Gears of War 3 is the kickoff title to the forthcoming orgy of holiday releases, but it's closer to a summer blockbuster movie than a typical game. The third game in the Xbox 360-exclusive trilogy comes packing with a strong, lengthy single player campaign that continues the story of the doomed planet Sera, which has been overrun by a variety of gnarly monsters.   The Gears series is known for several key elements: cover-based gunplay, torrents of gore, sterling multiplayer and an increasingly outlandish armory of weapons. Gears 3 doesn't disappoint, with a variety of top-notch set pieces that, surprisingly, tell a credible story among the constant action.   The multiplayer is top-notch, with a wide variety of well-designed maps and new modes. The best of them, Horde 2.0, combines the second game's wave-based attacks with strategic elements that require teamwork and coordination.    The game looks simply brilliant, with some of the most detailed and convincing texture work to be found on any console, and the characters carry forth much of the humor and overwrought pathos from the earlier titles. With the promise of copious DLC to come, Gears looks to keep delivering over the next few months, and, for action gamers of any breed, it's a must-buy.  Score: 10 out of 10
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