Gears of War: Judgment

The biggest reason why this game has such a low rating is because of its multiplayer and online they are terrible...people hate this game so much that they completely forget what makes this game so special and amazing in the first place..and that is it's story. The story of judgement takes place 30 days after E day where we get to play as Baird and his squad who are sent to court for disobeying orders.

This game might not be better than the original trilogy...but let's be honest...this game is far better than gears 4 and 5. You see...this game actually respects the story and really respects it's characters...with 4 and 5 this isn't the case...gears today will never hold a candle to the original trilogy and judgement. A really great game that deserves a lot of respect from gamers and especially it's fans.

Gears of War: Judgment is both a prequel to the first game and midquel to the third. That's because the game is broken into two parts: Judgement which follows Baird's Kilo company shortly after E-Day, and Aftermath which follows Baird and Cole's adventures during GoW3. Each part plays like two completely different games simply put together because of the similar characters.

The graphics are just as good as GoW3, though no better. The voice acting is still good. The basic game mechanics are still fun. The controls have changed from previous games, such as no longer having to switch from guns to grenades to use them. It's a little strange at first but they're quick to get used to. They also add some fun new guns.

Judgment is simply too different from other Gears. Normally you play long drawn out sections, but in this section you play very short parts. At the end they add up your score and give you stars. It feels very much like an Arcade game rather than regular campaign. It seems like just as you're getting into the groove you have to stop and see your score. The series has never had an outstanding story, but this really ruins what story the game has. If you are playing for points or difficulty, you can add an extra wrinkle to the game like tougher enemies, less ammo, or a time limit. They call it declassified missions, but it adds nothing to the story. It's okay, but only worth it for those looking for a challenge.

The story follows Baird leading Kilo squad just after E-Day. They've been put on trial for disobeying orders. Each of the four get their own section where you get to play as them. None of them play any different, it's just cosmetic. It's nothing too important to the series, just go after some general named Karn. Given the title, it would have been better to follow Marcus' trial since that actually impacts the overall story. Or maybe the actual E-Day rather than some random battle after. It doesn't feel like there's any real weight to the story here since we already know the ending. It's nice to see things before the Hammer Strikes left the world in grey ruins. Baird is there, but not his snarky self. I guess it's because he's supposed to be in charge, but it just feels off. Cole hardly says anything which is very weird considering how talkative he is in the other games. At the very least they could have brought in some story from the books and explained that he's so quiet because his family just died. Sofia is nice to look at, but mostly there for exposition. Paduk, a former enemy of the COG just trying to fight the greater enemy, is incredibly dynamic. He makes the section worth it. However, the whole thing just feels like a set-up for the story in Aftermath.

Aftermath is basically GoW3 DLC. Remember how you spent that one level playing as Cole trying to save Delta from events in the previous level? That's pretty much what this is. While in GoW3 you went after the submarine, this takes place at the same time as you find a reinforcements. Carmine shows up, with no introduction here, and you team up with Paduk, set up in Judgment. It plays like the classic Gears, with the new controls, but it's not particularly long. It felt like the deleted scene from GoW2, like it was something they just didn't have time for the GoW3 release.

Sadly, this hardly feels like the full-fledged game they charged. It's a little less than what we got with Halo: ODST. Instead of the Horde mode that the last two popularized you get Overrun, which you have to defend three points until they're all destroyed. It's okay but not as fun as Horde. There was so much potential that was wasted. If you enjoyed the Gears of War series you would enjoy it if you don't expect too much from it. But this won't make any new fans.

10 out of 10 - The Unsung Heroes Finally Get Their Spotlight

Gears of War: Judgment is the most underrated gem in the entire series. It may not follow the main trilogy's arc, but what it delivers is something that every fan needed: a look into the early chaos of Emergence Day, and a chance to step into the boots of the franchise's most loyal, loud, and lovable soldiers - Damon Baird and Augustus Cole.

This isn't just a prequel. This is Cole and Baird's game. And they don't disappoint.

Story: Kilo Squad's Judgment Day

Set shortly after Emergence Day, the world is reeling, and humanity is on the ropes. Kilo Squad, led by Lieutenant Baird, is dragged before a military tribunal for disobeying orders in the heat of war. What unfolds is told through the squad's own testimonies - a series of flashbacks that blur the line between reckless and righteous.

It's a different kind of Gears story - one focused on what it means to do the right thing when the chain of command can't be trusted. Baird, always the smartass in the main trilogy, is now the leader. And he shines. He's brilliant, sarcastic, but deeply responsible when it counts.

