With the Xbox showcase just hours away, we might get a glimpse into the future of the Gears series. Until then, lets take a look backwards with my ranking of the best Gears of War games, updated to include Gears Tactics.
With the Xbox Games Showcase just hours away, it’s a great time to look back at one of Microsoft’s biggest game series: Gears of War. I’ll be ranking all the main games in the series, from the least to the best, and I’ve added Gears Tactics to this updated list.
(Note: This article includes a sponsored link.)
I’m not including Gears POP!, the mobile game, in this list. If I did, it would be at the bottom. This list covers only the main console and PC games. So, here’s a ranking of the entire Gears of War series!
7. GEAR OF WAR: JUDGEMENT
Gears of War: Judgment is often remembered as the lesser-known game in the series. It’s a prequel that shows younger versions of Baird and Cole and was made by Epic Games and People Can Fly. Released two years after Gears of War 3, it was clear Microsoft still wanted to continue the popular franchise, but Epic wasn’t as interested, so People Can Fly stepped in to help.
Judgment is not a bad game. It keeps the fun cover-based shooting that fans love. However, it didn’t have the same excitement as the main games. Baird and Cole were interesting, but they couldn’t hold up a story on their own like Marcus Fenix and Dom did. Fans were more interested in the Pendulum Wars, a key part of the story that happens before the Locust Horde appears and still needs its own game.
For multiplayer, Judgment tried new modes like Over Run and Survival, but it didn’t include the popular Horde mode, which was a strange choice. The new modes didn’t feel as good as the old ones.
The campaign also tried something different by breaking it into smaller sections and scoring players on their performance, like getting headshots. While this added some replay value, the new approach didn’t quite fit with the traditional Gears gameplay.
6. GEAR OF WAR 4
After the lukewarm Gears of War: Judgement, the series went on hiatus but finally got resurrected in 2016 with Gears of War 4 which sought to introduce a cast of new characters while mixing in some of the old guard. With The Cog on development duties, a team that sported a lot of pedigree from Epic, the hope was to bring back one of Microsoft’s biggest IPs. Given how the Xbox One has been dominated in terms of exclusive titles by the Playstation, it was important to bring the cover-based shooter back from its extended leave with a bang. Unfortunately, Gears of War 4 wound up being a largely forgettable game. By no means bad, it just never managed to capture the same brilliance as its forbearers.
It says something that the bit I remember the most was Marcus Fenix, the grizzly lead character of the original trilogy who outshone the rest of the cast every time he was on screen.
Gears of War 4 also struggled to get its enemies right. The first half of the game is spent slogging through fights against robotic foes who are kind of interesting at first but get old fast. Then The Swarm arrive, but they’re basically just another version of The Locust and struggle to have an identity of their own.
At the core, though, was that addictive cover-based shooting. Some tweaks had made it a bit faster than the previous games, there were a handful of new weapons and above all else it just felt nice to slip back into the familiar Gears action. Ultimately Gears of War 4 is a safe return, but given developers The Coalition was bringing back a beloved series playing it safe was probably the best choice they could have made. While I might struggle to remember much about the game, it laid the foundation for Gears of War to return to the stage and chainsaw some people in half.
Plus, we got to stomp around in giant robot suits.
5. GEAR: TACTICS
In 2020, the Gears of War franchise took an unexpected turn with Gears: Tactics, introducing turn-based tactical combat as a fresh approach. Serving as a prequel to the original game, it shifted from the series' signature over-the-shoulder perspective to a high, bird’s-eye view of the battlefield. This bold move diverged from the franchise’s reputation for intense, gore-filled action, yet it proved highly successful, making Gears: Tactics a standout title.
One key to its success is how Splash Damage maintained the Gears aesthetic even from a top-down perspective. Zooming in, the game retains the familiar high-quality visuals of the series, including cutscene graphics that rival those of the main entries. On a technical level, Gears: Tactics might be the most visually impressive turn-based strategy game ever, thanks to its lavish production values.
The gameplay is equally impressive, encouraging aggressive tactics by rewarding executions with additional action points. This design allows players to create devastating turns, and the game’s loot system and skill trees for various randomly generated Gears add depth, making the loss of a character feel significant.
Additionally, Gears: Tactics delivers a compelling story that expands on the franchise’s lore, offering intriguing new elements for fans.
Evaluating the game’s place within the franchise is challenging due to its distinct differences from the main series. While it might not surpass the mainline entries for many players, personally, I’d place it around 2nd or 3rd place. For most, it’s likely to rank below the main series games, except perhaps Judgment.
You can find my full review here.
4. GEAR OF WARS
Determining the placement of the original Gears of War on this list was quite challenging. Released back in 2006, it played a significant role in my choice to opt for the Xbox 360 over the pricier PS3. I vividly recall devouring every preview and video, trying to extract every bit of information I could.
When I finally got my Xbox 360 and Gears of War, I set up the console, inserted the disc, and was instantly astonished by the game's stunning graphics and innovative cover-based shooting mechanics. At 15 years old, it completely blew my mind and sparked a lasting passion for the franchise.
