An accurate indicator of whether a game is any good is time. It may seem obvious, but if a game sucks you in enough to play for longer periods than you normally would, that’s a very good sign indeed.

I’m an antsy gamer. Even with games I like, I can’t sit and play one thing for more than maybe two or three hours at a time. I just can’t. I have to stop and do something else.

This is why “Gears of War” is an amazing game: I played for five and a half hours without interruption, and I only stopped because I had to be somewhere. It’s that fun.

“Gears” may not offer up anything particularly groundbreaking, but what it does give is a shooter so fine-tuned that it feels like second nature to play. Everything about it screams perfection.

I’d tell you the storyline, but to be honest I’m not really sure what it is. It’s not a very integral part of the game. What I have figured out is that a planet inhabited by humans has been invaded by an alien race called the Locust Horde that has burrowed underneath the ground intent on taking out mankind.

As Marcus Fenix, fresh out of prison, your job is to help defeat the invaders.

“Gears” is a mix of first- and third-person shooting. While you’re running around, the view is over the shoulder. By holding the left trigger, your view switches to first-person with a targeting reticle in the middle.

Emphasis is on duck and cover; simply running and shooting will get you killed. Luckily, the cover system works great. Tapping the A button makes Marcus hide behind a wall or tree or whatever’s there. Then, when you target with the left trigger, he pops out and shoots. You also can dive-roll from one cover to another.

The weapons at your disposal vary from a typical assault rifle to high-powered pistols to the “Hammer of Dawn,” which is essentially a laser that shoots down from the sky and disintegrates its target. How cool is that? Meanwhile, the default assault rifle comes has a chain saw bayonet attached - yes, I said chain saw.

Graphically, “Gears” is absolutely gorgeous. There isn’t much difference between the cut scenes and in-game action, and all of it looks amazing.

There were a few times during heavy fighting that the game stuttered, making me fear the system was about to lock up, but luckily, those moments were few and far between. 

Amusing dialogue between the characters is sprinkled throughout the game. It’s also funny, at least to me, to hear a hardened convict say “Sweet” when something cool happens.

“Gears” definitely earns its Mature rating, though, as it’s not afraid to break out the swear words.

Add to that an extensive and well-done online multiplayer, and “Gears of War” is a well-rounded experience.

If you have an Xbox 360, you must buy “Gears of War.” If you don’t have an Xbox 360, you need to buy one for “Gears of War.” “Halo” killer? Quite possibly.

Gears of War

Microsoft, for Xbox 360

Rated: Mature

Cost: $59.99

Score: 10/10

Scores based on an evaluation of gameplay (4 points), visuals (2), sound (2) and replayability/value (2).#

Reach Aimee Green at (402) 473-7326 or Aimee.Green@lee.net.