8.5 /10 22

Gears Tactics successfully translates the visceral intensity of the Gears of War franchise into a turn-based strategy game without losing the series’ signature aggression. Released by The Coalition and Splash Damage, it stands as a unique entry in the genre by prioritizing speed and execution over defensive turtling. Unlike its peers, which often encourage cautious play, Gears Tactics rewards pushing forward, flanking, and executing enemies to extend your turn. Critics and players alike have praised its seamless transition to the tactical genre, noting how it retains the cinematic feel of the main shooters while offering deep strategic layers. Readers will learn how this prequel sets the stage for the original trilogy and why its aggressive “actions-per-turn” system refreshes the standard tactical formula.

How to Play Gears Tactics

Players command a squad of up to four units (COGs) in turn-based battles against the Locust Horde. The gameplay emphasizes aggressive maneuvering, cover usage, and executing downed enemies to gain Action Points (AP).

1. Controls – The game uses a standard point-and-click interface on PC and optimized controller support for Xbox. It is intuitive, with a low learning curve for genre veterans but offers depth in AP management.
2. Progression – You advance by completing main story missions and mandatory side missions. Units level up through skill trees, unlocking passive buffs and active abilities like “Vanguard” or “Sniper” specializations.
3. Combat/Mechanics – The core loop revolves around spending 3 AP per unit to move, shoot, or use skills. Executions are vital; performing one grants extra AP to all squad members, allowing for extended combo chains.
4. Tips – Always prioritize executions to keep your turn going. Use “Overwatch” to punish enemy movement, but be careful of their counter-fire. Keep your units close enough to support each other but spread out to avoid grenades.

Who Should Play Gears Tactics

This title is perfect for strategy enthusiasts who want a faster pace and Gears fans looking for more lore. It bridges the gap between shooter action and tactical planning.

• Player 1 – XCOM fans who want a more aggressive, less RNG-dependent experience where shots rarely miss at close range.
• Player 2 – Gears of War narrative followers interested in the backstory of Kait Diaz’s father, Gabe Diaz, during the early Locust War.
• Player 3 – PC gamers with Game Pass looking for a high-quality, polished strategy title that respects their time.
• Skip if – You dislike linear progression or mandatory side missions, which can feel repetitive in the mid-game.

Gears Tactics Platform Performance

The game is highly optimized, scaling incredibly well across a wide range of hardware thanks to a partnership with Intel during development. It runs smoothly on both consoles and PC.

Gears Tactics System Requirements

The PC specifications are very reasonable, allowing the game to run on older hardware while looking fantastic on modern rigs.

Similar Games to Gears Tactics

If you enjoy the squad-based tactical combat of Gears Tactics, these alternatives offer comparable depth with their own unique twists on the genre.

• XCOM 2 – The genre standard. Offers strategic base-building and permadeath, which Gears Tactics lacks, making it higher stakes.
• Marvel’s Midnight Suns – Combines card-based abilities with tactical positioning. It shares the focus on hero characters and narrative but adds deck-building.
• Warhammer 40,000: Chaos Gate – Daemonhunters – Similar aggression-focused gameplay set in the grimdark 40k universe, featuring destructible environments.
• Mutant Year Zero: Road to Eden – Blends stealth exploration with turn-based combat, offering a different pacing and atmosphere.

Gears Tactics vs Competitors

Compared to other tactical heavyweights, Gears Tactics offers a more linear, polished, and combat-focused experience without the management overhead.

Gears Tactics Story & World

Set 12 years before the original Gears of War, the game follows Gabe Diaz as he recruits a ragtag squad to hunt down Ukkon, a Locust scientist creating monsters. The narrative expands the lore significantly, showing the early days of the war and the desperate state of the COG. The tone is gritty and cinematic, featuring high-quality cutscenes that match the mainline shooter games. The world-building does an excellent job of showing the ruined beauty of Sera immediately after Emergence Day.

Gears Tactics Multiplayer & Online

Gears Tactics is a purely single-player experience designed to tell a specific story without online distractions.

• Single Player Only – The game focuses entirely on its narrative campaign and “Veteran Mode” endgame.
• No PvP – There are no competitive multiplayer modes or leaderboards.
• No Co-op – You control the entire squad solo; there is no option for cooperative play.
• Cross-Play – Not applicable, though save progression carries over between Xbox and PC via Xbox Play Anywhere.

Gears Tactics DLC & Expansions

The game released as a complete package and did not receive major paid expansions, but includes significant content updates.

• Jacked Mode – A free update that added Jack the bot as a playable unit, new supreme equipment, and tougher enemies.
• Thrashball Cole – Originally a pre-order bonus, this character pack is now available for purchase or included in Game Pass Ultimate perks occasionally.
• Veteran Missions – Endgame content that unlocks after the campaign, offering remixed levels with modifiers for better loot.
• Free Updates – Several patches have improved stability and added quality-of-life features since launch.

Gears Tactics Community & Support

While development has concluded, the community remains active around strategy guides and speedrunning, supported by stable servers.

• Official Forums – Hosted on the Gears of War website, serving as a hub for lore discussions.
• Reddit/Discord – The r/GearsOfWar subreddit is the main place for fan discussion and tactical advice.
• Mod Support – Limited official mod support compared to XCOM 2, but some community tweaks exist on Nexus Mods.
• Updates – The game is in its final state with no further content updates planned.