Walkthrough - Act 3

Guide through Gears of War 2 Act 3 Chapter 1: Digging In. Face intense underground combat and claustrophobic encounters in the Locust Hollow.

Chapter 1: Digging In

Welcome to Act 3, soldier! This act throws you right into the heart of the Locust Hollow. Prepare for intense underground combat and some truly claustrophobic encounters. Keep your Lancer ready and your head on a swivel.

The Descent

Your team will begin by descending into the Locust tunnels. The initial path is fairly linear. Stick with your squad and be prepared for a few scattered Drones to emerge from the side passages. Use the plentiful cover to your advantage. As you move deeper, you'll encounter a larger chamber with several Locust. Prioritize taking out any Grenadiers first, as their frag grenades can quickly flush you out of cover.

• Objective: Follow the tunnel deeper into the Hollow.
• Strategy: use blind-fire from cover to conserve ammo against initial Drones.
• Collectible: Keep an eye out for a COG Tag near a collapsed support beam on the left side of the main chamber, just after the first major firefight.

The Imulsion Caverns

You'll soon reach a section filled with glowing Imulsion. This area is visually stunning but also treacherous. Imulsion pools can slow you down and make you vulnerable. Avoid standing in them for extended periods. You'll face a new enemy here: the Tickers. These small, explosive creatures will rush your position. Shoot them from a distance before they get too close. A well-placed shotgun blast or Lancer burst will detonate them safely.

• Objective: Navigate through the Imulsion-filled caverns.
• Enemy Focus: Tickers. Shoot them before they explode near you.
• Weapon Recommendation: The Gnasher Shotgun is excellent for dealing with Tickers at close range, or for quickly dispatching Drones that get too close.
• Ammunition: There's a small ammo crate containing Lancer and Gnasher rounds behind a large Imulsion crystal on the right side of the second cavern.

Chapter 2: The Grinder

This chapter introduces a new mechanic: the Grinder. You'll need to operate heavy machinery to clear your path, all while fending off relentless Locust attacks.

Operating the Grinder

Upon entering the Grinder room, you'll find a large, stationary drilling machine. Your objective is to activate it and keep it running. One player (or Dom in single-player) will need to operate the controls, while the other defends. The controls are located on a raised platform to the left of the Grinder.

• Objective: Activate and defend the Grinder.
• Co-op Strategy: One player operates the Grinder, the other provides covering fire. Communicate enemy positions.
• Single-Player Strategy: Activate the Grinder, then immediately take cover near the controls. Dom will provide some support, but you'll be the primary defender.

Wave Defense

As the Grinder activates, waves of Locust will pour into the chamber from multiple entry points. Expect standard Drones, Wretches, and the occasional Kantus. The Kantus are particularly dangerous with their Ink Grenades and ability to revive fallen Locust. Prioritize them immediately.

• Enemy Types: Drones, Wretches, Kantus.
• Tactics:
  • use the elevated positions around the Grinder for better sightlines.
  • Plant Frag Grenades near enemy spawn points if you have them.
  • Conserve your heavy weapon ammo (like the Mulcher or Mortar, if you've picked them up earlier) for the larger waves or Kantus.
  • There's a Mulcher on a weapon rack near the Grinder's control panel. Grab it for some serious damage output.
• Health/Ammo: Look for scattered ammo boxes and a single Stim-pack on the lower level, near the Grinder's base.

Once the Grinder finishes its cycle, a new path will open. Be ready for a final push from the remaining Locust before you can proceed.