Solo Player Walkthrough for: Written by Cuzit Version 1.0 (This guide has been reprinted and reformatted by Candied Skull with written permission from (Cuzit) Matt Silvey. All text remains in its original form as written by the author.)

Basics

Navigation Instructions: Click the link below to get to the place on this page you want to be. Click on any of the cog symbols () to return to this list.

You have stumbled across the roots of the game, the basics....

Everything from Control to major elements of the game can be found in this section.

Controls

I suppose this is as basic as it gets....

For a diagram, look in the guide. I will simply have a chart here of the button and what it does when pressed.

Left Thumbstick - Move Marcus, Dom, or your Multiplayer character
Click Left Thumbstick - Crouch, only when covering behind a wall tall enough so Marcus stands up
Right Thumbstick - Move Camera and Aiming Reticule
Click Right Thumbstick - Zoom in with Weapons with Zoom
Directional Pad - Switch Weapons (Up for Grenades, Left and Right for Heavy Weapons, Down for Pistol)
A - Cover. More in the "Taking Cover, and Why It's Important" section.
B - Melee. Hold down B with the Lancer equipped to rev chainsaw.
X - Interact (i.e. Open Doors, Press Buttons, Switch Weapons, etc.)
Y - See "Points of Interest" (things the game wants you to get a good look at, either something story related or something helpful, like the Bridge detach button during the last Berserker fight). It also shows you the location of the Squad Leader (during the First Act), Dom if in a Full Squad, or your
other Teammate if the Squad has had to Split Up.
Right Bumper - Reload. Press Twice with the Right Timing to "Active Reload."
Left Bumper - Bring Up List of Objectives and Location and Status of Squadmates
Right Trigger - Shoot. Throw Grenades. You've Played Halo....
Left Trigger - Bring Up Targeting Reticule

Taking Cover, and Why It's Important

In Halo, or almost any other shooter (even Goldeneye, but that games pretty old and basic now), you can stand still in one spot, take a horde of bullets and not die, while carefully picking off your enemies. While Halo kind of has an excuse for this (Master Chief's MJLONIR Armor), it is still unrealistic. While most games stories and themes are unrealistic, that doesn't have to mean the
gameplay is unrealistic, right? Right. In Gears of War (henceforth called GoW, for my sake) Marcus Fenix can NOT withstand a barrage of bullets. A grenade hurled his way will not go shrugged off. A sniper round to the head is a one-hit kill. Hell, stand in the way of a turret, and watch Marcus get
blown to blits, one arm flying to the left, a leg to the right. That, my friend, is why taking cover is important.

That's right - half the time, the only thing standing between you and death is a turned over table, a bit of debris, or something similar (some of these can even be shot up, and where's your cover then?). If you don't want to just randomly spray (hold R while under cover while not holding L), then hold the
Left Trigger. Get some shots in, but get back down quick; hold your head up too long, it's bound to come up missing.

Let's start with basics-

Almost anything can be cover. To get under cover, stand next to an object and press A. Marcus will duck behind it, stand behind the wall, or hide behind it in some way. You can move the left stick in the direction the object goes to move left and right underneath it; press opposite of the object, however, and Marcus will come out from cover, so if you're in a big firefight about to die, don't press the stick opposite of the object (this message brought to you by Common Sense, Inc. =P)! Press R while ducked behind something or while on the corner of a wall to spray bullets randomly. You cannot take injury while doing this (atleast from the enemies you should be aiming at; if one were to flank you, you would still sustain injuries). Press L to bring up the targeting reticule while under cover. Now you can get a good aim on your enemies... but so can they. Be careful. My advice to you (what I usually do, and it *usually* works) is to take aim and fire. Watch your health (the red circle
that appears around your reticule). Once it's about half-full, get back under cover! Let the red completely dissolve from your screen, and then come out blasting again.

Just to note, A will not always put you behind cover, so be careful. If you are moving and press A, Marcus will likely roll unless you are very close to something that can be used as cover. If you are moving and hold A, he will Roadie Run (remember this, now). And to add on to the Roadie Run: If you are going to try to make it from one bit of cover to the next, and its not within a short distance, its a good idea to Roadie Run, because Marcus crouches and is faster, making you a smaller and quicker target (and therefore harder to hit).

Now, what about exiting cover? There are several different ways. When in the correct position to do a specific exit, an icon should appear at the bottom of your screen telling you how to do it. But because I know you're reading this section for the exits, here is the list and how to do them:

While on the edge of an object, press Up on the Left Thumbstick and A to swing out from cover and dash forwards. Keep holding A to Roadie Run. This is useful for getting from one bit of cover to the next swiftly and hopefully cleanly.

