( CNN ) -- With an awesome story and continuation of the gameplay that has made the franchise great , `` Gears of War 3 '' ties a brilliant and bloody bow atop a video-game trilogy that 's been seven years in the making . The latest third-person shooter game from Epic Games and Microsoft wraps up the `` Gears '' story arc and answers all the lingering questions that have arisen in the battle against the reptilian Locust and their mutant cousins , the Lambent . Players will control Coalition soldier Marcus Fenix for most of the game . But certain levels require the player to switch off to another member of his Delta Squad . The game starts a couple years after the conclusion of `` Gears 2 '' and finds Marcus in jail . Characters familiar to players of the franchise are re-introduced in the opening scenes , and the action kicks off quickly at an unrestrained pace . Combat typically offers four options for weapons : a primary weapon , secondary weapon , pistol and grenade . Three other players are with the team , and they can be controlled by the computer or by others for co-op play , which is fun if you want to get a real feel for the campaign while enjoying the game with your friends . The weapons have weight to them and feel powerful . Shooting from behind cover , one of the hallmarks of the franchise , is required as enemies appear from nearly every angle . You 'll want to keep your head down . Teamwork is key . Not only will a mate come to your rescue when you are down , they can also set up opportunities to flank your opponents and end battles quicker . It all flows naturally ( much like the copious amounts of blood spilled in the battles ) and is well-paced , with plenty of ammo and weapons to be scavenged and used . The game helps new players along with a casual mode that highlights enemies and objectives for easier play . There is an `` aim-assist '' mode that will line up enemies if you have trouble getting those pesky Locusts in your crosshairs . Six modes of multiplayer action offer all kinds of mission objectives beyond just killing the other team . Whether it 's capturing and holding an enemy leader ( while defending your own ) or playing as one of the monsters against human opponents , variety will keep players entertained . Dedicated servers around the world , which will host the multiplayer games , also will be available , fulfilling a common player desire from previous `` Gears of War '' games . Developers said this should eliminate the perception that players hosting multiplayer matches had an advantage over other players . The real victory for `` Gears of War 3 '' is the immersive and gripping story . Lingering questions and mysteries finally get answers , and there is a sense of finality that runs through the entire campaign . The interaction between characters never feels forced or fake . Their emotions are believable , and their concern for one another is genuine . I described it to a friend as a `` soap opera for guys , '' but it is more like a TV mini-series . The action blends well with the dialogue and creates a flow that helps pull the player along from scene to scene . It all comes off seamlessly and leaves the player emotionally invested in all of the characters . But be prepared for the unexpected as people will die and loyalties will be tested . Overall , `` Gears of War 3 '' is exciting , emotional and blends competitiveness with teamwork . Whether playing the campaign alone or with friends , the story mixes with the action fluidly and provides a satisfying feeling even if the ending may not be to your liking . In multiplayer mode , the different modes offer challenges for any type of player and put a premium on strategy to achieve victory . As this trilogy ends , do n't be surprised if there is more `` Gears '' action down the road . Plans for books , comics and film projects are out there , so it may not take much to enlist Delta Squad for another mission . `` Gears of War 3 '' is available now in North America and Europe and will be available Thursday in Japan . It is an Xbox 360 exclusive title and rated M for mature due to blood and gore , intense violence and strong language . This review was done playing the single-player campaign and trying out the multiplayer modes on the Xbox 360 .
` ` Gears 2 '' described as `` the most influential game of this generation '' third installment wraps up the story arc for the Marcus team , answers lingering questions . Game starts seven years after the conclusion of ` ` Gears of Wars '' and finds Marcus in jail .