Thanks to Hamada for helping with edits.

When people think of my taste in gaming, platforming mascots, cartoony depictions of cockfighting, and wordy, narrative-focused adventures generally spring to mind. We’re breaking away from them today, visiting a series outside my usual wheelhouse: Gears of War. The original Gears is a defining game of the seventh hardware generation, and a major reason why I was happy to own an Xbox 360 during my high school years. Since today marks the seminal shooter’s fifteenth anniversary, let’s interrogate one of its characters.

General RAAM, seen in 2013’s Killer Instinct (Image: Microsoft)

I should be upfront about something: this “Character Chronicle” is a somewhat experimental one. Often, I’m already well-versed in the characters I cover, expressing opinions I’ve held for years, even decades. Gears of War’s General RAAM seems to be fairly popular, and with no disrespect intended, I don’t understand why. Having recently revisited Gears 1, I’m using this opportunity to completely reevaluate its antagonist, hoping to discover the “badass” so many others see.

General RAAM’s History

Gears of War opens with protagonist Marcus Fenix getting busted out of jail by Dominic Santiago, his old buddy. Together, they fight the Locust army – a war is going on between mankind and the mutants, after all – and meet up with fellow COG soldiers. A hectic shootout ensues, causing Locust champion General RAAM to make his entrance. First, he gives orders to his men. Then, the giant approaches COG lieutenant Minh Young Kim and stabs him, forcing Marcus’ squad to retreat. A few cameos notwithstanding, RAAM doesn’t return until the final act. Knowing the humans plan to detonate a bomb that’d cripple the Locust forces, RAAM intercepts Marcus and Dom, fighting them aboard a speeding train. Unfortunately for the cave-dwelling creatures, his efforts are unsuccessful and lead to his death.

Notably, General RAAM’s inclusion was a “last minute” one. His name comes from “the owner of a local Indian restaurant frequented by Epic’s staff.” (Image: Microsoft)

However, RAAM’s passing gave rise to a new foe: Skourge. During Gears of War 2, Marcus even claims Skourge makes his predecessor “look like a goddamn pushover.” Gears of War 3’s RAAM’s Shadow prequel campaign backfills its namesake’s history with Minh, revealing RAAM killed one of his friends. Surprisingly, RAAM himself is also playable during part of Shadow. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, a remaster of the original, gave RAAM some preferential treatment, updating his design and debut scene. A multiplayer staple, RAAM dutifully appears as a playable Locust soldier in all five numbered Gears installments. The now-defunct Gears Pop! features RAAM, as does the hideous toy line it’s based on (among other pieces of merchandise). Killer Instinct added the burly boor as a guest fighter in its third season. The strategist nabs a few cameos in Gears of War: Midnight, a one-issue comic.

Finally, he assumes the role of protagonist in his own four-part comic series, The Rise of RAAM. Seeking a fresh perspective on a familiar face, The Coalition (who assumed control of Gears following Microsoft’s acquisition of the property) and writer Kurtis J. Wiebe saw potential in RAAM. Fighting an endless war against the Lambent, a parasitic lifeform that corrupts his kind, the brawny warrior decides the Locust must change strategies. As RAAM rises through the ranks, he gains counsel with the Locust Queen, Myrrah, and eventually persuades her to wage war against mankind. 

In GameSpot’s 2010 “All Time Greatest Game Villain” poll, General RAAM beat Final Fantasy‘s Sephiroth before losing to Star Wars’ Darth Vader. (Image: Microsoft)

So, what’re my thoughts on RAAM?

Ah, Gears of War. I enjoy playing it, even if not competitively. Nevertheless, elements of the game never clicked with me. Gears’ palette is extraordinarily muted, obviously in service to its war-torn setting. It’s functional and fits, but few areas in the game leave a lasting impact because most blur together. Gears’ narrative is also threadbare, only functioning as connective tissue to link its well-choreographed firefights together (Judgement writer Tom Bissell has openly admitted this). Now, Epic Games wanted to portray a civilization torn apart through war and amoralities. Gears’ excellent ”Mad World” trailer presents its world, Sera, in a tragic, contemplative light. Later, Epic proudly called Sera a “destroyed beauty,” and former series steward Cliff Bleszinski even cited World War II and the Gulf War as inspirations behind its plot. Meanwhile, the game itself undercuts these efforts to ascribe it substance. Basically, Gears plops you in the middle of its conflict, teases a storied history it rarely cares to explore (its sequels and supplemental media, however, thoroughly do so to… some success), and flaunts writing that struggles to evolve beyond “eat shit and die!”