While in the middle of a small object that Marcus is crouched behind, press Up on the Left Thumbstick and A to jump over the object. Simple way to leave, but be warned that you are really exposed when hovering above the object. If in a firefight, its best used if there's cover nearby to quickly get behind.

If I am not mistaken, that is everything. Everything about covering. Remember to stay covered as much as possible, as it is a core game mechanic, and ignoring that, you just die to quickly while out in the open to try not to take cover. So if you don't like constantly having to find cover, boo-hoo elsewhere and don't buy this game.

Remember, this is not something you can read and master. I can give you tips and whatnot, but to actually master them you have to put them into play. By the end of the First Act (Ashes) you should be comfortable with taking cover. If not, get used pretty damn quick, because you'll need to later!

Enemies

This section will be under development. For now, let's go with the quick review of what you will be facing.

LOCUSTS

I cannot tell one from the other, to be honest. There are different types, sure, but they are all nothing special. One or two shotgun blasts at short range does them in, and the Lancer makes short work of them, both at long and short range. Unless you're stupid enough to stand in the open, you should have no problem for the most part. (Their firepower makes them somewhat difficult in groups, however).

INSANE: These things can kill you with one punch on Insane. I have admittedly been in situations every now and then where I will shoot a Locust about five times at point-blank range with a shotgun and it not kill a Locust only to have him punch me and I die. Just don't let them get near you, and if they do, get away. Roll away shooting and find cover somewhere else or SOMETHING, just don't stand there trying to shoot (unless they are trying to chainsaw you, of course).

BOOMERS

The big bad baddies. These babies are large, in-charge, and almost as big as Cole. They carry with them the Boomshot, GoW's rocket launcher. In my opinion they are not tough at all. Hit them with a Torque Bow at later episodes from a distance (their size makes them an easy target) to watch them blow. On Casual and Hardcore, two clips with the Lancer will take them down (for the love of God, don't try to chainsaw them, though). Snipers to the head also take them down pretty quick.

Boomer + Shotgun?

However, whenever possible, I find it is easiest to use the shotgun on them. I have never died doing this (though I'm smart enough to know when), unlike when I try to use other weapons. Other people may disagree, but hear me out.

If the Boomers are your only enemies, this is when it is time to break out the ol' shotgun. If there are other enemies, their Boomshot makes them powerful, so a smart idea would be to take them out first. If you get near the Boomers when they are surrounded by enemies, you will be quickly overwhelmed.

If you have decided to get up close and personal with a Boomer, have the Shotgun already in hand. Once you get within a certain proximity of them, they will cease fire. Because of this, if you keep the right distance so they can't melee you, they won't fire on you (or they never have with me)! Hold L and aim for the face. Now give them hell. They should fall with about four shots on Casual, six on Hardcore. If you are fighting two Boomers, they tend to hang pretty close to each other. That being the case, if you're within Shotgun range of one Boomer, the other likely won't shoot at you, either! So take out the first Boomer, then go for his buddy. You're probably already in range.

HOWEVER, I am the one who finds this easy for me and the best way to take out Boomers. Others may disagree, but if you find yourself in a particularly tight spot, why not try my method?

INSANE: Most of the time I sniped these things on Insane, but if there was just one, I still went for my shotgun tactic, and it still worked just as fine, ignoring the fact that it just took a little longer. Some examples of places where this is perfect is at the gas station in Act 2 and the first Boomer after the Berserker in Act 4.

KRYLL

I hate these, and you will soon, too. They only appear in Act 2 and 5. They are invincible and cannot be killed (with one exception). They will kill you almost instantly if they touch you. They look like bats, and if you go into the dark, they will instantly be upon you, and you will probably be dead. They do not like the light, so therefore, as long as you are in the light, you will not be attacked. Don't waste ammo on them, as they can't be killed. If you find yourself near light and being attacked by Kryll, you're best bet is to roll for the light. If you are any further than rolling distance, by the time
it would take for you to hit the A button, you'll likely be dead.

In Act 5, they form a shield for the final boss of the game, General RAAM. These make you hate Kryll even more, for they make a boss that would probably be really easy, really hard. For strategies on that, see the walkthrough for Act 5.

In the Chapter "Burnt Rubber" at the end of Act 2, they can be killed. They are killed almost instantly. Relish this, as it is the only time in the game you can actually kill them.

