On the surface, the Gears of War games seem like typical bro shooters. It's not until you play the series that you realize that it includes a deep and sometimes emotional narrative. And the franchise's story isn't just contained within the games.
There is also a litany of comics and novels that add to the overall lore of the series. Experiencing the entire franchise in chronological order can make for a compelling adventure as it begins with the Pendulum Wars, goes through the Locust conflict, and ends with the battles against the Swarm. But as there's an abundance of Gears of War media out there, it can be difficult to determine when everything takes place, so here is everything in order.
*Each one is ordered based on when the majority of their events take place, except in a few cases where they're split into two entries*
32 Gears of War: They Also Serve (Comic)
Before the Locust War, there were the Pendulum Wars. And the They Also Serve comic takes place amid the latter conflict.
The likes of Marcus and friends aren't around, but his father is. Adam Fenix serves as the protagonist of the story as he begins to question the way humanity fights wars.
31 Gears of War: Unseen (Comic)
Unseen follows Hoffman in his younger days when he was a Captain during the Pendulum Wars. In the comic, his superiors assign him to a difficult mission.
Even Hoffman can't complete the operation alone, so he intends to build a strong team. And the future Colonel looks to the dangerous Pesang troops as possible recruits.
30 Gears of War: Unsaid (Comic)
There are many interesting things to know about Marcus Fenix, and if you want to know everything, then Unsaid is a good comic to read.
The piece tells the tale of the legendary soldier's time as a new recruit in the COG. He's not alone, though, as he's joined by Dom's older brother, Carlos Santiago. Elsewhere, Adam Fenix is working on the Hammer of Dawn.
29 Gears Of War: Aspho Fields (Certain Chapters) (Comic)
Around half of the Aspho Fields book is set right after the first game, whereas the rest takes place during Marcus and Dom's time as young soldiers.
During the moments in the past, the two future heroes participate in the Battle of Aspho Fields. The operation sees the COG attack a UIR research facility known as Aspho Point. Marcus and Dom are joined on the mission by Hoffman, Adam Fenix, and Carlos Santiago.
28 Gears Of War: Promise Me (Comic)
As long as the Pendulum Wars were, it didn't last forever, and the last battle of the conflict is fought during the Promise Me comic.
Marcus takes part in the final skirmish on the side of the COG. However, the most important business is done by his father as Adam finishes The Hammer Of Dawn weapon.
27 Gears of War: Jacinto's Remnant (Flashback Storyline) (Comic)
Much of the Jacinto's Remnant novel is a flashback that is set shortly after Emergence Day.
The story is about Richard Prescott's early days as the Chairman of the COG and his decision to use the Hammer of Dawn against the Locust. His usage of the powerful weapon leads to the civilians' hatred of the COG.
26 Gears Of War: Rise Of RAAM (Comic)
Because of his size and menacing demeanor, General RAAM is often considered by fans to be the best villain in the series. However, the games don't tell you much about the domineering Locust.
The Rise Of RAAM comic series, though, gives fans more information about the monster. The comics show how RAAM becomes such an important part of the Locust Horde before arriving on the surface.
25 Gears Of War: Judgment (Video Game)
The events of Gears Of War Judgment occur during the early days of the Locust War. A young Baird is the leader of Kilo Squad, which consists of Cole, Sofia Hendrik, and Garron Paduk.
During the game, the team is put on trial for their actions at Halvo Bay. Their version of events is depicted throughout the adventure.
24 Gears Tactics (Video Game)
This turn-based strategy game follows Kait Diaz's father, Gabriel Diaz, as he leads a team whose goal is to hunt down Ukkon, aka the leader of the Locust.
Diaz's operation happens 12 years before the event of the original game. At this point, the underground Horde was wiping out many cities on Sera.
23 Gears Of War 3: RAAM's Shadow (DLC)
While expansions for the Gears series have generally consisted of additions to the multiplayer, there has been a couple of single-player adventures, including RAAM'S shadow.
The story of the DLC mission is about Zelta Squad evacuating and protecting the citizens of Llima City from the Locust Horde. Although, the likes of Minh Young Kim and Tai Kaliso don't just have Grunts to worry about as the destructive RAAM is also present.
22 Gears Of War: The Slab (Comic)
Many fans probably recall that during the opening to the original game, Marcus is in a cell.
Well, the Gears Of War: The Slab book follows Fenix's time in the maximum-security prison. Plus, readers also learn how he ended up there in the first place.
21 Gears Of War: Midnight (Comic)
During the Midnight comic Jace Statton tells the story of Operation: Midnight. He is recounting the events to Alex Brand at some point later in the timeline, but the main events of the comic take place shortly before the first game.
Jace is just a private at the time, yet he joins Midnight Squad on an important mission to secure Ferro Bridge. Naturally, the operation gets complicated quickly, especially when General RAAM gets involved.
20 Gears Of War (Video Game)
The first Gears of War begins with Dom letting Marcus out of prison early to help combat the Locust threat.
Not long later, the two COG soldiers join up with Baird and Cole as they go on a mission to kill RAAM and activate the Lightmass bomb to eradicate the invading Horde. Of course, before they can complete their mission, they have to finish a lot of other objectives first.
19 Gears Of War: Aspho Fields (Certain Chapters) (Comic)
Not every section of the Aspho Fields novel is a flashback. And the present-day moments occur right after the first game. Delta Squad, Bernie, Hoffman, and Tai try to stop a Locust attack on North Gate.
Stopping the horde isn't Dom's only objective, though. The man also wants to hear what happened to his brother during the Battle of Aspho Fields, but his comrades remain quiet.
18 Gears Of War: Hollow (Comic)
Gears Of War: Hollow begins a few months after the COG used the Lightmass Bomb to wipe out a lot of Locust. Delta Squad's mission is to search for any remaining survivors from the conflict.
Yet, things go south when they realize there's more of the Horde left than they thought. Marcus and his crew are forced to fight for their lives, while the floor crumbles around them.
17 Gears Of War: One Day (Comic)
Marcus's usual sidekick Dom is given the lead role in the One Day standalone comic.
With the loss of his family still in the back of his mind, Santiago leads a group of Gears as they try to stop some Locusts from killing civilians. The event occurs around a month after Delta Squads' activities from the Hollow comics.
16 Gears Of War: Barren (Comic)
In the Barren comic series, Delta Squad follows a distress signal to Jilane, which is a city that has been overrun by Locust. Joining the usual crew is a scout named Alex Brand. The unique woman quickly becomes one of the main characters in the story.
Once they find survivors, they have to defend themselves against an overwhelming Locust attack. Not everyone comes out of the conflict unscathed.
15 Gears Of War 2 (Video Game)
By the second game, the Locust have pretty much recovered from the Lightmass Bombing. In fact, the creatures have started sinking full cities.
So, Delta squad and the rest of the COG go underground to attack them where they live. But combatting the creatures on their home turf turns out to be a dangerous idea.
14 Gears Of War: The Quickening (Comic)
From meeting Marcus to his death, Gears Of War: The Quickening covers all of the significant moments of Tai Kaliso's life as a COG soldier.
So, naturally, the events take place at multiple different periods on the Gears timeline. The main focus of the comic, though, is about how the strong man was captured and tortured by the Locust, which occurs during Gears of War 2.
13 Gears Of War: Harper's Story (Comic)
Johnathon Harper is not the first name fans consider when they think of COG soldiers. However, the man's harrowing tale occurs alongside Gears of War 2 and is told in the Harper's Story comic.
The piece chronicles his adventures as he goes down into the Hollow to help wipe the Locusts out. Yet, his time underground isn't a happy one.