Summary
Gears of Warneeds no introduction. For many players, particularly those who owned an Xbox 360 in its heyday,Epic Games' original trilogy was a highlight of that generation and set a gold standard for third-person shooters. Now, with theGears of War: Reloadedremaster set to launch for Steam, Xbox Series X, and PlayStation 5 later this year, a return visit to Sera to tangle with the Locust seems timely.
There is so much to love about the flagship franchise, whether for new players who have never sampled its gruesome delights, or anyone who just wants topick up a Lancer againand gun that chainsaw bayonet for old time’s sake.
10The Challenging, Rewarding Combat
Making Players Work For Their Bloodshed
The originalGears of Warintroduced a version of third-person combat that focused on making the best use of the surroundings. Players who ran headlong into combat could expect a swift demise. Using the cover mechanic, watching the ammo counter, and drawing beads on targets in priority made up the core of the gameplay.
As the sequels emerged, new enemies that challenged that style were introduced, meaning that things were always fresh.
9Co-Op Done Right
Keep Your Friends Close
Gears of Waris froman era where campaign co-opwas still a huge selling point, and it has aged like wine. Managing a combat area between two individuals, co-manning different vehicles, and tangling with larger-than-life bosses felt great.
Gears of War 2introduced Horde Mode to add an arcade twist, which has become ubiquitous across multiple genres, andGears of War 3expanded co-op to four players.
8The Oppressive Setting
Que Sera
The original trailer forGears of Warfeatured Marcus Fenix running desperately through the dark, set to the tune of Gary Jules' stripped-down cover ofMad World. It set the tone for how Sera feels in the games - a dark, menacing alien world where humans are just barely holding on.
The ruins and hovels above ground give way to a cathedral of biomechanical horror below, which is when it becomes clear just how alien Sera is, a feeling that the lighting, music, and design execute beautifully.
7The Lancer
Happiness Is A Chainsaw Gun
Rarely in any game is the default starter weapon the fan favorite, but the Lancer rifle has become iconic. Even before examining the revving bayonet, the feel of it as it pumps heavy-duty rounds into blood-spurting Locusts exemplifies the marriage of controller feedback, damage physics, and sound design that all theGearsgames do so well.
Then, of course, there’s the moment the player gets up close and finishes the job. The lancer shines, even in a franchisefull of memorable killing tools.
6Inventive Boss Fights
What Comfort Zone?
Many players would cite the early boss fight against the Berzerker asGears of War’s most memorable moment. It takes the player out of cover and challenges them to use the environment to lure the almost invulnerable beast into the open. It’s tense, clever, and emblematic of everything that makes the game great.
It’s also one of numerous boss battles throughout the original trilogy, fromGears of War 2’s wily Skorge to the final showdown with Queen Myrrah inGears of War 3.
5The Humor
Laughing In The Face Of Death
Perhaps the most refreshing thing about theGears of Wargames is that they don’t take themselves too seriously. Thegang of over-muscular starsquip, roast one another, and make light of their circumstances even at the most dire.
In the era of the original trilogy, far too many shooters took themselves too seriously. TheGearsgames knew they were ridiculous, and revelled in it.
4The Locust
An Enemy To Remember
Anyone looking at screenshots of the game might assume that the Locust are just an endless horde of chunky grotesques, but nothing could be further from the truth. The cast of foes is broad and diverse, with each new onechallenging the player to switch up.
They don’t lack for personality, either, especially the Boomers and Grinders, who gleefully repeat the root word of their names as they open fire.
3Gory Death Animations
Look, Ma, No Face
Gore in shooters is part and parcel, ever sinceQuakeintroduced the ‘giblets’ mechanic, butGears of Wartook things a step further.
The animation and sound design depict every laseration, detonation, and dismemberment in eye-watering detail, and the damage players inflict feels genuine and potent. Pulling off an execution inGears of Waris a joy that few other games have successfully replicated.
2A Surprisingly Nuanced Plot
The Hidden Depths Of Sera
Much like the humor, the actual narrative of theGears of Wartrilogy elevated it above many cousins of the genre. Conscription, bereavement, euthanasia, and revenge all factor heavily into the plot, and the second and third games even introduce apower struggle among the Locust.
There are some truly galling scenes nestled in theGears of Wargames, for those willing to look.
1Delta Squad
It’s A Party Down Here
Nothing inGears of War, not the story, nor the mechanics, nor the atmosphere, would be as effective without the central cast.Marcus, Dom, Cole Train, and Bairdare the crucial, essential ingredients that makeGears of Warsuch a joy.
The quips they fling about mid-battle, the sacrifices they make, and the ways they support each other lendGears of Wara beating heart that no grub can rip out. They may look like Linkin Park on steroids, but they carry the player from start to finish.
