Marcus Fenix is not only the most iconic character in the Gears of War franchise, but he is also one of the most recognizable icons of modern gaming. Over the last 13 years, this sergeant and COG soldier has seen intense wars, brutal battles, and heartbreaking separations. The legendary hero even defeated Locust Queen Myrrah and helped end the Locust War.
Even when he went into retirement and had a family, he was called back to the battlefield to offer his wisdom, expertise and moral support – particularly to his son JD Fenix. Despite his bloody history, Marcus never stopped delivering some memorable one-liners or dialogue. Here are Marcus Fenix’s most badass quotes!
10 “They Can Eat Sh*t…”
In Gears of War 3, Ben Carmine asked Dominic Santiago and Marcus about whether the Locust can eat Imulsion. Marcus gruffly replies, “They can eat sh*t and die, for all I care.” While not as boisterous as his other iconic lines, it really demonstrates the soldier’s solemn but cool demeanor. And why worry about a horde of insect enemies ready to bring humanity to its knees?
9 “SUCK PAVEMENT!”
A badass phrase for a badass man. It’s one of the various taunts Marcus dishes out when eliminating enemies, but man does it stick out. When you are playing as a Gears character, one of their executions involves holding the enemy unit's arm and smashing their head in with their boot. It’s even featured in some meme images in the Gears Of War community.
8 “WHO WANTS TOAST!?”
This is a voice line Marcus utters whenever he throws incendiary grenades in Gears 3 and 4. It particularly references when an enemy is lit aflame or charred to cinders - basically a cheeky joke and callout.
Like “Suck pavement!” this is one of few voice lines that are unique to the character, outside the arbitrary “damn,” “frag out,” and “smoke ‘em out.”
7 “Aww, Warms My Heart…”
While this line starts off somewhat gentle, don’t be deceived. Marcus utters this quote during battle sequences in Gears 3: “Aww, warms my heart… and cooks yours!”
It's technically a variation on the voice line "WHO WANTS TOAST!?" but a good alternative. Even with all the destruction and suffering, Marcus still manages to get a few biting one-liners in. Very, very cool.
6 “THAT’S FIVE, MOTHERF*CKERS!”
You get this voice line when you get five consecutive sniper kills in Gears 2: "That's one! That's two! THAT'S THREE! THAT'S FOUR! THAT'S FIVE, MOTHERF*CKERS!" What is unique about this voice line is that it rewards you for performance rather than being a simple reaction.
Not only that, but it's very fitting for Marcus' sailor-mouthed personality. A great touch, Epic Games of yesteryear.
5 “Make[s] Me Feel Alive”
When Marcus decided to join the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG), it wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows (literally and figuratively). He had to go through his father, Adam Fenix first, who objected to the decision because of the danger and that Marcus was “throwing away his college education.” Exasperated and defeated, Adam said that “nobody would think less of him if he didn't join the army.” Marcus responds:
"I'll think less of me. And it's the only thing that's going to make me feel alive."
While not as action-packed and cheeky as his previous voice lines and phrases, it's a testament to Marcus's resolve and personal worth; and that's something we can all relate to on some level.
4 “Feel That?”
The climax of the original trilogy (assuming that Gears 5 will have a sequel). Marcus delivers concise, well-deserved punishment to Queen Myrrah, ruler and creator of the Locust Horde. She is also responsible for the Lambent Pandemic and a lot of major issues in the world.
At the conclusion of Gears 3, Marcus gets his revenge on Locust Queen Myrrah. This one goes out to Dom, his father Adam, and everyone else who died or suffered from the Locust: "Feel that? That's from Dom, and everyone else you killed, you b*tch!'"
3 “We’re Not Saints”
In the Gears Of War Comic Series, Marcus discovers Tai Kaliso taking aim at him with a bow and arrow. Tai’s people experienced a massacre from the Union of Independent Republics (UIR). COG soldiers were dispatched to Irohma Island to defend against the UIR. Marcus expressed his condolences and said:
"We're not saints. But we are gonna win this f*cking war and I'd rather have you on the winning side."
Marcus recognizes the ugliness of war and everything that comes with it. He also takes responsibility for some cruel things he's personally committed. Despite everything, he stays committed to his mission and the security of the innocent.
2 “With All Due Respect, F*ck You, Sir"
While Marcus respects authority, he is not afraid to mouth off to his superiors. One of Marcus’s motivation throughout Gears 3 is searching for his father Adam. Toward the climax of the game, Colonel Victor Hoffman orders Marcus and the rest of Delta Squad to forget about the scientist and go to Chancery Bridge.
It was either Adam or the lives of many Gears soldiers on the line, and a potential court-martial. Hoffman even went as far as to say that Adam was “useless.” Marcus got in Hoffman’s face and said:
"I've put myself on the line every day since I was eighteen years old. Followed every order. Even the half-assed ones. But now I'm going to save my father. So, with all due respect, fuck you, sir."
That was the first time in the franchise that Marcus did something personally for himself and not at the behest of orders or his superiors. He will do the same thing in Gears 5, refusing to let First Minister Mina Jinn take in Kait Diaz; Diaz has a connection to the Swarm, which they think will prove useful to learn more about them.
1 “I Just Lost My F*cking Brother!”
Following Dom’s heroic sacrifice, Marcus delivers the results of their mission to Griffin. Griffin launches into a full tirade about how his men are dead, and how COG soldiers always bring “death, pain, and miseries” everywhere they go. Marcus gets fed up and goes off on Griffin:
“I just lost my f*cking brother, alright?! My BROTHER! You, your tower, and all this f*ckin Imulsion can GO TO HELL!!”
We'll have to see if Marcus will continue to make an appearance in the series after Gears 5. If so, we hope he can keep delivering awesome phrases and kickass action!