It wasn't really a secret by the time E3 rolled around, but Xbox fans everywhere were psyched to learn that Gears of War: Ultimate Edition was real. The game that started the franchise was getting a fresh batch of paint, along with a number of important fixes to the formula. Better yet — it's budget-priced and coming later this year!
That wasn't all Microsoft had up its sleeve, either. Gears of War producer Rod Fergusson announced that Gears of War: Ultimate Edition would be receiving a dedicated multiplayer beta, and that it would be up and running throughout E3 2015 and into the following weekend. The only problem was that getting a code wasn't easy: unless you managed to win a contest or were randomly chosen, there's a good chance you missed out on the multiplayer fun.
Sadly, the beta is over at this point — but we've got the next best thing for anyone who happened to miss out. Below are full matches of Team Deathmatch (a mode that never appeared in the original game) on three remastered maps from Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. If you've been wondering if Gears multiplayer is for you, check them out!
First up is Courtyard, one of the series' most wide-open maps. It's a sniper's paradise, with the Longshot rifle dominating the top platform. There's also the all-powerful Hammer of Dawn, and a team that can control both weapons can tear apart the competition. Finally, there are a few close-quarters battles down below the central platform — after all, it's not Gears of War without shotgun duels.
Next up is Gridlock, one of the most recognizable Gears of War maps ever made. It's a mish-mash of nearly every type of gameplay in the Gears sandbox: a Longshot perch and long sight lines encourage sniping, a centralized Boomshot and plenty of cover is perfect for close-quarters confrontations, and a pair of Hammerburst rifles off to the sides can lead to long-range ambushes on careless players.
Finally, there's War Machine, one of the most claustrophobic maps in the game. Matches typically focus on one of two things: the map's long, straight corridors and the Longshot, or the massive Troika turret that sits at the top of the map. Oh, and don't forget about that Torque Bow lying beneath the turret — your opponents certainly won't.
And that's Team Deathmatch! If you're interested in the other game-type that the Coalition featured in the beta, you can check out our full-length King of the Hill matches right here!
Otherwise, it won't be long before the full version hits store shelves — Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is due out on August 25th.
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