Although this entry barely makes the list, Old Town epitomizes a well designed multiplayer map that has three main paths for battle and has multiple power weapons placed very evenly. Live chickens add to the flair of this open marketplace that has been overrun yet organized with little "spawn camping". Teams will struggle to hold down one of the paths with bullets flying from all directions without a well organized counter attack. This Gears 3 Beta map has been a fan favorite and after many great fights on it, it's easy to see why it's on this list.
This Gears 2 entry highlights the condensed chaos that is online team deathmatch. The environmental aspects of the map also add to the experience as teams try to take over the middle courtyard with threats from all sides. Pushing across the middle of the map can provide difficult solo as the main path is quite open. The top closed section also provides a nice counter balance to work towards getting behind the other team. Some of the most epic wins and disgraceful losses have been on this arena which is why it had to land on our exclusive list.
Our first Gears of War 1 entry embodies what it means to work as a team. Never has a map called for a complete team effort and constant communication to help support teammates from meeting their demise and to keep the enemies from taking over your side of the map. Mirror staircases down into the lower columned fighting zone lead towards a very strategic approach to moving along the map. Adding the sniper/torque component also adds to the stress of capturing that power weapon while holding down the aforementioned "blood drive". Although this map can drive you crazy, having the team stick together and get the W is worth all the pain :)
A second Gears 3 Beta map makes our list, promoting a small arena with limited power weapons which pushes teams to make quick decisions on which area they plan on holding down. The Chapel serves as a great last resort bunker when the opposing team is pressing, and the middle raised balcony adds another dimension to watching your flank while trying to hold the precious spot. Creative use of the Boltok Pistol stationed in two side corners of the map also messes up team strategies as those two parts of the map are isolated and covered. With its relatively small size, Mercy continues to be a delight every time it comes up on rotation.
#6) Jacinto
Gears of War 2 might have had many issues with online connectivity, including loadouts with no weapons and random guns not actually shooting bullets, however one of the biggest things they got right was the creation of this map. Jacinto epitomizes the campaign experience in the multiplayer setting, giving the downtown city feel with the space to separate teams quickly, resulting in many individual battles. Standing as one of the most beautiful boards you'll see, it's no surprise this entry was included as DLC in Gears 3 and also no surprise why it ends up on the list.
Gears of War 2 might have had many issues with online connectivity, including loadouts with no weapons and random guns not actually shooting bullets, however one of the biggest things they got right was the creation of this map. Jacinto epitomizes the campaign experience in the multiplayer setting, giving the downtown city feel with the space to separate teams quickly, resulting in many individual battles. Standing as one of the most beautiful boards you'll see, it's no surprise this entry was included as DLC in Gears 3 and also no surprise why it ends up on the list.
5) Drydock
Our top 5 starts with a selection that offers one of more versatile platforms you'll see in Gears. Providing two levels for firefighting and two long ranged power weapons to highen the intensity is why this map is so fun to play. Teams will struggle to get back to the top after losing position, offering only frag grenades as a special bonus for being stuck on the bottom tier. King of the Hill zones are places very well on this map, and the exclusion of many traditional power weapons on the map give it that extra character that earned it's place here.
Our top 5 starts with a selection that offers one of more versatile platforms you'll see in Gears. Providing two levels for firefighting and two long ranged power weapons to highen the intensity is why this map is so fun to play. Teams will struggle to get back to the top after losing position, offering only frag grenades as a special bonus for being stuck on the bottom tier. King of the Hill zones are places very well on this map, and the exclusion of many traditional power weapons on the map give it that extra character that earned it's place here.
#4) Depths
One of the most colorful maps you'll ever see, Depths looks like it's taken a page out of Rapture from Bioshock to provide a very unique perspective to online competition. Although it is one of the bigger boards in the game, fighting generally takes place at two choke points in the very center that lead towards and all out brawl for position. Working as a team is a must, as holding one of these coveted positions alone can be very daunting. It is very difficult to counter a team's position by going around the opposition, so locations must be taken in numbers. This serves as one of the best designed maps you'll see in Gears.
One of the most colorful maps you'll ever see, Depths looks like it's taken a page out of Rapture from Bioshock to provide a very unique perspective to online competition. Although it is one of the bigger boards in the game, fighting generally takes place at two choke points in the very center that lead towards and all out brawl for position. Working as a team is a must, as holding one of these coveted positions alone can be very daunting. It is very difficult to counter a team's position by going around the opposition, so locations must be taken in numbers. This serves as one of the best designed maps you'll see in Gears.
