18 cert, Epic/Microsoft, Xbox 360 *****

What makes the

Gears of War

games so special? Is it the appearance (a scorched earth drained of most of its colour, dotted with giant insects and burly marines)? Is it the story (an epic sci-fi war saga with emotional heft)? Perhaps it’s the playing style?

Though it delivers on all fronts, gameplay is really what sets Gears of Warapart. Whether single or multiplayer (competitive or co-operative), this third-person duck-and- cover shooter is hugely satisfying. It has the ebb- and-flow of sheltering and attacking, of brute force and tactical manoeuvres (you soon learn to work well with your team) and a rich variety of weapons.

Along with the old favourites (torque bows, chainsaw bayonets and the “hammer of dawn”, which fires a devastating blast from a satellite), there are some nice new surprises, such as the “digger”, which burrows under the ground like Bugs Bunny before springing from the earth and exploding. As always, your avatar is both robust and nimble.

This time around the villains have adapted, which is a logical progression for the story and also means that they’re no longer subterranean. So instead of caverns and caves, the war is fought above ground in abandoned cities (one of which looks like a modern, ashen Pompeii). It’s a gorgeous looking game, and these ravaged communities are genuinely haunting.

This is a nice step forward in storytelling, with the long- running war coming to a head and (more than in previous instalments) some genuine poignancy. Okay, it's not War and Peace, but the game does find room for some soul- searching in the characters and raises a few questions about the horror of war and its moral compromises.

Still, this series is probably best known for its attitude to subtlety: they don't like it! More than anything else, it's a bloody, scrappy and thrilling combat game. The Gearsfranchise is compelling and grandiose, and Gears of War 3feels like a perfect finale. But I sincerely hope it's not.