Gears of War (video game): Difference between revisions

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{{Otheruses4Short description|the2006 video game|the song|Gears of War (song)}}

{{Infobox video game

{{Mergefrom|Lancer Assault Rifle|date=March 2007}}

| title = Gears of War

{{Mergefrom|Gears of War Multiplayer|date=March 2007}}

| image = Gears of war cover art.jpg

{{Infobox CVG

| developer = [[Epic Games]]{{efn|Additional development by [[Psyonix]]. Ported to Windows by [[People Can Fly]].}}

|title = Gears of War

| publisher = [[Microsoft Game Studios]]

|image = [[Image:Gearsofwar.JPG|250px]]

|developer producer = [[EpicRod GamesFergusson]]

|publisher designer = [[MicrosoftCliff Game StudiosBleszinski]]

| programmer = Ray Davis

|designer = [[Cliff Bleszinski]]

| artist = {{Unbulleted list|Jeremiah O'Flaherty|[[Chris Perna]]}}

|picture format = [[1080i]] ([[HDTV]])

| writer = {{Unbulleted list|Susan O'Connor|[[Eric Nylund]]}}

|engine = [[Unreal Engine technology#Unreal Engine 3.0|Unreal Engine 3.0][Havok Engine]] [http://wiki.beyondunreal.com/wiki/Unreal_Engine_Versions/3 Build 3706]

| composer = [[Kevin Riepl]]

|released = {{vgrelease|North America|NA|[[November 12]], [[2006]]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Europe|EUR|[[November 17]], [[2006]]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Australia|AU|[[November 23]], [[2006]]}}<br />{{vgrelease|Japan|JPN|[[January 18]], [[2007]]}}

|genre series = ''[[Third-personGears shooterof War]] ''

| engine = [[Unreal Engine 3]]

|modes = [[Single player]], [[Multiplayer|System-Link]], [[Multiplayer|Online Multiplayer]], and [[Cooperative gameplay|Co-opererative Modes]]

| platforms = {{Unbulleted list|[[Xbox 360]]|[[Windows]]}}

|ratings = [[Entertainment Software Rating Board|ESRB]]: Mature (17+)<br />[[British Board of Film Classification|BBFC]]: 18<br />[[PEGI]]: 18+<br />[[CERO]]: Z

| released = '''Xbox 360'''{{Video game release|NA|November 7, 2006|EU|November 17, 2006|AU|November 23, 2006}}'''Windows'''{{Video game release|NA|November 6, 2007|EU|November 9, 2007|AU|November 15, 2007}}

|platforms = [[Xbox 360]]

| genre = [[Third-person shooter]]

|media = [[DVD#Dual layer recording|DVD-DL]]

| modes = [[Single-player]], [[multiplayer]]

|input = [[Gamepad]]

}}

'''''Gears of War''''' is a tactical [[third-person shooter]] [[video game]] developed by [[Epic Games]] (the creators of the Unreal Tournament series) using [[Unreal Engine technology|Unreal Engine 3.0]] technology and published by [[Microsoft Game Studios]]. Released for the [[Xbox 360]] on [[November 7]], [[2006]] in select stores in the United States, it was broadly released in major U.S. retailers on [[November 12]], [[2006]]. The game was released on [[November 17]], [[2006]] in Europe outside of [[Germany]], where [[Microsoft Game Studios]] did not publish the game after it was denied a rating.<ref>{{cite news|title=No ''Gears of War'' release for Germany|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=20475|publisher=[[GamesIndustry.biz]]|date=[[2006-10-19]]|accessdate=2006-10-19}}</ref> A limited collector's edition was also released, which included a disc of bonus content and an art book titled "Destroyed Beauty" that detailed much of the game's [[backstory]].

'''''Gears of War''''' is a 2006 [[third-person shooter]] video game developed by [[Epic Games]] and published by [[Xbox Game Studios|Microsoft Game Studios]]. It is the first installment of the [[Gears of War|''Gears of War'' series]], and was initially released as an exclusive title for the [[Xbox 360]] in November 2006. A [[Microsoft Windows]] version, developed in conjunction with [[People Can Fly]], was released in November 2007. The game's main story, which can be played in single or co-operative play, focuses on a squad of troops who assist in completing a desperate, last-ditch attempt to end a war against a genocidal subterranean enemy, the Locust, and save the remaining human inhabitants of their planet Sera. The game's multiplayer mode allows up to eight players to control characters from one of the two factions in a variety of online game modes. Gameplay features players using [[Cover system|cover]] and strategic fire in order to win battles.

''Gears of War'' centers on the soldiers of [[List of Gears of War characters & adversaries#Delta Squad|Delta Squad]] as they fight to save the human inhabitants of the [[Planets in science fiction|fictional planet]] Sera from a relentless subterranean enemy known as [[List of Gears of War characters & adversaries#The Locust Horde|The Locust Horde]]. The player assumes the role of [[Marcus Fenix]], a former prisoner and war-hardened soldier. In cooperative play, the second player plays as Fenix's friend and fellow soldier, [[Dominic Santiago]] (Dom). The two soldiers join up with Delta Squad and battle the Locust Horde through the course of an [[Action game|action]]-packed campaign.

