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'{{short description|2019 video game}} {{Use mdy dates|date=September 2019}} {{Infobox video game | title = Gears 5 | image = Gears 5 cover art.png | developer = [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]] | publisher = [[Xbox Game Studios]] | director = [[Rod Fergusson]] | producer = Christi Rae | designer = {{Unbulleted list|Matt Searcy|Ryan Cleven}} | programmer = {{Unbulleted list|Kate Rayner|Jerry Edsall}} | artist = Aryan Hanbeck | writer = [[Tom Bissell]] | composer = {{Unbulleted list|[[Ramin Djawadi]]|Crispin Hands}} | series = ''[[Gears of War]]'' | engine = [[Unreal Engine 4]] | platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Windows]]|[[Xbox One]]|[[Xbox Series X/S]]}} | released = {{Unbulleted list|'''Windows''', '''Xbox One'''|September 10, 2019{{efn|The Ultimate Edition for the game was released on September 6, 2019. The standard and collector's editions were released on September 10, 2019.<ref name="ERD">{{cite news |last1=Thier |first1=Dave |title='Gears 5' Release Day: What Time Does Early Access Start For Xbox One And PC? |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2019/09/05/gears-5-release-day-what-time-does-early-access-start-for-xbox-one-and-pc/ |access-date=September 6, 2019 |agency=Forbes |work=Forbes Media |date=September 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190905175728/https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidthier/2019/09/05/gears-5-release-day-what-time-does-early-access-start-for-xbox-one-and-pc/#50bff35e2a7e |archive-date=September 5, 2019 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>}}|'''Xbox Series X/S'''|November 10, 2020}} | genre = [[Third-person shooter]] | modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]] }} '''''Gears 5''''' is a 2019 [[third-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]] and published by [[Xbox Game Studios]] for [[Windows]], [[Xbox One]], and [[Xbox Series X|Xbox Series X/S]]. It is the fifth main installment of the ''[[Gears of War]]'' series and the sequel to ''[[Gears of War 4]]''. ''Gears 5'' follows the story of [[Kait Diaz]], who is on a journey to find out the origin of the Locust Horde, the main antagonistic faction of the ''Gears of War'' series. The ''Ultimate Edition'' for ''Gears 5'' was released on September 6, 2019, while the standard edition of the game was released worldwide on September 10, 2019. ''Gears 5'' received generally favorable reviews from critics who praised the gameplay, campaign, presentation and amount of content, but criticised the story and overall lack of innovation. ==Gameplay== [[File:Gears 5 screenshot.png|thumb|left|The game introduces the Skiff, a vehicle which can be used to navigate the game's open environments.]] Similar to its predecessor, the game is a [[third-person shooter]]. The player has three weapon slots, which allow them to equip one light weapon and two heavier weapons. The player also has access to explosives such as [[grenade]]s, and they can use melee weapons such as the [[Lancer Assault Rifle]], a mid-range [[assault rifle]] with a fully operational [[chainsaw]] for a bayonet. The player can also use the environment to their advantage. In addition to several linear scenarios, the game also features several [[open world|hub worlds]], which can be explored freely on foot or using a vehicle named the Skiff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gears-5-campaign-preview-huge-evolution-youve-been-waiting|title=Gears 5 campaign preview: The evolution you've been waiting for|first=Jez|last=Corden|work=Windows Central|date=August 30, 2019|accessdate=February 26, 2022}}</ref> In the game, the player can complete various side quests, and as the player explores the game's world, they would discover [[collectibles]] and essential components needed to upgrade Jack, a robot which accompanies Kait throughout the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gears-5-tips|title=Gears 5 tips: 10 things you need to know to stop the Swarm|first=Miguel|last=Concepcion|work=[[GamesRadar]]|date=January 26, 2021|accessdate=February 26, 2021}}</ref> Through upgrading Jack, new skills, such as scanning enemies, [[cloaking]] Kait and her squad, stunning enemies, and deflecting bullets using an energy shield, will be unlocked.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gears-5-guide-list-jack-upgrades-and-where-find-them|title=Gears 5 guide: List of Jack upgrades and where to find them|first=Samuel|last=Tolbert|work=Windows Central|date=September 6, 2010|accessdate=February 26, 2022}}</ref> In addition to [[Single-player video game|single-player]] gameplay, the game supports three-player local [[Split screen (computer graphics)|split screen]] or online [[Cooperative video game|cooperative]] gameplay.