Epic has confirmed that the much loved and massively successful series of games, Gears of War will reach it's climatic end on April 5th 2011 in the US (and Asia) when it's third and final instalment comes to the Xbox 360. The first two blockbuster games have sold more than 12 million copies and continue to draw people to the Xbox 360 platform. Microsoft and Epic are looking to whip up a frenzy before the game's release next year by announcing it early. Epic say the third game will tie up all the loose ends from the first two games and bring the story to a close one way or the other.

Gamers in Japan will receive the game on April 7th while those in Europe can get their hands on it the following day on the 8th. The really awesome news about Gears of War 3 is that it will feature 4 player co-op throughout the campaign, allowing players to play as Baird or Cole. Now that's just spiffy.

There will also be several enhancements to online multiplayer including better region filtering which will limit laggy gaming. GOW3 will also see the return of some of the original multiplayer maps that gamers enjoyed previously.

Epic's design director Cliff Bleszinski said, "When we released 'Gears of War' more than three years ago, we set out to tell the world an unforgettable story of bravery and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds, and a year from now, players will get the chance to experience the final chapter in the story of Marcus Fenix and his companions in Delta Squad. This is definitely the biggest and most dramatic chapter yet in the 'Gears of War' saga, and we can't wait to deliver it."

The third instalment will see Marcus and his Delta squad team fight to save what's left of humanity after the last of the human cities has been destroyed by the Locust armies and the Lambent. Of course to do this one needs the right equipment which is why you'll find some new weapons in Gears of War 3.

Gamers will get the satisfaction of pummelling the Locus with rounds from a double-barrel shotgun. The new shotgun is more powerful than the original but on the flip side takes longer to reload. In addition to this there will also be the Pendulum Lancer, which in the Gears universe is the model before the Chainsaw Lancer which is the gun of choice in the original two games. Don't worry about the lack of chainsaw however, as the gun features a large blade instead.

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The game will also see the return of Anya from the original games, fighting along side Marcus as part of Delta Squad. It's not clear if she'll be a playable character, however it will be the first time that a female character has been seen fighting in Gears of War.

As part of the  announcement, Microsoft and Epic have put together a little teaser trailer to whet our appetites for the game. The game looks awesome, can't wait, end of story...just watch the video :).

Let us know your child like excitement for Gears 3 by leaving a comment below. I know I can't wait for sure.