The four months since the release of Gears of War 2 have been busy for the folks over at Epic Games. This week they released the third title update for the game, which adds a new experience system along with a number of other refinements that you can read all about in our Q&A with executive producer Rod Fergusson. Earlier tonight, Mr. Fergusson stopped by the GameSpot offices with Epic's third multiplayer map pack, and we got to run through the three new (and one not-so-new) levels, lancers a-blazin'. Designed to resonate with Gears of War 2's wintery theme, the Snowblind Map Pack offers a great new set of battlegrounds for COG and Locust alike.

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　　GDC 2009: Gears of War 2 Snowblind Map Pack Video Preview

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　　First up is Courtyard, an appropriately named arena set in an urban locale surrounded by tall buildings. The whole map looks like a big rectangle, with teams spawning on the two longer sides. As they pour down into the Courtyard, players can get a glimpse of their opponents across the way doing the same. Low cover is plentiful, but the snowy-white color palette and long sight lines mean long shots and mortar wielders can be particularly deadly. At one end of the rectangle, you can climb stairs to a landing that, while exposed, offers a commanding view of the level. Underneath this landing is an enclosed space where close combat rules the day. At the other end of the rectangle lies some more substantial cover that should shield you from elevated snipers, but lurkers should be wary of enemies sprinting out of their spawn points. A light snowfall and some delightfully healthy foliage give Courtyard an almost mellow feel, but the action contained herein is about as far from mellow as you can get.

　　Next we took a spin around Under Hill. This map is dominated by a large enclosed garage that contrasts plenty of places to duck your head down with deceptively long sight lines. Leading out of the garage are two roads that extend onto an open suspension bridge. Once again, you can risk exposing yourself for a power weapon like the mortar, but the slight arc of the bridge all but ensures you'll be spotted by the enemy. The roads and parking areas that separate the bridge and the garage are dotted by cars--perfect places for players fresh out of their spawn points to take cover. We played a particularly tough match of Submission, where the always obstinate Franklin took a tough position on the top of the bridge, forcing everyone to run through the exposed area to grab him. Dragging him to safety was no easy task, as the route took us right past the enemy spawn point. Even when we reached the relative safety of the garage, we still weren't safe from the vicious lancer fire our enemies poured on until the bitter end.

　　Battling it out on the ground floor of Grind Yard.

　　The third map needs no introduction, as most players will recognize it from Gears of War. Fuel Depot is back by popular demand, with a light dusting of snow to fit the occasion. The sniper is still a hot item, the central warehouse is still a shotgun-heavy slaughterhouse, and the gas pumps still explode with deadly force. Fuel Depot veterans and newcomers alike will be happy to know that this blast from the past is still a blast.

　　Rounding out the package is Grind Yard, a long industrial corridor jam-packed with cover and lined with elevated walkways. Coming at each other from opposite ends of the long rectangle, teams can pick their way through ruined cars and steel scrap to vie for center control. In the middle of the map is a large structure that butts into the battlefield, offering a ramp up to an elevated lookout tower and some powerful weapons. Players making a bid for this position will have to watch out, because the ramp is pinched between two lower platforms that are easily accessible by either team. Opposite the lookout tower is a high balcony that lines one long side of the map. You can be just as commanding from both elevated positions, as we found out when we played Grind Yard in Horde mode. Initially we staked out the lookout tower, but when fierce fire from below kept us pinned down, we took to the streets to clear 'em out. This worked well until a Boomer took up residence on the long elevated walkway and rained down fiery death from on high. Despite appearances, there really are no safe spots in Grind Yard.

　　New maps, same bloody action.

　　It is clear to us from our time with Snowblind that Epic has put a lot of thought into making these maps fun for a variety of game types. They all offer slightly different flavors of the fierce action Gears of War 2 is famous for, and fans are likely to be pleased with these offerings (and the new achievements that accompany them). The Snowblind Map Pack will be available for download on Tuesday, March 31.