really empowering, especially in a game about being the underdogs and fighting a losing battle.

Of course the good comes with bad. RAAM doesn’t have any weapons besides his knife and the ability to send his Kryll armor, like attack bats, as a ranged attack. Unfortunately they aren’t very strong and it takes several bouts of Kryll attacks to take down a COG soldier, leaving you defenseless until they return. While this may have been done for balancing reasons it takes away from that initial feeling of awesomeness that controlling RAAM had.
*END SPOILER*

Only half the new squad is fun to have around; Barrick is the gruff guardian/big-brother type spouting off one-liners, while Val fills the female protagonist role well, offering insightful commentary devoid of the annoying stereotypes that female characters in games too often implement. On the other side of the coin, Tai speaks in “proverbs” that are more often than not annoying, contradictory, and overall not helpful, while Kim just repeats the proverbs in layman’s terms. It’s really not funny and almost insulting.

Overall, RAAM’s Shadow is a decent add on to my favorite co-op experience of the year. For 1200 MS points ($15) it’s a little short and contains some insufferable dialogue (from the two mentioned above) but is also wonderfully designed, adds to the Gears mythos, and showcases Epic’s versatility. For die-hard fans this is must buy.

8/10