<ref name="e3 2018 announcement"/> Horde mode also returns in ''Gears 5'', in which five players must work together to fight against 50 waves of enemies. A [[boss (gaming)|boss]] will appear every 10 waves. Players need to select from one of many classes under 4 categories, these categories being Assault, Tank, Support, and Promotional (Scout). Each of whom has classes with their own unique weapons and abilities. Each category has 5 classes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/09-09-2019-gears-5-horde-tips|title=Gears 5 Horde Mode Tips - Character Abilities, Classes, How to Upgrade Fortifications|first=Hirun|last=Cyer|work=[[USgamer]]|date=September 9, 2019|accessdate=February 26, 2022}}</ref> The game also introduces a new three-player cooperative mode named Escape. In Escape, the player assumes control of a "Hivebuster", who voluntarily get captured by the Swarm in order to infiltrate and destroy their hives using Venom Bombs. The players must cooperate with each other and utilize the unique abilities of each character in order to escape and reach an extraction point.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.windowscentral.com/gears-5-escape-mode-preview-bite-size-violence-never-felt-so-good|title=Gears 5 Escape mode preview: Bite-size violence never felt so good|first=Jez|last=Corden|work=Windows Central|date=June 19, 2019|accessdate=February 26, 2022}}</ref> The game also features several [[competitive multiplayer]] modes including [[Team Deathmatch]], [[King of the Hill]] and Escalation. A new mode named Arcade is also available. It was described as a "[[hero shooter]]-lite" mode designed for new players or a more casual audience.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/preview/2019/07/16/breaking-down-the-new-multiplayer-suite|title=Gears 5: Breaking Down The New Multiplayer Suite|first=Brian|last=Shea|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|date=July 16, 2019|accessdate=February 26, 2022}}</ref> ==Synopsis== [[File:Gears5 Kait and Marcus amulet.jpg|thumb|A cutscene depicting a discussion between Kait and Marcus about the former's amulet and family history]] ''Gears 5'' is set on the world of Sera and takes place months after the events of ''[[Gears of War 4]]''. The majority of its narrative focuses on [[Kait Diaz]] ([[Laura Bailey (voice actress)|Laura Bailey]]), originally a member of a human faction known as the Outsiders who resist the totalitarian rule of the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG), the dominant human nation state in Sera headquartered in the city of New Ephyra. Subsequent events in the narrative forces Kait, who had experienced recurring nightmarish visions after ''Gears of War 4'', to discover the origins of the monstrous Locust Horde that threatened the human civilizations of Sera a generation before, as well as the truth behind her connection to Myrrah ([[Carolyn Seymour]]), the deceased Queen of the Locust. Kait is accompanied by her friend Delmont "Del" Walker ([[Eugene Byrd]]) and a robot named Jack for the majority of her journey. Del's best friend [[JD Fenix|James Dominic "JD" Fenix]] ([[Liam McIntyre]]) is the [[player character]] for the first chapter of ''Gears 5''. Other important characters include JD's father [[Marcus Fenix]] ([[John DiMaggio]]{{efn|[[Dave Bautista]] (who also provides facial capture for Marcus) replaces DiMaggio in every mode in ''Gears 5'', if the Marcus as Batista Override option is enabled in the Campaign mode and/or the Batista skin for Marcus is used in the Versus, Horde and Swarm modes.}}); [[Damon Baird]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]), a former comrade of Marcus and the creator of Jack; Fahz Chutani ([[Rahul Kohli]]), a former friend of JD and Del; and COG First Minister Mina Jinn (Angel Desai). By the events of ''Gears 5'', Kait, JD, Del, and Marcus are officially reinstated in the COG Army and reformed as the new Delta Squad.<ref name="new tone">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/13/e3-2018-opinion-gears-5s-tone-reminds-us-of-god-of-war-in-a-great-way |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=E3 2018: Opinion: Gears 5's Tone Reminds Us of God of War in a Great Way |date=June 13, 2018 |first=Justin |last=Carter |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180614161427/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/13/e3-2018-opinion-gears-5s-tone-reminds-us-of-god-of-war-in-a-great-way |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> ===Plot=== Delta Squad travel to the ruins of Azura to restore an old superweapon network called the Hammer of Dawn. Shortly after their return to New Ephyra, First Minister Jinn directs them to assist the evacuation of COG Settlement 2. It is revealed during the battle that JD, Del, and Fahz had previously been deployed in Settlement 2 to quell a riot, which resulted in civilian deaths and prompted JD and Del to go AWOL, and that it was JD who gave Fahz the order to open fire on the civilians, causing Del and Kait to lose their trust in him. As the Swarm threatens to destroy the evacuation convoy, JD orders Baird to fire the Hammer of Dawn prematurely. While the Swarm forces are annihilated, the Hammer