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Hey guys what's up, bored at work and thought I'd give my review of Gears of War 4. I'll be looking at both the Xbox and the PC version (Play anywhere rocks!) These are just my opinions and don't represent anyone other than myself.

Positives:
Story holds up pretty well. I'll discuss it lower.
Horde 3.0 is fun. Like... really fun.
New guns, along with old familiar ones, feel great to shoot.
New executions feel amazing to do (the Retro Lancer is especially fun)
You can now grab enemies and pull them over barriers!
GEARS ON PC FEELS SO SMOOOOOOOOTH!!
Two copies for the price of one when bought digitally?

Negatives (it's mainly going to be mechanics):
The issue of picking up a weapon instead of picking up your team mate is still a problem.
First two acts is basically destroy the robot. The rest is destroy the Swarm
Classes system in Horde 3.0 made me wonder why some of the choices were made (Why have a scout and a sniper class? Why not have them together? Will expand below)
While I love the idea of a mobile base with the fabricator, I wish they had went back to Gears 2's box moving rather than have it to where it's whoever picked up the box moves and shoots but the second guy can only shoot.

Neutral (can swing either way):
UWP


Synopsis (THERE WILL BE SPOILERS) Anything in parenthesis is my own opinion:


Gameplay:
It still maintains everything that was awesome about Gears of War with a few new additions. The game still has the roadie run mechanic as well as the wall cover mechanic. Some of the new additions include the ability to grab an enemy player over a low barrier model and execute them with a knife. I'd like to have seen something implemented with the regular walls (basically you're against one side of an L shaped wall and the enemy is on the other corner. Maybe have it to where you grab him, punch him in the face and slam him against the wall?) but overall it's still fun. With player controlled characters, they can grab you just as much as you can grab them, but the AI will actually jump over and kick you, causing you to be stunned for a couple of seconds.

Enemies seem to be more aggressive this time around, with the DB units (those robots) constantly pushing forward and the Swarm rushing at you. The Swarm Grenadiers are crazy now to the point where they'll rush you JUST to tag you with a grenade (I honestly didn't realize they did this until last night playing with a buddy. Makes for a good troll when you get tagged, see your buddy and just rush him). On top of that, take the Boomer/Grinder drone from Gears 2/3 and the Kantus monks, combine them and you got the Scions. Big bulky brutes who look and move like Brock Lesnar on crank. Easier to take out than the Boomers but still pretty tough, armed with multiple heavy weapons, including everyone's favorite Mulcher!

Overall, gameplay still holds up well.

Story in depth discussion:


Sound:
It's awesome. Not really someone who focuses on sound but each gun sounds really good.

Overall thoughts:
The Coalition did a fantastic job continuing on a story that just turned 10 years old (Gears 1 was released 10 years ago November 7th.) It has additions to refresh the game series and a new story that I'm honestly excited to continue in the next coming games. Hopefully we won't have to wait long.


Overall rating: 9/10