Gears 5

Gears 5 was released in 2019 by The Coalition and arrived on PC simultaneously with Xbox as part of the Xbox Play Anywhere platform. The game continues the story of soldier Kait Diaz and her fellow COG faction fighters, who on the planet Sera face not only the alien Swarm threat but also Kait's personal search into her own past connected to the mysterious Locust faction. The core gameplay remains the proven cover system, tactical third-person firefights, and brutal melee attacks with the chainsaw bayonet built into the Lancer rifle, complemented by newly opened-up areas to explore on skiff and on foot, giving the player greater freedom in how they advance and in choosing tactics against hordes of enemies.

On PC, the game offered support for high resolution, widescreen monitors, and variable frame rates, with the graphics engine able to render expansive snowy and desert locations with striking depth of detail and effect density. The campaign can be played in co-op with up to three players, with the third character being the robot Jack, who brings his own support abilities, hacking of enemy technology, and a variable playstyle depending on equipment. The sound design of heavy weapons and music underscoring epic moments remain traditionally strong points of the series, and the atmosphere is further shaped by a darker, more introspective story tone compared to previous installments, complemented by side quests and collectibles.

Critics and players alike praised especially the expansion of gameplay with more open segments, the ability to choose mission order, and the depth of relationships between characters, though some changes sparked discussion among fans of the series' classic linear approach. Gears 5 established itself on PC as a fully-fledged alternative to the Xbox version and confirmed that the Gears of War brand has a firm place on computers even in the modern era full of competing action titles.

Why play: With more open missions, a choice of chapter order, and deeper character relationships, it's a fully-fledged choice for Gears of War fans and newcomers alike on PC.