Gears Tactics Reviews
Gears Tactics tries some new things, but ultimately results in a game that’s less tactics oriented than the name suggests. It’s a competent experience, but completely whiffs on character with a lackluster story and every tool is a hammer class design.
Despite the necessary rules and stricture of turn-based strategy, the action feels just as chaotic and unpredictable as any trophy match Cole played in his sporting days.
If you enjoy the Gears of War franchise and design then you’ll like this. It feels and looks like a Gears game, from the stupidly overly-macho Gears themselves and their incessant grunting, to the continuous and gory chainsaw kills. If that’s your thing and you’d like an easy entry into turn-based game-play then yes, get this game, play it on an easy difficulty and completely ignore the micromanagement needed through the weapon and squad modifier process. Like the other Gears games, it’s a pretty, if brainless game. If, however, you’re a fan of more complex Turn-Based Strategy games you’re going to feel like a large portion Gears Tactics is either missing or dumbed down so far that it feels completely unfinished. As a veteran of other games in the genre, at every moment this very much felt like babies-first turn-based tactics game. All it needs is for the instruction manual to be printed on thick cardboard with a disclaimer on the back saying ‘these instructions are waterproof and chew-able’.
Ultimately, Gears Tactics may be inviting to someone who wants a bridge between robust strategy and high octane excitement. However, veteran strategy game players may find this game a shallow ride.
Gears Tactics is a solid iteration of Gears' gameplay as a tactical game. And despite having a few frustrating moments, I enjoyed the ~30 hours I spent on it, the combat choices and strategy elements are both fun and satisfying, although the missions end up getting repetitive and monotonous with a few difficulty spikes. Nonetheless, I hope The Coalition and Splash Damage expand on this game with future DLC or a sequel.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
While it doesn’t quite have enough tricks up its sleeve to remain engaging throughout its 40-hour main story, it’s still a creative, interesting new take on the franchise that’s worth a look for any fan after something a bit different.
Despite some stumbles, Splash Damage has successfully taken the essence of the Gears franchise and transferred it into a turn-based strategy game.
As a spin-off, Gears Tactics has strong core gameplay, but unfortunately surrounding areas in the design hold it back from being greater.
Its core combat is probably better than XCOM's. If only it did a little more with it, Gears Tactics would be one of the greats.Richard Scott-Jones
Gears Tactics is a smart, fast, and aggressive strategy game that's in need of a little more variety
Gears Tactics is a worthwhile spinoff that does a great job of integrating key franchise elements into a different genre. The story is shallow and the missions get quite repetitive, but fans of turn based tactics should get some gory fun out of this one.
Gears Tactics' devs took a lot of inspiration and know-how from the XCOM series, but they implemented it so elegantly, it's not very bothersome at all. The visual style and atmosphere stayed very true to the original series, but the whole experience is compromised by repetitive forced side missions and weak RPG progression.
Review in Slovak | Read full review
If all you want is XCOM-style combat set in the Gears universe then Gears Tactics will be sure to satisfy but just don't expect it to offer a fully-featured immersive campaign that's anything beyond simply beating mission after mission.
Gears Tactics is a successful experiment for both Gears franchise and Splash Damage. But there is much more potential than the game shows us.
Review in Russian | Read full review
Staying true to the franchise, your Gears are brutal killing machines who live in a soap opera. We'll add that it's also rare to find a tactics game which makes you feel powerful but vulnerable at the same time, and that's worth a lot.
Gears Tactics successfully injects the brutal action of the Gears of War Series in a tactical environment with phenomenal boss fights and gory executions but runs itself in the ground with a repetitive mission structure and a lot of missing variety in many departments. Even newcomers of the Genre will soon have a desire for more.
Review in German | Read full review
Gears Tactics is the one for both the fans of the classic Gears lore and of the X-COM style tactical gameplay. While some may not enjoy the fast-paced nature of the game, others will find it to be a breath of fresh air. For those that enjoy both - well, they are in for a treat as it is the best of both worlds, which'll leave you craving for more in the future.
Its only cons are the substantially long duration (the many side missions) and the lack of mechanisms that would justify a second playthrough.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Gears Tactics is a fun and cerebral-challenging addition to the turn-based strategy line of games that go beyond what is expected. While it’s not wholly original, it presents a lot of time-tested mechanics in a streamlined and intuitive way while also not being afraid of challenging its audience.