Gears of Woe?

Ok, after initial disappointment - the lazily designed macho characters still grate - I've been warming to Gears of War over the weekend. Once you've got over the fact that this is just another game - albeit a very polished one - then Gears of War makes sense. And let's face it, if 30 odd years of videogames has taught us anything it's that aliens are there to be shot at. Of course, GoW involves as much crouching behind walls as it does extraterrestrial carnage. Co-op is a particular treat though and makes you wish there were more opportunities for cooperation on Xbox Live. Personally I'm far more excited about Alan Wake but Gears is better than I initially thought. How has Gears of War been for you?