of Dawn malfunctions and begins firing wildly, severely injuring JD. Four months later, Kait and Del go to an Outsider village located in [[Gears of War 2|the skeleton of the Riftworm]] to try to convince them to join the COG. The village chief, Kait's uncle Oscar, refuses, but they are suddenly attacked by the Swarm. Kait is captured by a Snatcher and experiences vivid visions of controlling the Swarm forces. She escapes the Snatcher but is unable to prevent Oscar's death which she witnesses through her visions. COG reinforcements then arrive to evacuate the village. Kait tells everybody about her visions, and Marcus recommends she head to New Hope, a secret lab Marcus previously investigated to find answers about the Locust, with Del joining her. At the lab, they learn the facility used the children of Imulsion miners afflicted with Rustlung for genetic experiments. Among the children was a female subject immune to Imulsion's ill-effects, and instead grew stronger with Imulsion. Kait and Del later find clues leading them to Mount Kadar, the former Locust stronghold. Kait and Del reach another secret COG lab hidden beneath Mount Kadar. There, they find an AI construct of scientist Niles Samson, who explains that the Locust were the result of his experiments by hybridizing the DNA of Imulsion-infected children with the indigenous creatures of the Hollow. He also reveals that Queen Myrrah was the child at New Hope who was immune to Imulsion and could control the Locust due to her stem cells being used to create them. However, when her newborn daughter Reyna, Kait's dead mother, was taken away by the father, Myrrah led the Locust to rebel against the scientists and gain their independence. Kait realizes that she is the next in-line for queen and demands to be separated from the Swarm's hivemind. Niles puts Kait in a brain-computer interface connected to a dormant Berserker called the Matriarch, which successfully severs Kait from the hivemind but also resurrects Reyna in the process, this having been Niles' true intention. Niles is destroyed by the revived Matriarch, and Kait and Del kill it before escaping the facility. Realizing that Reyna is now the Swarm's queen, Kait reaffirms the COG's need to reactivate the Hammer of Dawn. A few weeks later, Baird takes the group to the Vasgar desert, where the Union of Independent Republics' secret space program was located. They meet Baird's former squadmate Garron Paduk, who reveals that the UIR had a rocket loaded with Hammer of Dawn satellites ready to launch. JD and Fahz arrive to help, with JD apologizing to Del and Kait for his previous deception and subsequent behavior. The squad manages to assemble and launch the rocket and acquire targeting beacons to help control the Hammer of Dawn, though they encounter a giant Swarm creature called the Kraken. The group escapes when Paduk picks them up in a Raven to fly them home. At New Ephyra, Jinn attempts to arrest Kait, intending to forcibly connect her to the hivemind in order to find the central Swarm Hive. Before she can do this, however, the Swarm attacks New Ephyra. The Gears attempt to set up UIR targeting beacons to provide targeting data to the Hammer of Dawn, but the Kraken destroys them. The transformed Reyna appears and attacks Kait, JD, and Del, forcing Kait to choose to save either JD or Del, leaving Reyna to kill the other. Kait and the survivor fight their way back to their friends but are attacked by the Kraken. The remaining soldiers are soon overwhelmed until the squad's robotic companion, Jack, kills the Kraken by sacrificing itself as a targeting beacon for the Hammer of Dawn. In the aftermath, Marcus tells Kait that Reyna will return, with Kait remarking that they will find her first before discarding her mother's Locust necklace. ==Development== ''Gears 5'' is developed by [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]] as a sequel to ''Gears of War 4''. Unlike previous games in the ''[[Gears of War]]'' series, the game is simply titled ''Gears 5'' (without "of War" included in the title).<ref name="new title">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-why-its-called-gears-5-and-not-gears-of-wa/1100-6459850/ |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=E3 2018: Why It's Called Gears 5 And Not Gears Of War 5 |date=June 14, 2018 |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615192918/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-why-its-called-gears-5-and-not-gears-of-wa/1100-6459850/ |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Xbox]] marketing boss Aaron Greenberg explained that the new title was "cleaner" and that it was a natural change because most people had been ignoring "of War" for years.<ref name="new title"/> For ''Gears 5'', The Coalition decided to shift player focus from JD Fenix to Kait Diaz. According to studio head Rod Fergusson, "It was a natural choice. When you play through ''Gears 4'', think of it as ''[[Mad Max: Fury Road]]''. It was really [[Imperator Furiosa|Furiosa]]'s story, and [[Max Rockatansky|Max]] was the side kick. That's how it felt in ''Gears 4'', the whole game is about saving Kait's mom, and really JD is there to help her."