Fans on Reddit are imagining a scenario in Gears of War 3 where you had to choose between saving Cole or Baird. The community was equally divided on who they would pick, and both of these characters had great arguments presented by the fanbase.
Gears of War 5 did actually have this choice, forcing players to choose between the last game’s protagonist, James, or Kate’s new bestie, Del, in the third act of the game, barely an hour before the credits rolled.
The Hypothetical Choice Between Cole and Baird
This idea, posed by a user on the subreddit r/GearsofWar, led to some intense debate among fans. The user asked if the studio behind the game, The Coalition, had implemented this choice in Gears 5 instead of the one between James and Del, or if Epic Games had done so all the way back in Gears of War 3, whether or not it would have left a lasting impact on the gaming community.
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Fans were divided on who they would save. Some argued that Baird should be the one to die. Baird had already lived a full life. He helped his friends and even had his own spin-off game, Gears of War: Judgment.
They believed it was time for Cole to shine, especially since he finally got some character development in Gears of War 3, and there was a lot more potential with the character.
Others, however, felt a strong attachment to Baird. He was funny, charming, and likable, making him a fan favorite. Despite this, they recognized that Baird’s story had been told, while Cole still had the potential to grow and inspire hope.
The debate was almost evenly split, with each side presenting compelling arguments.
This Choice in Gears 5 Wasn’t Well Received
Gears 5 did offer a choice between James and Del, with one character dying based on the player’s choice. However, this choice felt rushed and lacked emotional weight. The game ended shortly after the decision, leaving players with a sense of dissatisfaction.
The choice seemed meaningless and didn’t have the lasting impact that fans had hoped for, and the developers aimed for.
Comparing this to the hypothetical choice between Cole and Baird, it’s clear why fans felt the Gears 5 decision fell flat. A choice between two beloved characters like Cole and Baird would have been gut-wrenching and unforgettable.
It would have forced players to weigh their emotions, and consider the future of the story, and deal with the absence of the other character.
The consequences of such a decision would go through the narrative, affecting the characters. You would also see the reaction of other characters to either of the character’s death, and this would carry a lot of emotional weight.
Unfortunately for Gears 5, most players don’t care much about Del. Most chose James to survive anyway, and even James isn’t as beloved as Cole or Baird. Ultimately, the presence of this choice felt shoehorned in at the last moment, and had no real weight to it, as it should have.
Who would you have picked between Cole and Baird in Gears of War 3? Let us know in the comments!
