Gears of War Video Game Series
A series of TPP shooters set in the universe of science fiction. The series Gears of War was created by Epic Games, but in 2014 Microsoft took over the rights to it, and handed over custody of its development to The Coalition team. In the meantime, such development studios as Poland's People Can Fly, Mediatonic and Splash Damage also marked their presence in the history of the series.
A brief history of the Gears of War series
The series debuted in 2006 with the game Gears of War, which was created as one of the so-called "system sellers" of the Xbox 360 console. Nevertheless, a year later the item was also released on personal computers. In 2008, the item received a sequel entitled Gears of War 2 and released exclusively for the Xbox 360. The third part of the series, i.e. Gears of War 3, appeared on the Xbox 360 in September 2011. The year 2013, meanwhile, brought the first prequel in the brand's history, the Gears of War Judgment from the Polish team People Can Fly.
In 2015, so already after the changing of the guard and the acquisition of the rights to the brand by Microsoft, the game came to Xbox One and personal computers Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, a refreshed version of the first installment of the series. A year later, it was followed by Gears of War 4, the full-fledged fourth installment of the series. The year 2019 brought the release of the fifth installment of the series, titled Gears 5 (which was released for PC and Xbox One, but in time also lived to see a version designed for Xbox Series X/S). Finally, in 2024, it was announced that the brand would receive yet another prequel - Gears of War. Gears of War: E-Day.
The series is complemented by spin-offs. In 2019, Mediatonic studio put into the hands of players a tactical real-time strategy titled Gears POP!, released for PC and mobile devices. In 2020, meanwhile, a tactical turn-based strategy titled Gears Tactics came to PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S. Gears Tactics.
The plot of the games in the Gears of War series
The plot of the games in the series Gears of War takes place in a science fiction universe, or more precisely - on the Earth-like planet Sera. Humanity inhabiting it stood on the brink of extinction when hordes of terrifying creatures called Locusts crawled out from under the surface.
- In the first three installments of the series we get to know the adventures of Marcus Phoenix and members of the Delta squad in the service of the COG (Coalition of Ordered Governments).
- Along with Gears of War: Judgment the developers decided to introduce new characters and related plot threads, with the playable Damon Baird in the lead.
- The fourth installment allowed us to get to know the story from three perspectives: that of JD Phoenix, Delmont "Del" Walker (both belonging to the Outsiders, a guerrilla faction of the COG) and Kait Diaz, living since childhood outside the walls of fortresses protecting humanity from weather and monsters.
- The latter was also the protagonist of the fifth installment, where she attempted to discover the origin of the Locusts and find the source of the nightmares that plagued her.
- Gears of War: E-Day takes us back in time to the eponymous Emergence Day, the day the Locust came to the surface, and lets us once again take on the role of Marcus Phoenix.
Gameplay and graphics in the Gears of War series games
Games in the series Gears of War are counted among the canon of TPP shooters with a camera positioned over the protagonist's shoulder. The pillar of gameplay in them are spectacular shootouts, whose hallmark is the ability to hide behind cover and fire from behind them. Despite the fact that Gears of War was not the first TPS equipped with such functionality, the work of Epic Games popularized this solution and made it an industry standard. In addition, the series is distinguished by high-quality audiovisual design, thanks to the use of successive versions of the Unreal Engine.
Adaptations of the Gears of War series
Series Gears of War has become an inspiration for comic book creators (e.g. Gears of War: Hollow by Joshua Ortega and Liam Sharp) and writers (e.g. Gears of War: Aspho Fields by Karen Traviss). In 2011, Fantasy Flight Games released a cooperative card game set in the universe of Gears of War.
Gears of War Series Evolution
2021
Gears POP!
2020
Gears Tactics
2019
Gears 5
2016
Gears of War 4
2015
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
2013
Gears of War: Judgment
2011
Gears of War 3
2008
Gears of War 2
2006
Gears of War
Gears of War: E-Day
Action
TBA
Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel of the series, focusing on the titular Emergence Day taking place 14 years before Gears 1. We play as younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, observing how their relationship started and dealing with the Locust threat using various weapons.
Gears POP!