<ref name="fury road">{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/12/e3-2018-gears-5-director-compares-game-to-mad-max-fury-road |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=E3 2018: Gears 5 Director Compares Game to Mad Max: Fury Road |date=June 11, 2018 |first=Marty |last=Sliva |website=[[IGN]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180616132703/http://www.ign.com/articles/2018/06/12/e3-2018-gears-5-director-compares-game-to-mad-max-fury-road |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game received enhancements for the [[Xbox Series X]] upon its launch, including higher resolution textures, new visual effects such as volumetric fog, and running at 60 frames per second at minimum with potential to run at up to 120 frames per second.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-5-is-coming-to-xbox-series-x-with-improvemen/1100-6474793/ | title = Gears 5 Is Coming to Xbox Series X With Improvements, Possible 120 FPS Support | first = Gabe | last = Gurwin | date = March 16, 2020 | access-date = March 16, 2020 | work = [[GameSpot]] }}</ref> ==Marketing and release== ''Gears 5'' was announced at [[E3 2018]], along with ''[[Gears Pop!]]'' and ''[[Gears Tactics]]''.<ref name="e3 2018 announcement">{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/2018/06/10/gear-war-5-release-date-trailer/ |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=Gears of War 5 features local split-screen or online co-op – out next year |date=June 10, 2018 |website=[[VG247]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180616133948/https://www.vg247.com/2018/06/10/gear-war-5-release-date-trailer/ |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="gears tactics">{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-gears-tactics-is-another-new-gears-of-war-/1100-6459619/ |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=E3 2018: Gears Tactics Is Another New Gears Of War Game |date=June 14, 2018 |first=Steve |last=Watts |website=[[GameSpot]] |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180616134415/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-2018-gears-tactics-is-another-new-gears-of-war-/1100-6459619/ |archive-date=June 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> The game was released for [[Windows 10]] and [[Xbox One]] on September 10, 2019, as part of [[Xbox Play Anywhere]].<ref name="e3 2018 trailer">{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/e3/2018/6/10/17436108/gears-of-war-5-xbox-one-pc |access-date=June 16, 2018 |title=First Gears 5 trailer shows off a darker story |date=June 10, 2018 |first=Ryan |last=Gillian |website=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]}}</ref><ref name="e3 2018 announcement"/> It was revealed at [[E3 2019]] that for the game, a crossover with the upcoming film ''[[Terminator: Dark Fate]]'' would have players control either [[Sarah Connor (Terminator)|Sarah Connor]] with [[Linda Hamilton]] voicing her character or a [[Terminator (character)|T-800 Terminator model]] as either a pre-order bonus or with Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.<ref>{{cite web|last= Shanley|first=Patrick|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/e3-2019-xbox-debuts-terminator-dark-fate-gears-5-crossover-1216070|title='Terminator: Dark Fate,' 'Gears 5' Crossover Unveiled|publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=June 9, 2019|access-date=June 9, 2019}}</ref> Moreover, [[Action film|action movie]] actor [[Dave Bautista]] appears as a playable character skin for [[Marcus Fenix]] for the Versus and Horde modes, as well as the Swarm and Campaign modes (with the latter mode as a togglable option), along with his finisher, the Batista Bomb, as an execution animation for the Gnasher, and his [[Music in professional wrestling|entrance music]], "I Walk Alone" by [[Saliva (band)|Saliva]], at the start of every Versus Match as him, in limited releases via updates where he uses his [[Gimmick (professional wrestling)|gimmick]] as a [[WWE]] [[Professional wrestling|professional wrestler]], under his ring name, Batista, after expressing interest in portraying Marcus in a potential [[film adaptation]] of ''[[Gears of War]]''. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bDHjwydduPo][https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jLC-NRS7bs] In addition to the standard and the ultimate editions, a ''Gears 5'' Limited Edition Xbox One X Console bundle was announced to be released the same day as the game's release.