[quote name='gamerguy73']Hi,
I've never played Gears 1 and 2. As a first time player, I'm thinking about ordering it off amazon with the $20 credit. Do you think I'll enjoy it having not played the previous titles? How are the 3rd person controls?[/QUOTE]
I recommend you buy Gears 3. Like someone mentioned before, it's nice to play a game during the height of the hype. Plus, before starting the campaign there's a "Previously in Gears" video that sums it up nicely, you wont miss a thing.
On a side note, if it turns out you cant get enough of gears, going back to 1 and 2 won't be difficult - think of it as a prequel of sorts. For instance, with halo I knew for years what happened on reach, but it was still my favorite game, even though the story wasn't chronological. It would be fun playing Gears in reverse IMO.
Great campaigns with so many classic moments.