Gears 5

Gears 5 is a continuation of the long-running series of third-person cover shooters set on the war-ravaged planet Sera, and it arrived on Xbox Series X/S as a technically enhanced version supporting higher resolution and frame rate. The game builds on the tried-and-tested system of cover-based tactical shooting against the alien Locust race and now also the Swarm, this time from the perspective of Kait Diaz, whose personal story and unexpected connection to the enemy race gives the series a new emotional dimension compared to earlier entries focused primarily on Marcus Fenix. The campaign also offers more open sections on a snow vehicle called the Skiff, a fairly new, more relaxed element for an otherwise linearly structured series.

The enhanced version for Xbox Series X/S brought faster loading, a more stable frame rate during action sequences, and support for higher resolution, which highlighted the elaborately detailed environments ranging from snowy plains to industrial complexes and underground laboratories. Besides the campaign, the game offers an extensive cooperative Horde mode for defending against growing waves of enemies and a competitive multiplayer with a range of classes, which together form a substantial part of the overall gameplay and long-term appeal of the title. The audio side, with the heavy sounds of the Lancer chainsaw rifle and orchestral music, remains true to the series' identity.

Gears 5 was praised on release especially for its courage in telling a more personal story and for the technical quality of its execution, while the new-generation console version showed just how significantly extra power can improve an already solid action game. Within the series, Gears 5 is considered one of its most mature entries in terms of storytelling and character work, and it still serves as a demonstration of how strongly Xbox Series X/S can boost older multiplatform titles without the need to completely remake them.

Why play it: Thanks to its boldly personal story, strong character work, and the technical quality that the new-generation version further amplifies, it ranks among the most mature entries in the entire Gears series.