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gattis |first1=Jeff |title=Bigger than Ever: Gears 5 Limited Edition Xbox One X Console & Accessories Available for Preorder Today |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2019/08/06/gears-5-limited-edition-hardware-available-for-preorder-today/ |website=Microsoft |access-date=August 9, 2019 |date=August 6, 2019}}</ref> The bundle includes the Ultimate Edition of the game, a Limited Edition Xbox One X console, controller, headset, wireless keyboard, mouse from Razer (for console and PC), external hard drives from Seagate, ''Gears of War: Ultimate Edition'', and the standard versions of ''Gears of War 2'', ''Gears of War 3'', and ''Gears of War 4''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Watts |first1=Steve |title=New Gears 5 Xbox One X Limited Edition Announced Alongside Lots Of Other Hardware |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/new-gears-5-xbox-one-x-limited-edition-announced-a/1100-6468931/ |website=GameSpot |access-date=August 9, 2019 |date=August 7, 2019}}</ref> A single-player expansion for the game, titled ''[[Gears 5: Hivebusters|Hivebusters]]'', was released on December 15, 2020. The expansion is a direct prequel to the ''[[Gears of War#Gears of War: Hivebusters|Gears of War: Hivebusters]]'' comic book series, and features the playable characters from the Escape multiplayer mode: Lahni, Keegan and Mac. In the pack, the three characters embark on their first mission as a member of the Hivebuster program on the volcanic Galangi islands.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2020-12-09-gears-5-hivebusters-campaign-expansion-included-with-xbox-game-pass-ultimate|title=Gears 5: Hivebusters campaign expansion included with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate|first=Wesley|last=Yin-Poole|work=[[Eurogamer]]|date=September 12, 2020|access-date=December 16, 2020}}</ref> Supporting characters include Colonel Victor Hoffman from previous games, Hana Cole, the daughter of [[Augustus Cole|Augustus "Cole Train" Cole]] from Delta Squad and Tak, a King Raven pilot. A digital exclusive ''Game of the Year Edition'' for ''Gears 5'' was released on December 15, 2020. It contains the base game, the ''Hivebusters'' expansion, a pack featuring ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' characters, and a "30 days of boost" pack.<ref name="Xbox">{{Cite web|url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2020/12/08/gears-5-hivebusters-arrives-december-15/|title=Gears 5: Hivebusters Expansion Arrives December 15 with Xbox Game Pass Ultimate|date= December 8, 2020|author= Zoë Curnoe|website=Xbox.com|access-date=March 20, 2021|language=en-US}}</ref> ==Reception== {{Video game reviews | MC = PC: 82/100<ref name="MCPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-5/critic-reviews/?platform=pc|title=Gears 5 for PC Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref><br />XONE: 84/100<ref name="MCXONE">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-5/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-one |title=Gears 5 for Xbox One Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref><br />XBSX: 83/100<ref name="MCXSXS">{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-5/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-series-x |title=Gears 5 for Xbox Series X Reviews |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=November 26, 2020}}</ref> | Destruct = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Makedosnki |first=Brett |date=September 11, 2019 |url=https://www.destructoid.com/review-gears-5-566490.phtml |title=Review: Gears 5 |publisher=[[Destructoid]] |access-date=September 14, 2019 |archive-date=September 28, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190928171438/https://www.destructoid.com/review-gears-5-566490.phtml |url-status=dead }}</ref> | Edge = 6/10 | EGM = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Goroff |first=Michael |date=September 4, 2019 |url=https://egmnow.com/gears-5-review/ |title=Gears 5 review |publisher=[[Electronic Gaming Monthly]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> | EuroG = Recommended<ref name="Eurogamer">{{cite web |last=Yin-Poole |first=Wesley |date=September 11, 2019 |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2019-09-11-gears-5-review-a-great-campaign-marred-by-painful-progression |title=Gears 5 review - a great campaign marred by painful progression |publisher=[[Eurogamer]] |access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> | GI = 8.5/10<ref name="GI">{{cite web |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |date=September 4, 2019 |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/review/gears-5/gears-5-review-holding-the-line |title=Gears 5 Review – Holding The Line |publisher=[[Game Informer]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> | GameRev = 4/5<ref>{{cite web |last=Ashworth |first=Mack |date=September 4, 2019 |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/591153-gears-5-review-the-maddest-world-yet-pc-xbox-one |title=Gears 5 Review - The maddest world yet |publisher=[[Game Revolution]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> | GSpot = 7/10<ref name="gs-review">{{cite web |last=Hornshaw |first=Phil |date=September 13, 2019 |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-5-review-a-beneficial-mutation/1900-6417287/ |title=Gears 5 Review - A Beneficial Mutation |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> | GRadar = {{Rating|4|5}}<ref>{{cite web |last=Epstein |first=Mike |date=September 4, 2019 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/gears-5-review/ |title=Gears 5 review: "New mechanics to polish the old make the whole game shine" |publisher=[[GamesRadar]] |access-date=September 4, 2019}}</ref> | IGN = 9/10<ref name="IGN">{{cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=September 13, 2019|url=https://uk.ign.com/articles/2019/09/13/gears-5-review |title=Gear 5 Final Review |publisher=[[IGN]] |access-date=September 13, 2019}}</ref> | VG = 8/10<ref>{{cite web |last=Ahern |first=Colm |date=September 6, 2019 |url=https://www.videogamer.com/reviews/gears-5-review |title=Gears 5 review |publisher=VideoGamer.com |access-date=September 6, 2019}}</ref> }} ''Gears 5'' has received "generally favorable" reviews, according to [[review aggregator]] [[Metacritic]].<ref name="MCPC" /><ref name="MCXONE" /> Critics praised the gameplay, campaign, presentation and amount of content, but criticised the story and lack of innovation. Many critics praised the game for being a successful return to form for the series.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-5-review-roundup-see-what-the-critics-are-sa/1100-6469611/|title=Gears 5 Review Roundup - See What The Critics Are Saying|first=Richard|last=Wakeling|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=September 4, 2019|access-date=September 15, 2019}}</ref> Ryan McCaffrey of ''[[IGN]]'' gave the game a 9/10 in a raving review, stating: "It’s not surprising at all that Gears 5 is an excellent third-person action game. This iconic series has never really had a misfire, even when changing hands from original developer Epic to The Coalition, and the hot streak remains unbroken. What was unexpected is just how effectively it doubles down on story with a character-focused, consequence-filled tale that plays to one of the franchise’s most underappreciated strengths and backs it up with fun, welcome additions to both its gameplay formula and flow. And that’s just the campaign: add in a heavy-hitting multiplayer lineup of Versus, Versus Arcade, Horde, and Escape and it makes Gears 5 one of the best and most versatile action-game packages in recent memory."<ref name="IGN"/> Andrew Reiner of ''[[Game Informer]]'' rated ''Gears 5'' a 8.5/10, concluding: "''Gears 5'' is exactly what it needs to be. This old war vet still packs a punch. The open-world exploration has issues, but that isn’t enough to steal away the thunder The Coalition expertly deploys on the battlefield. The campaign is a fun ride that concludes with a shocker moment and a hell of a setup for a sequel. I’m already looking forward to that follow-up."<ref name="GI"/> Wesley Yin-Poole, deputy editor of ''[[Eurogamer]]'' recommended the game with a 4 star rating out of 5. He concluded: "The campaign really is great. Perhaps even better than great, the more I think about it. All the new things about it - the open world stuff, Jack's powers, the light RPG elements, the side quests - all this stuff was done better years ago by other games. But those other games weren't ''Gears of War'', which has actual decent third-person shooting, actual interesting things happening, and a story that doesn't try hard to win awards. But while Versus, Horde and even Escape are, ultimately, fine, they're let down by the party pooper progression system. The hope is The Coalition tweaks how the battle pass works, because as it stands, ''Gears 5''<nowiki/>'s grind is depressing."<ref name="Eurogamer"/> Phil Hornshaw of ''[[GameSpot]]'' rated it a 7/10, praising the "open areas" within the campaign and the "character moments" within it. However, he was critical of most of the campaign feeling "inconsequential" after the second act and the campaign feeling like a "rehash of earlier games." He concluded that "''Gears 5'' is very much a return of those best elements of ''Gears of War'', but with a focus on making the game feel somewhat more adaptive to your particular ways of playing. Whether you want campaign or co-op, Competitive or Quickplay, there's an option for you in ''Gears 5'', and plenty of stuff to reward you for time spent and skill gained. ''Gears 5'' might suffer from some of the same storytelling missteps as its predecessors, and it might not venture far out of the past, but the new ideas it brings to the series are all good reasons for fans to return."