For a first playthrough, start with Gears of War: Reloaded, then play Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. That release-order route preserves the original introduction and story reveals. Gears of War: E-Day is set earlier in the timeline, but newcomers can save it until after at least the first game.
Recommended order for a first playthrough
- Gears of War: Reloaded (the original Gears of War)
- Gears of War 2
- Gears of War 3
- Gears of War 4
- Gears 5
This mainline release-order sequence is the clearest starting path if you want to meet the characters and story as the series originally presented them. The official game catalog identifies the related games and their prequel connections; Xbox describes Reloaded as a remaster of the original.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War 2 - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $18.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $14.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $24.92 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Where the optional games and E-Day fit
Judgment
Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. For a newcomer, it works best after the original trilogy rather than interrupting the mainline sequence.
Gears Tactics
Gears Tactics is a strategy spin-off, not a required stop on the shooter-campaign route. Play it if you want a different genre and more of the setting.
#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Hivebusters
Hivebusters is a campaign expansion for Gears 5; play it after the main game. The official Xbox listing for the series’ newer entry describes the franchise campaign content and its connections.
Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel set fourteen years before the original. It launched on October 6, 2026, according to Xbox Wire. Chronologically, it comes first; for a first playthrough, consider playing it after at least the original game so the series’ original introduction and reveals land as intended.
Rank #2
- 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.
Which version of the first game should you choose?
Gears of War: Reloaded is the practical default where available. Xbox says it includes the breadth of content from Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, including the bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps and modes, and unlockable characters and cosmetics. The announced platforms are Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5 and Steam. It supports cross-play and cross-progression, and two-player campaign co-op.
The announcement listed a U.S. standard retail price of $39.99 at launch; that is not a guarantee of current or regional pricing. Xbox also said digital owners of Ultimate Edition who met its May 5, 2025 cutoff qualified for a free Reloaded upgrade. Do not assume an older physical copy qualifies. Check the Xbox Wire announcement and your regional storefront for applicable details.
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Rank #3
- 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.
Gears of War: E-Day editions and availability
As of October 7, 2026, Xbox lists E-Day as released on Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam, and included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox Play Anywhere supports access across Xbox console and PC with shared progression. Subscription tiers and storefront availability can change; verify the current listing in your region.
| Edition | What it includes | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Base game. Xbox’s consulted U.S. product page listed $69.99; storefront pricing can change and varies by region. | Players who want the campaign without additional digital bonuses. |
| Premium | Digital extras, including launch-period early access, a weapon pack, seasonal customization packs and premium in-game currency. Xbox’s consulted U.S. page listed $99.99; this is not a universal price guarantee. | Players who specifically value the included digital extras. |
| Collector’s Edition | Physical collectibles include a 15-inch Marcus and Dom statue, replica COG tags, art print, in-game photo, thank-you note and custom SteelBook case, plus the game. The Xbox Series X version includes a disc; the Steam version supplies a digital token. | Fans who want memorabilia rather than a different way to follow the story. |
Xbox says quantities for the Collector’s Edition are limited and availability varies by region. See the official E-Day editions information and Collector’s Edition announcement for current regional details.
Rank #4
- 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.
Online campaign co-op and multiplayer require a Game Pass subscription tier that includes online multiplayer, sold separately. The base game is the story-focused choice; premium bonuses do not change the recommended play order.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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
Quick decision guide
- New to the series: begin with Reloaded, then play 2, 3, 4 and 5.
- Want every campaign-style detour: add Judgment after the original trilogy, then play Hivebusters after Gears 5; treat Tactics as an optional strategy spin-off.
- Choosing how to buy the first game: pick Reloaded on a supported platform, and check compatibility and current local pricing before purchase.
- Choosing an E-Day edition: Standard is the base game, Premium adds digital extras, and Collector’s adds physical memorabilia. Choose by the extras you want, not by story chronology.
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.
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