10 Best Multiplayer Maps From The Gears Of War Trilogy

2. River (Gears Of War 2)

One of Gears of War's prettiest maps is also one of its all-round best. River is a stunning map, featuring frag grenades right by either spawn point. Houses on opposite sides of the map create long-range standoffs as Longshots or Torque Bows can be found at the highest point, giving players a vantage over the bridge that crosses the eponymous river. Beneath the bridge, you'll often find a Boomshot, while the bridge itself is home to the Mortar.

River offers up multi-layered fights. Players standing on the first floor of the houses can take aim at pretty much anyone down below, while being shielded from most of the fight, save for the person opposite them. Downstairs, frag grenades can be used to defend the building. The bridge itself is often home to at least a couple of fights - one on top, in a scuffle either for the Mortar, or simply to cross the bridge, and one below, in an effort to seize the game-changing Boomshot.

However, because River isn't very big, you can almost always see everything that's going on. The map is extremely well balanced, offering both sides the same chance at victory and naturally creating clashes in the centre of the map. The two vantage points keep people on their toes and the matches can often end in intense battles to the death when the sniper is suddenly cornered from behind.