Gears of War: Ultimate Edition remains worth a look if you want to play the original campaign with remastered presentation and added content. Xbox One critics reviewed it favorably overall: Metacritic currently lists an 82/100 score from 74 critic reviews. That score is specific to the Xbox One edition, and the game’s additions are more substantial than a visual upgrade alone.
What is Gears of War: Ultimate Edition?
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a remaster of the original third-person shooter. Metacritic lists an initial release date of August 25, 2015, for Xbox One and PC; the Windows 10 PC edition followed on March 1, 2016, according to Xbox Wire.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears of War: Ultimate Edition – Xbox One | $16.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $25.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Gears of War – Ultimate Edition and Rare Replay – Xbox One | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Gears of War 3 | $3.81 | Buy on Amazon |
What do the reviews say?
Metacritic’s Xbox One critic page currently shows an 82/100 Metascore, labeled “Generally Favorable,” based on 74 critic reviews. This is a changeable aggregator snapshot, not a score for the PC edition or for the later Gears of War: Reloaded. The listed excerpts praise the updated visuals and controls while also including individual caveats; CGMagazine, for example, mentions “some bugs and network limitations.” That excerpt is one reviewer’s note, not evidence that every player will encounter those issues.
The score and review texture point to a remaster that critics generally welcomed, especially for its refreshed presentation and play, while leaving room for reservations. The aggregate does not establish how the game performs on every current PC configuration or how a player will respond to its older design.
#1 Best Overall
- Includes full game of the original Gears of War remastered in 1080p.
- Play five campaign chapters never released on console.
- Experience competitive multiplayer in 60FPS with 19 maps and six game modes.
What does Ultimate Edition change?
Xbox Wire’s 2015 launch account describes a rebuilt campaign and multiplayer experience, remastered presentation at 1080p, and five campaign missions that had not previously been available on console. The multiplayer update included dedicated servers, LAN support, modernized controls, three added modes and 19 remastered maps.
| Area | What the edition adds or changes |
|---|---|
| Campaign | Rebuilt campaign, remastered presentation at 1080p, and five missions previously unavailable on console, according to Xbox Wire’s 2015 launch article. |
| Multiplayer | 60 fps, dedicated servers, LAN support, three added modes, modernized controls and 19 remastered maps, according to Xbox Wire’s 2015 launch article. |
These launch details describe the edition’s announced features; they should not be read as a current performance benchmark or guarantee of online service conditions.
Rank #2
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Includes full game of the original Gears of War remastered in 1080p.
- Play five campaign chapters never released on console.
- Experience competitive multiplayer in 60FPS with 19 maps and six game modes.
How can you play the campaign and multiplayer?
The official game page lists six competitive modes and says the campaign can be played solo, online in co-op, or in two-player split screen. Xbox’s current listing also identifies local and online co-op and multiplayer, and lists Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S and cloud gaming. Availability and service terms can vary by region and can change.
Which version should you choose: Xbox or PC?
The Xbox One aggregate score is the documented critic score here; it should not be transferred to PC. Xbox Wire’s March 2016 PC launch article reported a showcased 4K/60 fps target, DirectX 12 and enhanced assets. Those are historical developer-reported details, not independent tests of current PCs or a recommendation for a particular graphics card.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →The choice is best made around where and how you want to play: the Xbox listing identifies console and cloud options, while the PC edition’s launch reporting focused on higher-resolution presentation and PC-specific technical work. The available sources do not establish a current PC-versus-Xbox critic-score comparison, current PC store status, or current physical inventory, so check the relevant platform storefront before making a purchase decision.
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At the time of the current Xbox store listing, the page says this version is available only in Game Pass and directs users to the Deluxe Version. It lists Game Pass Premium and Ultimate inclusion, and states that online multiplayer on console requires an eligible Game Pass tier. These are current listing details that may differ by region or change over time; check the store page for your account’s region and confirm the edition before subscribing or buying.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
- Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
- Unparalleled gameplay
- One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
- Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
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.
