It's going to be a while before Gears of War: E-Day arrives, but the good news is that the first game in the series will be re-released soon in an upgraded package. Even better, this version of the first Gears game is priced at just $40 and it won't be limited to PC and Xbox Series X|S, as PS5 owners will also be able to experience the genre-defining classic for themselves when it releases on August 26.
In fact, PlayStation 5 owners are the only ones who can get a physical edition of Gears of War: Reloaded. And Gears isn't the only Microsoft-owned title that will get a physical standard edition for PS5 but not Xbox; Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 are in the same boat, though those have boxed Deluxe and Premium Editions, respectively, with download codes (no discs). boxed Premium Edition for Xbox with a download code (not a disc). Xbox's increasing focus on Game Pass and its "Play Anywhere" mantra has seemingly led to physical editions being removed from the launch equation for at least some, and perhaps most, of its first-party games.
Gears of War: Reloaded physical and digital preorders come with two multiplayer character skins: Adam Fenix, the father of protagonist Marcus Fenix, and Delta Squad officer Anya Stroud. These bonuses will also be available to those who play via Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.
Anyone who preorders a digital edition, subscribes to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition owners can partake in the multiplayer beta June 13-15 and June 20-22. The physical edition for PS5 does not include beta access as a preorder perk.
If you've always been a PlayStation user and haven't had the opportunity to play the series, you should be in for a treat. Gears of War was a revolutionized the third-person shooter following its initial 2006 release. While it wasn't the first video game to make use of a cover-based combat system, it played a huge role in turning the mechanic into a third-person shooter sub-genre.
The game was also critically acclaimed for its cinematic storytelling and talented cast. The campaign felt like a Hollywood war movie with an over-the-top sci-fi bent. It became one of the biggest franchises on the Xbox 360, and it spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.
In the years following the franchise's debut, Gears of War expanded into other mediums, including prose novels. From 2008 to 2021, eight novels set in the world of Gears of War were published. Many of the novels were well-received by fans and remain good examples of how video game franchises can succeed as novels. The novels were written by several different authors, including Karen Traviss, Jason Hough, and Michael Stackpole.
The books expand on storylines from the game series as well as spin new yarns. Set on the planet of Sera, Gears of War tells the story of humanity's war against a race of subterranean creatures known as the Locust Horde. There's a lot of backstory and lore revolving around the bloody history of humankind, the search for alternative fuels, and the Pendulum Wars between the COG and the UIF, making for a fascinating lore.
The majority of the stories are also told through the viewpoint of Marcus Fenix--a legendary soldier who ran afoul of the COG's top brass--and his comrades as they battle across Sera.
For a broad overview of the Gears of War series and the impact it has had on popular culture, you can also check out Gears of War: Retrospective. Published by Udon Entertainment, this book looks at the entire Gears franchise, from its Xbox 360 roots through to the most-recent entry in the series, Gears 5. Not only is it full of great commentary from the people behind the games, but it also features key visuals, concept art, and more.
See at Amazon
Just in case you don't plan to get the new ROG Xbox Ally from Asus, you can still take a Gears of War game on the go with you. Specifically, the Gears of War card game. This tabletop experience allows you to choose between playing as the COG or the Locust Horde, and it focuses on using strategy to dominate skirmishes.
Like the video games, the card game is narrative-focused and features several chapters with unique objectives and terrain layouts. Normally $35, you can pick this up for just $24 right now.
See at Amazon
Source
In fact, PlayStation 5 owners are the only ones who can get a physical edition of Gears of War: Reloaded. And Gears isn't the only Microsoft-owned title that will get a physical standard edition for PS5 but not Xbox; Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 are in the same boat, though those have boxed Deluxe and Premium Editions, respectively, with download codes (no discs). boxed Premium Edition for Xbox with a download code (not a disc). Xbox's increasing focus on Game Pass and its "Play Anywhere" mantra has seemingly led to physical editions being removed from the launch equation for at least some, and perhaps most, of its first-party games.
Gears of War: Reloaded Preorder Bonuses
Gears of War: Reloaded physical and digital preorders come with two multiplayer character skins: Adam Fenix, the father of protagonist Marcus Fenix, and Delta Squad officer Anya Stroud. These bonuses will also be available to those who play via Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.
Anyone who preorders a digital edition, subscribes to Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, and Gears of War: Ultimate Edition owners can partake in the multiplayer beta June 13-15 and June 20-22. The physical edition for PS5 does not include beta access as a preorder perk.
If you've always been a PlayStation user and haven't had the opportunity to play the series, you should be in for a treat. Gears of War was a revolutionized the third-person shooter following its initial 2006 release. While it wasn't the first video game to make use of a cover-based combat system, it played a huge role in turning the mechanic into a third-person shooter sub-genre.
The game was also critically acclaimed for its cinematic storytelling and talented cast. The campaign felt like a Hollywood war movie with an over-the-top sci-fi bent. It became one of the biggest franchises on the Xbox 360, and it spawned numerous sequels and spin-offs.
Pass the time by reading the Gears of War novels
In the years following the franchise's debut, Gears of War expanded into other mediums, including prose novels. From 2008 to 2021, eight novels set in the world of Gears of War were published. Many of the novels were well-received by fans and remain good examples of how video game franchises can succeed as novels. The novels were written by several different authors, including Karen Traviss, Jason Hough, and Michael Stackpole.
The books expand on storylines from the game series as well as spin new yarns. Set on the planet of Sera, Gears of War tells the story of humanity's war against a race of subterranean creatures known as the Locust Horde. There's a lot of backstory and lore revolving around the bloody history of humankind, the search for alternative fuels, and the Pendulum Wars between the COG and the UIF, making for a fascinating lore.
The majority of the stories are also told through the viewpoint of Marcus Fenix--a legendary soldier who ran afoul of the COG's top brass--and his comrades as they battle across Sera.
- Gears of War: Aspho Fields -- $15.81 (
$17) - Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant -- $15 (
$20) - Gears of War: Anvil Gate -- $16 (
$20) - Gears of War: Coalition's End -- $26.97
- Gears of War: The Slab -- Currently sold out
- Gears of War: Ascendance -- $14.30 (
$20) - Gears of War: Bloodlines -- $14.30 (
$20) - Gears of War: Ephyra Rising -- $16
Gears of War: Retrospective
Gears of War: RetrospectiveFor a broad overview of the Gears of War series and the impact it has had on popular culture, you can also check out Gears of War: Retrospective. Published by Udon Entertainment, this book looks at the entire Gears franchise, from its Xbox 360 roots through to the most-recent entry in the series, Gears 5. Not only is it full of great commentary from the people behind the games, but it also features key visuals, concept art, and more.
See at Amazon
Gears of War: The Card Game
Gears of War: The Card GameJust in case you don't plan to get the new ROG Xbox Ally from Asus, you can still take a Gears of War game on the go with you. Specifically, the Gears of War card game. This tabletop experience allows you to choose between playing as the COG or the Locust Horde, and it focuses on using strategy to dominate skirmishes.
Like the video games, the card game is narrative-focused and features several chapters with unique objectives and terrain layouts. Normally $35, you can pick this up for just $24 right now.
See at Amazon
Source