#3) River
What an absolute sh1tshow this map is. Organized very symmetrically, this board is a power weapon user's dream with the Boom Shot, Sniper/Torque, and Mortar all making an appearance. Opposite barns stand as a solid fallback point once teams are pressed, and battling for the Boom under the middle bridge can quickly turn into an all-out free-for-all once teammates flank from the opposite side and support using the windows from the upper levels in the barn. Strategy seems to always come into play here as it takes smart play to safety get to the other side of the map and find individual enemies. LLG has very fond and funny memories from this one, and won't soon be forgotten until they release it as bonus DLC in Gears 4.
What an absolute sh1tshow this map is. Organized very symmetrically, this board is a power weapon user's dream with the Boom Shot, Sniper/Torque, and Mortar all making an appearance. Opposite barns stand as a solid fallback point once teams are pressed, and battling for the Boom under the middle bridge can quickly turn into an all-out free-for-all once teammates flank from the opposite side and support using the windows from the upper levels in the barn. Strategy seems to always come into play here as it takes smart play to safety get to the other side of the map and find individual enemies. LLG has very fond and funny memories from this one, and won't soon be forgotten until they release it as bonus DLC in Gears 4.
#2) Clocktower
Our last Gears 1 entry only stands behind Gridlock as one of most recognizable Gears maps out there. Built as a cornerstone for Gears multiplayer, this map was a favorite in not only Gears 1 but also when it was pulled in as DLC for Gears 3. Clocktower has a great dynamic of massive cover battles and support of acquiring the game-changing power weapon out at the tip in the middle of the arena. Round starts are very frantic and teams try to assemble into the lower pit or take the high stairs up to another well designed platform. Individuals not working together will struggle hard on this map, as it takes the full group to work together to hold ground. The highs and lows on this map are very clear and because of that reason deserves the #2 ranking.
Our last Gears 1 entry only stands behind Gridlock as one of most recognizable Gears maps out there. Built as a cornerstone for Gears multiplayer, this map was a favorite in not only Gears 1 but also when it was pulled in as DLC for Gears 3. Clocktower has a great dynamic of massive cover battles and support of acquiring the game-changing power weapon out at the tip in the middle of the arena. Round starts are very frantic and teams try to assemble into the lower pit or take the high stairs up to another well designed platform. Individuals not working together will struggle hard on this map, as it takes the full group to work together to hold ground. The highs and lows on this map are very clear and because of that reason deserves the #2 ranking.
#1) Avalanche
We have reached the top dog in our Gears of War list. Although there are mixed emotions even within our LLG group, there is no denying the spontaneous fun that comes with an environment that changes so drastically mid round; introducing new levels of platforms and a new power weapon that changes the course of the firefight. The combination of close quarters two piecing (Gears 2 - yay) plus having a mortar/mulcher power weapon overlooking the middle of the battlefield adds to the confusion at the start of round just before the siren alerts players the map is about to change. These were the days before drones would fill in empty player spots, giving teams with a disadvantage a golden opportunity to pick up a desperately needed Torque/Boom Shot once the snow settled to make a final push for the win. Avalanche also holds some of the funniest moments I've seen in online gaming, which helps to solidify it's position above the rest. It's close, but LLG's #1 Gears map for now stands as the frozen wasteland's favorite excuse that "my batteries died" when you didn't get out of the way before the incoming AVALANCHE!!
We have reached the top dog in our Gears of War list. Although there are mixed emotions even within our LLG group, there is no denying the spontaneous fun that comes with an environment that changes so drastically mid round; introducing new levels of platforms and a new power weapon that changes the course of the firefight. The combination of close quarters two piecing (Gears 2 - yay) plus having a mortar/mulcher power weapon overlooking the middle of the battlefield adds to the confusion at the start of round just before the siren alerts players the map is about to change. These were the days before drones would fill in empty player spots, giving teams with a disadvantage a golden opportunity to pick up a desperately needed Torque/Boom Shot once the snow settled to make a final push for the win. Avalanche also holds some of the funniest moments I've seen in online gaming, which helps to solidify it's position above the rest. It's close, but LLG's #1 Gears map for now stands as the frozen wasteland's favorite excuse that "my batteries died" when you didn't get out of the way before the incoming AVALANCHE!!
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