INSANE: You might not relish this so much on Insane, with the whole "trying-to-stay-alive" thing going on....

REAVERS

Not so hard... on Casual. I usually try to unload a few clips on them with the Lancer and not get shot to death by them. They fly, and never come within shotgun distance, so that's about all you can do. Try the Torque Bow. They are easiest killed with the Turret, though you only get one opportunity with that. I've heard that sniping them is an easy way to kill them, as well. Always aim for the Locust riding it, because if you take it out, the whole creature dies. I believe they only appear during Act 5, near the end of it, at that.

INSANE: Oh my god, I hated these things on Insane. I've always heard people say to snipe them, but I could not manage to do this because of how much and quickly they move. The torque bow is excellent for taking these down, but considering I never use the Torque Bow, I only pick it up around these areas if I can find them... and I usually can't. I'm going to say it now - and please excuse my language - but the part at the end of Act 5 with the Troikas and Reavers? It's a BITCH to beat.

WRETCHES AND LUMINOUS WRETCHES

So similar, yet so different.

Wretches

In my opinion, nothing special. A few bullets with the Lancer or a blast with the Shotgun, and they're toast. No biggie. You can sometimes even get them stuck behind a wall or something for an easy kill.

Luminous Wretches

Their brothers are the luminous version of them. When killed with anything except the chainsaw, they explode, so watch out!

INSANE: Insane mode update yet again, lol. The Wretches go from a "minor annoyance" in Casual and Hardcore to "AAAAAARGH! **** YOU!"'s in Insane. Why? Try to hit kills. And when you can never get in on them faster than they can if they're jumping around your feet, it's an annoyance. On Insane, I found that most of the time if I got slashed once, I was dead.

As for the Luminous Wretches - you will grow to despise them so much on Insane. On Casual, they are no big deal; blast them with a shotgun when they are near and that's about it; they're explosions don't hurt....that changes on Insane. If they explode underneath you, you blow up. If they explode within a certain proximity of you, that's half your health gone, which means if another one gets in to slash you or you kill another one and it blows up, you might get killed. They are so annoying. I found the best way to kill them was just to take the shotgun and get used to the timing so that one shot will kill them but they are far enough away from you that you can roll out of the way quick enough not to be hurt. If you just absolutely get stuck with these on Insane mode, I might be nice enough to show you how I do it if I have the time, but I ask that hundreds of people don't ask at one time - I'm nice, but I've got work to do and a life outside of GoW. ;)

BOSSES

Bosses will be covered in the chapters you encounter them in.

Click the link for the....

Berserker (1)
Corpser
Berserker (2)
Berserker (3)
General RAAM

Weapons

As this isn't an in-depth guide, there won't be much information here. Just basic info.

MY PERSONAL SET-UP

NOTE: See the important update at the bottom of the page. When I say it's important, I mean it's important.

My personal favorite set-up is as follows:

Others may disagree and have their own opinions, but this is my reasoning:

Shotgun is always handy. If an enemy strays to close, pop it out quickly and blast. This is better than the chainsaw because you don't have to wait for it to rev up, and then you don't lose the rev if shot (therefore, probably killing you in the end).

Maxed out Bolo Grenades? Self-explanatory, really. There's only one type of grenade in this game, so why not have them maxed out, since this is the only weapon this slot is used for? Useful when near Locust Emergence Holes, because if you throw one in, the hole seals, and voila, no more Locust to deal with except the ones that have already crawled out. Also useful when you see a group of enemies huddled together....

Magnum? I never use the pistols anyway, so this slot really doesn't matter. The Magnum is just the most powerful pistol in the game (I believe, unless that one pistol with a zoom is more powerful, though off the top of my head, I don't believe it is), and that is why I put it. =P Very rarely do you see me use a pistol.

Lancer is simple. It's fairly powerful and quickly reloads, so fast so that there is almost no break in your fire (if you master Active Reloads, that is). It's good at picking off enemies at a fair distance (I use it over the Longshot almost all of the time). And who can't say sawing up Locust with the chainsaw isn't the most fun you'll have in a while (be careful with this, though. It's not smart or at all wise to run into the middle of the battle with a chainsaw! You'll likely be killed before you reach your enemies, and even if you do reach them, by then you will be shot, and being shot starts over your rev. Constantly being shot at keeps your chainsaw lowered, and more than likely being about to die, you're screwed)?

And that's about it.

