Microsoft Gears of War 2 for Xbox is a third-person, science fiction video game that follows two Marines tasked with defending humanity against the Locust Hordes. In this version of the Gears of War game, the Locust Hordes gain extra destructive power, with the capacity to wipe out whole cities of humans. Microsoft Gears of War 2 for Xbox also introduces more powerful human weapons such as, the chain gun and mortar. Other innovations in Gears of War include bloodier ways of dispatching enemies close up, including the option to engage in chainsaw duels, a wider choice of enemies, and the ability to pick up dead enemies to use as a shield. This game can be played either alone or with another player or team of up to five players in multiplayer mode. Gears of War also offer a death match mode.