Removing the outer game sleeve, fans will find themselves with a handsome box with a soft leatherlike texture. This acts as an attractive display piece for the Octus Award Service Medal which is clearly visible through the front via a circular plastic window. The medal itself rests in an indentation on a velvety platform that is accessed by pulling down the inner flap.
The Octus Award Service Medal is a solid metal replica that has some nice heft to it. It measures 3 inches in diameter and is wide enough to stand on its own. The medal and box alone are well worth the extra $20.
This is actually the first thing you see when you lift open the Octus Award Service Medal box. Resting on the bottom is a copy of Gears of War 3 in a plastic game sleeve that resembles some futuristic tape. The flap to remove the medal is located directly above the game.
Finally, there's the game! They even packed in some stickers. Also included is the game's instructions and bonus code for an unlockable Adam Fenix Multiplayer Character.
Lifting out the game reveals another hidden surprise, the fabric COG flag. It's a bit smaller than I expected, measuring 15" wide and 12" tall. Guess I should have known a full scale flag wouldn't be included (though that would be cool!) Still, a very nice piece to hang on your wall to display your Gears of War fandom.
Unfurling the flag reveals yet more GOW goodness: the Personal Effects of Adam Fenix. I haven't read these yet, but Epic did a nice job on making the paper replicas look weathered and authentic. Good paper stock too (though the Octus Medal certificate is made of clear plastic).
Lastly we get to Adam Fenix's blueprints for the Hammer of Dawn, the device developed to eradicate the Locust Horde, but instead plunging the planet Sera into darkness and decay.
Final verdict on the
Gears of War 3 Limited Edition? In the immortal words of Marcus Fenix: "SWEET". Time to tear up some Locusts...