Gears 5

WellPlayedKieran Stockton

9.5/10

A reinvigorated and well told narrative bolstered by an excellent multiplayer offering make the newest numbered entry one of the best in the series.

Press StartBrodie Gibbons

9/10

Gears 5 is a big, loud blockbuster that brings so much to the table, it’s easy to under-appreciate it. By building on the stories set in motion by its predecessor, Gears 5’s narrative journey is a benchmark for the series so far with well-rounded characters that are far easier to love when compared to the original trilogy’s gruff, motley crew. Once you throw a polished, brutally competitive online facet, Horde’s best iteration and the promising Escape into the mix, Gears 5 becomes a package too hard to refuse considering the clear value on offer. The story’s driving force might be “bound by bl...

Digital TrendsGabe Gurwin

“Gears 5 is one of the best games on Xbox One, with a satisfying campaign and tremendous multiplayer.”

WayTooManyGamesJordan Hawes

9/10

I love when a new Gears of War comes around as the lead up to each release always brings me back to a time when co-op games were more important. Gears of War has always been the game that has brought me, my brother, and even my cousin (who barely plays games) together. Between playing the campaign co-op and teaming up together to dominate the multiplayer, as well as equally complaining about who was host, Gears always brought us together. As an adult and as the series has grown, I’m so happ...

Worth PlayingAdam Pavlacka

8.5/10

Gears 5 is the next installment in the action series that revolutionized third-person shooters. Kait Diaz, who had previously fought alongside JD and Del in Gears 4, is the protagonist in Gears 5.

VideogamerColm Ahern

8/10

The Coalition has slightly fiddled with the formula, and whilst some adjustments need to be refined for future entries, Gears 5 is ultimately the gorgeous third-person shooter you want it to be.

Pure XboxDom Reseigh-Lincoln

8/10

Gears 5 is an odd thing; it's neither a grand leap forwards, nor a complete rehash of what came before, and therefore sits somewhere in the middle of the two. On the whole, the improvements do outweigh the negatives (the non-linear approach to campaign levels and the small changes to horde mode being some of the most notable), and while The Coalition still has some work to do to really make the series its own, this is a far bolder and more varied approach the relatively safe Gears 4. If you love shooters and you want a good place to jump back into the series, this is perfect place to work the ...

Jump Dash RollPete Taylor

8/10

Gears 5 takes the series to new heights but it’s weighed down by some annoying bugs and a story that seems to try a touch too hard to tie itself to the original trilogy. Whilst Horde mode is still excellent and the various Versus modes are fun, the new Escape mode is a bit hit and miss.

DestructoidBrett Makedonski

8/10

The Coalition has achieved a lot with Gears 5. The writing and action often rivals the best moments in the series, even surpassing its predecessors at times. The overall package is the most robust Gears has ever seen. But, the big structural alteration feels like an unequivocal misstep. Gears 5 is a rousing success, but it could’ve done without the needless change.

GameSpotPhil Hornshaw

7/10

With new additions, Gears 5 makes its cover-shooter core more adaptive to different playstyles.

GameGrinFrancis Kenna

6/10

Gears 5 feels like a desperate attempt by The Coalition at trying to carve out a new identity for the series, but the execution feels half-hearted. The pseudo open-world skiff exploration is enjoyable early on, but the uninspired objectives end up making it feel dull after a while.

Analog Stick GamingJeff Young

Unscored

Gears of War has been an incredibly beloved Microsoft franchise since its debut some 13 years ago. While the series is now developed by The Coalition, under the leadership of Ron Ferguson, a man who has been with the franchise since its conception, the series continues to remain popular and relevant