And Cole Train? Still full of swagger, but he's not just comic relief here. You see the former Thrashball star adjusting to war, and it's both powerful and real.

Sofia Hendrick and Garron Paduk round out the squad, each bringing tension and texture to the group. Paduk, a former enemy turned ally, especially adds depth and moral ambiguity that sets Judgment apart.

Gameplay: Faster, Riskier, Better

Judgment shakes up the formula - and it works.

The Declassified Missions give players optional challenges that raise the stakes: limited ammo, fog of war, time pressure, tougher enemies.

Each testimony plays out like a self-contained battle chapter, keeping pacing tight and intense.

The star rating system encourages replayability and performance.

Combat is still brutal, cover-based, and satisfying. But with new weapons like the Booshka and Markza, it feels fresh. The Smart Spawn System (S3) keeps encounters unpredictable and engaging.

Cole and Baird: From Sidekicks to Center Stage

This is what fans didn't know they were waiting for. These two always brought charisma and color to Delta Squad, but in Judgment, they carry the whole damn show.

Baird becomes more than just the sarcastic tech guy. He's a leader trying to do what's right in a system that's broken.

Cole shows his heart, his power, and his loyalty in every firefight. And when he lets loose? Pure Thrashball glory.

You feel their bond. Their pain. Their fire. And you root for them every second.

Multiplayer & Survival Mode

Judgment may not have the traditional Horde mode, but Survival and OverRun were fantastic additions.

OverRun Mode pits COG vs Locust in a thrilling, class-based objective mode that brings the fight to the front lines.

Survival keeps the pressure on - five players, 10 waves, and total chaos.

These modes were fast, addictive, and underrated in their time.

Visuals, Design, and Sound

Though built on the Unreal Engine 3, the game looks polished and colorful, with sharper lighting and environmental details that pop. And the pacing - with its shorter chapters and intense bursts of action - makes every moment feel cinematic.

The soundtrack hits hard. Explosions rattle, gunfire sings, and voice acting across the board - especially from Fred Tatasciore (Baird) and Lester Speight (Cole) - is top-tier.

Why It's a 10 Cole and Baird finally in the spotlight - and they kill it Innovative gameplay shakeups (Declassified missions, star system) Emotional, morally gray storytelling Highly replayable combat structure Strong supporting cast and bold tone shift

Final Verdict

10 out of 10. Deserves more credit.

Gears of War: Judgment may not have been the biggest title in the series, but it was the most daring. It gave the franchise's "funny guys" the respect they earned and delivered a unique, fast-paced experience that still feels fresh years later.

Baird and Cole didn't just deserve the spotlight - they owned it.

Kilo Squad never folded. They stood tall. And they rewrote the rules.

This is the worst Gears of War. But I like that they tried telling a story of Baird and explained the events that started Gears 1. Like E-Day and the "destroying our own civilisation, sacrificing millions" part were a big part here. I didn't feel the first one explained it as much as it should that I had to read the books so it's somewhat interesting and thankful to see them explain this further.

Story: But overall it lacks on storytelling. There are no character telling. Just some dudes standing around and talking. "We did this, and we did that." There testimonies I thought should be personal are just the same. "We did this and we did that." But with different voices. The main villain is lame just as everyone else. Still there was not much going on and somehow slow and not that many scenes that made me enjoy the ride. The ending is boring. Aftermath made a better job though. It's cool to see them try something else and this time focus on Baird. Explaining E-Day and the brutal sentence of soldiers running from their positions and duty were a little bit interesting to see them dig further into. 6/10.

Gameplay: A truly fast paced and engaging gameplay that felt quicker than all the others. This fun gameplay with tons of action could be enjoying and engaging, kept the mood up. Brutal gore kills and nice weapons. Longshot feels so satisfying to use. Again great use of the covering and tactical shooting. Fun to progress through this sections of huge amount of enemies. But this is the most repetitive gameplay I've seen in Gears, fast pace doesn't keep the thrill up forever and in the end becomes boring. AIs are stupid tough and the point as you earn stars and sets up the missions in small parts felt underwhelming and unnecessary.

Graphics/style: Again the graphics are stunning. Environments and the looks of characters and locations are elaborate. The look of the game is nothing outstanding but still looks very good for being 360. But environments are nothing special or memorable. Just small tedious sections. 7.5/10.

Audio: Music is fitting and stunning, but again nothing that outstanding or special. Voice acting is good though. They don't feel talented which is good. The sound of the game feels smooth and clean, just like the gameplay and the cutscenes. 7/10.

Overall it was very short and not much going on. Tedious, repetitive sections and an slow plot with underdeveloped characters and underwhelming ending.