So, I got around to trying out Gears of War 2, and quite honestly, I'm not particularly impressed.

I liked the gameplay innovations in the original Gears, and Gears 2 takes all that was good and pretty much does the same thing. These innovations aren't innovations anymore; we've seen them used before, so the novelty of taking cover or curb stomping an enemy seem like standard fare in Gears 2. Things like punching a downed enemy to death or using them as a quote-on-quote "meat shield" really don't push the game any further. They just feel tacked on.

There are some dynamic moments and the shooting sequences are fun, but as I move deeper and deeper into the Locust Horde's home turf, I'm worried that the game will falter the same way the original did: it's a "grey/brown" game. After seeing such stylized games like No More Heroes, Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts, and even The Orange Box, Gears of War feels flat. The environments lack distinction and uniqueness.

Keep in mind that this is a first impression, so my verdict is not yet final, but really, it just isn't shocking me.

But let's move on to MadWorld, a game that I cannot wait to play.

The graphic style to me looks like a mix between the ultra-violence of No More Heroes with the stunning comic-book shading of Viewtiful Joe, two games that possess undeniably distinct graphic styles. I admit that screenshots of MadWorld have had a tendency to look the same, but in motion, the game shines. In the footage I've seen of MadWorld, there are some amazingly obscure ways to turn an opponent into a blood fountain. From what I've seen, the controls follow context-sensitive events where you can swing the Wii Remote to make something violent happen.

But aside from the clean and stylized graphics and the viscerally satisfying gameplay, the commentary is hilarious. John Dimaggio (known for his work in Futurama as Bender and, yes, Marcus Fenix from Gears of War) and Greg Proops (a famous improv comic) work together to make some absolutely hilarious commentary while main character Jack is beating the crap out of enemies. It's over-the-top to say the least, but unforgettable.

When I played No More Heroes, I could officially confirm that the Wii is a good home for action games, and Platinum Games knows it better than anybody. MadWorld could well be the Wii's crowning moment since Twilight Princess and Brawl. I'll be sure to pick up this game once it arrives in March.