<ref name="GameSpot2">{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-5-review-a-beneficial-mutation/1900-6417287/|title=Gears 5 Review - A Beneficial Mutation|last=Hornshaw|first=Phil|date=September 13, 2019|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|access-date=September 14, 2019}}</ref> Justin Clark of ''[[Slant Magazine]]'' gave a rating of 4/5, writing: "Escape stands out in particular because of just how much work has gone into making ''Gears 5'' otherwise accessible. The ''Gears of War'' series has been broken of its worst habit: trying to put up the front of being better or harder or more stoic than the rest, allowing the deeper implications of its lore to come to the forefront. Despite dropping “of War” from its title, ''Gears 5'' is the first time the series has made the brutality of its combat feel not only bloody and cathartic, but also captivating and disturbingly intimate on a human level. The quintessential dudebro shooter has evolved with the times, and the world is so much better for it."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slantmagazine.com/games/review-with-gears-5-the-quintessential-dudebro-shooter-series-grows-up/|title=Review: With Gears 5, the Quintessential Dudebro Shooter Series Grows Up|last=Clark|first=Justin|website=[[Slant Magazine]]|date=September 13, 2019|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-14}}</ref> ''[[Can I Play That?]]'', a games accessibility resource aimed at gamers and developers, praised ''Gears 5'''s accessibility features, awarding it a perfect score for deaf accessibility.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gears 5 sets a higher bar for accessibility with features that mean more people can play the game|url=https://news.microsoft.com/features/gears-5-higher-bar-accessibility-more-people-can-play/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Stories|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-05|title=Deaf Game Review - Gears of War 5|url=https://caniplaythat.com/2019/09/05/deaf-game-review-gears-of-war-5/|access-date=2021-07-19|website=Can I Play That?|language=en-US}}</ref> ===Commercial performance=== During its week of release, ''Gears 5'' retail sales in the UK were about 4.5 times less than its predecessor,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/gears-5/gears-5-sales|title=Gears 5 sales are bad – it is also the most successful launch in series history|first=Dustin|last=Bailey|work=[[PCGamesN]]|date=September 17, 2019|access-date=September 18, 2019}}</ref> and placed in second place in the retail UK charts,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-09-16-borderlands-3-is-the-biggest-uk-boxed-launch-of-2019|title=Borderlands 3 is the biggest UK boxed launch of 2019|first=Christopher|last=Dring|work=[[Gameindustry.biz]]|date=September 16, 2019}}</ref> and fifth in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210412202854/https://gamecharts.ch/games_system.asp?system=Total&week=201937&year=2019|archive-date=April 12, 2021|url=https://gamecharts.ch/games_system.asp?system=Total&week=201937&year=2019|title=PLATTFORMÜBERGREIFEND |work=GameChartz.ch|access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref> The game was the seventh best-selling game in the US during the month of September 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/10/17/september-2019-npd-nba-2k20-and-borderlands-3-top-the-charts/|title=September 2019 NPD: NBA 2K20 and Borderlands 3 top the charts|first=Jeff|last=Grubb|work=[[VentureBeat]]|date=October 17, 2019|access-date=April 12, 2021}}</ref> The game was played by 3 million people in its first weekend, making it Microsoft's most successful first-party launch since ''[[Halo 4]]'' and the biggest launch for [[Xbox Game Pass]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-09-16-gears-5-tops-3-million-players-in-first-week|title=Gears 5 tops 3 million players in first week|first=Brendan|last=Sinclair|work=Gameindustry.biz|date=September 16, 2019|access-date=November 11, 2019}}</ref> ===Awards=== {| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Award !! Category !! Result !! Ref |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="10" | 2019 | rowspan="2" | [[Game Critics Awards]] | Best Action Game | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/2019/06/27/e3-2019-game-critics-awards-winners/|title=E3 2019 Game Critics Awards – Final Fantasy 7 Remake wins Best of Show|first=Stephany|last=Nunneley|work=[[VG247]]|date=June 27, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref> |- | Best Online Multiplayer | {{Nom}} |- | [[Gamescom]] | Best Xbox One Game | {{Won}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/dreams-playstation-4-best-of-gamescom-2019/|title=PlayStation 4 exclusive Dreams takes home Best of Gamescom 2019 award|first=Aaron|last=Mamiit|work=[[Digital Trends]]|date=August 25, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | [[2019 Golden Joystick Awards]] | Xbox Game of the Year | {{Won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/vote-now-for-your-ultimate-game-of-the-year-in-the-golden-joystick-awards-2019/|title=Vote now for your Ultimate Game of the Year in the Golden Joystick Awards 2019|author=GamesRadar staff|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=October 25, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/Golden-Joystick-awards-2019-winners/|title=Here's every winner from this year's Golden Joystick Awards, including the Ultimate