E3 2019 has arrived in full force, and with the world’s biggest video game conference comes a slew of new titles and returning franchises just waiting to release their latest and upcoming content. One of the first studios to bring their games to the stage was none other than Microsoft, and with them they brought Gears 5.
The epic saga of the Gears of War franchise has become a fan favorite staple of the company, and Gears 5 is no exception. While few story details were revealed in the conference, here are 10 facts about Gears 5 after E3 2019.
10 10. New Game Mode
One of the biggest parts of the presentation for Gears 5 today came with the announcement that a brand new game mode would be coming to the franchise this fall. The new game mode is called Escape, and will be the first 3-player co-op game mode of the series.
The game will focus on the simple idea of taking a 3-player team of COGS into a hive of the Swarm and placing a bomb inside. There, gamers must set the bomb and then fight their way out, hoping to survive before the bomb ignites the entire area.
9 9. Map Builder
It appears that Microsoft Studios plans to release more gamer creativity with the next Gears installment. When the game itself and its new game mode Escape premier this fall, fans of the franchise will be introduced to the Map Builder function.
Using this aspect of the game, players will be able to customize and build their own Escape game maps and levels to play. This is unique in that it will give players a voice in how they play the game and should allow for some really fun, sometimes hilarious and often action-packed game events for the entire fandom.
8 8. Versus
This next announcement for Gears 5 is a real treat for any eSports gamers out there who love competitive gaming and the Gears franchise as a whole. Starting in July 2019, Gears 5 Versus will debut with ELEAGUE, with a live tournament from July 13-14 showing off 8 teams competing head to head with one another in the first Gears 5 tournament.
This is going to be available to try out along with new eSports mode Escalation 2.0 and Arcade modes in July during the Gears 5 Tech Test, giving gamers an exclusive look at the future of Gears.
7 7. Horde
One of the functions of the franchise Gears fans have come to know and love that will return with Gears 5 will be Horde mode. The mode features wave after wave of enemies making their way onto a game map, with players forced to take out each wave and defend the area from enemy forces.
The new Horde mode is supposed to feature new player abilities that will change the way the game is played, but no new details are available yet. The game will be hands-on to try out in August 2019 at the Gamescom event for Microsoft.
6 6. Campaign
Starting in September, with the game's release, the major focus of the franchise will be on the story mode, or Campaign as its known. No new details have emerged about the game’s plot as of yet, but what we do know is that it will follow Kait on a journey as she explores her heritage and connection to the Swarm.
The campaign is supposed to be the largest in the franchise, and feature the first ever 3-player co-op split screen for the story mode of the game. Details of the story are due to roll out very soon.
5 5. Xbox Game Pass Ultimate Early Release
One of the biggest draws for gamers and the Gears franchise has to be its connection to the Xbox Game Pass. This exclusive membership allows gamers to pay for a membership in exchange for playing exclusive titles through their gaming service. As Gears 5 is a Microsoft title, the game will be available via the Game Pass.
Yet for any member who bought into the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate package, the game will become available a few days early via Game Pass. More specifically, the game will be released for those members on September 6th, 2019, and include many perks.
4 4. Various Editions At Launch
That’s not the only membership or edition fans have to look forward to, however. Anyone who preorders the Ultimate edition of Gears 5 (either physical or digital), will receive the game on September 6th, 2019. They will also receive the Ultimate Edition character pack and 30 Days of Boost, a mysterious new feature of the game. Anyone who gets the physical Ultimate edition will also get an exclusive steel book and sticker pack.
The regular edition will be available physically, digitally and on Xbox Game Pass on September 10th, the day of the game’s exclusive launch but no new perks.
3 3. Terminator: Dark Fate DLC
To really entice fans to preorder the game or play the game before September 16th, 2019, the creators of Gears 5 happily announced an exclusive DLC partnership with Skydance Media, the creators of the upcoming sci-fi epic Terminator: Dark Fate. The film is due to return fan favorites Sarah Connor and the T-800 terminator endoskeleton, and with this exclusive DLC pack fans will be able to play as those characters in the game.
Players who download and play the game before September 16th will not only get these characters, but the exclusive Vector Lance Skin and boost days.
2 2. Road To Gears 5
In the months leading up to the game’s launch, players will be able to participate in fan events in Gears of War 4 for opportunities to win bonus characters and items for Gears 5. Before E3 fans fought and competed to win the Gilded RAAM character for Gears 5, but the road to Gears 5 function will see 10 opportunities to win more characters and customization items for gamers experiences with the new game.
The first five challenges will go live on June 10th, while the last five will go live on August 1st, and all ten end September 2.
1 1. Releases Fall 2019
As stated before, the biggest info for the game was, of course, the release date of the game, which is September 10th, 2019. The long wait for Gears fans is nearly over, with only a few months left before the all-out war consuming the planet Sera comes to life, and soldier Kait must discover who the true threat is: the swarm… or herself?
With all of these announcements, there are plenty of things for fans to look forward to. Whether you are an eSports fiend or love the story being told in the franchise, Gears 5 is nearly here.