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Thanksgiving is the time of year when people across America give thanks for all the good things that have happened throughout the previous year. I started to think back as to what” Big Perm” is thankful for. I can definitely say that I am thankful for soft-core porn, making fun of the elderly, and blondes and metrosexual men that still think getting a manicure is ok. And don’t let me forget the guy that invented boneless Buffalo wings. But if I were going to think of one thing that tops my list it would be Epic’s new blockbuster, Gears of War for the Xbox 360 next-gen console.

If it weren’t for Cliffy B and his team over at Epic for making such a visually and mentally satisfying game, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to release all the anger and rage for the million things that I’m not thankful for, mainly George W. Bush, Dave Matthews Band and those crazy über wenches on The View. It’s a game that has been getting so much press and exposure, even MTV had a show dedicated to the making and unveiling of Gears. This was the first time that I had the opportunity to see bits and pieces of actual game play, and it looked like it kicked ass. But would I still feel the same when I played it?

Without even reading the manual for Gears, I decided to jump right in and let loose and see what really makes this game so special. You start out as Marcus Fenix, a disgraced war hero who’s being broken out of prison in order to save a world overrun by a horde of juiced-looking aliens called Locusts. Your mission, if you survive the prison break, is to locate Alpha team who has weapon that could turn the tide of the war and kill a whole lot of locusts.

The plot, in comparison with other sci-fi games, doesn’t really get any more involved. The game relies heavily on its intense game play as well as its out of this world visual graphics, which moved me to play this game for 18 hours straight without a bathroom break. This is the first time since the X-box 360 was unveiled that all aspects of a game met with my next-gen expectations. It had everything from realistic movement, to weapons that satisfied my homicidal tendencies, and enemies that challenge even people with the most severe cases of ADD.

One of the most challenging aspects of this game is the ability to take cover behind any object imaginable. Taking cover behind walls as well as burned out cars is the only way someone could survive, unless you try the easy version or you have psychic abilities.

As far as weapons are concerned, you get an array of weapons from smoke grenades to the Hammer of Dawn, which is the best weapon I have ever used in any game hands down. If for some unknown reason the Hammer of Dawn is out of commission I would suggest the COG’s standard military machine gun that is equipped with a chainsaw. Not only does the chainsaw let you get up close and personal with the Locusts it also gives the gamer the illusion of a blood soaked screen.

If I were to choose any of the Locusts to fight it would definitely be a Berserker. A Berserker is a type of Locust that reminded me of Estelle Getty on steroids, only meaner. The other reason that I liked the Berserker so much is because the only way you could kill her is with the Hammer of Dawn.

I owe Cliffy B an apology, not only for doubting his skills, but giving into a preconceived notion that this was going to be just another ordinary game. Just because Gears of War lacks a deep story doesn’t mean that it can’t be an amazing game. If I were going to rate this game I would definitely give it 5 out of 5 bloody chainsaws.