Part 20

Navigate the treacherous Part 20 of Gears of War with this expert walkthrough. Master the split paths, defeat relentless Locusts, and find all the collectibles.

Alright, let's get through Part 20. It starts with a bit of a slide down a waterfall. Grab any ammo you need and push forward. You'll run into a bunch of Locusts down here, so whip out your Longshot and take them out from a distance. Most of them won't rush you, which is a bit weird considering some are packing shotguns.

After clearing them out, head into the area where they were. Look to your immediate left for some Cog Tags (CT23). Then, go up the stairs and inside the building to find an ammo box. Keep moving straight down the path.

You'll come across a collapsible stalagmite-stalactite-column. If you've got the Lancer, shoot it. If you're using the Longshot, just snipe the Locust Sniper you'll see and then switch to your shotgun. As you leave this enclosed area, expect an ambush from more Lambent Wretches. They all come from one direction, so as long as you don't push too far ahead, you can shotgun them pretty easily. The path then splits briefly, but don't worry, both ways are the same.

You'll hit a checkpoint when you reach the bottom, where there are two small walls with an opening between them. Around the time the path splits, a group of Lambent Wretches will head your way. Try to take them all out before they get too close. The left path has some big ammo boxes if you're running low, but nothing else. The right path has more Wretches, a Boomer, and your objective. Take cover, deal with the Wretches first, then snipe the Boomer. If you don't have the Longshot, get close to the pillar near the Boomer and use your Lancer. Then, head down the path to the right.

Another checkpoint, and yep, you're falling again. Great.

This next room is packed with Lambent Wretches. Seriously, this part is a nightmare on Insane. My best bet was to hang out as far north as possible. Turn around and shotgun any Wretches that get close. Once they're all dead, one will explode, creating an exit for you. Head through it for another checkpoint and a split path... joy.

LEFT PATH

Gamespot suggests the right path, but I think this one's easier. Head forward with your shotgun ready. Take cover behind the small wall to the left of the ammo box and wait for the Wretches to get close, then blast 'em. There are a couple of Locusts up top you can take out with the Longshot or Lancer. Keep moving forward, under the right path, and take cover behind the first small wall you see. Same deal: wait for Wretches, shotgun them, and then snipe the Locusts. If you're on Insane, the Locusts on Dom's path will harass you, so take them out too. As you advance, some Wretches will drop from above – shotgun them all and keep moving. That's it for this path – checkpoint and we're onto the 'Afterwards' segment.

RIGHT PATH

This path feels tougher to me, even though Gamespot calls it the easier option. Maybe it's just habit from doing the left path so much. Whatever the reason, you've chosen it, so let's get through it. Head down the path, shotgun in hand. Move forward and take cover behind the pillar. Quick tip: if you get overwhelmed and are about to die at the pillar, fall back to the rocks. First, shotgun all the Wretches that come at you, then use your Longshot to take out the Locusts hiding behind the rocks up ahead. Once they're dead, move up the path and over to the right path. Hide behind a wall tall enough to keep Marcus standing. Now, repeat the process: shotgun the Wretches and Longshot the Locusts. On Insane, the Locusts on the left path will be a nuisance, so use your Longshot to take them out as well before proceeding. Move forward. When you reach the large pillar-rock between the two paths, several Wretches will drop down. Shoot them all. Finally, two more Locusts will appear – easy to take out with either the Longshot or Shotgun. Kill them and end this nonsense.

AFTERWARDS

Whoo, you made it through one of those paths! Good job. You've got another checkpoint and a bunch more enemies just up the path.

As you head down, there's a small off-branch on the right with some ammo if you need it. Keep going and you'll meet a lot more Locusts in this hallway.

Take cover behind the first wall you can find. Try to take out the Wretches crawling on the ceiling with your Magnum. Any Locusts that get close – and they like to do that here for some reason – shotgun them. For any that hang back, use your Longshot. Gradually make your way down the hall, repeating this process.

When you emerge into the large opening, you'll see a Corpser to your left. Do a 180-degree turn and head left to find another set of Cog Tags (CT24). Turn back around and head north until you hit a checkpoint and the next chapter.

INSANE NOTES

The Wretches are surprisingly manageable on Insane if you know what you're doing. The key is that you're not being ambushed like before, and you should have a good feel for the right distance to shotgun them by now.

The Left Path generally feels easier on Insane, but there's a solid strategy for the Right Path too, so if the left is giving you trouble, give the right a shot. No guarantees, though!

During the final firefight of this chapter, make absolutely sure you don't leave cover! Try to get all three Wretches with your Magnum before they get close, or they'll start jumping you.