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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFor a first playthrough, follow the numbered games in release order: Gears of War (or Gears of War: Reloaded), Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4, and Gears 5. Then play the Gears 5: Hivebusters campaign expansion. Gears of War: Judgment and Gears Tactics are optional side stories. Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel, but playing it first is not the simplest introduction to the saga.
Recommended order for a first playthrough
The main numbered saga is easiest to follow in release order, which lets its characters, conflicts, and major reveals arrive as they originally did.
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- Gears of War — or Gears of War: Reloaded, the remastered and modernized version of the original.
- Gears of War 2
- Gears of War 3
- Gears of War 4
- Gears 5
Reloaded occupies the original game’s place in the sequence; it is not an additional story chapter. The official Gears games catalog lists the franchise entries, while the official Gears of War: Reloaded page presents it as the landmark original returning in remastered form.
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These campaigns add context or a side story, but they are not required to understand the numbered saga.
#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.
Gears of War: Judgment
Judgment is an optional prequel set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. It follows a young Damon Baird and Kilo Squad. You can play it after the original if you want to explore that earlier period, or after the numbered saga as a side story. The official Judgment page describes its setting and cast.
Gears Tactics
This optional spin-off is a turn-based strategy game rather than a mainline third-person shooter. It takes place twelve years before the first Gears of War, during the Locust threat’s early rise. Its earlier chronology does not make it necessary to play before the numbered games. The Coalition described that setting in its November 10, 2020 announcement.
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.
Gears 5: Hivebusters
Play Hivebusters after Gears 5. It is a campaign expansion following Lahni, Mac, and Keegan, characters introduced as Scorpio Squad in Gears 5‘s Escape mode. See the official Hivebusters page and the official Gears 5 page.
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Where Gears of War: E-Day fits
E-Day is an origin story set fourteen years before the original game. It follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the Locust emergence. Xbox Wire reported that it launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Game Pass, and Steam. A strict chronological order would start with E-Day; for a newcomer who wants to experience the saga as it was introduced, play the numbered games in release order first. Read the official E-Day page and Xbox Wire’s launch announcement.
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.
Chronological order versus release order
Chronology is useful if you specifically want the earliest events first, but it places optional prequels and side stories ahead of the games that establish the saga. For a first run, the practical route is to play Gears of War through Gears 5 in release order, then add the optional titles according to interest. If you want to sample earlier-era stories, Tactics comes before the original chronologically, E-Day is fourteen years before it, and Judgment takes place just after Emergence Day. This is a chronology guide, not a requirement to complete every spin-off before continuing the main story.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you play the campaigns in co-op?
Yes, though co-op options depend on the specific game, platform, and edition. The original campaign supports solo play or co-op with one friend playing Dominic Santiago. Gears 5 supports three-player online or split-screen campaign co-op. Check the relevant game’s current platform and edition details for its available options: the original game page and Gears 5 page document those examples.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 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.
Rank #4
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
- 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.
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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