General RAAM transcends Gears 1, enduring as the franchise’s “most iconic” villain. This is despite scoring a paltry twenty or so minutes of screen time. Now, a few luxuries admittedly elevate RAAM. For one thing, he’s a distinct individual, a welcome reprieve from the nameless Locust grunts who otherwise populate Gears 1. Plus, his introduction is genuinely imposing, showing him calmly and cleanly strike Minh twice with surgical precision (Ultimate’s overly dramatic redo of this scene largely eschews this). It’s also an intriguing moment for his kind. Heretofore, we’ve only fought common Locust Drones and chimpanzee-like Wretches, so seeing this methodical brute work while Myrrah sagaciously narrates gives them some much needed mystique. Though it’s not an especially strong climax, RAAM’s boss battle conveys his strength effectively. Players mount destructive Troika turrets throughout Gears, so seeing RAAM casually hoist one around as his primary weapon is terrifying. Additionally, he commands a flock of Kryll, nightmare bats whose touch kills near instantly – something anyone who’s made it this far assuredly knows.

Visually, RAAM’s fine. An over-reliance on dark colors isn’t exactly exciting, but it suits him and Gears’ roots in horror. (Image: Microsoft)

And despite Marcus’ throwaway line, Gears 2 ultimately reasserts RAAM’s authority through his successor’s failings. Skourge makes a strong initial impression, sure, but his presence is severely undercut once Myrrah formally debuts. Then Skourge dies after a shockingly unengaging, forgettable fight – which, amusingly, was a direct response to the comically difficult RAAM brawl.

Nevertheless, Gears 1’s literary shortcomings kneecap RAAM. No matter how “badass” he is, RAAM’s dearth of presence makes it easy to forget he’s even there (later versions of Gears slightly alleviate this, explaining his intrusion during the climax). Moreover, never was he so compelling as to demand development or pathos, yet RAAM ultimately received both. Ignoring Darth Vader’s iffy presence in that popularity poll, he is the superior villain. Comparing how the antagonists were portrayed in their debuts, RAAM and Vader actually aren’t dissimilar: they’re both feared enforcers for their respective armies. However, Darth Vader also functions as a warning to greenhorn hero Luke, exemplifying how one can fall from grace. Vader personally knows Luke’s mentor, powering the film’s climax. Finally, the Sith’s affinity for the Force touches upon Star Wars’ mythology. It made sense to delve into Darth Vader in subsequent Star Wars titles, expanding upon these elements. Nothing like that backs RAAM; Marcus and Dom are strangers to him, and he’s just a guy who impersonally kills opposing officers and gets blown up. 

Dee Bradley Baker voices RAAM and various Locust toughs across the series. (Image: Microsoft)

Now, obviously nothing’s wrong with trying to make RAAM more three-dimensional (beloved baddies like Bowser and Dr. Eggman grew more well-rounded over time), nor in offering a deeper, more sympathetic perspective of his people. However, regardless of their worthwhile moments, these efforts come across as inorganic attempts to affix weight to RAAM. Portraying this cruel killer in a heroic light is bizarre, and retroactively tacking on a feud between him and Minh is, dare I say it, forced.

This medium has no shortage of interesting villains. Some test their opposite numbers’ mettle or gray matter, while others push their enemies to their physical limit. Other villains are just plain fun, boasting incredible charisma, distinct designs, or a novel concept. General RAAM never reaches those lofty ranks. Nevertheless, there’s nothing wrong with him either – he’s serviceable, and an appropriately large slab of meat to fill with bullets. So I suppose my mission was a failure, since I’m no closer to understanding RAAM’s appeal. But I’m honestly fine with that. Fiction and media resonate with us all differently, speaking to our different tastes, values, and life experiences. RAAM can keep his fans, and I’m glad they have numerous outlets through which to appreciate him. And though my apathetic opinions of the creep persist, I am glad he made it into Gears – it would have been lesser without him.

Congratulations, General! Enjoy a dish best served cold. 

Historically, Gears struggles to create memorable rogues, but RAAM is probably its most successful one. Despite his untimely demise, he lives on as the de facto face of the Locust Horde. (Image: Microsoft)

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Cart Boy

Cart Boy wants to be the very best, like no one ever was. When the stars align properly, he also writes articles, edits his peers' work, and helps run Source Gaming's social media.

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