Gears of War 3 (Microsoft Xbox 360, 2011)

The final chapter in Epic's Gears of War trilogy wraps up the story of the Delta Squad in its last-ditch effort to save what's left of humanity on war-ravaged Sera. New playable characters join protagonist Marcus Fenix and crew, along with a ghastly group of new enemies to battle. Additional weapons to master include the deadly sawed-off shotgun and digger launcher, which fires an explosive projectile that burrows its way into the ground toward your target. Gears of War 3 also includes both cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes via Xbox Live.

Online matches let you gain experience and earn rewards for participating in various game types and performing all-new actions such as weapon-specific executions. Matches now take place on dedicated servers, and various gameplay tweaks have been added, such as the ability to "tag" enemies in your sights for teammates to track. New map types vary in size and atmosphere, ranging from a grocery store and freeway overpass to a courtyard and sports arena. Play modes include Team Deathmatch, Capture the Leader, King of the Hill, and more.