The original Gears of War has something its sequels lack—a stronger emphasis on horror elements. The Locust Horde are introduced as terrifying creatures, and there are numerous tense moments, like navigating ruined streets while staying in pools of light to avoid being shredded by the Kryll. Although Gears of War 2 maintained the grim color palette, it significantly toned down the horror aspects, and by the time Gears of War 3 arrived, the game was awash with vibrant colors, as if the developers had suddenly discovered more than just shades of grey, black, and brown.
Additionally, Gears of War introduced several now-iconic features, such as the Lancer rifle with its chainsaw bayonet and the intense multiplayer where the Gnasher shotgun was king. While playing the original game today—even the well-polished remastered version—it may not stand up as well against its sequels, but we must remember the groundbreaking impact it had upon release. It remains a classic that deserves recognition.
Fun fact: Gears of War might have cost over a billion dollars to develop because Microsoft doubled the RAM capacity of the Xbox 360 to ensure the game ran smoothly.
3. GEAR OF WAR 3
Ending a trilogy is no easy thing to do. By the time Gears of War 3 arrived the franchise had established itself as one of the biggest names in gaming, and the walking slabs of armoured meat from the first game had become fully-developed characters that we cared for. As I write this my Marcus Fenix statue which came in the Gears of War 3 collector’s edition is sitting on a shelf about 5ft from me. It’s one of my favourite possessions. Gears of War 3 was the end of one hell of a journey and it didn’t disappoint, right up until its closing moments.
The campaign is frantic and rarely ever lets up the pace, pushing Delta Squad to its limits as the new Lambent threat looks set to destroy both humanity and the Locust. There are a bunch of emotional gut punches along the way, with the sacrifice of Dom still managing to bring a tear to my eye even today.
It couldn’t quite stick the landing, though. The closing moments of Gears of War 3 felt poignant and emotional at the time, but once the credits rolled and I had a chance to reflect on everything the ending left me feeling…hollow. It didn’t quite manage to wrap the trilogy up in a way that I found wholly satisfying, mostly because it just ended with no closure, leaving our heroes in a fucked up world with an indication of where they would go next. After spending three games with Marcus, Dom, Baird, Cole and the rest simply fading to black wasn’t enough.
But the multiplayer was an absolute blast, including the awesome Beast mode which gave players the chance to reverse the typical Horde mode formula by becoming the Locust and attacking humans.
2. GEAR 5
While Gears of War 4 marked a decent return for the franchise, it fell short of the explosive comeback we had hoped for. However, Gears 5 made significant strides, offering stronger character development that transformed the bland, forgettable cast of its predecessor into much more compelling figures. The campaign was engaging and only slightly affected by the new open-world sections, which were somewhat inconsistent. The result is a fantastic 10-hour campaign featuring thrilling action, well-developed characters, memorable story moments, and even a classic Marcus Fenix line telling someone to shut the fuck up.
Add in some incredibly addictive multiplayer and the return of Horde mode, and you've got an impressive package. And visually, it's stunning! It's challenging to gauge just how well Gears 5 has performed, though, as its availability on Xbox Game Pass means that traditional sales figures don't provide the full picture.
1.GEAR OF WAR 2
Bigger, better, more badass” was the iconic tagline for Gears of War 2. While the original game set the stage for greatness, it was Gears of War 2 that truly stole the spotlight. Although it moved away from the horror elements of its predecessor, the result was a lean, action-packed campaign with no wasted moments. From riding a Brumak to battling inside a colossal Riftworm, Gears of War 2 felt like an action movie come to life. It was grand, somewhat over-the-top, and occasionally surprisingly emotional. If you didn’t feel a lump in your throat when Dom discovered his broken wife, we might not see eye to eye.
A significant factor in what made Gears of War 2 superior was the increased enemy count. While the first game featured only a handful of Locust at a time, the sequel ramped up both the number and variety of foes, making firefights more intense and challenging. The enhanced cover system also polished an already exceptional shooter, setting a new benchmark for the genre.
Gears of War 2 delved deeper into the grim reality of Locust abductions and torture. Dom’s wife, turned into a near-lifeless shell, was mercifully killed by Dom, and another poignant moment came with Tai, a COG soldier rescued by Delta Squad. Tai, having been tortured by the Locust, took his own life with the shotgun Marcus handed him, unable to cope with the atrocities he had endured. These dark moments gave Gears of War 2 a surprising depth, despite its more explosive action. The atmospheric horror of the first game may have faded, but the sequel still delivered its share of unsettling scenes.
The game also allowed Epic Games to explore the Locust Horde more thoroughly, as Delta Squad ventured underground to strike at Nexus, the presumed home of the Locust. The game provided intriguing insights into the Locust’s origins, motivations, and societal structure, all while maintaining their depiction as ruthless antagonists. Their actions were understandable but deservedly met with harsh consequences.
Gears of War 2 introduced Horde Mode, which, while not the originator of the wave-based combat concept, certainly popularized it. This mode became a series staple, featured in every subsequent game except Judgment.
Multiplayer saw significant improvements as well. With a host of new maps, weapons, and modes, I found myself investing countless hours perfecting wall-bouncing techniques and enjoying those satisfying one-shot Gnasher shotgun kills.
Gears of War 2 remains the pinnacle of the series. While Gears 5 has its merits, it doesn’t quite match the brilliance of Gears of War 2’s campaign.
How would you rank the Gears of War games? Share your thoughts below.
