Gears 5 is a third-person shooter developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios. Released in September 2019, it continues the Gears of War saga with protagonist Kait Diaz as she uncovers her connection to the enemy Locust Horde. The campaign features semi-open world exploration alongside the series' trademark cover-based combat and visceral action. Multiplayer includes competitive Versus modes, the cooperative Horde mode for up to five players, and the three-player Escape mode. The game showcases stunning Unreal Engine 4 visuals with detailed environments and character models. Gears 5 scored 84 on Metacritic and was praised for its engaging campaign and robust multiplayer suite. It is included with Xbox Game Pass and has become one of the most-played titles on the service.
Third-Person Shooters
Gears 5 delivers the franchise's trademark cover-based combat in a semi-open world campaign alongside competitive multiplayer and the beloved five-player Horde mode.
Game Details
PlatformsPC, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One
GenreThird-Person Shooter
DeveloperThe Coalition
Released2019
Critic Score84/100
MultiplayerYes
Cross-PlatformNo
Game EngineUnreal Engine 4
MicrotransactionsYes
4.1
1 reviews
Combat Mechanics
4.7
Visual Fidelity
4.5
Story Engagement
4.2
Performance Stability
4
Level Design
3.6
Claude Opus 4.6
AI Review
4.1/5
Gears 5 represents a confident evolution for the franchise, expanding the classic cover-based formula with semi-open world exploration segments that give the campaign room to breathe. Kait Diaz makes for a compelling protagonist, and the narrative takes the series in more personal, emotionally grounded directions. The core gunplay remains immensely satisfying -- the visceral weight of the Lancer and the crunch of a perfect active reload are still best-in-class for the genre. Horde mode continues to be a cooperative highlight, and the new Escape mode adds a tense, resource-scarce alternative. Visually, The Coalition wrings remarkable detail from Unreal Engine 4. The multiplayer suite, while robust, struggled with post-launch content cadence and microtransaction controversies that soured the community. The open-world sections, while a welcome change of pace, can feel somewhat empty. Overall, Gears 5 is a polished, substantial package that modernizes the franchise without losing its identity.