The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Gears of War 4 begins a new saga with JD Fenix, Kait Diaz, and Del; Gears 5 is its sequel, with Kait at the center. Both include a campaign, Horde, and competitive Versus, but Gears 5 supports three-player campaign co-op instead of two, and adds the three-player Escape mode and its map builder.
How do the stories connect?
Gears of War 4 starts a new saga
Set 25 years after Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4 follows JD Fenix and his friends Kait and Del after their village is attacked. They set out to rescue loved ones and find the source of a new enemy. It introduces the characters and conflict that lead into the next game. Xbox Wire’s launch coverage describes the setting and release.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears 5: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears 5 | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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JEU Console Microsoft Gears 5 - Xbox ONE | $44.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Gears of War 4 - Xbox One | $70.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon |
Gears 5 follows Kait
The sequel shifts its story focus to Kait Diaz, who investigates her connection to the Swarm. If you want the narrative in sequence, play Gears of War 4 first; if you are primarily interested in Kait’s story, Gears 5 puts her in the lead. These are differences in focus, not evidence that one story is better.
How many people can play the campaign together?
| Game | Campaign co-op | Play options |
|---|---|---|
| Gears of War 4 | Two players | Local split-screen or online through Xbox Live, according to The Coalition’s game overview. |
| Gears 5 | Three players | Online or split-screen, according to Xbox Wire’s launch product information. |
The practical difference is party size: Gears 5 accommodates a third campaign player, while Gears of War 4 is the two-player choice.
#1 Best Overall
- From one of the most acclaimed game franchises in history, Gears 5 delivers an epic campaign and brutal action across five thrilling modes
- Campaign: With all out war descending, Kait Diaz breaks away to uncover her connection to the enemy and discovers the true danger to Sera herself
- Escape: A new, aggressive, high stakes co op mode featuring a three player suicide squad that must work together to take out enemy hives from within
- Versus: May the best team win with 10+ other game types plus new and classic maps. Versus rewards every competitive style, from casual to pro
- Horde: Endure 50 waves of ever tougher enemies using new hero abilities, building defenses, collecting power, leveling up your skills and working as a team
What changes in Horde and other co-op modes?
Horde is in both games
Gears of War 4 introduced Horde 3.0, built around combat classes, skill progression, and fortifications players can deploy. Gears 5 keeps Horde and adds character-specific abilities; it also makes Jack, the flying support bot, playable. The games therefore share the wave-survival format, while Gears 5 gives characters more distinct mechanics. The feature descriptions are in The Coalition’s Gears of War 4 overview and Xbox Wire’s Gears 5 launch information.
Gears 5 adds Escape
Escape is a separate three-player co-op mode: the team attacks an enemy hive from within and tries to get out. Gears 5 also includes an Escape Map Builder for creating and sharing custom hive maps. The mode is the clearest distinction if your group wants a co-op option beyond the campaign and Horde.
Rank #2
How do their competitive modes differ?
Both games have Versus multiplayer. The official Gears of War 4 overview describes multiple game types, dedicated servers, a visible ranking system, and Versus at 60 fps. Gears 5 includes Versus Arcade alongside other game types. Xbox later described Gears 5 running at 120 FPS in Versus on Xbox Series X|S, but that is a platform-specific enhancement—not a general specification for every Xbox or PC configuration. Xbox Wire’s Series X|S coverage gives the platform context. These feature descriptions do not establish which game currently has more players or healthier matchmaking.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which platforms and release dates matter?
| Game | Launch date | Launch platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Gears of War 4 | October 11, 2016 | Xbox One and Windows 10 PC |
| Gears 5 | September 10, 2019 | Xbox One and Windows 10 PC |
Xbox later documented enhancements for Gears 5 on Xbox Series X|S, including reduced load times and Instant Resume; Xbox Series X was also described as supporting 4K HDR visuals. Those details apply to the specified consoles, not automatically to Xbox One or PC. See Xbox Wire on the Gears of War 4 launch and Xbox Wire on Gears 5 for launch details, and its Series X|S enhancements coverage for later updates. Check the current store listing for your region and platform before buying; availability and service requirements can change.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
Rank #4
- 25 Years after Gears of War 3, spurred by a series of strange disappearances, JD Fenix must embrace his father’s legacy and battle a terrifying new enemy
- Never Fight Alone: Enjoy two-player co-op with friends locally via split-screen, over Xbox Live or LAN. Player 2 can select either Kait or Del
- Redefined Cover Gameplay: New close-cover combat moves and combat-knife executions turn each piece of cover into an offensive opportunity
- Brutal New Weapons: An incredible arsenal of new weapons includes the Buzzkill and Dropshot, which can shoot around and over cover, raining destruction from all angles
Rank #3
- GAMING CONSOLE
Which game should you choose?
- Choose Gears of War 4 if you want to start the newer saga with JD, Kait, and Del, or need a two-player campaign.
- Choose Gears 5 if you want Kait’s next chapter, a three-player campaign, or Escape alongside Horde.
- For Horde or Versus, both games offer those broad modes. Choose based on the specific features above and verify current platform availability rather than assuming one has a larger active community.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
