Review : Call to Arms DLC for GOW Judgement

Microsoft and Epic Studios announced the second “Judgment” Map Pack which includes three new multiplayer maps and new free for all multiplayer mode “Master At Arms”. If you are a VIP pass holder, launch the game and you should see the download prompt. This update also rolls in six armor and gun skins for customizing your characters and weapons.

Set against the backdrop of the Locust invasion of Halvo Bay, all three new maps provide a mix of close quarters and vertical combat, keeping Gearheads immersed in the action. .

New Mode: “Master At Arms” (Demo Video)

This is a brand new mode where your ability with all weapons are tested. In this mode you start with the basic gun, and then with every kill the weapons are changed. You will get the blue flash and see a new weapon instantly. There are twenty such weapons in Gears of War along with the newly introduced in Judgement. The game ends when a user makes 20 kills and uses all the weapons.

Good thing is that this is free for all users and will be available for non VIP pass holders at the end of this month. The Call to Arms Map Pack provides 10 new Achievements worth a total of 250 Gamerscore.

This is game mode is not only needs you to keep your alert level high but is the most challenging till date. As an example if you are not very comfortable with shotguns, you will get stuck with it for a long time. The complexity grows as every user has a different gun at any moment of time. This means if you have a boomer in your hand but you aren’t very alert, a person with a shotgun can be deadly for you. Every time you die, you get to keep the last earned weapon.

The best way to win on this game is to be quick and stay very alert. The faster you kill, the chance of getting the high end weapons increases giving you an edge over others. This mode is also a good way to train yourself with every weapon which you will never get a chance in any other mode.

Watch on YouTube

New Maps:

Terminal ( Overrun)

This map is built around a Terminal which was once used to evacuate humans when the Halvo Bay invasion took place. What I find interesting about the map is that it’s straight i.e. you just follow the line of sight. There are no turns and confusion to find multiple paths. However this also creates a strong defense position which makes the game very competitive. Terminal Platforms have very good defense while offense can find corner positions and trains are good positions for counter attack.

The two maps below are available in Standard Multiplayer.

Blood Drive:

If you have played Gears of War 2 and 3 you will find this familiar. Set around Memorial Hospital on Sera this map has been updated with new and changed paths to make it feel like its a new map. As a matter of fact this was my favorite map in Horde Mode. This maps is available in Free For All, Domination, Team Deathmatch, Execution and Master at Arms. If I am not wrong, this is the first map which made its way back to Gears of War Judgment which gives me a strong feeling that more are on the way.

Boneyard:

Sticking to its name the map is built around a really big graveyard where lot of humans got buried and trashed as Sera fell victim to the Locust Horde. What is interesting in this map is that it focuses on few weapons only. Namely BoomShot, Boomshield, Incendiary Grenade, LongShot, Torque Bow and the deadly Hammer of Dawn.

Price Factor:

This map pack will cost you 1000 Microsoft Points. IMO the price is bit on the higher side by 200 MS points because Master At Arms is free for all and one of the map is redefined. Nevertheless I would say that Gears of War Judgment Maps are designed such that it makes the battle very furious.