The game was a commercial success, selling over three million copies within ten weeks of its launch. It became the fastest selling video game of 2006, the second-most played game over [[Xbox Live]] during 2007, and one of [[List of best-selling Xbox 360 video games|the best-selling Xbox 360 games]]. The game received acclaim for its gameplay and visuals, and is considered to be [[List of video games considered the best|one of the greatest video games ever made]], winning over 30 "Game of the Year" awards in 2006 and helped popularize the use of a [[cover system]]. A remastered version, ''[[Gears of War: Ultimate Edition]]'', was developed primarily by [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]]. ''Ultimate Edition'' was released for the [[Xbox One]] in August 2015, and for [[Microsoft Windows]] in March 2016. An updated remaster, ''[[Gears of War: Reloaded]]'', was co-developed by The Coalition, [[Sumo Digital]] and Disbelief, and was released in August 2025 for [[PlayStation 5]], Windows and [[Xbox Series X/S]], notably marking the original game's debut on [[Steam (service)|Steam]], and the series' first release on non-Xbox consoles.

==Gameplay==

''Gears of War'''s success led to the development of [[Gears of War|a franchise]] including many sequels, starting with ''[[Gears of War 2]]'' in 2008. In addition, it has also spawned [[Gears of War#Adaptations|adaptations]] for books and comics, and a [[Gears of War#Film|film]] based on the series is currently in development.

''Gears of War'' is a third-person "over-the-shoulder" shooter. In an interview with [[Cliff Bleszinski]], lead developer for Epic Games, he cites that three games were the primary influences in the game's design included the third person perspective from ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'', the tactical cover system from ''[[kill.switch]]'', and the progression from platform to platform via a grappling hook in ''[[Bionic Commando]]''.<ref>[http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html?action=convert&om_clk=latestnews&tag=latestnews;title;0 Gamespot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel]</ref> These design choices reflect themself in the gameplay as ''Gears of War'' focuses mainly on sound team-based and cover-dependent [[tactic]]s with limited weapons rather than [[brute force]].

Epic Games placed emphasis on the importance of cover, and on the harder difficulty levels where being exposed to enemy fire for only a few seconds can result in death. While behind cover, players can choose to aim carefully with their weapons or use blind-fire to avoid subsequent damage from showing their heads from behind cover. Players have a wide assortment of rolling and cover maneuvers at their disposal with the press of a single button. The availability of certain maneuvers are also indicated by context sensitive icons that appear at the bottom of the screen. The game also includes a sprint, known as the "roadie run", a roll, and the ability to jump over small walls. The roadie run is part crouch, part run, which can help traverse exposed ground quickly as well as making characters harder to target.<ref name="manual"/> During a roadie run, the camera lowers towards the ground and bobs considerably, as if the camera were being held by another person running behind the player. <ref name=GamespyPreview>{{cite web | last = Tuttle | first = Will | date = [[2006-11-07]] | url = http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/707559p1.html | title = ''Gears of War'' Preview | publisher = [[GameSpy]] | accessdate 2006-11-25}}</ref>

==Gameplay==

[[Image:Ss-gow.jpg|thumb|250px|left|A Locust Berserker charges Marcus]]

{{See also|Gears of War#Gameplay|l1=Gameplay in the Gears of War series}}

<!-- FAIR USE of Ss-gow.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ss-gow.jpg for rationale -->

''Gears of War'' features a small variety of weapons, following other first-person shooter weapons sets with [[assault rifle]]s , [[shotguns]], [[pistol]]s and [[sniper rifle]]s. One of the most notable weapons is the game's signature firearm, the Lancer. The Lancer is an assault rifle with a chainsaw bayonet. This weapon gives the player the ability to cut enemies in half, killing them in a single blow. Some of the more powerful weapons in the game include the Torque Bow, a high tech mechanical spring bow that fires explosive bolts, the Boomshot rocket-propelled grenade launcher, the Longshot sniper rifle and the ''Hammer of Dawn'', a targeting device for a powerful orbital particle cannon but only usable when outdoors. All weapons can be used to bash an opponent at melee range (except for the Lancer, which uses the aforementioned chainsaw bayonet). Both smoke and fragmentation [[grenade]]s are also available which can be tossed, but can also be stuck onto an opponent by hand at close range. Single player missions usually carry over weapons from previous missions, while multiplayer matches provide players with a smoke grenade, Lancer assault rifle, Snub pistol, and Gnasher shotgun, with more powerful weapons being scattered at strategic locations on the map, though the host can select to randomize weapon locations. Discarded and dropped weapons and ammo can be collected by the player, but the player may only carry one type of grenade, one type of [[side arm|sidearm]], and two types of the remaining weapon classes at any time.

