Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

One of the best third-person shooters in history returns.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is an extremely familiar game that manages to feel new thanks to The Coalition's vision for a fresher Gears. Just when something begins to feel stale the game changes and provides players with a wholly unique task or a gigantic set piece to draw them in to the action once more. Whether tearing through Locusts in split-screen co-op, gathering COG tags to unlock comic panels, or trying not to get outmaneuvered by the cover-weary A.I., there's something solid here that newcomers are sure to enjoy and longtime Gearsheads will nostalgically cherish.

Microsoft has a lot riding on the continued prosperity of Gears; after all, it is one of the publisher’s largest properties. Gears of War Ultimate Edition effectively reminds why that’s the case, just as it reminds why this is the game that partially influenced an entire generation of gaming. It just took a makeover to help us appreciate it again.

What made Gears great almost 10 years ago still makes Gears great today. It’s a beautiful game with smart cover mechanics, great core combat, and commitment to an over-the-top tone. It occasionally shows signs of age, but those moments are rare enough that you’ll barely remember you’re playing a remaster. If you haven’t jumped into the series yet, or simply need a refresher, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a great place to start.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition isn't the Xbox One's killer app but it's a good addition to any shooter fan's library. Some mechanics have begun to show their age but as a whole, it's a worthwhile and fun experience.

Somewhere between a remake and a remaster, the work done to the original Gears of War is evident at every turn. You'll come to see the impressive new coat of paint, but you'll stay for the timeless multiplayer.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is anything but a lazy remaster. With a bunch of new content, a massive visual overhaul, mechanical improvements, and other subtle modernizations, Ultimate Edition has earned the right to be referred to as the definitive version of Gears of War. There are some aspects of the core design that will occasionally remind you that there's an almost 10-year-old game underneath that attractive new coat of paint, but what's more noticeable is how well the bulk of the experience holds up. Whether you have history with the series or not, you should consider heading back to ...

Gears of War makes its debut on the Xbox One. Is it a welcome return for the series? Here is our review!

One of the best remakes of recent years, both in terms of the amount of thought and effort put into the remastering and how much the original deserves the attention.

On the other hand, if you pride yourself in your Gears of War multiplayer skills, Gears of War Ultimate Edition will scratch your competitive itch. Just remember this is Gears of War, so there are some things you won’t be able to do like tag a grenade on a surface to create makeshift mine or stun an opponent by jumping over an obstacle they’re hiding behind.

How much mileage you’ll get out of Gears of War: Ultimate really depends on what you’re aiming to play. There’s very little you haven’t played before in the campaign and the new cinematics and voiceovers do little to assist the bare story, but the gameplay is still great, it looks and sounds fantastic, and fans will no doubt enjoy playing the formerly PC-exclusive section they missed the first time. Pair that with an overhauled multiplayer that packs all the maps and modes you could want, and there’s enough here for a pretty easy recommendation, especially if you’ve yet to experience the Gears...

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