OTHER USEFUL WEAPONS

Torque Bow - I only traded my shotgun in for these during the last chapter, though, because they are unbelievably useful against RAAM. To use them, hold R and then release it to fire. If you don't hold down R long enough, the shot will not be powerful enough to penetrate the enemies. Hold down R too long, and the bow will automatically fire the arrow. They explode, so watch out! Longshot - Sniper rifle. I usually avoid it if possible, but that's my preference, because I'm not a sniper person. However, if you are, then by all means go for it! It's really powerful, and almost required for the RAAM fight.

Boomshot - Probably useful, I would imagine, considering it's a rocket launcher, but to be honest, I've never used it. =P

These are all my preferences and opinions. I find these the best weapons to use. If you have a fondness for a particular weapon set-up, email me, and I will consider putting it in the FAQ!

NOTE - I do not include the Hammer of Dawn because to me, it is a worthless piece of crap. It is only usable at certain points of the game, and even then, it is usually just to kill a Seeder or Berserker or something that requires use of the Hammer of Dawn. Almost always when it is needed, you will find one on the ground somewhere, and I will mention where to get them when the time is needed. So unless I say otherwise, switch out the Hammer of Dawn with a shotgun (or weapon of your choice) as soon as the enemy that requires it is killed.

I have now completed the game on Insane difficulty. And let me tell you, if it weren't for the shotgun/sniper combo, I would NOT have been able to complete it. I haven't yet done it, but would imagine this combo would be even better on Casual and Hardcore because they are easier... but after playing Insane, I will be straight up when I say USE THE SHOTGUN/SNIPER COMBO! It makes the game SO much easier on Insane (though not easy by far).

General Tips and Tricks

Here you will find all tips and tricks in this game that apply to more than one area or apply more than once. It will be updated as emails are sent in or I come aware of them in some way or another.

And better yet, it is finally organized! =P

WEAPON RELATED

Always aim for the head. The head kills faster than any other body part. With most locusts, a head shot with the Longshot is a one hit kill!

Master Active Reloading. It is ESSENTIAL. It is also really easy. To do it, as soon as you hit the right bumper, look underneath your ammo guage. You will see a bar with a slider. When the little slider thing hits the white, press R again. If you do it enough with certain weapons, you may memorize when to hit it without looking at the bar. However, it doesn't take much to glance up there for the split-second it takes when you need to reload, and it helps out a lot. You should quickly get a grip on it, and probably never miss it afterwards.

Be smart about the chain saw. I usually only use it if I am sneaking up on an enemy, or an enemy is sneaking up on me when I am shotgun-less. If you try to run into the middle of a firefight with the intent of chainsawing someone, think again.

Throughout most of the game, you will most likely have a shotgun. If an enemy runs up to you but takes cover on the other side of your cover, whip out that shotgun (something I usually do if I see an enemy approaching, anyway) and press L. If you look down, you can aim directly at the enemy, and usually kill him with one shot. Sometimes you've got to wonder what these AI programmers are doing at their jobs, I swear....

See the Note in the Weapons section for the Hammer of Dawn. This is extremely useful. More firepower, man!

Speaking of firepower, do not hesitate to use bullets. Never save ammunition unless it is mentioned, like saving Torque bows for RAAM or something. Usually you can spray everywhere without worry, because ammo pick-ups are plentiful.

ENEMY RELATED

Keep in mind my Boomer tip if you just can't kill the Boomers. I find it useful, and I always have - even when I was a noob at this game (and I still sort of am). So it doesn't take a master to pull it off!

I really don't see the point of shooting Berserkers when they glow red (the only time they are vulnerable to normal firepower), as they unglow and become invincible again very quickly - usually quick enough that you can't finish them off. There's no point in not just using the Hammer of Dawn again as soon as it recharges.

When fighting RAAM, remember this: RAAM is a pimp, and you are his bitch. He can and will push him around, so the easiest way to win without glitching him is to just take him out from a distance with the Longshot.

OTHER

Always plan ahead! Flank your enemies! Plan a route that puts you in a better position than your enemies! And if you can't do none of that, move with the cover and advance on your enemies, and don't let them overpower you!

If you can't beat it your first time through, try playing it on a lower difficulty, and beat that first. Even on the lowest difficulty, the game is pretty hard, so don't hesitate to ask for help. Find someone willing to co-op the first few chapters with you and teach you the ropes if you can't seem to do it for yourself. If you need help, I can help you the best I can on co-op if I'm free. See "Contacting the Author" for more details.

When in a fight, always Roadie Run and roll. That way it will give your enemies a smaller and swifter target, and you will most likely not be hit.