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For the first game, Gears of War: Reloaded is the current remaster. It is not a collection of all four titles, so you still need separate versions of Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Judgment to complete the original sequence.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears of War: Reloaded – PlayStation® 5 | $49.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears of War: Reloaded – PlayStation® 5 | $44.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $28.45 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Gears of War Reloaded [AT-PEGI] (100% Uncut) (PS5)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519r9dUB3IL._SL160_.jpg)
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Gears of War Reloaded [AT-PEGI] (100% Uncut) (PS5) | $69.95 | Buy on Amazon |
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The recommended order at a glance
| Play | Game | Original release year | How it fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gears of War | 2006 | Beginning of the original trilogy |
| 2 | Gears of War 2 | 2008 | Second mainline chapter |
| 3 | Gears of War 3 | 2011 | Third mainline chapter |
| 4 | Gears of War: Judgment | 2013 | Later-released prequel and side story |
This is the best default for someone discovering the series. It follows the order in which the games became available, keeps the original trilogy together, and places Judgment where its release-era audience encountered it: after the trilogy.
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Gears of War: Judgment is set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day, so its events occur earlier in the fictional timeline than the trilogy. That makes chronological order possible, but not automatically preferable.
#1 Best Overall
- THE ORIGINAL, REMASTERED: Powered by Unreal Engine, Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the blockbuster first Gears of War, now fully optimized for PlayStation 5.
- ALL INCLUDED: Gears of War: Reloaded delivers all post-launch content for the original title, including a bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps, plus characters and cosmetics, at no additional cost.
- STUNNING GAMEPLAY: The iconic original now looks and plays better than ever with lightning-fast load times; 4K assets; remastered textures, lighting, shadows, and reflections; HDR; Dolby Atmos; Variable Refresh Rate; and up to 120 FPS in multiplayer.*
- CROSS-PLAY: Supports cross-play across platforms, allowing you and your friends to squad-up, regardless of where you play.*
- CROSS-PROGRESSION: Jump from one platform to another and your campaign saves. Signing in with your Microsoft account is required for cross-progression.*
Release order preserves the way the series’ story and mechanics were introduced. You begin with the 2006 original, continue through the two direct follow-ups, and then see a later-developed interpretation of an earlier period in Judgment. The prequel therefore works as additional context rather than as an opening detour.
Chronology-first play is reasonable if your only priority is placing every event as early as possible in the timeline. The trade-off is that you start with a game released in 2013, then move backward to the original trilogy’s 2006 starting point. That reverses the historical progression and separates the trilogy before you have played it.
Game 1: Gears of War
What to choose today
There are two important names to recognize when looking for the first game. Gears of War: Reloaded is the current remaster of the original. Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is an earlier remastered and modernized version that remains relevant if you already own it or see it in your library.
Reloaded was announced for release on August 26, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam. Xbox Wire describes it as a remaster of the first Gears of War, powered by Unreal Engine and optimized for current-generation platforms. The announcement says it includes the breadth of content associated with Ultimate Edition, including the bonus campaign act and post-launch multiplayer content.
Reloaded is still only the first game. Its name does not mean that it contains Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, or Judgment.
Campaign co-op in Reloaded
Xbox Wire states that Reloaded supports a two-player co-op campaign. If you plan to play with another person, confirm the platform’s account, network, and subscription requirements before starting; those requirements can differ by platform and service.
Rank #2
- The Original, Remastered: Powered by Unreal Engine, Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the blockbuster first Gears of War, now fully optimised for PlayStation 5.
- All Included: Gears of War: Reloaded delivers all post-launch content for the original title, including a bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps, plus characters and cosmetics, at no additional cost.
- Stunning Gameplay: The iconic original now looks and plays better than ever with no load times, 4K assets plus remastered textures, lighting, shadows and reflections, HDR, Dolby Atmos, Variable Refresh Rate as well as up to 120 FPS in multiplayer.*
- Cross Play: Supports cross-play across platforms, allowing you and your friends to squad-up, regardless of where you play.*
- Cross Progression: Jump from one platform to another and your campaign saves. Signing in with your Microsoft account is required for cross-progression.*
Game 2: Gears of War 2
Play Gears of War 2 immediately after finishing the first game. It is the second release in the original sequence, arriving in 2008. Do not substitute Judgment here simply because that game is earlier in the fictional timeline. Doing so changes the release-order experience and interrupts the trilogy.
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Game 3: Gears of War 3
Gears of War 3 is the third mainline entry and was released in 2011. It follows Gears of War 2 in the recommended sequence. Finish it before starting Judgment if this is your first run through the original-era games.
Keeping the three numbered games together matters more than trying to optimize for fictional chronology. They form the original trilogy, while Judgment was released later as a story set around the series’ earlier historical period.
Game 4: Gears of War: Judgment
Why it is last in the recommendation
The Xbox Store describes Judgment as a prequel set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. In timeline terms, that places it before the numbered trilogy. In release terms, however, it arrived in 2013, after Gears of War 3. Playing it fourth lets you experience the trilogy first and then use Judgment as a later side story that expands the setting’s earlier period.
Co-op and platform listing
The Xbox Store listing identifies Judgment as playable on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and through cloud gaming, and it lists local co-op. Treat those labels as a starting point rather than a universal guarantee: the available mode, controller setup, account requirements, cloud rights, and subscription terms depend on the platform and region shown in your local store.
Rank #3
- 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.