''Gears of War'' is a [[third-person shooter]] that places emphasis on using [[Cover system|cover]] to avoid taking damage while moving towards enemy forces. The game uses a number of weapons, but predominately featured is the [[Lancer Assault Rifle]], which has a mounted [[chainsaw]] [[bayonet]] that can deal melee damage at close range. Playable characters can carry two primary weapons, grenades, and a smaller, secondary weapon such as the Snub Pistol. Weapons are reloaded with a tap of the RB button, and a second tap within a given time (active reload) rewards the player with a damage bonus. However, failing to perform the "Active Reload" correctly will cause the gun to become momentarily jammed while the player's character fixes it. When the player takes damage, the "Crimson Omen", a red cog representing the player's health gauge, will fade into the screen, becoming more defined with larger amounts of damage. The player or bots can seek cover to recover their health, but if they take too much damage, they will become incapacitated. Once this occurs, a skull will fill the center void of the omen. The player or bots can then be revived by a teammate, executed by an enemy, or remain incapacitated until they "bleed out", dying from blood loss.

A gameplay component unique to ''Gears of War'', the ''Active Reload'', entails hitting the right bumper at the correct time to speed up your reload. There are three possibilities for the result of the second tap of the reload button: perfect, good, and fail. If timed perfectly, the reload takes less than a second and any bullets refilled will momentarily have an 8% increase in damage. If timed well, the reload will simply take less time. If timed poorly, the gun will jam momentarily and the reloading process will take longer than if an Active Reload was not attempted. <ref name="manual"/>

The game features a five-act campaign that can be played alone or cooperatively with another player. The campaign focuses on COG Army soldiers [[Marcus Fenix]] and Dominic Santiago and their efforts in the Delta Squad to wipe out the Locust forces on their planet Sera. The player is joined by AI teammates that will help fight the Locust. Certain sections of the campaign feature two paths that can be taken as selected by the first player. If there is a second player, their character will automatically take the other. The campaign can be played at three difficulty settings in the first game. From easiest to hardest, these are "Casual", "Hardcore" and "Insane". The "Insane" difficulty is unlocked once the game is beaten on either the "Casual" or "Hardcore" difficulty.<ref name="Gears of War IGN Wiki">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/wikis/gears-of-war/Achievements|title=Gears of War Achievements|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=7 November 2006|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-08-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829073618/http://www.ign.com/wikis/gears-of-war/Achievements|url-status=live}}</ref>

Instead of a healthbar found in many first-person shooters, ''Gears of War'' uses the ''Crimson Omen'', a [[gear|Cog]] shaped icon that fills up with blood to represent damage. If there is a faint appearance of the Omen on the screen, it shows that the player has experienced minor wounds. When the Omen becomes more defined, it shows that the player has experienced severe wounds. When there is a skull inside of the symbol, the character has been incapacitated; in the single player mode, this represents player death and game over, while in multiplayer (both co-op and competition modes), another team member may attempt to revive the player. A downed player in the competition mode Execution may also try to restore himself from incapacitation by rapidly pressing the (A) button for several seconds, though during this time, the enemy can brutally end the player's life by using the [[chainsaw]] bayonet, smashing the player's head with the butt of a weapon, performing a "curb stomp", or also a headshot. If the player has taken damage but is not incapacitated, the damage can be healed by staying out of the line of fire for a short time, which causes the Omen to slowly fade away. <ref name="manual">''Gears of War'' game manual (2006)</ref>

Multiplayer ''Gears of War'' features up to four-on-four competitive gameplay, with teams representing the Gears or the Locust. Players must execute downed foes, otherwise these will revive after a time. In Assassination matches, the team's leader is the only one that can track the other team's leader and pick up new weapons, after which teammates can pick them up, with the goal to eliminate the foe's leader. An Xbox 360 patch added the "Annex" mode, which is similar to ''[[King of the Hill (game)|King of the Hill]]'', in which players must try to control a shifting control point for a certain amount of time to win.<ref>{{cite web |last=Miller |first=Jonathan |date=2006-10-26 |url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html |title=''Gears of War'' Map Quest |publisher=IGN |access-date=2006-10-28 |archive-date=2006-11-07 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061107034922/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The PC version of ''Gears'' introduced "King of the Hill", a mode not present in the Xbox 360 version, which uses a fixed control point but varies the conditions on which it is controlled.<ref name="ign gears pc interview">{{cite news |first=Charles |last=Onyett |title=Gears of War interview with Lead Designer Cliff Bleszinski and Producer Rod Fergusson |date=2007-07-26 |publisher=IGN |url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/808/808367p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071011044134/http://pc.ign.com/articles/808/808367p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 11, 2007 |access-date=2007-08-09}}</ref>

There are 49 [[Xbox Live#Gamerscore|Achievements]] that may be unlocked during gameplay. These achievements may be unlocked from either single player, playing 2 player co-op as Dominic Santiago, or ranked match games.

