10 out of 10 - A New Legacy, Same Chainsaw Edge
Gears of War 4 marked a monumental moment in the franchise - the passing of the torch from one generation to the next. And it didn't stumble. It charged in chainsaw-first, bringing back the grit, glory, and emotional depth fans live for. This was the resurrection of Gears, and it did so with firepower, fresh blood, and the return of a legend.
JD Fenix: The Son of a Legend
Let's start where it matters - JD Fenix. He's not a carbon copy of his father - he's his own man. But damn if he doesn't carry that same weight, that same quiet strength. There's Marcus's grit, but also a little more humor, a little more questioning the system - like his mother, Anya. He's a soldier, a rebel, a leader in the making. You don't just like JD - you believe in him.
His dynamic with Del Walker and Kait Diaz is tight, real, and instantly believable. This squad isn't just new blood - they're the future, and they're worth fighting for.
Welcome. Back. Marcus.
The second Marcus Fenix steps back into the story - grizzled, isolated, and still tougher than concrete - everything clicks.
You feel the history. The trauma. The fire that never went out. His return isn't just fan service - it's earned. And when he picks up a Lancer again?
That's Gears royalty.
He's not just along for the ride either. He guides, protects, bleeds again for humanity. And when things go sideways? Marcus is still the guy who steps up, clenches his jaw, and gets it done.
A New Threat: The Swarm
The Locust may be gone, but the nightmare didn't die - it evolved.
The Swarm is disgusting, relentless, and every bit as terrifying as what came before. The Juvies, the Drones, the Snatchers - it's all fresh, fast, and feral. The world may have moved on, but war never ended. And Gears 4 makes that visceral.
Add to that the DeeBees - robotic soldiers from the COG who enforce peace with brutality - and suddenly JD and his squad are fighting enemies on all sides. Human. Machine. Monster.
Gameplay & Combat: Classic with Upgrades
This is classic Gears with next-gen precision. Gunplay is tight. Movement is more fluid. Melee feels meaner. And the combat encounters? Fast, dynamic, and constantly evolving.
New weapons like the Buzzkill and Dropshot bring insane energy to the battlefield. And the weather - those Windflares - change everything mid-fight. You're not just fighting enemies; you're fighting the planet itself.
Cover still matters.
Timing still matters.
And flanking, reviving, surviving - it's all peak Gears.
Visuals, Atmosphere, & Sound
Visually? Gears 4 is stunning. The decaying cities, lush forests, stormy skies - it's the apocalypse with texture.
The lighting is dynamic. The Swarm hives are organic nightmares. The detail in armor, weapons, and even battle damage is insane.
The soundtrack? Tense and thunderous. The voice acting? Top-notch. Shoutout to John DiMaggio for giving Marcus every ounce of grit and pain from his past - and Liam McIntyre for a JD you root for.
Why It's a 10
JD Fenix delivers - the next generation is in good hands
Marcus Fenix returns in legendary form
New enemies, weapons, and weather shake up the formula
Emotional weight balanced with brutal combat
Stunning visuals and refined mechanics
Sets up Gears 5 masterfully without losing what made the original trilogy iconic
Final Verdict
10 out of 10. The gears never stopped turning - they just waited for the next mission.
Gears of War 4 respects its roots but isn't afraid to move forward. JD Fenix proves the legacy is in good hands. And Marcus? He never left - he just gave others the chance to lead.
The war is different. The stakes are higher. But the soul of Gears is stronger than ever.
