Every Gears of War game ranked from worst to best

Published: Sunday, August 17, 2025 at 9:00 am

Gears of War Series Ranked: A Look Back Before Reloaded

As anticipation builds for the release of *Gears of War: Reloaded* on August 26, 2025, we take a look back at the mainline entries in the *Gears of War* series, ranking them from worst to best. While each game offers a unique and engaging experience, some stand out more than others.

At the bottom of the list is *Gears of War: Judgement*, a prequel released a few years after *Gears of War 3*. Players control Damon Baird in a story set before the original game. While considered an essential part of the saga, it is the shortest entry and doesn't introduce significant new gameplay elements.

Next up is *Gears of War 4*, a soft reboot released in 2016. Set 25 years after *Gears of War 3*, it introduced new characters and a new era for the series. While enjoyable, some players struggled to connect with the new protagonists as strongly as they did with the original cast.

*Gears of War 5* improved on its predecessor, allowing the new characters to shine while still celebrating the legacy characters. It also revamped the multiplayer experience and offered a more open-world campaign, striking a balance between exploration and intense action.

*Gears of War 3* served as a fitting conclusion to the original trilogy, offering a satisfying end to the story while leaving the door open for future installments. It provided a bombastic campaign and a comprehensive multiplayer experience.

The original *Gears of War*, released in 2006, was a flagship title for the Xbox 360. Inspired by other third-person shooters and fictional universes, it introduced players to a world facing an alien invasion. The game quickly became a celebrated title, spawning sequels and spin-offs.

Topping the list is *Gears of War 2*, released in 2008. Considered the most beloved game in the series, it expanded on the original, offering more drama, explosions, and intense gun battles. It also introduced the popular Horde Mode and significantly contributed to the Xbox 360's online gaming dominance.

BNN's Perspective: The *Gears of War* series has consistently delivered high-quality action and compelling narratives. While each entry has its strengths, *Gears of War 2* remains the pinnacle of the franchise, setting a high bar for future installments. The upcoming *Reloaded* has a lot to live up to.

Keywords: Gears of War, Gears of War Reloaded, Gears of War Judgement, Gears of War 4, Gears of War 5, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 2, Xbox, Xbox 360, Marcus Fenix, Damon Baird, Kait, Multiplayer, Action Game, Video Game, Gaming, Ranking, Best Games, Shooter

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