==StorySynopsis==

===Setting and characters===

''Gears of War'' takes place on a planet known as ''Sera'', inhabited by the human survivors of a once-glorious [[civilization]]. For a [[century]], however, they fought among themselves. Eventually they knew the hush of [[peace]] that blanketed the land.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty">"Destroyed Beauty - An Inside Look at Gears of War"</ref> That was until the discovery of Imulsion, a [[Phosphorescence|phosphorescing]], low-[[viscosity]] [[fluid]]. Discovered by an [[oil drilling|oil-exploration drill]], it was unusable until a woman named Dr. Helen Cooper created the ''Lightmass Process'', which enabled [[production]] of cheap [[fuel|energy]].<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> The [[world economy]] soon collapsed due to its extremely low price and the elimination for the need of [[hydrocarbon]] and [[Nuclear fuel|nuclear fuel sources]]. The few countries that had an overabundance of Imulsion under their feet soon found themselves at war with nations who were not as lucky, and so began the ''Pendulum Wars''.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> During the seventy-nine year [[war]], the ''Coalition of Ordered Governments'', or ''COG'', became a legitimate minor political party. Founded long before the Pendulum Wars by fanatical [[socialist]] Alexiy Desipich, the party was based on an obscure world-government philosophy based on eight guiding principle values: Order, Diligence, Purity, Labor, Honor, Loyalty, Faith, and Humility.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/>

{{See also|Gears of War#Plot|l1=Setting of the Gears of War series}}

''Gears of War'' takes place on the planet Sera. A liquid called Imulsion became a highly valued power source after a scientist discovered how to use it, and the economic shockwave led to several wars between nations. The Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) originally existed as an obscure world-government philosophy, but it evolved into a legitimate, though minor, political party during the 79-year-long Pendulum Wars. The soldiers of the COG are called "Gears". After "Emergence Day" (E-Day), when the Locust began their attack on humanity, the COG were the ones who took the necessary steps to ensure the survival of human civilization, instituting martial law and taking charge against the Locust. 14 years later, the COG is the only human government left on Sera. 1 year after E-Day, after losing multiple military battles to the Locust, the COG launched a Pyrrhic tactical and strategic campaign using the satellite-based [[weapon of mass destruction|WMD]] known as the "Hammer of Dawn" on human cities with extremely destructive results. The result gave the citizens of Sera 3 days to evacuate to the Jacinto Plateau, the only place Locust could not dig through, before going through with the attack.<ref name="Gears of War">{{cite video game|title=Gears of War|developer=[[Epic Games]]|publisher=[[Microsoft Game Studios]]|date=7 November 2006|platform=[[Xbox 360]], [[personal computer|PC]] (Microsoft Windows) |version=1.0.3340.131~1.5 }}</ref>

[[Image:Gow-locusts.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The [[List of Gears of War characters & adversaries|Locust Horde]] appears on Emergence Day]]

The Pendulum Wars ceased on what is now called ''Emergence Day''. In less than twenty-four hours, a ravenous [[species]] known as the ''Locust'' burst from under the ground and attacked every major city on Sera. By the time human forces pulled together to form an effective defense, it was too late. The Locust Horde had already taken control of the majority of the world's [[urban]], [[military]], and [[manufacturing]] centers. Billions lay dead, approximately one quarter of Sera's population.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> The COG took matters into their own hands and re-enacted the ''Fortification Act'', allowing [[martial law]] to be placed on all remaining survivors from the initial invasion. All survivors were ordered to evacuate to the ''Jacinto Plateau'', a safe [[Harbor|haven]] that the Locust Horde could not penetrate from the underground due to its thick [[granite]] [[substrata]].<ref name="manual"/> Survivors who could not make it to the [[plateau]] were given the following apology: "For those citizens who can't make it to Jacinto, the Coalition appreciates your sacrifice. Please forgive us, this is the only way."[http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/video_player.html?id=cnExxDSt5bgNvzTX] Chemical and [[orbital]] [[laser weapons|particle laser weapons]] were used in a [[scorched earth]] strategy to deny the Locust Horde survival on the surface, forcing them to stay in their underground warrens.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> This war would continue for another fourteen years.

Somewhere around the tenth year, Jacinto was being fortified into an unassailable [[fortress]]. Its once magnificent cities, envied for their beauty, were soon converted into military defense platforms. The plateau's natural [[fissures]] and utility systems were destroyed or flooded with [[nerve gas]] to delay the Locust Horde's inevitable attack.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> People who had not made it to Jacinto Plateau, but had survived, were called the ''Stranded''. The Stranded are living in horrible conditions and [[malnutrition]], and have to find ways to defend themselves. When the Locust began their attack on Jacinto, Marcus abandoned his post in a response to a [[distress call]] from his father, a renowned [[soldier]], at the ''East Barricade Academy'', but he was too late to save him. At his trial in the ''House of Sovereigns'', Marcus was charged with [[dereliction of duty]], cowardice, and failure to obey orders. Exempted from [[execution]] due to Dominic Santiago testifying, he was imprisoned instead. Years later, the COG found themselves running low on able-bodied soldiers, so they turned to untraditional sources of men: the infirmed, the young, and the condemned.<ref name="DestroyedBeauty"/> Marcus Fenix was [[pardon|pardoned]], and freed by his friend Dominic Santiago. Shortly afterwards, the Locust Horde overran his prison. The ''Gears of War'' campaign begins here. This can also be read in the Gears of War forums in Nightmares of War that features a whole background.

