Gears of War 2 Filters Replace Blood with Sparks, Remove Swearing for Younger Players

Epic Games' upcoming third-person shooter sequel Gears of War 2 (360) will feature optional filters for both on-screen violence and language to make the game more appropriate for younger players.

Said to feature more brutal violence than its predecessor, Gears of War 2's optional filters "turns the blood into sparks" and "takes out all the swear words," Microsoft informed parental gaming resource What They Play.

In addition to series mainstays such as the chainsaw-equipped Lancer rifle, the game was recently revealed to feature new gameplay elements including deathblows to crush downed enemies and the ability to use wounded foes for use as meat shields.

It remains to be seen whether any of these elements will be modified or removed in the presence of an applied gore filter, or if the option is limited strictly to replacing blood with sparks.