The Gears of War franchise has established a profound bond with the Xbox ecosystem since its inception. Launched in 2006 by Epic Games and Microsoft, the first installment quickly captured both critical acclaim and commercial success, amassing sales of over 3 million copies on the Xbox 360 alone. The original title revolutionized the cover shooter genre, laying a foundation that would influence numerous iconic titles like Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune and Warhammer 40K: Space Marine. Over the years, Gears of War has emerged as a symbol of the Xbox brand, standing alongside other major franchises such as Halo and Forza, and continuing to release new games across Xbox and PC platforms for nearly two decades.
However, the landscape is shifting. Insider information suggests that the Gears of War series may soon expand beyond its Xbox-only status. Prominent leaker eXtas1s indicated in a recent YouTube video that a remastered compilation of the first three Gears of War games is in development. This anticipated collection could debut on multiple platforms, including Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC, on the same launch day. Such a compilation has been brewing in the rumor mill for a while, and its eventual release could yield both advantages and challenges for the franchise.
Evaluating the Pros and Cons of the Gears of War Collection
Unlocking Access to Gears of War 2 and 3
While the original trilogy is celebrated among gamers, accessibility has been a major issue. The first Gears of War has enjoyed several re-releases on both Xbox and PCs, but Gears of War 2 and Gears of War 3 have remained locked to the Xbox 360 platform. Released in 2008 and 2011 respectively, these titles have yet to receive native ports on any contemporary platforms, despite their status as beloved classics. However, players can still enjoy these games through backwards compatibility on newer Xbox consoles, which now support smoother gameplay at 60 FPS on the Xbox Series X/S.
It’s perplexing that Gears of War 2 and 3 have not seen releases on PC, given Microsoft’s initiative to make many of its titles available across various PC storefronts like Steam and the Epic Games Store. With the success of other Xbox franchises, such as Halo: The Master Chief Collection, a potential re-release of Gears 2 and 3 as part of the rumored collection could rectify past oversight and greatly increase accessibility for both PC and PlayStation users.
Shifting Expectations: Gears of War Future Prospects
Despite the excitement surrounding this compilation, there are concerns regarding the expectations it may set for the franchise’s future. New players introduced to Gears of War through this collection may eagerly anticipate continuing the narrative with Gears 4 and 5, paving the way to the eagerly awaited Gears 6. However, it’s essential to clarify that the next title will not follow as a direct sequel; instead, it will serve as a prequel.
During the 2024 Xbox Games Showcase, Microsoft and Canadian developer The Coalition unveiled Gears of War: E-Day, set a remarkable 14 years before the first game’s events. While this reveal thrilled many in the Gears community, some fans were left longing for a continuation of the existing storyline. The Coalition has assured players that they remain committed to advancing the narrative established in Gears 4 and 5. Yet, given the increasing length of game development cycles, a proper sequel may still be years away. As a result, players hoping the forthcoming Gears of War trilogy collection might lead them directly to Gears 6 could face disappointment.
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