Gears Tactics

81%
Game Brain Score Based on 3,121 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
Gears Tactics Game Cover
Gears Tactics is big and brash at times, but it’s also deep, intelligent and balanced, with all the heart and passion we’ve come to expect from a Gears game.
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Just Updated Jack joins the fight – Gears of War’s signature companion bot, Jack joins Gabe and the heroes of Gears Tactics as a new playable character. In Gears Tactics, Jack changes the dynamic of the encounters, with 20+ new skills ranging from empowering auras to hijacking and controlling enemy units. New powerful enemies – Deviant enemies are introduced in Gears Tactics, adding a new layer…

  • PC
  • Windows
  • Cloud
  • x_box_cloud_gaming
  • NVIDIA GeForce NOW
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

81%
Audience ScoreBased on 3,121 reviews
story371 positive mentions
replayability28 negative mentions
  • Engaging tactical combat that encourages aggressive play and offers a variety of strategies.
  • High production values with impressive graphics, sound design, and well-executed cutscenes.
  • Satisfying character progression and customization options, allowing for diverse builds and playstyles.
  • Repetitive mission types and environments that lead to a lack of variety and engagement over time.
  • Mandatory side missions that feel like filler and disrupt the pacing of the main story.
  • Game-breaking bugs and issues with the Xbox Live login requirement that hinder the overall experience.
  • story2,975 mentions

    The story in "Gears Tactics" is generally considered decent but lacks depth and memorability, often feeling predictable and formulaic. Players appreciate the engaging cutscenes and character interactions, but many criticize the repetitive nature of the side missions, which are mandatory for story progression and detract from the overall narrative experience. The game is noted for its linear storytelling, with a limited variety of mission types that can lead to fatigue as players progress through the campaign.

    • “The story is genuinely good, but the padded missions really do make you cringe.”
    • “The story itself ties nicely into the overall Gears universe and the cutscenes are well done.”
    • “The story is decent too, although short if you rip out the filler missions.”
    • “The side missions are tedious and really drag out the campaign longer than it should be, which can make it painful to play at times.”
    • “The mandatory side missions feel like filler and exist solely to give you a reason to have more than four units in your roster.”
    • “The story is very linear, and while I haven't completed it, it feels very forced, unlike XCOM where you can drag it out or rush it depending on how it's going.”
  • gameplay741 mentions

    Gameplay in "Gears Tactics" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its solid mechanics and engaging combat system that incorporates unique features like the execution mechanic, which allows players to gain extra actions. However, players have noted that the gameplay can become repetitive due to limited mission types and a lack of strategic depth compared to other tactical games like XCOM. While the game successfully translates the Gears of War universe into a tactical format, it suffers from issues such as bugs, a lack of offline play, and a somewhat linear experience that may not hold long-term interest.

    • “I am kind of getting into these squad-based turn tactics games and love the squad mechanics offering different classes and subclasses, which feel completely different and thus gives freedom to experiment with different combinations.”
    • “The gameplay is satisfying with all the sound effects and animations that we've grown to love over the years since 2006.”
    • “The core gameplay is fluid, impactful, and fun.”
    • “Gameplay seems very limited.”
    • “The gameplay gets noticeably weaker with how repetitive the gameplay is after the initial completion of the story.”
    • “The gameplay is poor, upgrades are lackluster, and the inability to customize gear is limiting.”
  • graphics400 mentions

    The graphics of the game have received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising their cinematic quality, detail, and overall visual appeal, often comparing them favorably to other titles in the genre like XCOM. While the game showcases beautiful environments and character models, some players noted that it requires significant hardware capabilities to run at ultra settings. However, despite some criticisms regarding repetitiveness and a lack of variety in aesthetics, the graphics are consistently highlighted as a standout feature, contributing to an immersive gameplay experience.

    • “The graphics are fantastic, but the gameplay is a very linear, horde-type shooter rather than a tactical game.”
    • “The graphics are really top notch and you can see this is a big title with a big budget.”
    • “The graphics and sound design are excellent, creating an immersive and visually stunning world that is full of detail and depth.”
    • “The graphics are a goddamn joke on ultra.”
    • “It is entirely all graphics and no substance.”
    • “Game keeps telling me it can't detect my graphics card, and I wasted $60 on a game that pretty much tells me to buy a better PC when it doesn't work.”
  • replayability124 mentions

    Overall, the game exhibits low replayability, with many players noting its repetitive gameplay and linear structure as significant drawbacks. While some mention a degree of replay value through different difficulty levels or skill trees, the consensus is that it lacks the depth and variety found in other tactical games like XCOM. Many reviewers suggest waiting for a sale due to the limited replay options and the game's relatively short campaign length.

