Buy Gears 5 Gears 5 launched to consumers about a month ago. We ran an initial campaign review but held off on scoring so we could give the multiplayer a look with full server populations and real-world conditions.

Excellent

You would be forgiven if you're going into Gears 5 not expecting much. While the series has created a space for itself in the history of gaming, it's often been criticised for linear gameplay and weak storylines.

When Gears of War 4 released in 2016, it acted as somewhat as a reboot for the series, introducing a new cast of characters with JD Fenix, the son of Marcus, Delmont " Del " Walker and Kait Diaz leading the charge.

With gratifying combat, practically unmatched visual grandeur, a new focus on exploration and some of the most interesting locations and characters at the high-budget end of modern gaming, Gears 5 is an incredible leap forward for the original cover-based third-person shooter series.

The story is far from high art and is much too self-serious to be amusing. Gears 5 's plot fails to entertain in most regards, since the majority of the characters are flat and unlikeable, with the exception of Del who had some personality by way of being optimistic, and having the funnier lines of...

Gears mixes things up but still retains its signature brutal combat and gore!

+ Strong voice acting and some decent writing in the campaign; + Jack's combat abilities freshen basic gameplay up; + Open world elements a welcome attempt to do something different; expand the Gears universe; + Series' strengths - Horde mode; basic combat; weapon variety; presentation – all still...

- Campaign's deeply unsatisfying ending; - Open world is for sure nice to have; but not very in-depth; meaning it feels a little like padding; - New Escape multiplayer mode not quite hitting its stride yet

Gears 5 proves that when it comes to heart-pumping firefights and slick shooting mechanics, it is still king. But while we appreciate The Coalition experimenting with open-world elements and trying to build a deeper narrative, it doesn't always stick the landing.

Visually intoxicating; Plenty of multiplayer modes; New mechanics make it feel fresh; More areas to explore and lore to uncover;

Open world elements feel off; Doesn't flesh out narrative to full extent

A more mature Gears 5 returns the series to its former glory

Dark; twist-filled campaign; Classic Gears of War combat; Jack is a great companion; Escape is perfect for aggressive players; Open areas add variety

Microtransactions don't belong; Only human allies for Escape

The Gears of War series has been uncompromising in its apocalyptic vision, holding the line with the same cover-based shooting, gruff armor-clad heroes, and wealth of multiplayer modes in all of its installments. You know exactly what you are getting from each game, and that's a great thing.