"Stealth? Stealth my foot! That word's not in my dictionary!"

A huge update for Gears of War 2 today via press release! First up: some sales milestones. GoW2's already broken through the 5-million mark for worldwide sales, thus bringing overall series sales to 11-million. So to celebrate, Microsoft and Epic Games are announcing the new DLC Map Pack and an accompanying add-on retail bundle.

Confirming previous rumors, the new DLC is in fact called Dark Corners, to be available for 1600 MS Points. It's going to contain seven new maps and a deleted campaign chapter which wasn't included in the final cut of the game.

The deleted chapter's called Road to Ruin where Marcus and Dom go back into Locust Hollow. What's cool here is that you can do your usual shoot-anything-that-moves tactic, or... using a supposed all-new stealth mode.

As for the seven other maps included in Dark Corners, the press release details the following:

• Allfathers Garden: Honor the sacred grounds of the Coalition founders in this explosive map, where powerful weapons catalyze fast and furious action at this COG landmark.
• Memorial: Set near the Eternal Flame, which pays tribute to the fallen soldiers on the battlefield, a hard-fought battle ensues at the Tomb of Unknowns. Putting their flank formation and evasive skills to the test, players will fight to control the Boomshot.
• Sanctuary: Once a peaceful ground for reflection and remembrance, all that remains of the Sanctuary is the chill of death. Feast your eyes on the arsenal of weapons available as you make your way through the tight paths and blind corners of the Locust-damaged temple corridors.
• War Machine: In the abandoned train station that once served as a hub for travel, players will need to master the Longshot, Mulcher and Boomshot weapons to advance the fight while evading fire from the platforms above.
• Highway: Take the fight deep into the Locust Hollow in the complex passages of this underground highway system brimming with enemy vermin. Stick together, separate the enemy and have an exit strategy ready or it’ll be a one-way trip.
• Way Station: Sitting in limbo between death and “processing” are Locust way stations filled with fallen COG soldiers. Tread lightly and practice patience as it’s better to sacrifice firepower for stealth while navigating this minefield of hidden grenades.
• Nowhere: Set in the middle of what was once a destination for weary desert travellers, the land is now barren and devoid of life. Pick off your enemies with the Longshot sniper rifle and make your way to the stairwell with a well-fortified team during this intense firefight.

Now the new Dark Corners DLC will be included in the Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection. It's going to be an add-on-only pack, much like Fallout 3's Anchorage-Pitt pack, which only contains download coupons for the DLC, and not a copy of the actual game. All Fronts gets you the following:

• Dark Corners DLC map pack
• Snowblind DLC map pack
• Compustible DLC map pack
• Flashback DLC map pack
• a Cliff Bleszinski intro of Road to Ruin
• custom Xbox Live theme
• collectible GoW2 poster
• and a strategy guide
  

The entire bundle costs US$ 19.99 (£14.99, €19.99) on retail shelves starting July 28. Veeery tempting, is it not? Heck, even if you've been able to get some of those map packs from before, the bundle is still a steal.

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Related articles:

• Epic Games, epic sales: Gears of War 2 sells 2 million units in three days
• Rumor: Gears of War 2 getting Dark Corners DLC after Snowblind?