Developed by acclaimed studio Epic Games, Microsoft have confirmed Gears of War 3 will be unleashed next spring and have released a teaser trailer.

Following on from the previous game, the plot sees burly soldier Marcus Fenix and his band of brothers fighting against the Locust horde and the terrifing ‘New Lambent’ for the survival of the human race.

Cliff Bleszinski, design director at Epic Games, said: “When we released Gears of War more than three years ago, we set out to tell the world an unforgettable story of bravery and sacrifice in the face of insurmountable odds.

“A year from now, players will get the chance to experience the final chapter in the story of Marcus Fenix and his companions in Delta Squad.

“This is definitely the biggest and most dramatic chapter yet in the Gears of War saga, and we can’t wait to deliver it.”

The game is rumoured to have a four player co-op mode, a selection of new weapons and will introduce new characters, including the female COG soldier featured in the trailer above, who is rumoured to be mission support specialist (and Marcus’ squeeze) Anya, but all tooled-up.

The story has been penned by the noted Star Wars expanded universe author Karen Traviss.