Note: This article contains spoilers for the Gears of War franchise.
The iconic franchise of Gears of War has captivated gamers since the initial reveal of its haunting trailer back in late 2006, featuring Marcus Fenix in a desolate city, evoking an emotional response with Gary Jules’ rendition of “Mad World.”When the game launched in November 2006, it introduced players to a gripping narrative where Fenix and Delta Squad confronted Locust General RAAM and unleashed the devastating Lightmass Bomb within the underground Hollow. While the first installment was lauded for its innovative third-person gameplay, compelling online multiplayer, and cooperative campaign, it stirred a thirst for deeper storytelling within the world of Sera and its intricate conflict with the Locust Horde.
With the release of Gears of War 2 in 2008, the franchise solidified itself as a staple for Xbox, enhancing every aspect from multiplayer experiences to narrative depth. From its explosive beginnings, Gears of War has evolved into a powerhouse franchise, expanding its rich lore through novels, comics, and a total of nine games along with two story-driven DLCs. The anticipation builds for the upcoming tenth installment, Gears of War: E-Day, which will delve into the origins of the Locust War. Below, we present a ranked evaluation of previous Gears of War campaigns based on their gameplay and storytelling.
S-Tier Gears of War Campaigns
- Gears of War 2
- Gears of War 3
- Gears of War 3: RAAM’s Shadow
The pinnacle of Gears of War experiences encapsulates the perfect union of thrilling gameplay and compelling narratives, excellently demonstrated in Gears of War 2. This installment showcases the tragic tale of Dominic Santiago as he searches for his estranged wife, Maria, while also revealing the origins of the Locust at the New Hope Facility. The campaign’s intense final moments, including the last stand at Jacinto, earned it a cherished spot among fans, solidified by engaging new gameplay elements like Tickers and Kantuses.
Following closely, Gears of War 3 features a deeply emotional storyline enriched by new gameplay mechanics such as the introduction of Lambent creatures and iconic weapons like the Retro Lancer. Players could also expand their experience through the RAAM’s Shadow DLC, which focused on both Zeta Squad’s efforts and a dramatic reimagining of RAAM’s character during Illima City’s evacuation, nine years post-Emergence Day.
A-Tier Gears of War Campaigns
- Gears of War 1
- Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
- Gears of War 4
- Gears 5: Hivebusters
While Gears of War 1 marked the franchise’s debut, it lacks the character depth that fans have come to expect. Although Delta Squad is composed of distinctive characters, they do not fully evolve until later installments. Additionally, the gameplay suffers from a lack of variety due to fewer Locust ranks, resulting in frustrating combat scenarios, particularly against certain enemies like the Armadillo and Kyrll. Nonetheless, this title remains a cornerstone of early Xbox 360 gaming.
In a similar vein, Gears of War 4 managed to capture audience attention but wasn’t without its criticisms. The Coalition introduced significant narrative arcs that revolved around the resurgence of the COG and the return of the Locust, albeit under the guise of the Swarm. Players eagerly explored these themes, especially in Hivebusters, which delved into the connection between Kait’s lineage and the evolving threat.
B-Tier Gears of War Campaigns
- Gears of War: Judgment
- Gears 5
- Gears Tactics
Although no Gears of War campaign falls into the “bad”category, some titles simply lack the engagement level seen in the main series.Gears of War: Judgment, as the first prequel, struggled to evoke the emotional depth of the original trilogy. While it contributed some lore insights concerning the Union of Independent Republics, the game felt limited in scope and often confined players to predetermined gameplay styles through declassified missions.
Similarly, Gears 5 explored the Swarm’s connection to the Locust, but its narrative choices—particularly regarding character portrayals—drew criticism. The introduction of more open-world elements via the Skiff was intriguing, yet the gameplay didn’t capitalize fully on these areas.Gears Tactics offered a tactical glimpse into the early Locust War, but the turn-based mechanics risked repetitive experiences compared to traditional gameplay standards in the franchise.
It’s noteworthy that the mobile strategy game Gears Pop!, created by The Coalition and Mediatonic, currently stands as the only entry in the series devoid of a traditional campaign mode.
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