Gears 5 — Review (2026): Is It Worth Playing?
Gears 5 is a third-person shooter from The Coalition, released in September 2019 on Xbox One and PC, later on Xbox Series X|S with enhanced graphics. The fifth main entry in the Gears of War series. The protagonist is Kait Diaz, who explores the origins of the Locust and her connection to them.
What is the game about
18 months after Gears of War 4, Kait Diaz joins Delta Squad to uncover the mystery of the Locust — enemies attacking humanity. She discovers her grandmother, Queen Myrrah, was connected to these creatures. The campaign includes open areas on snowmobiles and ships, plus linear missions.
Gameplay
- Open world: explore locations by vehicle, find secrets and side quests.
- Escape mode: co-op elimination mode with three heroes.
- Multiplayer: Versus (5v5), Horde (waves), and Escape.
- Progression: unlock characters and weapons through Tour of Duty.
Should you play it in 2026
Yes. Gears 5 is the best entry since the original trilogy: excellent campaign with open sections, plenty of modes, and stable online. On Xbox Series X it looks stunning.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Great campaign with open world | Open sections feel empty |
| Many modes | Microtransactions |
| Beautiful engine | Story familiar to veterans |
FAQ
Do I need to play previous games? Recommended to know the story, but not required.
How many hours? 10–12 hours campaign, endless multiplayer.
On PC? Yes.