Another DLC, but this time Epic Games is going to “try” having some value to it. Close to three months later, Epic Games delivers Gears of War 3 a campaign add-on. Luckily for players, it’s not just new; characters, weapons and weapons skins. The campaign add-on is actually a full act which may take an hour or so to complete.
In the RAAM’s Shadow DLC, you’re starting out as part of Zeta Squad post-Emergence Day. Zeta Squad consist of four Gears; Michael Barrick, Lt. Minh Young Kim (first seen in Gears of War), Alicia Valera and Tai Kaliso (first seen in Gears of War 2). Your task is to evacuate Llima City due to a Locust Kryllstorm approaching. While Zeta Squad is rescuing civilians and looking for remaining comrades, General RAAM is back in the picture destroying and killing the humans as ordered by Queen Myrrah.
For the first time in Gears of War history, you’re able to control General RAAM and use his abilities you saw in Gears of War. He only has two ways of attacking the humans. You can both point to an enemy and send out Kryll to chop up the humans or slice and stab humans with your Locust sword. Unfortunately, they made RAAM this bad-ass and can only get damage when he releases the Kryll.
While protecting or killing the Locust, you’re going to run into new forms of enemies. Introducing in the campaign add-ons are Mauler Elites and Theron Elites. Mauler Elites are another variant of a Mauler. They look like something from Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim and they also have new boomshield which reflect fire. Theron Elites are tougher Theron Guards. Theron Elites use an ink grenade called a Kryll grenade. This is similar to an Ink grenade. Instead of ink damaging you, you’re being attacked by Kryll. They also use the ink as an evasive strategy. A new Elite Sawed-Off shotgun is also carried with them. Unlike the other shotgun, these have curved blades which you can charge with them and stab like a retro lancer.
In addition, the Locust again emerges from sinkholes and attack. Only the Theron Guards (from what I noticed) are exploding through the ground like a rocket launch.
There were some noticeable flaws during the added campaign. One is manipulating objects. Sure you’re able to opens doors and what not, but you’re not able to press the piano key on the piano. This isn’t technically a flaw, but it was noticeable you couldn’t manipulate any objects like in the game’s main story. Another flaw was not telling the players to press a button and kick something out of the way for access. I was caught on a part, because there was a table in my way. I shot at it, and use a frag grenade to blow it up. It had no effect whatsoever. I Didn’t know a simple button could kick the table out of the way. Also, I feel General RAAM is too overpowered throughout the campaign.
The only true good thing about the add-on is you’re playing as General RAAM and using his own special abilities. It’s great to be back to post-Emergence Day, but the rest of the add-on complete waste of time. No story whatsoever, just bunch of killing Locust and humans. The only actual story you see is sort of a prelude, Jace’s reasoning to join the COG. You won’t even get to see that until the near ending of the add-on .
“You never know, there might be a hobbit” said Cliff Bleszinski talking to Jimmy Fallon about Gears of War 3. Was RAAM’s Shadow DLC the “hobbit” Bleszinski may have accidentally revealed? I sure hope not. What I want to see is something new and original. Sure being able to use General RAAM is new and original, but it’s not worth 15 dollars in my opinion. For the reason it’s only an add-on and not a full game, I’m going to give an B+
+General RAAM is back with new abilities
-…Unfortunately is overpowered
+Campaign Add-on
-No actual story plot
+New characters
+New weapons
*grading scale based on GameRevolution.com's classic grading scale.