[[Image:Gow-cogs.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Main characters]] (left to right): Baird, Cole, Marcus, and Dom]]

===Characters===

{{main|List of Gears of War characters & adversaries}}

''Gears of War'' focuses primarily around the characters of Delta Squad and their encounters with the Locust Horde. Delta Squad's members fluctuate throughout the first act, consisting first of Min Young Kim, Carmine, Marcus Fenix and his best friend Dominic Santiago, but during the last four acts of the game, Delta Squad consists of the former [[prisoner]] Marcus, Dominic or just Dom, and the dynamic duo [[Augustus "Cole Train" Cole]] and [[List of Gears of War characters & adversaries#Private Damon Baird|Damon Baird]]. Players take control of Marcus Fenix, freshly rescued by Dominic Santiago (controlled by a second player in cooperative play) from the Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary. In multiplayer on the COG side there are all the Delta Squad characters to choose from, plus Victor Hoffman.

Some of the characters received [[voice acting|voice overs]] from [[popular culture]] icons. Marcus Fenix is voiced by [[John DiMaggio]], best known as the voice of [[Bender (Futurama)|Bender]] in ''[[Futurama]]'', and Augustus "Cole Train" Cole is voiced by [[Lester Speight|Lester "The Mighty Rasta" Speight]], who plays "Terrible" [[Terry Tate]], the "Pain Train", in the Office Linebacker commercials made for [[Reebok]]. The Cole character is clearly based on the mannerisms and catchphrases of the Tate character.[[Image:lancer_Assault_rifle.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Lancer Assault Rifle]] The standard COG Firearm]]

The game primarily focuses on [[Marcus Fenix]] ([[John DiMaggio]])<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast John DiMaggio">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/29/marcus-fenix-talks-gears-of-war-2|title=Marcus Fenix Talks Gears of War 2|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=28 February 2008|first=Patrick|last=Kolan|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924160206/http://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/29/marcus-fenix-talks-gears-of-war-2|url-status=live}}</ref> and his comrades in Delta Squad: Dominic "Dom" Santiago (Carlos Ferro),<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast Carlos Ferro">{{cite web|url=http://www.destructoid.com/the-healing-power-of-gears-of-war-3-212177.phtml|title=The healing power of Gears of War 3|publisher=[[Destructoid]]|date=24 September 2011|first=Fraser|last=Brown|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906052922/http://www.destructoid.com/the-healing-power-of-gears-of-war-3-212177.phtml|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Augustus Cole]] ([[Lester Speight]]),<ref name="Gears of War 3 Voice Cast Lester Speight">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cole-train-actor-says-he-ll-reprise-his-role-in-ne/1100-6420926/|title=Cole Train Actor Says He'll Reprise His Role in Next Gears of War|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|date=7 September 2014|first=Emanuel|last=Maiberg|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150901221917/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/cole-train-actor-says-he-ll-reprise-his-role-in-ne/1100-6420926/|url-status=live}}</ref> and [[Damon Baird]] ([[Fred Tatasciore]]).<ref name="Gears of War"/> Side characters, such as Colonel Victor Hoffman, Private Anthony Carmine, Lieutenant Minh Young Kim, Lieutenant Anya Stroud, and an elderly Stranded man known as Chaps, also aid Delta Squad throughout the narrative. The game's main antagonist is General RAAM, a powerful leader of the Locust Horde's armed forces.

===Weapons===

'''Lancer Assault Rifle'''

The game’s main weapon, the Lancer is everyone’s default weapon in multiplayer, and the gun you’ll wield the most in the single-player campaign too. You probably won’t want to be without the Lancer for too long in any scenario – the chainsaw bayonet makes it arguably the game’s strongest melee option, and the gun’s relatively high accuracy makes it good for even mid-to-long range combat.

Players take control of Fenix in the campaign, while in co-op mode, the second player controls Santiago. All four Delta squad members are available for play during multiplayer games, along with Carmine, Kim, and Hoffman, in addition to various Locust characters.<ref name="Gears of War" />

Chainsaw kills usually feature pretty prominently in versus matches, with rarely a round going by without some unfortunate Gear or Locust being shredded by the Lancer’s saw. One trick that’s often used is to wait behind cover, and as someone’s passing let rip with the chainsaw, taking your unfortunate foe completely by surprise. If you’re in the receiving end of a chainsaw melee attack, the Lancer’s regular fire gives you the chance to stun them, lowering their chainsaw while you move in for the kill.

===Plot===

Don’t rev your chainsaw any more than you have to, however. Skilled Gears players are likely to leap out the way and blow you away with the Shotgun.

