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Gears 5 – The Technical Masterpiece of Third-Person Shooters
Gears 5 remains the visual benchmark for Unreal Engine 4, delivering a meaty campaign and intense PvE modes that still hold up in 2025.
Game Info
Verdict
Gears 5 is the complete package, offering a polished campaign, deep PvE, and intense PvP that still looks better than most current-gen games.
Pros
- Hivebusters DLC is a graphical showcase
- Horde mode has incredible strategic depth
- Runs flawlessly on Series X and PC
- Generous progression system (no more loot boxes)
- Huge variety of modes for every playstyle
Cons
- Open-world campaign sections feel empty
- Learning curve for PvP movement is steep
- Post-launch support has officially ended
Performance Notes
A technical marvel. On Series X, it delivers native 4K at 60fps in campaign and 120fps in Versus with zero screen tearing.
Gears 5 is a content behemoth that redefined the franchise’s corridor-shooter roots by introducing open-world hubs and RPG-lite elements. Years after launch, it remains one of the most optimized titles on Xbox Series X, serving as a perfect bridge while fans wait for Gears of War: E-Day. Its “Hivebusters” DLC is arguably the best single-player content The Coalition has ever produced.
How to Play Gears 5
Success in Gears depends on mastering the “Wall Bounce” movement and the Active Reload mechanic.
- Controls – A (slide/cover) is your lifeline; separate run/roll buttons if possible for precision.
- Progression – Multiplayer uses a “Tour of Duty” system for cosmetics; characters have hero abilities in PvE.
- Combat/Mechanics – Aggressive cover-to-cover movement combined with shotgun (Gnasher) dominance close-range.
- Tips – Don’t hard-aim around corners; use hip-fire and movement to outmaneuver foes.
Who Should Play Gears 5
Gamers looking for a “complete package” featuring campaign, competitive PvP, and cooperative horde modes.
- Player 1 – Co-op groups who want a deep, class-based PvE survival experience (Horde).
- Player 2 – Visual fidelity chasers wanting to see what the Series X can really do.
- Player 3 – Competitive players who enjoy high-skill-ceiling movement mechanics.
- Skip if – You dislike “spongy” enemies or third-person camera perspective.
Gears 5 Platform Performance
Gears 5 was the first showcase of Xbox Series X optimization, featuring 60FPS campaign cutscenes and 120FPS multiplayer.
| Platform | Resolution | FPS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC (High) | 4K Ultra | 60+ | Extremely well-optimized; runs on wide range of hardware |
| PS5 | N/A | N/A | Xbox/PC Exclusive |
| Xbox Series X | 4K Native | 60/120 | Includes PC Ultra textures, reduced input latency, and VRS |
| Switch | N/A | N/A | Not available |
Gears 5 System Requirements
Thanks to Unreal Engine 4 mastery, Gears 5 is very accessible on PC while scaling high for enthusiasts.
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 | Windows 10 |
| CPU | i3 Skylake / FX-6000 | i5 Skylake / Ryzen 3 |
| GPU | GTX 1050 / R9 280 | GTX 1660 Ti / RX 570 |
| RAM | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Storage | 80 GB | SSD Highly Recommended |
Similar Games to Gears 5
These titles share the cover-based mechanics or the overwhelming “horde” enemy density.
- Space Marine 2 – The closest modern rival; heavy armored soldiers fighting swarms of aliens.
- Helldivers 2 – Focuses on cooperative PvE against bugs/bots, similar to Horde mode.
- Outriders – Developed by People Can Fly (Gears Judgment devs); adds super-powers to cover shooting.
- The Division 2 – Tactical cover shooter, but with RPG loot numbers and open world focus.
Gears 5 vs Competitors
Gears 5 stands out for its specific “Horde” mode depth which few competitors have matched.
| Feature | Gears 5 | Space Marine 2 | Helldivers 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Game Pass / $40 | $70 | $40 |
| Playtime | 15h (Camp) + Infinite | 10h (Camp) + Infinite | Infinite |
| Multiplayer | PvP & PvE | PvP & PvE | PvE Only |
| Metacritic | 84 | 82 | 82 |
Gears 5 Story & World
The campaign shifts focus to Kait Diaz, exploring her connection to the Locust horde. It opens up the world with the Skiff vehicle, allowing exploration of frozen tundras and red deserts. The narrative is darker and more personal than the original trilogy, delving into the origins of the enemy and questioning the morality of the COG government. It effectively sets the stage for the upcoming conflicts in the universe.
Gears 5 Multiplayer & Online
Gears 5 offers three distinct pillars of online play, all fully supported with cross-play.
- Versus – Arcade, Ranked, and King of the Hill modes; 120Hz support makes gnasher battles fluid.
- Horde – The industry standard for wave defense; build fortifications and level up character classes.
- Escape – A unique 3-player co-op mode where you infiltrate a hive, plant a bomb, and run for your life.
- Cross-Play – Xbox and PC players play together; console players can opt-out of mouse/keyboard lobbies.
Gears 5 DLC & Expansions
The game received significant post-launch support which is now complete and bundled in the GOTY edition.
- Hivebusters – A fantastic 3-hour story expansion set on tropical islands; visually stunning.
- New Game+ – Allows campaign replays with character skins and modifiers.
- Operation updates – Added maps like Gridlock and characters like Hoffman (all now free).
- Free Updates – All multiplayer maps and modes are free for all players.
Gears 5 Community & Support
While active development has ceased, the servers remain populated and stable.
- Official Forums – The Coalition’s site tracks stats and legacy achievements.
- Reddit/Discord – r/GearsOfWar is the main hub, currently hyping up E-Day.
- Mod Support – Limited on PC; mostly visual tweaks or ReShade presets.
- Updates – Server maintenance only; no new content drops expected.