Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGears of War 4 earned generally favorable reviews, but the headline average tells only part of the story: critics praised its polished action and technical presentation while some found the campaign familiar. The modes are worth considering separately, especially if you are deciding between the story campaign, Horde, competitive multiplayer or the PC version.
What was the review consensus?
Metacritic’s Xbox One critic page displayed an 84/100 Metascore from 103 reviews in the page snapshot accessed in 2026. Metacritic labels that result “Generally Favorable.” It is an Xbox One critic aggregate, not a PC score or a measure of current player opinion, and the total may change as the page is updated. See Metacritic’s Xbox One critic reviews.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One | $70.94 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears 5: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $45.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Gears Of War 4 Xbox One | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Xbox Wireless Controller | Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition | $89.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Individual reviews show some of the variation behind that average. GameSpot reviewer Mike Mahardy awarded the game 7/10 in a review published October 5, 2016. PC Gamer’s review of the PC version praised its presentation and performance on modern GPUs, but considered the campaign familiar. These are distinct critical perspectives, not contradictory measurements: a technically polished sequel can still feel too close to its predecessors for some players.
How do the campaign and modes compare?
Gears of War 4 is a third-person shooter released October 11, 2016, for Xbox One and PC. Microsoft’s franchise page centers the campaign on JD Fenix, Kait and Del facing a new threat. The official materials also highlight Horde 3.0 and competitive multiplayer, so a review of the game is not only a judgment on its story.
#1 Best Overall
- 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
| Mode or version | What to consider | What the cited reviews or official materials establish |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign | Story, pacing and whether the sequel feels fresh | Official materials describe a two-player co-op campaign. PC Gamer’s PC review characterized the campaign as familiar. |
| Horde 3.0 | Teamwork, class choices, skills and fortifications | Players choose classes, level skills and deploy fortifications; Xbox describes teams of five. GameSpot’s contemporary roundup called the mode challenging. |
| Competitive multiplayer | Whether the versus modes and their design appeal to you | GameSpot’s 2016 roundup described the six-mode PvP offering as refined and well designed, with long-term potential. |
| PC version | Presentation and performance on your hardware | PC Gamer praised the technical presentation and performance on modern GPUs; that assessment does not establish identical results on every PC. |
The most useful takeaway is that campaign familiarity and strong multiplayer or technical execution can coexist. Which matters more depends on what you want from the game.
What should you know about co-op and cross-play?
Microsoft’s launch-era description said Xbox One and Windows 10 PC cross-play covered the campaign, Horde and co-op versus. Versus multiplayer cross-play was available in private matches, rather than being described as unrestricted across all matchmaking. PC Gamer also noted Horde matchmaking’s cross-platform relationship with Xbox One. These are descriptions from the 2016 launch period; they do not confirm present-day server status or matchmaking availability.
Rank #2
- 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
The game supports Xbox Play Anywhere between Xbox One and Windows 10 PC, according to Microsoft’s store listing. For the platform and feature details listed by Microsoft, see the Xbox store page and the Xbox Wire launch announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Gears of War 4 worth playing?
If you want cover-based shooting with both a campaign and substantial cooperative and competitive modes, the favorable Xbox One critic aggregate makes it a reasonable candidate. Temper that with the more specific caveat from PC Gamer: the campaign may feel familiar. Conversely, players drawn to Horde teamwork or versus play may weigh those modes more heavily than the story. The evidence supports a positive but qualified critical picture, not a claim that every part of the game will appeal equally.
Rank #3
- 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
For scores, check the platform and publication rather than treating a single number as universal: Metacritic’s cited 84/100 is an Xbox One aggregate snapshot, GameSpot’s 7/10 is a 2016 individual review, and PC Gamer’s assessment addresses the PC release.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Survive Emergence Day with the XBOX Wireless Controller – Gears of War: E-Day Limited Edition as the Locust Horde invades the planet Sera from below.
- Feel the 3D molded, laser-etched details with red, glowing cracks created by the power of an erupting E-hole. A mark of death, the Crimson Omen is front and center on the controller.
- Defend Kalona against waves of monsters on blacked out ABXY buttons with the X button in transparent red, and battle through a city under siege with red transparent triggers and D-pad.
- Squad up knowing you’ll Never Fight Alone, signified by the COG tags printed on the battery door.
- Hold your place in the machine with rubberized, black leather-like back and side grips.
Rank #4
Sources and review context
- Microsoft/Xbox: Gears of War 4 official game page
- Metacritic: Gears of War 4 details
- GameSpot: Mike Mahardy’s review
- GameSpot: review roundup
- PC Gamer: PC review
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.