The game's plot begins 14 years after Emergence Day (E-Day), when the Locust Horde overran and killed many COG soldiers and civilians, declaring war against humanity.<ref name="Gears of War" /> Marcus Fenix, a former COG soldier, is reinstated into the military after spending four years in prison for deserting his military post in order to make a vain attempt to save his father, Adam Fenix. Dominic "Dom" Santiago, Marcus' best friend and fellow COG, successfully extracts Fenix from the prison, and takes him to meet Delta Squad.<ref name="gamespot gameguide">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/features/6161208/index.html |title=Gamespot Game Guide: Gears of War |publisher=[[GameSpot]] |first=Matthew |last=Rorie |access-date=2009-01-02 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081216070910/http://www.gamespot.com/features/6161208/index.html |archive-date=2008-12-16 }}</ref> The group seeks to obtain the "resonator", a device that will map "The Hollow", the caverns which the Locust inhabit<ref name="gamespot gameguide"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Torque Bow question to EPIC|author=[[Cliff Bleszinski]]|publisher=Epic Games Forums|date=2006-08-08|access-date=2007-01-07|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=7826629&postcount=83|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928015130/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=7826629&postcount=83|archive-date=2007-09-28}}</ref> and later deploy the "Lightmass Bomb", which will destroy the heart of the Locust forces inside the Hollow. Fenix and his allies recover the device, but suffer multiple casualties in the process including Anthony Carmine and Squad leader Kim. Fleeing RAAM's forces, Fenix leads the remaining soldiers through the ruins of Ephyra to claim a "Junker" APC, drive to a mining facility, and finally into the planet's depths.<ref name="Gears of War"/><ref name="gamespot gameguide" />

Delta Squad successfully detonates the resonator, but the device fails to map enough of the tunnel network. They discover a larger map of the network that originates from Fenix's old home, specifically his father's laboratory.<ref name="gamespot gameguide" /> The group ventures to the Fenix estate at East Barricade Academy, where Fenix originally attempted to rescue his father. When they arrive, Delta encounters heavy Locust resistance. After collecting the data, the group fights their way past Locust forces and boards a train carrying the Lightmass Bomb. Fenix and Santiago battle their way through the train, and are able to kill [[List of Gears of War characters#General RAAM|General RAAM]], before uploading the data. Fully activated, the Lightmass Bomb launches into the Hollow, and eradicates the Locust tunnel networks.<ref name="gamespot gameguide" /> In the game's final sequence, Hoffman delivers a victory speech as the tunnels collapse and explode, whereupon the voice of the [[List of Gears of War characters#Myrrah|Locust Queen]] promises that the Locust will continue to fight onward, despite their losses.

Use: Chainsaw up close against just about anything, regular fire close-to-mid range against just about any other ranged weapon.

Don’t Use: Up-close against a shotgun-wielding enemy..[[Image:Snub_Pistol.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Snub Pistol]] The Standard COG Sidearm]]

==Development==

'''Snub Pistol'''

===Design===

This is the default crappy pistol that’s in your inventory at the start of the game. There’s rarely any reason to use this at all, ever, except when you’re out of ammo for your other weapons. In multiplayer, the Snub's rapid fire makes it useful for sharp-shooting players.

The first concept for the game was conceived around the years 2000 and 2001 as ''Unreal Warfare'', which was much closer to the multiplayer-driven ''[[Unreal (1998 video game)|Unreal]]'' series than the game that would eventually become ''Gears of War''. The original concept for the game featured character classes and mechs, being played in a closed arena against other players or bots. The game was put on standby as Epic focused on the ''[[Unreal (video game series)|Unreal Tournament]]'' series, and when the team went back to it, the industry had shifted towards single-player games and the aim of the game was changed.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Makuch |first=Eddie |date=2014-08-20 |title=Gears of War Originally Conceived as a Battlefield-Style, Class-Based Shooter |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-originally-conceived-as-a-battlefield/1100-6421838/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823180815/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/gears-of-war-originally-conceived-as-a-battlefield/1100-6421838/ |archive-date=2014-08-23 |access-date=2014-08-20 |publisher=Gamespot}}</ref>

[[File:Cliffy B and Boss Key at GDC 2016 (25846174186) (cropped).jpg|thumb|294x294px|[[Cliff Bleszinski]] served as the lead designer on ''Gears of War.'']]