    • “The limited number of enemies and relative lack of variety of mission designs makes some of the later 'player choice' missions a bit of a grind, however, the story missions and the boss battles make it all worthwhile - and the tactical flexibility allowed by the skill trees makes for some good replayability.”
    • “While I have enjoyed it a lot, it is certainly far from perfect and has very little replay value.”
    • “Moderate replayability, but a great campaign.”
    • “There's not really any replay value, though, so as I opened: wait for a sale but give it a shot.”
    • “The game can be finished in about 25 hours and with the lack of replayability, the price that is being asked is too high in my opinion.”
    • “The campaign is simply a linear path with no replayability or strategy of any kind.”
  • grinding85 mentions

    The grinding aspect of the game has received largely negative feedback, with many players finding it tedious and repetitive. Users report that the missions lack variety, leading to a monotonous experience, especially in the later stages of the game where the high XP requirements and gear management become burdensome. While some enjoy the initial fun of building their squad, the overall sentiment is that the grind detracts significantly from the enjoyment, making the gameplay feel like a slog rather than an engaging challenge.

    • “Grinding in this game is incredibly rewarding, as it allows you to unlock powerful abilities and gear.”
    • “The grind is challenging but satisfying, making every achievement feel well-earned.”
    • “I love how the grinding mechanics encourage exploration and experimentation with different strategies.”
    • “The side missions are tedious and really drag out the campaign longer than it should be, which can make it painful to play at times.”
    • “Due to the limited number of objectives and maps, this degrades to boring and annoying farming very fast.”
    • “The missions are exactly the same; they only become tedious exercises where you may or may not get to use the mechanics of the game which you enjoy.”
  • stability53 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches that hinder gameplay, particularly during missions and enemy turns. While some users have experienced smooth performance, especially on platforms like the Steam Deck, others have faced frustrating issues such as freezing, mission restarts, and problematic UI interactions. Overall, the game appears to be a mix of solid performance and persistent bugs, leading to a recommendation for potential players to approach with caution.

    • “The game is virtually bug-free (except for the aliens, of course ;-)).”
    • “It's been a while since I came across a game so polished and bug-free.”
    • “This game has no glitches or bugs so far, and I've just finished the main campaign, about 42 hours.”
    • “Either the game will restart the mission instead of reloading from the checkpoint, or it freezes during the enemy turn.”
    • “I tried to set one up, but the process freezes at setting an email address, and I am forever locked out of even launching the game properly.”
    • “The game is buggy as all hell, and your troops will constantly trigger overwatches when the game says they won't.”
  • optimization49 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting smooth performance, quick loading times, and minimal crashes or bugs. While some players noted minor issues and suggested areas for improvement, the consensus is that the game runs exceptionally well, even on older hardware, and offers polished graphics and solid performance.

    • “The graphics, optimization, and sound design are also excellent, as expected of a Gears game.”
    • “One of the best optimized games I have played in a while, and the graphics are on point.”
    • “The game is well optimized, frame rate rarely spiking and maintaining short load times.”
    • “Thumbs down not for the idea, not for popcorn cinematics or cliché characters, but for poor optimization and a bad attitude.”
    • “It looks like a console port over to a PC game, which may have something to do with its performance issues.”
    • “If you have an older system, wait until this 'Microsoft' game is optimized/patched.”
  • music47 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with many praising its orchestral quality and dynamic responsiveness to gameplay events, enhancing the overall atmosphere. However, some players noted that the soundtrack can become repetitive and feels heavily inspired by classic films like "Predator" and "Starship Troopers." Overall, while the music contributes positively to the experience, there are calls for more variety and originality.

    • “Great music, graphics, and atmosphere.”
    • “The music dynamically reacts to the events on the battlefield, and it does so in a rather granular manner—whether you're being charged by a horde, just discovered a new pack of enemies, or between fights.”
    • “It's a well-written orchestral soundtrack and adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
    • “Forgettable and annoying: music, story, no manual save, managing equipping and inventory, & finally repetitive missions all over.”
    • “The game is literally a Warhammer setting ripoff with music lifted from the 80's film 'Predator'.”
    • “Additionally, the music for completing a mission and the cutscene do not mesh at all; might be me, but I just don't feel satisfied.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The game has been praised for its lack of microtransactions, with many reviewers noting that it offers a complete single-player experience without any predatory monetization tactics. While some players found the presence of loot crates confusing, they confirmed that these do not involve real money and are simply part of the gameplay. Overall, the absence of in-game purchases has been a positive aspect for most players, contrasting with expectations of a cash grab.

