Gears of War: Ultimate Edition Reviews

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

Overall, this game was incredibly enjoyable from the standpoint of a first time Gears of War player. It was one of the more fun campaign experiences I’ve had in a very long time, and at 15 hours for a first play-through, it’s not too bad for a game that’s $30 USD at the time of this review. On top of an improved multiplayer experience and a good chunk of replayability, it’s hard not to recommend this game. It’s also really fun seeing what terrible situations you can get Dom stuck in.

No summary available

Overall

After having reviewed Tearaway Unfolded, I felt that I needed to play something more 'manly'. Don't get me wrong - as you can read in the review, Unfolded is a great experience. Now and then, though, you just need something with more testosterone. When I got the opportunity to review the Ultimate Edition of Gears of War, you can guess I was a very happy man.

No summary available

I’m going to come right out and say it: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is an odd duck, and to be completely honest, I’m not sure who the game is aimed at. With backwards compatibility on its way to the Xbox One in a big way this November, and with the original Gears of War already on there for Preview Program members, it’s hard to see why Gears of War: Ultimate Edition even exists.

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.

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 the place where it all started. Trust us when we say that kicking Locust butt is as satisfying as it ever was.

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.

Upon its initial release in 2006, few games could match the pure visual grandeur of Gears of War, and the cover-based shooting mechanics were similarly novel. Cut to 2015, and the remake may not have the graphical chops to compete with the very best in the business, but The Coalition’s loving recraft is certainly pretty enough to feel at home on Xbox One. A head-to-toe visual and audio overhaul is as comprehensive as anyone could hope for. Gameplay sees a more minor adjustment, but franchise fans on console should also be attracted to the presence of PC and DLC content that never before made its way to Xbox.

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 of War universe.

Rebuilt in every way, and unlocking the entire Gears franchise for a value-conscious price, this truly is the Ultimate Edition of Gears of War. Curb stomping is as fun as you remember, but with this much of a rebuild, you have every reason to experience it all over again.

So the question at the end of the day is whether or not this game is worth double dipping into and it’s more of a “yes and no” sort of answer. If you enjoyed the game (or didn’t) and can wait for Gears 4 without needing to scratch that itch then I’d say it’s not worth your time revisiting the series; with all the games in the series receiving backwards compatibility soon you might even want to wait to just grab all of those for less than $20 if you’re in no rush. On the other hand it’s been nearly ten years since the original came out and the gameplay tweaks, complete visual overhaul, and new content might make it feel like new for you. The game features the five chapters that were originally exclusive to the PC version of the original game and all the DLC multiplayer maps from both versions of the game; you’ll even get copies of Gears 1, 2, 3, and Judgement once backwards compatibility launches for those titles. Saying that there’s a lot stuffed into this game would be an understatement. Obviously anyone who never got a chance to try this game out should absolutely give it a shot, not just because it’s a fantastic package but to also play the game that practically catapulted the third-person shooter craze.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition was reviewed using a pre-release, retail download token provided by Microsoft. You can find additional information about Polygon’s ethics statement here.

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 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.

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.

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.

New graphics, new levels, and new features make this one of the best games you can buy on the Xbox One.

We’re still a year out from the release of Gears of War 4, so rather than let three whole years pass without a new release in the enormously popular shooter series, Microsoft has pumped out a remastered edition of the original smash.

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.