According to [[Rod Fergusson]], the game was at one point intended to be a horror game influenced by ''[[Band of Brothers (TV miniseries)|Band of Brothers]]'', ''[[Resident Evil 4]]'' and ''[[Kill Switch (video game)|Kill Switch]]''. A romance subplot was considered for the game but was eventually dropped.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx|title=Gears Of War's Rod Fergusson On the Franchise's Past And His Optimism For The Future|last=Hilliard|first=Kyle|date=6 September 2014|magazine=[[Game Informer]]|publisher=[[GameStop]]|access-date=7 September 2014|archive-date=9 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909234045/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/features/archive/2014/09/06/gears-of-war-39-s-rod-fergusson-on-the-franchise-39-s-past-and-his-optimism-for-the-future.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview with [[Cliff Bleszinski]], lead developer for Epic Games, he cites three games that were the primary influences in the game's design, including the pacing and over-the-shoulder third-person perspective from ''Resident Evil 4'' and the [[Cover system|tactical-cover system]] from ''Kill Switch''; Bleszinski also cited ''[[Bionic Commando (Nintendo Entertainment System)|Bionic Commando]]''{{'}}s influence on the cover system, equating the actions of moving from cover to cover as similar to the action of swinging from platform to platform in the latter game.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070313122122/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2007-03-13 |first=Tor |last=Thorsen |title=GameSpot - GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel |date=2007-03-10 |access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref> These design choices reflect themselves in the gameplay, as ''Gears of War'' focuses mainly on squad team-based and cover-dependent [[Military tactics|tactics]] with limited weapons rather than brute force. Bleszinski also cited the influence of ''[[The Legend of Zelda]]'', including its storytelling and world-building elements, acquiring and mastering of tools, and underground environments.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-legacy-of-zelda/1100-6434921/|title=The Legacy of Zelda|access-date=2016-07-12|archive-date=2021-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211024135923/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-legacy-of-zelda/1100-6434921/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game's title itself is a homage to ''[[Metal Gear]]'', an early formative influence on Bleszinski.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dualshocknexus.com/2012/09/hideo-kojimas-huge-influence-on-cliffy-b.html |title=DualShock Nexus: Hideo Kojima's Huge Influence on Cliffy B |access-date=2016-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160815013520/http://www.dualshocknexus.com/2012/09/hideo-kojimas-huge-influence-on-cliffy-b.html |archive-date=2016-08-15 }}</ref> The total cost of development was [[United States Dollar|$]]10 million, according to Epic's Mark Rein, and 20 to 30 people were involved with the development at any time.<ref name="gwn costs">{{cite web |url=http://consoles.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10481/Gears_of_War_Development_Costs_Around_10_Million.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305133441/http://consoles.gwn.com/news/story.php/id/10481/Gears_of_War_Development_Costs_Around_10_Million.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2008-03-05|title=Gears of War Development Costs "Around $10 Million" |date=2006-10-07 |access-date=2008-03-24 |publisher=Gameworld Network}}</ref> However, these figures do not include the proprietary [[Unreal Engine 3]].<ref name="gwn costs" />

''Gears of War'' was first shown as an unnamed exclusive for the Xbox 360 in a behind-closed-doors presentation by Epic Games at the 2005 [[Game Developers Conference]].<ref name="Takahashi 2006 288">{{cite book |last=Takahashi |first=Dean |date=2006 |title=The Xbox 360 Uncloaked: The Real Story Behind Microsoft's Next-Generation Video Game Console |publisher=SpiderWorks |page=288 |isbn=0-9777842-1-5}}</ref> The demo was presented as a technology showcase for Unreal Engine 3 that would run on the [[Xenon (processor)|Xenon]] processor at the center of the new Xbox. It showcased a group of human soldiers patrolling a city at night that fell under ambush. The demo was noted for its overall realism, suspense, and visual clarity, helping to reinforce the argument advanced by Epic Games' founder [[Tim Sweeney (game developer)|Tim Sweeney]] for Microsoft to double the memory in the Xbox 360 from the planned 256 MB to 512 MB. This decision that would ultimately cost Microsoft tens of millions of dollars and restrict the number of Xbox 360 consoles available at launch, but allowed ''Gears of War'' and many other Xbox 360 games to run at 720p resolution.<ref name="Takahashi 2006 288"/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news241006gears | title = Gears cost MS a billion dollars | first = Tom | last = Bramwell | date = October 24, 2006 | access-date = February 8, 2020 | work = [[Eurogamer]] | archive-date = November 7, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201107231707/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news241006gears | url-status = live }}</ref>

Use: In multiplayer, for a few quick shots to the head, or for executions.

Don’t Use: Against any half-decent player with a real weapon.[[Image:Gnasher_Shotgun.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Gnasher Shotgun]] The COG Shotgun]]

''Gears of War'' lead designer Cliff Bleszinski said he hoped for the game to expand into graphic novels and eventually film.<ref>{{cite web|first=John |last=Gaudiosi |date=2006-11-08 |access-date=2006-12-08 |title=GamePro Q&A: Cliffy B Talks Gears of War |publisher=[[GamePro]] |url=http://gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104233108/http://www.gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688|archive-date=2007-01-04}}</ref> On November 21, 2006, [[Microsoft]] Corporate VP of Global Marketing and Interactive Entertainment Business Jeff Bell stated ''Gears of War'' is the first in a trilogy, through sequences on E-Day and the battle of Jacinto Plateau, as well as information on Adam Fenix and his research.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ |date=2006-11-21 |title=''Gears of war'' to be a trilogy |access-date=2006-11-21 |author=Nick of YouNewb.com |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224171357/http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ |archive-date=February 24, 2007 }}</ref> Epic Games Vice President [[Mark Rein (software executive)|Mark Rein]] posted a message on the official ''Gears of War'' [[Internet forum]]s, stating "It's not over until it is not fun anymore", and, in his view, ''Gears of War'' may become the next [[Halo (series)|''Halo'' series]] in terms of popularity.<ref>{{cite web |first=Michael |last=McWhertor |date=2006-11-24 |access-date=2006-11-26 |title=Gears of War, Not a Trilogy |publisher=Kotaku |url=http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061128013736/http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php |archive-date=2006-11-28 }}</ref>