    • “The loot crates are weird; they feel like in some other timeline they would have been monetized, but luckily they haven't been, and it's just a complete singleplayer package with no microtransactions.”
    • “Great franchise, singleplayer only, amazing graphics, worthy story, very fun gameplay, and especially... no microtransactions!”
    • “Thankfully, there's no microtransactions anywhere I can see.”
    • “It feels like they thought about microtransactions then decided against it but left the menu system for them in.”
    • “Utterly disappointing and they cash grabbed and left it.”
    • “It appears that at one point during development they were going to have the loot system be driven by lootbox microtransactions.”
  • atmosphere18 mentions

    The atmosphere in Gears Tactics is widely praised for its beautiful graphics, impressive art direction, and a well-composed orchestral soundtrack that captures the gritty essence of the Gears of War universe. Reviewers highlight the game's ability to evoke a dark and intense ambiance, complemented by satisfying sound design and engaging gameplay mechanics. Overall, the atmosphere is considered a standout feature, successfully immersing players in the familiar yet fresh setting of the Gears franchise.

    • “It's a well-written orchestral soundtrack and adds a lot to the atmosphere.”
    • “The music, the cinematic, and the overall atmosphere are all well done and 100% Gears.”
    • “The game's art direction is also impressive, capturing the gritty and intense atmosphere of the Gears of War universe.”
    • “Very high notes for the sound and atmosphere of the game that gave an impression of aggressiveness, movement, and combat; the maps so far seem to be more in the arena style, that is, they are not progressive as if you really explored the place.”
    • “The story lacks some depth (so far) but that's not necessarily a bad thing because the atmosphere and setting around the characters is compelling.”
  • humor17 mentions

    The humor in the game is a mixed bag, with some players appreciating the crass, off-color jokes and over-the-top gore reminiscent of the Gears of War series, while others find it lacking compared to the more nuanced humor of games like XCOM. Although there are moments of comedic execution and funny one-liners, the overall execution of humor feels inconsistent and sometimes falls flat, leading to a polarized reception among players.

    • “But the focus on executions is quite funny and creates comical situations.”
    • “Enemy pods are bigger and provide a lot more opportunities to score the needed kill to refresh your AP and keep control over the area, or give your spread-out units the ability to move up to an enemy in close combat and get that old chainsaw rollin' on your rifle, splattering blood in your direction with a funny growl and a flippant one-liner from your hard-working soldier.”
    • “Plus, it looks absolutely gorgeous, is genuinely pretty funny, and has a real polish.”
  • character development17 mentions

    Character development in the game receives mixed reviews, with some praising the depth and uniqueness of characters, while others criticize the lack of backstory and a confusing development tree. Many players appreciate the character design and the integration of motives, but feel that the overall development is minimal and overshadowed by repetitive quests and excessive side missions. Overall, while there are elements of strong character design and potential for deeper storytelling, many reviewers believe that the execution falls short.

    • “The character development was very well done as well, everybody was different and all had their own motives and spirit in them.”
    • “The gear loot and setup and the character development are a bit more detailed than expected.”
    • “But the landscapes are beautiful, the music operatic, character development tree is deep.”
    • “Character development and equipment/loot system is chaotic at best.”
    • “Character development tree is confusing and bland.”
    • “Very little character development done on the 'heroes' - could have helped a lot if they showed the backstories of them.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    Reviews indicate that the emotional aspect of the game is lacking due to a roster system that hinders character attachment and a predictable story. While some players appreciate the emotional moments that do arise, many feel that the absence of meaningful backstories and voice lines diminishes the impact of character deaths, making it difficult to form the same emotional bonds found in other games like XCOM. Overall, while there are glimpses of emotional depth, the execution leaves players wanting more connection to the characters.

    • “It makes you feel emotional.”
    • “Although I found the story a bit flat and wholly predictable, it was sufficiently chaff that when it did hit those more emotionally sincere moments, I was pleasantly surprised!”
    • “In XCOM, if one of your recruits dies, there is an emotional attachment which gives the death drama.”
    • “If I didn't know better, I would think I was just playing XCOM 2 all over again, same quests/missions, but a boring story with somewhat different graphics.”
    • “It was created with minimal thought, using a formula created by other developers like the XCOM games, with boring storylines, cliché character classes, and a combat gameplay experience that is just XCOM all over again.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

83% average critic score

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Play time

21hMedian play time
91hAverage play time
10-30hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 41 analyzed playthroughs

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