PGC NEWS

The development story of Gears of War 4 shares an uncanny resemblance to Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Both franchises saw their creators depart after less-than-stellar sequels, only to be revived by new developers promising a return to the core values that made them famous. Familiar characters return in supporting roles, paving the way for a new generation of heroes. The result is a journey both familiar to longtime fans and fresh for newcomers.

Five years after Gears of War 3 concluded the Xbox 360 era of one of Microsoft’s flagship franchises, and following the lukewarm reception of Gears of War: Judgment, Microsoft entrusted The Coalition with developing a new Gears for a new generation of consoles. Their mission: to recapture the series’ former glory. And it’s safe to say Gears of War 4 makes a grand entrance.

Gears of War 4 – JD Fenix and Kait Diaz

A Solid Debut for the New Gears Squad

Set 25 years after Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4 introduces JD Fenix, son of legendary COG soldier Marcus Fenix. Alongside his friends Del and Kait, JD confronts a new threat, the Swarm, believed to be remnants of the Locust Horde, while evading the COG’s martial law imposed on Sera’s surviving population.

Having fought the Locust for years, the COG has become an oppressive force. In the game’s opening moments, players, now Outsiders, find themselves facing off against DeeBees, robotic workers built for Sera’s reconstruction. However, Gears of War 4 doesn’t dwell on the COG’s darker side; the focus remains firmly on the Swarm.

Emerging from waist-high pods, crawling from grotesque holes while wielding weapons, leaping across the battlefield, and even spitting projectile-like creatures from chest cavities, the Swarm presents a familiar yet evolved threat. While reminiscent of the Locust, especially the Drone’s human-like combat style, the Swarm serves to showcase Gears of War‘s signature visceral combat. One minor disappointment lies in the Swarm’s somewhat homogenous appearance, making differentiation difficult, especially in Versus mode.

Gears of War 4 – Swarm Emergence

Gears of War 4 doesn’t dwell on the COG’s darker side; the focus remains firmly on the new monstrous threat – the Swarm.

The single-player campaign is neither a resounding success nor a complete failure. It’s perhaps best described as a “mixed bag,” offering moments of enjoyment alongside frustrations. Sticking close to the “corridor shooter” formula, Gears of War 4‘s campaign doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but it introduces new elements. Windflares create dynamic weather patterns affecting movement and projectile trajectories, offering tactical advantages. New weapons like the Buzzkill, Overkill, and Dropshot add variety to the arsenal.

Gameplay – Gears of War 4

However, the campaign suffers from a lack of memorable boss battles and scripted sequences. The escape from the Fenix estate and two late-game boss encounters are highlights, but the majority of the campaign consists of repetitive firefights with little variation. The narrative, while featuring engaging characters with witty dialogue reminiscent of Joss Whedon’s work, suffers from plot holes and an abrupt, unsatisfying ending. Gears of War 4 feels like the incomplete first act of a larger story. Playing cooperatively mitigates the repetition and enhances the experience.

Multiplayer Still Burns Bright!

Gears of War 4 wouldn’t be complete without its robust multiplayer offerings: Versus and Horde 3.0. Versus mode delivers the classic, team-focused tactical combat the series is known for. Newcomers, especially PC players experiencing Gears for the first time, can finally enjoy the visceral thrill of wall-bouncing and Gnasher shotgun blasts. Two new modes, Arms Race (similar to Counter-Strike‘s Arms Race) and Dodgeball (a respawn-based tug-of-war), add to the mix.

Gears of War 4 – Multiplayer Action

Horde 3.0 offers a challenging cooperative survival experience. The new class system, featuring Scout, Soldier, Heavy, Sniper, and Engineer, adds strategic depth. The card system, offering character-specific bonuses and skill upgrades, further enhances customization. However, the predictable enemy waves and slow in-game currency acquisition detract from the overall experience, potentially pushing players towards microtransactions.

Veteran Gears players will find the Versus mode a familiar and welcome return to classic, team-focused tactical combat.

Unreal Engine 4 Flexes Its Muscles

Gears of War 4, while not visually groundbreaking, boasts impressive graphics on par with its sibling title, Forza Horizon 3. Character models, while retaining the series’ signature bulky aesthetic, appear more realistic. The dynamic weather effects, especially during Windflares, and the detailed environments contribute to the game’s visual appeal. Performance remains solid, even with high graphical settings.

Gears of War 4 – Environmental Detail

Gears of War 4 sets a new standard for cross-platform AAA titles.

Gears of War 4 sets a new benchmark for cross-platform AAA games, demonstrating the potential of PC gaming, from low-end machines to high-end 4K setups. Developed by The Coalition and published by Microsoft Studios, Gears of War 4 launched on October 11, 2016, for PC and Xbox One.