Gears Tactics is big and brash at times, but it’s also deep, intelligent and balanced, with all the heart and passion we’ve come to expect from a Gears game.
Gears Tactics won’t be for every Gears fan, simply because of the genre switch, but for those looking to embrace something new, they’re going to have the pleasure of experiencing yet another wonderful take on the franchise, only from a totally new perspective.
While it might be a surprising translation between genres, Gears Tactics plays like it was meant to be. The game is often quite challenging and instead of the twitch reflexes of a shooter, it demands smart and strategic thinking. It nails the look and feel of Gears and adds some welcome refinements and improvements to the now-standard turn-based formula. Lengthy and populated by familiar and violent Gears of War moments of triumph, Gears Tactics suffers a bit in the areas of story and character and repetitive mission structure. In most ways, however, Gears Tactics is a refreshing and unexpected take on the Gear of War saga.
There’s a sense that this is Splash Damage and The Coalition playing to the crowd with Gears Tactics. It undoubtedly captures the look and feel of the Gears universe, squeezing it into a slick turn-based tactical game, but while I can see a few genre fans attracted to its more cerebral form of warfare, it’s the series fans who are going to get the most out of it.
Gears Tactics tries some new things, but ultimately results in a game that’s less tactics oriented than the name suggests. It’s a competent experience, but completely whiffs on character with a lackluster story and every tool is a hammer class design. Add in repetitive mission structure and Gears Tactics is a far sight less replayable than the giants of the genre.
This review has me torn, because Gears Tactics is a shockingly smooth transition into an XCOM style tactical shooter. Although this game leaves me in a weird spot because I am a huge fan of Gears of War and XCOM, yet it doesn’t quite scratch either itch. I just kept thinking I want to either play a proper Gears of War game or a proper XCOM game. That is not to say the game is bad, it’s a good game. It’s a well polished game but it would benefit from a sequel to build on this excellent foundation. The game shines for Gears fans because the characters, the plot, the atmosphere, everything is highly reflective of the series. I also appreciate the focus on action instead of the increased focus on stealth in the XCOM games, like it truly feels like an action filled Gears game despite it being turn based. But something about the mission design just makes me care a lot less about the battles and characters than I did in XCOM. I think the difficulty is a bit easy, and on the highest difficulties it feels entirely way too punishing. In XCOM it felt like any bad move would result In losing a character or failing the mission, but the RNG in this game feels very generous. The storyline feels very much like a Gears game, the battles can be long (in a positive way), the length of the game is extremely generous.
The game is good, and I wish they made a sequel to build on this foundation. Definitely a lot of fun to be had, but it leaves many itches unscratched.
I'd give it a solid 7/10.
A lot of negative reviews come from people complaining about needing an Xbox account, it's 2021, multiple platforms are needed for both TV and Games and even music now, time to get over it.
As for Gears Tactics, it's like XCOM and it isn't. You get a bit more freedom in Gears Tactics I feel, in terms of positioning and action points. Being able to redeem action points through executions also adds another layer of tactic to the game.
The armour customisation is phenomenal, you can make some really badass looking gears with the different colour and decal scemes.
There is little to no character customisation though, unlike XCOM you can't change the gender or race of the characters you recruit, so making accurate (somewhat) looking versions of your friends can be difficult. (Use helmets and long t-shirts to sorta overcome this).
The gameplay is satisfying with all the sound effects and animations that we've grown to love over the years since 2006.
The story is alright, some people don't like it, I personally think it's not bad; very middle of the line, if you're not a Gears lore fan, it might be somewhat forgettable.
The Boss fights however, I feel, take far too long. It's not that the bosses are hard, it's just that mobs spawn in during the boss fight, forcing you to deal with them, which just creates artificial length. However there is an argument to be had that the bosses might be too easy without these added swarms.
Tickers are a genuine threat in this game as opposed to the shooters.
Overall, a 7/10. Get it on sale if you like a XCOM or Phoenix Point, or even if you like Gears and want to broaden your horizons a little. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
The combat is fun, but the way the story is handled just is not great. its just so painfully mediocre with its storytelling compared to gears 1-3. Certain characters are so obnoxious that I was actively hoping they would kill some character. unfortunately they didn't though. that's not something that you should strive for in your game. i also hit several game breaking bugs. i played this in 2024 so theyre probably not getting **** it was only 1 or 2 bugs it would be a 5
SummaryGears Tactics is the fast-paced, turn-based strategy game from one of the most-acclaimed video game franchises – Gears of War. Outnumbered and fighting for survival, recruit and command your squad to hunt down an evil mastermind who makes monsters.