Gears of War 4 Reviews

Gears of War 4 is ranked in the 93rd percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Shacknews
Top Critic
9 / 10
Oct 11, 2016

Gears of War 4 is a fantastic addition to a great franchise. It introduces characters and paves a runway for future games. The Coalition Studio updated the series with a careful attention to detail that is clearly rooted in a deep respect for the history of the series. Gamers who have never played a Gears of War game will feel just as welcome as players who have logged thousands of hours killing grubs. This is one of the best games to be released this year, without a doubt. While the campaign may have felt a bit short with its abrupt ending, it left me itching for a sequel.

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95 / 100
Oct 6, 2016

The Coalition does not seek to reinvent the wheel in Gears of War 4, but borrows mechanics that were not theirs and perfects them to offer us a spectacular video game, both narratively and playable and visual. All this accompanied by a multiplayer that works and with enough news to hook us for a long time.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Oct 6, 2016

'Gears of War 4' features fresh takes on some modes, but plays it safe for others.

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8 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

The nature of Gears of War 4 is that we won't know its legacy until there are more games in the canon. That's frustrating now but it'll hopefully be exciting later. This was a fine first showing but it'd be nice to see The Coalition carve its own identity for Gears of War. Using Epic's foundation is understandable and expected, but it often feels like a crutch. Marcus' boy had grown up just like him.

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8.6 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

Gears of War is back with a very solid entry in the beloved franchise: the lack of courage and the apparent fear of taking risks prevents Gears of War 4 from entering the absolute gotha of the genre, yet with its compelling campaign and the usual, stellar multiplayer, this remains one hell of a ride.

Review in Italian | Read full review

Metro GameCentral
Top Critic
8 / 10
Oct 6, 2016

The story campaign can be a little bland, at least when playing on your own, but otherwise this does a fine job of bringing Gears into the current gen.

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9 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

The new installment of the Gears of War saga is just what the fans were expecting after Judgment. Even though its story mode is a bit short, its gameplay mechanics and graphics will make you fall in love with Gears of War 4.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

Unscored
Oct 14, 2016

Sorry all of you “Pokemon Go” players, “Gears of War 4” is my social game of the season.

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Oct 10, 2016

Gears of War 4 is a surprisingly successful continuation of the franchise by a new studio. I might have my issues with the second half of the campaign, but I did like the return of Marcus Fenix. I look forward to spending more time with Kait, J.D., and the rest of the new crew in future installments. Gears of War 4 also has my favorite selection of multiplayer modes for the series, which ultimately carries the experience. This is a safe release that is best designated for Gears fans as well as anyone looking for a satisfying multiplayer third-person shooter.

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8 / 10
Oct 6, 2016

The Coalition had a tall task in bringing Gears of War to a new generation for their first original game under the banner, and they mostly pulled it off with class. The competitive multiplayer isn’t much of an evolution from previous efforts, and the campaign drags for a bit, but the high points make it worth the ride and the new Horde mode is simply stellar. If you’ve enjoyed this franchise previously or have a few friends looking for co-op, give Gears of War 4 a close look – it’s definitely worth the time.

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7 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

The combat of the campaign is fundamentally sound, the multiplayer is well crafted as always (despite the usual shotty problem), and Horde mode is great entertainment. As a complete package, the game is worthy, if only for the fact it’s a Gears game and the true heavy lifting was already done by Epic in 2006. Nevertheless, the campaign is flimsy, and despite claims of signifying a new generation for the series, Gears of War 4 is ultimately an upholder of the status quo.

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7 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

The Coalition’s first effort in a series known for over-the-top spectacle is surprisingly restrained, at least in its campaign

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Oct 6, 2016

Gears of War 4 is exactly what you've come to expect a Gears of War game to be over the years -- an impressive visual showcase in the campaign, with the accompanying competitive and cooperative modes to keep you busy long after the credits roll. Its good to finally see a new Gears of War game on the Xbox One. The wait has been long for Gears of War 4, and now we've seen that the wait has been worth it.

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Oct 10, 2016

Gears of War 4 just feels great. It feels like the return of an old friend, and The Coalition masterfully weave that nostalgia into the game without smothering us in it exploitatively — which is something they very easily could have done. Gears of War 4's greatest moments can be found in between the lines. They're in the shadows of familiar silhouettes, in the tones of nostalgic sound effects, in every COG tag you find scattered around the battlefield, and every ridiculous, over-the-top set piece.

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Oct 6, 2016

While the gameplay and storyline certainly aren't lacking and will likely keep Gears fans amused, The Coalition seems reluctant to let the past go and to move on. Away from the campaign, there are tweaks to competitive multiplayer that include a couple of new game modes, but the real focus of the title is the improved Horde mode. It is here that players will spend the majority of their time and where the real enjoyment lies.

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Oct 10, 2016

Its thrilling, opulent campaign is tempered only by a lingering sense of familiarity and hesitation to capitalise on some interesting new ideas. While its online offerings feature all the bells and whistles you would expect of Gears of War. There is some work to be done for The Coalition to make Gears their own, then, but as the first page of a new chapter for the series? It is a helluva place to start.

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Guardian
Top Critic
Oct 6, 2016

A coherent single-player campaign and excellent online options bring this Xbox stalwart right back into the battle

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JVL
Necry
Top Critic
17 / 20
Oct 12, 2016

Let's not take it all in all, the Canadian studio has tamed the beast but above all the heavy legacy of the license. Unsurprisingly and without taking any great risks, Gears of War 4 remains remarkably effective. With a successful storytelling, punchy gameplay and exemplary technique, the campaign manages to do justice to the saga and restore its image after a Judgment below expectations. The multiplayer inherits a superb treatment, with many game modes just as pleasant, and especially the Horde mode which should occupy a large fanbase. Quite simply, a real success, and a must for any TPS fan.

Review in French | Read full review

8.7 / 10.0
Oct 10, 2016

Gears of War 4 is exactly what any fan of the series expects to play. with shootings, violence, bullets and tons of butchered locust meat. If you are expecting news, then turn away. If, on the other hand, you love that macabre and satisfying dance made of kills and cover ups, the title of The Coalition will thrill and satisfy you from start to finish, both in single and multiplayer. Embrace the lancers gentlemen: back to war!

Review in Italian | Read full review

Ken McKown
Top Critic
9 / 10.0
Oct 6, 2016

Everything about Gears of War 4 is as polished and perfectly executed as I expected. The Coalition have done an outstanding job in continuing the series, and I am genuinely excited to see where the series goes from here. This new trilogy has opened up a brand new story that is sure to entertain for years to come, and now PC players can join in on the fun. The series is in good hands, and anyone who enjoys Gears is in for a treat when the game launches.

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