'They get a lot of benefits from using power weapons, heavy weapons, and turrets.' 'This is really for the people that like big explosions and big weapons,' says Cleven.

Heavy: For those who just want to mow down the Horde in droves, using whatever artillery they can get their hands on.

'They're really the backbone of the 'building the base' play that's in the game.' 'They get discounts at the Fabricator, and wield more effective and efficient reloading and repairing tools,' says Cleven.

Engineer: An adept builder who can reshape the map with their fortifications, making life easier for all their allies by funneling enemies into chokepoints or deploying weapon pickups.

'You'll have the Scout out there running around picking up power and engaging in very close-range combat through either buffed shotgun play or buffed melee play, and we give them a whole bunch of survivability benefits.' 'The goal of the Scout is to be out there collecting power, the Fabricator to build fortifications made by the Engineer,' says Cleven.

Scout: A close-combat expert perfect for those who want to run around the frontlines, smashing through baddies at point-blank range.

'So if they're a Sniper that likes to counter more mob-type opponents, they can build in that direction.' 'One of the skills they can equip allows them to get explosive headshots, which will do AOE damage,' Cleven explains. But even when there's no main target to focus-fire, they can still rack up kills. As you'd expect, they excel when using a Longshot or the new Mbar sniper rifle.

Sniper: The marksman that's constantly on the lookout to headshot larger creatures.

'It embraces the idea of the Lancer and cover,' says Cleven, 'and gives you bonuses for things like landing great active reloads, or taking less damage when in cover, as well as expanding out the idea of defensive grenade play.' Soldiers are the all-rounders of the bunch, able to maintain defense while still putting out decent DPS.

Soldier: The embodiment of classic Gears gameplay, where you hunker down behind cover and shoot anything that moves.

GOW4's lead multiplayer designer Ryan Cleven gave me a quick breakdown of each class: And finally, the most crucial change of all: a class system with five specialized roles, complete with unique abilities that let you tune your armor-plated supersoldier to your preferred playstyle. Then there's the addition of the Fabricator, a critical, movable structure that lets players pool resources to build defensive fortifications like barricades and turrets.

Enemy types vary, but every 10 waves, you'll have to take down a particularly tough boss, just like previous Horde experiences.

Following the events of Gears 3, Locusts are out, replaced by mutants known as the Swarm and an army of DeeBees (a deceptively goofy nickname for killer robots). First up on the list of sweeping shifts is the Horde itself.

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