Release order versus chronological order
| Approach | Sequence | Best for | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release order | Gears of War → Gears of War 2 → Gears of War 3 → Judgment | Most first-time players | Judgment’s earlier timeline events are saved until after the trilogy |
| Chronology-first | Judgment → Gears of War → Gears of War 2 → Gears of War 3 | Players who insist on following the fictional timeline | You begin with a later-developed prequel and break up the trilogy’s release progression |
There is no need to alternate between the games or insert Judgment between numbered entries. Choose one complete approach and finish each campaign before moving to the next title.
Which first-game edition should you use?
Choose Reloaded when you want the current remaster
- Reloaded is the current remaster of the original game.
- It was announced for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam on August 26, 2025.
- Its announced content scope includes the bonus campaign act and post-launch multiplayer content associated with Ultimate Edition.
- Its campaign supports two-player co-op, according to Xbox Wire.
Use Ultimate Edition if you already own it
The Xbox Store describes Gears of War: Ultimate Edition as a remastered and modernized version of the original. It remains a sensible choice when it is already in your account or collection. You do not need to buy both remasters to understand the first game’s place in the sequence.
Do not mistake a remaster for the whole series
The most common purchasing mistake is assuming that a product labeled “Reloaded” includes the original-era sequels. It does not. Before buying, read the listing’s included-games description and verify that the product is the first game rather than a bundle or a sequel collection.
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Playing on Xbox consoles and cloud services
Backward compatibility is historical evidence, not a regional guarantee
Microsoft’s 2016 backward-compatibility list included Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War: Judgment as Xbox 360 titles playable through the program. That list establishes the compatibility program’s support at the time; it does not guarantee that every title is currently purchasable, downloadable, or included in every region’s store.
Check each local listing before you commit
- Open the Xbox Store on the console, Xbox app, or supported browser for your account region.
- Search for the exact game name, including whether you want Reloaded, Ultimate Edition, or the original Xbox 360 title.
- Confirm the listed platform: Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, PC, or cloud gaming.
- Read the purchase, installation, and subscription text shown for your region.
- Repeat the check for all four games; availability for one entry does not prove availability for the others.
The current Xbox Store page for Judgment displays cloud-play inclusion with selected Game Pass Premium and Ultimate plans. Plans, catalogs, prices, cloud rights, and regional availability can change, so use the live local listing rather than treating that display as a permanent entitlement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Playing on PC, PlayStation 5, or Steam
Reloaded’s announcement lists Xbox PC, PlayStation 5, and Steam among its platforms. That statement applies to the remaster of the first game; it does not establish that every later original-era entry is offered on those same platforms. Check the store page for each individual title before planning a complete playthrough outside Xbox.
Rank #4
- German packaging. German instructions. Completely German playable.
- 4K resolution 60 FPS in the campaign 120 FPS in multiplayer mode
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) Dolby Vision and 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 3D Room Sound
- Variable refresh rate (VRR) 4K assets and re-mastered textures Enhanced visual post-processing effects
- Improved shadows and reflections Super resolution with improved anti-aliasing. No loading screens during campaign
If your chosen platform does not offer all four entries, you may need to combine platforms or use a supported cloud option for specific games. Do not assume that owning Reloaded on one platform grants access to the sequels elsewhere.
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Local, online, and subscription requirements
Co-op support is not identical across the lineup or across platforms. Reloaded’s campaign is announced as supporting two players. The Xbox Store listing for Judgment identifies local co-op. Those statements do not, by themselves, specify every online, split-screen, account, controller, or subscription condition.
- Check whether the store says local co-op, online co-op, or both.
- Confirm the number of players shown for the exact edition.
- For cloud play, verify that your plan includes the title and that cloud gaming is supported in your region.
- Check whether a second player needs a separate account or subscription on your platform.
- Test controllers and network access before beginning a long campaign session.
A practical setup checklist
- Pick the sequence. Use release order unless you specifically prefer fictional chronology.
- Select the first-game version. Choose Reloaded for the current remaster, or use Ultimate Edition if you already own it.
- List the remaining three separately. Your plan must include Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Judgment.
- Verify the platform for every entry. Compatibility and store availability are title-specific.
- Confirm regional access. Prices, catalog inclusion, cloud rights, and subscription benefits can change by country and date.
- Set up co-op before starting. Confirm whether your chosen edition offers local or online play and what each player needs.
- Play one campaign at a time. Complete the first game, then the second, then the third, and finish with Judgment in the recommended order.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
Starting with Judgment because it is a prequel
This is a chronology-first choice, not the default recommendation. If you want the series as it was released, begin with the 2006 game and leave Judgment until after the trilogy.
Assuming Reloaded contains four games
Reloaded remasters the first game. It does not bundle the original-era lineup, so plan separate access to the other three titles.
Assuming old backward-compatibility information is still a live store promise
The 2016 list is useful historical context. Your current account region and the live store listing determine what you can buy, download, or stream now.
Assuming a subscription listing is permanent
A title displayed with Game Pass cloud-play inclusion can move between plans, regions, and catalog states. Check the current plan and title page immediately before playing.
Buying before checking the platform
Reloaded’s announced platform list does not automatically apply to Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, or Judgment. Verify every game independently.
So, what order should you use?
For a first playthrough, use Gears of War (2006), Gears of War 2 (2008), Gears of War 3 (2011), and then Gears of War: Judgment (2013). Play the first game through Reloaded if you want the current remaster, or through Ultimate Edition if that is the version you already own. Treat Judgment as the later-released prequel side story, and verify each game’s current platform and regional access before purchasing or subscribing.
Quick Recap
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.
