Gears of War 4

87%
Game Brain Score Based on 186 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Gears of War 4 Game Cover
Gears of War 4 is a return to form and easily the best game in the series thanks to new weapons and an all-new class-based Horde mode that will keep you coming back for more.

A new saga begins for one of the most acclaimed video game franchises in history. After narrowly escaping an attack on their village, JD Fenix and his friends, Kait and Del, must rescue the ones they love and discover the source of a monstrous new enemy.

  • PC
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Cloud
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 186 reviews
story28 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • The campaign is engaging and progressively gets better, featuring a unique and enjoyable ending.
  • Multiplayer is well-balanced with dedicated servers, new game modes, and excellent weapon variety.
  • Horde mode introduces a class-based system that enhances teamwork and strategy, making it a fun experience.
  • The campaign can feel short and lacks a strong antagonist, leading to a predictable story.
  • Some players may find the multiplayer experience repetitive, especially if they are familiar with previous Gears games.
  • The reliance on microtransactions and the grind for credits can detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.
  • story84 mentions

    The story in Gears of War 4 has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating its engaging characters and fresh direction, while others criticize it for being predictable and lacking depth compared to earlier installments. Many noted that the campaign starts slowly but improves towards the end, though some felt it was ultimately unsatisfying and too short. Overall, while the gameplay remains strong, the narrative has been seen as a weak point, with calls for more development in future titles.

    • “The story has evolved to a new generation, but they have stayed true to their roots.”
    • “The story and characters in the campaign are engaging.”
    • “I was scared I wouldn't like this one, because most companies mess up sequels, but this game had me wanting to play another Gears' story.”
    • “The story was just flat out boring and predictable.”
    • “Before every plot reveal in the story, I correctly assumed what would happen next.”
    • “Gears of War 4 offers brutish new weapons, new monster fodder, and excellent multiplayer modes, but the game drops the ball by introducing weak characters and a predictable story.”
  • gameplay46 mentions

    The gameplay in Gears of War 4 is a blend of nostalgia and refinement, maintaining the series' signature cover-based shooting mechanics while introducing minor enhancements like vaulting over cover. While many players appreciate the familiar, satisfying combat and engaging multiplayer modes, some criticize the lack of innovation and repetitive elements compared to earlier titles. Overall, the game delivers enjoyable, gory fun, though opinions vary on its depth and narrative engagement.

    • “The game looks incredible, the gameplay is perfect, and it's just tons of gory fun.”
    • “With an interesting, albeit familiar narrative, great gameplay and some really brutal battles, Gears of War 4 offers exactly what fans of the series have been yearning for: hours upon hours of great, weighty combat.”
    • “Excellent turn for the series while keeping the main mechanics.”
    • “Gameplay wise, outside of two unique sections bookmarking the halfway point of the campaign and the end of the campaign, nothing has changed.”
    • “I'm sure Microsoft intended on a good game, but it felt half done. The visuals were mediocre, and the gameplay was nearly identical to every other Gears game.”
    • “The gameplay itself is lacking the visceral 'oomph' of the predecessors: there is no tension, no mood, the colors are too bright, and the gunshots, explosions, and even the chainsawing somehow feel less satisfying.”
  • graphics33 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their beauty and detail, particularly on next-gen consoles, with many reviewers noting stunning visuals, impressive weather effects, and a solid framerate. However, some criticism arises from repetitive environments and a lack of variety in certain textures, which detracts from the overall visual experience. Overall, while the graphics are a highlight, they are sometimes overshadowed by gameplay issues and a perceived lack of depth in the game's design.

    • “The next-gen visuals blow me away.”
    • “Graphics are amazing, sound quality is jaw-dropping, especially with Dolby Atmos support that was recently added on the Xbox One Insider program.”
    • “The graphics are top notch and the variety of enemy swarms they throw at you is a blast!”
    • “Much like the new Star Wars sequels, this game is graphically amazing, but completely lacks the soul of the originals.”
    • “There's a few things that made it special - (1.) odd, clunky, slow third-person controls, (2.) ultra-gritty, ultra-gore, hyper-masculine art style (very much a Cliff Bleszinski game), (3.) the epic, apocalyptic story/cinematic set pieces, and (4.) super memorable characters due to great, often witty dialogue and incredible voice acting.”
  • humor5 mentions

    The humor in the game is highlighted by the introduction of new main characters who are both funny and relatable, providing a refreshing change from previous installments. Players have noted that the witty dialogue and comedic moments contribute to an enjoyable experience, often eliciting laughter throughout the gameplay.

    • “The new main characters are funny and relatable in a way that previous Gears games were not.”
    • “This game had me laughing all the way through it!”
    • “The one plus was some funny dialogue between the characters.”
  • grinding5 mentions

    Players express frustration with the excessive grinding required to progress in the game without resorting to microtransactions, which are seen as overpriced. The grind is described as tedious and lengthy, detracting from the overall enjoyment of the experience.

    • “But the microtransactions, the insane amount of grinding needed if you don't buy the microtransactions, the overpriced season pass, and the below issues with horde are definitely worth mentioning before you buy.”
  • replayability2 mentions

    The game boasts high replayability due to its deeper classes, diverse skill sets, and a card-based system, which collectively enhance tactical gameplay and encourage players to explore different strategies.

    • “The deeper classes, skill sets, and card-based system make it highly replayable and enhance tactics for the better.”
  • stability2 mentions

    Players have reported significant stability issues, including frequent bugs, menu freezes, and in-game glitches, which detract from the overall experience despite enjoying the story.

    • “As a fan of the Gears of War series, I enjoyed the story, but the game itself seems quite buggy.”
    • “Menu freezes and in-game glitches.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is notably more lighthearted compared to its predecessors, featuring characters who engage in playful banter and humor, while still retaining some of the charm from the original titles.

    • “The atmosphere is more lighthearted than in the previous games, with the characters spouting more quips and joking around, although there was some of that in the originals too.”
  • monetization1 mentions

    Gears of War 4 features a loot treadmill that heavily emphasizes microtransactions, which some players find overly aggressive, detracting from the overall experience. Additionally, the multiplayer component is criticized for not accommodating casual players.

    • “Gears of War 4 is probably the best Gears campaign so far, but it's saddled with uninteresting robotic enemies, a multiplayer suite that makes no concessions to casual players, and a loot treadmill that pushes microtransactions too aggressively.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

Play time

4hMedian play time
4hAverage play time
4-4hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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