All Articles: Gears of War: Judgment

Microsoft, Epic Games, and People Can Fly are gearing up to release the first paid expansion to Gears of War: Judgment next week.

If you’re the proud owner of a VIP Season Pass, you’ll be able to download the Call to Arms Map Pack on Tuesday, April 23. If you haven’t taken the Season Pass plunge, all players will be able to download the DLC a week later on April 30 for 1000 Microsoft Points ($12.50). The pack will include three new multiplayer maps, a brand-new mode called “Master At Arms,” six armor and gun skins, and 10 new Achievements worth 250 Gamerscore. Here’s a quick rundown of all three new maps:

“Terminal” – The speed and ferocity of the Locust invasion took Halvo Bay completely by surprise. Residents scrambled to evacuate by every means possible, and COG forces were called in to maintain order as martial law was enforced. However, the Locust showed no mercy, and gave no quarter; they swept through train terminals like this one to take advantage of the close quarters and sheer number of defenseless humans trapped within its walls. Sometimes, COG forces could hold the line long enough for a final evacuation, but too many lost their lives in defense of the people and the land they loved.

“Blood Drive” – As casualties started to mount, the staff at Halvo Memorial quickly began what would become the largest triage effort in the history of Sera. Their “Give Blood Today” campaign inspired a global blood drive in support of COG forces and wounded civilians. Sadly, Halvo fell quickly, and the hospital became a battlefront instead of a sanctuary. The seed of hope was planted, however, and government-run Memorial hospitals across the country mobilized to keep the effort alive until Jacinto Memorial was the last standing bastion of hope for the people of Sera.

“Boneyard” – The concept of traditional memorial services had to be suspended due to the constant stream and alarming volume of casualties as Sera fell victim to the Locust Horde. Memorial grounds quickly became boneyards. Unmarked holes became grave sites and mausoleums were filled with the nameless remains of the fallen, their skeletons piled into heaps. Tread lightly, you never know what, or who, you’re walking on, and one day you’re bound to join them.

Epic Games handed off the Gears of War series to their friends at People Can Fly last year and the Polish development team has been hard at work on Gears of War: Judgment ever since. After making its debut at this year’s E3 Expo, we got another look at the game during last night’s Spike TV Video Game Awards.

You can check out the ugly “Grub” in the trailer above and be sure to add Gears of War: Judgment’s March 19, 2013 release date to your calendar.