The story takes place after the events of the previous games in the series. The COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments) is still reeling from the aftermath of the Locust War, and a new threat emerges in the form of Lambent creatures, which are unlike anything humanity has ever seen before. Players take on the role of Marcus Fenix, Adam Fenix's son, as he leads a team of soldiers to uncover the source of this new threat and stop it.
The gameplay of Gears of War 3 is an intense third-person shooter experience. Players control Marcus as he navigates through levels filled with Lambent creatures and other enemies. The game features cover-based combat, allowing players to take cover behind walls and use special abilities like the Hammer of Dawn to clear out large groups of enemies.