Strategy
April 26, 2021
Arcade action game, which is a spin-off of the popular cycle of Gears of War. Here we are dealing with a simple shooter, in which all the characters resemble colorful Funko figurines.
Gears Tactics
Strategy
April 28, 2020
A tactical spin-off of the Gears of War series, developed by The Coalition and Splash Damage studios. The main character of Gears Tactics is Gabe Diaz, who 10 years before the events of first part of the cycle intends to stop the victorious march of Locusts through the planet Sera.
Gears 5
Action
September 10, 2019
The fifth installment in the popular TPS series, in which the players assume the role of Kait Diaz, a character featured in Gears of War 4. The main protagonist sets out to the far reaches of planet Sera to solve the mystery behind nightmares that are haunting her and learn more about the origins of Locust.
- Gears 5: Hivebusters December 15, 2020
Gears of War 4
Action
October 11, 2016
The fourth major installment in the cult futuristic third-person shooter series and the debut of this Xbox-exclusive franchise on an 8th-generation platform. It was developed by The Coalition (previously known as Black Tusk), studio established by a long-time producer of the series, Rod Fergusson. Story-wise, Gears of War 4 is not a direct sequel to the original trilogy; instead, we assume control over a completely new pair of protagonists. The gameplay mechanics remained faithful to proved solutions, therefore the game is still a dynamic, linear shooter that puts emphasizes the use of covers. In addition, the title features a multiplayer mode, including a co-op mode which is one of the series hallmarks. The game’s visuals make full use of the Xbox One’s capabilities while retaining the grim atmosphere of its predecessors.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Action
August 25, 2015
A remastered edition of a famous Xbox 360 shooter game prepared for PC and the eight generation consoles by The Coalition Studio, which comprises largely of the creators of the original release. The game takes you back to the war-devastated planet of Sera, which fell victim to an invasion of an alien race, commonly known as the Locust. Playing as Marcus Fenix, a convicted deserter, you and your team are sent to stop the invaders. The game employs third person perspective. One of the key gameplay elements is the environmental cover system. As compared with the 2006 original, this product features noticeably improved, high-definition graphics. The story campaign was expanded by 5 extra chapters originally available only in the PC version. The list of innovations also includes new maps and play modes, 17 characters previously known from Gears of War 3, dedicated servers, and matchmaking system based on players’ skills.
Gears of War: Judgment
Action
March 19, 2013
The fourth installment in the series of glamorous action games that focus on the war between humans and the dangerous race of Locust. The game was developed by Polish studio People Can Fly (Painkiller, Bulletstorm, and other titles) that belongs to Epic Games. Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel to the story shown in Gears of War. The main protagonist is Damon Baird who, together with his brothers in arms – Augustus Cole, Garron, and Sophia, is falsely accused of treason. The events are shown as series of flashbacks shown during the testimonies of the members of his squad. The gameplay remains faithful to the mechanics used in previous installments of the Gears of War series. However, the developers introduced a few innovations such as the Smart Spawn System.
Gears of War 3
Action
September 20, 2011
The third installment in the futuristic series of shooters developed by Epic Games. The series is the pride of the Xbox 360 console. After the city of Jacinto, the last stand of humanity, is destroyed, COG coalition persists in its fight against the superior forces of the Locust. Marcus Fenix and his companions set out on a journey to find the protagonist's father, who has knowledge of what might be humanity’s last hope to defeat the enemy. The gameplay of the third game in the series employs similar mechanics as its predecessors while offering some new attractions such as never brand-new weapons and enemies. During the single player campaign the player can find almost 60 various types of collectibles. A new multiplayer mode called Beast Mode was added to the game and the cooperation mode was greatly improved, now allowing for up to 4 players to play by using a single console.
- Gears of War 3: RAAM's Shadow December 13, 2011
- Gears of War 3: Forces of Nature March 27, 2012
Gears of War Triple Pack
Action
February 15, 2011
Triple Pack is a collective release of Gears of War. This set includes the first and second parts of this shooter and All Fronts Collection, which is an addition to the second part.
