Gears of War was one of Microsoft’s most important franchises. Despite the fact that it has undergone several iterations, the core gameplay has remained almost constant. Gears 5, then, stands out from the rest of the series. Not only for the name, for which “di Guerra” was eliminated, but also for the stereotypical changes to the gameplay.
This isn’t that surprising, to be honest. Microsoft and The Coalition need to do something to make the series relevant again. Gears of War 4 didn’t meet expectations or had a major impact. So, Gears 5 has a lot to do to rekindle the magic of the franchise.
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While there have been some changes, the core mechanics are the same as ever. Gears 5 focuses on the idea of taking cover and blowing up enemies. Refinements to these core mechanics, however, change them to their most satisfying form ever. New weapons have also been carefully mixed with a selection of old classics. The end result is an action-packed experience that is perhaps the best of the entire series. The developers even removed some of the linearity present in older voices. While much of the action still takes place in tight spaces, there are also many expansive environments to explore.
A small but important addition is the ability to upgrade your robotic companion. Jack has several skills that you can add to his standard skill set. Previously, collectibles didn’t do much other than rewards. Hiding updates that actually do something gives the player more motivation to go out and explore. Especially when the skills are actually quite useful. For example, one can give you a temporary boost to your health while another electrocutes enemies.
Multiplayer now has a reward system like free battle royale games. The more you play and gain experience, the better rewards you’ll have access to. There are standard game modes you’d expect to find, along with a brand new mode called Escape. Microsoft heavily promoted this new feature prior to release. It’s a co-op-centric mode full of adrenaline-pumping sequences. They are great fun to play and are a refreshing version of the Gears of War formula.
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