Whether you’re an oldie wiping the dust off of your Lancer or a newbie, it’s a good day to be a Gears of War fan, as E-Day promises to take us back to where it all started.
There’s no doubt that while the series has had its fair share of highs and lows, each entry has tried to freshen things up and bring something new to the table. Keeping that in mind, we’ve ranked all the mainline entries in an attempt to provide insights into what made a particular entry beloved—or not—by the community. So, without any further ado, let’s dive in.
#6 Gears of War: Judgment
Gears of War: Judgment has always been in a peculiar place within the community. On the one hand, people were somewhat warm to the game’s fragmented storyline, which gave Damon Baird and Augustus Cole some time to shine, but on the other hand, its gameplay structure was quite negatively received at the time.
Back then, many fans found it lacking the emotional depth that defined the previous entries, and though it undid some of 3’s minor mistakes on the multiplayer side, at the end of the day, it felt like an incomplete experience
#5 Gears of War 4
Being the first game developed by The Coalition, Gears of War 4 marked the beginning of a new era for the series, featuring the story of JD Fenix and his companions. Unfortunately, in the eyes of many players, it is simply an “okay” game.
Many people’s main problem with the title was its narrative, which didn’t take any significant risks like the past entries. The story and character development felt rather predictable. The multiplayer side, however, was well received, so while the game didn’t quite reach the heights of the original trilogy, it did keep the flame alight for a little longer.
#4 Gears 5
Gears 5 felt like a true return to form for the franchise, bringing an expansive, semi-open-world game design to the table. Kait Diaz’s journey to uncover her connection to the Locust was an incredible tale that concluded with an absolutely bonkers cliffhanger—remember, there is a reason why some people were salty about The Coalition going for E-Day in place of a direct sequel.
The problem, however, is that some parts of the game felt unfinished, and the multiplayer changes essentially divided the community. Despite this, it remains a significant entry fondly remembered by the Xbox community
#3 Gears of War
The original Gears of War transformed third-person shooters through its innovative cover system, visuals, and intense campaign, making it a standout for its era.
Despite showing its age nowadays, our first foray Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad’s fight—remember the encounter with the Berserker? Its groundbreaking elements, from visuals to strategic combat, set a lasting standard for the series and gaming overall.
#2 Gears of War 2
After the success of the first Gears of War, none could’ve expected the emotionally charged narrative and gameplay improvements Gears of War 2 would come swinging with.
Swung hard it did, too, as everything about the game, from the larger-scale battles and multiplayer improvements to its exploration of the human cost of the war against the Locust Horde, struck a chord with its fans. Here’s a simple way to put it—if Gears of War 2 wasn’t the way it was, the franchise would never have cultivated its devout following.
#1 Gears of War 3
Man, Dom’s tragic death can bring one to tears even today. Gears of War 3 is where the series would properly realize its potential, as the game delivered a powerful and satisfying conclusion to the original trilogy while polishing the series’ gameplay to a shine.
From extensive multiplayer options to Fenix’s final showdown against the Locust and Lambent, everything this game did was near perfection. It was the perfect climactic conclusion players wanted since this epic began, and that’s precisely what they got, which is why it remains the best entry within the series.
Well, that’s the end of our list. With that said, which one is your favorite game from the series? Are you excited to return to the franchise with Gears of War: E-Day? Let us know in the comments below!