Gears of War 2
Action
November 7, 2008
A continuation of a 2006's third-person shooter by Epic Games. You play as Marcus Fenix, a soldier sentenced for desertion, and face a hostile race called Locust. The action takes place six months after the events of the first installment. Even though the majority of aliens have been crushed, the remnants are still hiding in the underground tunnels while Rustlung – a mysterious, fatal disease – spreads among humans. Soon after Locust implement a new technology allowing them to produce cave-ins that can swallow entire cities. Fenix and his team once again join the war effort with the intention of defeating the enemy once and for all. Mechanics are based on a well-proven formula utilized in the first part of the game. Gameplay focuses on dynamic action emphasizing the cover system. The title introduces a new, easiest difficulty level, new weapons, and a wider variety of enemies and NPCs around which the plot revolves.
- Gears of War 2: All Fronts Collection July 28, 2009
Gears of War
Action
November 7, 2006
A futuristic, third-person shooter by Epic Games – the creators of the bestselling Unreal series. The action takes place on Sera, a planet, devastated by a long war for power sources, resembling Earth. In the result of aggressive prospecting and exploration, hostile monstrosities called Locust started to appear on the surface of the planet and killed 80% of human population. Fourteen years later, as the situation on the frontlines seems hopeless, Marcus Fenix, an ex-soldier convicted for desertion is forced to rejoin the war. Even though the gameplay is dynamic, the game puts a considerable emphasis on tactics and the cover system. As Marcus you make use of a wide range of futuristic weapons and pure physical strength of the heavily armored hero. Apart from the single player campaign, Gears of War offers multiplayer, including co-op and the Execution mode, for up to eight players, in which you have to kill the members of the other team. The game’s graphics are powered by Unreal Engine 3.
Gears of War Series News
Stunning Trailer for Gears of War: E-Day at Xbox Games Showcase Grand Finale. In Prequel, We'll Play as Young Marcus Fenix
At Xbox Games Showcase 2024, Microsoft and The Coalition studio pompously revealed a new installment in the Gears of War series.
video games
Adrian Werner
June 9, 2024
Also Microsoft Cancels Games (Leak)
According to unofficial reports, as a result of layoffs at Microsoft, the studio currently reportedly working on Gears 6, The Coalition, has also shrunk. This has reportedly caused the developer to cancel two unannounced games.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
February 3, 2023
Also Microsoft Cancels Games (Leak)
According to unofficial reports, as a result of layoffs at Microsoft, the studio currently reportedly working on Gears 6, The Coalition, has also shrunk. This has reportedly caused the developer to cancel two unannounced games.
video games
Hubert Sledziewski
February 3, 2023
Best Games for Holiday 2022
Christmas time is neigh, which means many of us will be able to enjoy some more free time. And thus, more time to play. Here are games that are most fun in the holiday season!
video games
Krzysiek Kalwasinski
December 9, 2022
Gears of War Remaster Approaching; GoW 2 and 3 in Demand on PC
Microsoft's trademark application has reignited speculation about remastered edition of the Gears of War series.
video games
Adrian Werner
September 26, 2022
Gears of War Remaster Approaching; GoW 2 and 3 in Demand on PC
Microsoft's trademark application has reignited speculation about remastered edition of the Gears of War series.
video games
Adrian Werner
September 26, 2022
Gears of War Remaster Approaching; GoW 2 and 3 in Demand on PC
Microsoft's trademark application has reignited speculation about remastered edition of the Gears of War series.
video games
Adrian Werner
September 26, 2022
Work on Gears 6 is Progressing; The Coalition is Calling Reinforcements
It seems that The Coalition, currently owned by Microsoft, is seeking reinforcements. According to a job ad posted on the Internet, the company is looking for specialists in motion capture technology.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
May 24, 2022
Work on Gears 6 is Progressing; The Coalition is Calling Reinforcements
It seems that The Coalition, currently owned by Microsoft, is seeking reinforcements. According to a job ad posted on the Internet, the company is looking for specialists in motion capture technology.
video games
Kamil Kleszyk
May 24, 2022
Gears of War Could Receive Remaster Like Halo: The Master Chief Collection
Credible rumors have surfaced online suggesting that the Gears of War series will receive a remastered collection in the vein of Halo: The Master Chief Collection. Another candidate for such a facelift could be the Fable series.
video games
Adrian Werner
January 25, 2022