Game of the Year|author=GamesRadar staff|work=[[GamesRadar+]]|date=November 15, 2019|access-date=November 16, 2019}}</ref> |- | Ultimate Game of the Year | {{Nom}} |- | rowspan="2" | [[Titanium Awards]] | Best Action Game | {{Won}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/awards/|title=Titanium Awards 2019|work=[[Fun & Serious Game Festival]]|date=March 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121193654/https://en.funandseriousgamefestival.com/awards/|archive-date=November 21, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=November 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://generacionxbox.com/ganadores-premios-titanium-2019-fun-serious/|title=Ganadores de los premios Titanium del Fun & Serious 2019|language=es|work=Generación Xbox|date=December 10, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> |- | Best Spanish Performance <small>(Olga Velasco)</small> | {{Nom}} |- | rowspan="3" | [[The Game Awards 2019]] | Best Audio Design | {{Nom}} | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-game-awards-2019-nominees-full-list/1100-6471564/|title=The Game Awards 2019 Nominees Full List|first=Jeremy|last=Winslow|work=[[GameSpot]]|date=November 19, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> |- | Best Performance <small>(Laura Bailey)</small> | {{Nom}} |- | Best Action Game | {{Nom}} |- | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="9" | 2020 | [[47th Annie Awards]] | Best Character Animation - Video Game | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2020-annie-award-nominations-complete-list-1258296/item/best-animated-feature-2020-annie-award-nominations-1258297|title=Annie Awards: 'Frozen 2,' 'Missing Link' Lead Year of Surprises and Snubs|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=December 2, 2019|access-date=December 6, 2019}}</ref> |- | [[18th Visual Effects Society Awards|Visual Effects Society Awards]] | Outstanding Visual Effects in a Real-Time Project | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/01/ves-awards-nominations-2020-list-the-lion-king-the-mandalorian-game-of-thrones-1202823016/|title=VES Awards Nominations: 'The Lion King', 'Alita: Battle Angel', 'The Mandalorian' & 'GoT' Top List|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=January 7, 2020|access-date=January 7, 2020}}</ref> |- | [[23rd Annual D.I.C.E. Awards]] | [[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Action Game of the Year]] | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/control-and-death-stranding-get-eight-nominations-each-for-the-2020-dice-awards/|title=Control and Death Stranding get 8 nominations each for the 2020 DICE Awards|first=Andy|last=Chalk|work=[[PC Gamer]]|date=January 13, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" | NAVGTR Awards | Control Design, 3D | {{Nom}} | rowspan="3" style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://navgtr.org/2019-nominees/|title=2019 Nominees|work=National Academy of Video Game Trade Reviewers|date=January 13, 2020|access-date=January 18, 2020}}</ref> |- | Game, Franchise Action | {{Nom}} |- | Use of Sound, Franchise | {{Nom}} |- | [[16th British Academy Games Awards]] | [[British Academy Games Award for Performer|Performer in a Leading Role]] <small>(Laura Bailey)</small> | {{Nom}} | style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2020/mar/03/death-stranding-and-control-dominate-bafta-games-awards-nominations|title=Death Stranding and Control dominate Bafta games awards nominations|first=Keith|last=Stuart|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|date=March 3, 2020|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" | 18th Annual G.A.N.G. Awards | Best Cinematic Cutscene Audio | {{Nom}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Game Audio Network Guild 2023">{{cite web | title=Awards Archive | website=Game Audio Network Guild | date=2023-08-02 | url=https://www.audiogang.org/awards/archive/ | access-date=2023-12-10}}</ref> |- | Best Dialogue | {{Nom}} |} {{clear}} ==Notes== {{Notelist}} ==References== {{Reflist|2}} ==External links== * {{Official website}} {{Portal bar|Speculative fiction|Video games}} {{Gears of War series}} {{The Coalition}} {{Terminator}} [[Category:2019 video games]] [[Category:Cooperative video games]] [[Category:Crossover video games]] [[Category:Gears of War]] [[Category:Golden Joystick Award winners]] [[Category:Microsoft games]] [[Category:Shooter games]] [[Category:Split-screen multiplayer games]] [[Category:Third-person shooters]] [[Category:Unreal Engine 4 games]] [[Category:Video game sequels]] [[Category:Video games developed in Canada]] [[Category:Video games featuring female protagonists]] [[Category:Video games scored by Ramin Djawadi]] [[Category:Video games set on fictional planets]] [[Category:Windows games]] [[Category:Xbox Cloud Gaming games]] [[Category:Xbox Series X and Series S games]] [[Category:Xbox One games]] [[Category:Xbox One X enhanced games]] [[Category:Xbox Play Anywhere games]] [[Category:The Coalition games]]'