'''Gnasher Shotgun'''

The Gnasher is the Gears’ natural “up-close-and-personal” weapon, and just about the only weapon in the game that rivals the Lancer’s chainsaw bayonet up-close. Even without pressing your left trigger to aim, the Gnasher’s a formidable close-range weapon that’ll blow your opponent into chunky little pieces if you get the shot right.

The ending to ''Gears of War'' heavily suggested a sequel, and at the 2007 [[Game Developers Conference]], Bleszinkski confirmed that Epic Games did "intend to do a sequel" to ''Gears of War''.<ref name="GDC07">{{cite web |last=Thorsen |first=Tor |title=GDC 07: Cliffy B disassembles Gears, mentions sequel |publisher=GameSpot |date=2007-03-10 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |access-date=2007-07-20 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070624161208/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6167213.html |archive-date=2007-06-24 }}</ref> The game's sequel, ''[[Gears of War 2]]'' was officially confirmed on February 20, 2008,<ref name="Gears of War 2 coming in November">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.com/358724/gears-of-war-2-coming-in-november|title=Gears of War 2 coming in November|date=2008-02-20|access-date=2008-02-20|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|publisher=Kotaku|archive-date=2012-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120502232449/http://kotaku.com/358724/gears-of-war-2-coming-in-november|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was released at midnight on November 7, 2008.<ref name="Gears of War 2 coming in November" /> On January 27, 2014 Microsoft announced that they have acquired all rights to the franchise from Epic Games and that [[Rod Fergusson]] had rejoined [[Microsoft Studios]] to lead development on future ''Gears of War'' games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-27-epic-sells-gears-of-war-to-microsoft|title=Epic sells Gears of War to Microsoft|last=Purchese|first=Robert|date=27 January 2014|work=[[Eurogamer]]|publisher=Gamer Network|access-date=27 January 2014|archive-date=30 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130122031/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2014-01-27-epic-sells-gears-of-war-to-microsoft|url-status=live}}</ref>

Aiming with this weapon at the right range gives you the chance to take their head clean off and score an instant kill. Upper-body shots are almost as useful, inflicting a fair bit of damage and splattering your opponent’s screen with blood.

===Windows version===

Blind-firing with the Gnasher from behind cover has also become a favorite way of eliminating advancing enemies, particularly in tight corridors like those found in the “Mausoleum” multiplayer map. In a similar way, popping out from behind cover just long enough to aim and unload a Gnasher round in an enemy’s face is a pretty decent way of scoring a takedown from behind any sort of cover.

News of the franchise's future has emerged multiple times since the game's release. ''[[PC Gamer]]'' accidentally released an image in its 2006 holiday issue where ''Gears of War'' can be seen in a [[Games for Windows]] display, which led to suspicion that ''Gears of War'' would be released for the PC;<ref>{{cite web|first=Hilary|last=Goldstein|date=2006-11-16|access-date=2006-11-26|title=''Gears of War'' on PC?|publisher=IGN|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061120013151/http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 20, 2006}}</ref> however, the image was later stated to be a mock-up. Possible leaked pictures were released on February 13, 2007, leading to more suspicion of ''Gears'' on the PC. In an interview with Xbox fan site [[TeamXbox]], Mark Rein stated that the game would eventually come to the PC; Epic was not currently ready to release it on that format, but the upcoming release of ''[[Unreal Tournament 3]]'' was "helping (Epic) get optimization on the PC".<ref>{{cite web |date=2007-02-13 |access-date=2007-02-15 |title=Mark Rein Interview |publisher=Team Xbox |url=http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216005025/http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1 |archive-date=2007-02-16 }}</ref>

On July 11, 2007 at the [[E3]] conference, it was revealed that ''Gears of War'' would indeed be released for Windows.<ref name="ign pc hands on">{{cite web|url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/824/824946p1.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071010075014/http://pc.ign.com/articles/824/824946p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 10, 2007 |title=Gears of War Hands On |date=2007-10-04 |access-date=2007-10-04 |first=Steve |last=Butts |publisher=IGN}}</ref><ref name="Gears on Windows">{{cite web |url=http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=16483 |title=E3 2007: Gears Of War (boring third person shooter) PC Impressions |date=2007-07-12 |access-date=2007-07-12 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070714142454/http://www.firingsquad.com/news/newsarticle.asp?searchid=16483 |archive-date=2007-07-14 }}</ref> New features include three new multi-player maps,<ref name="ign gears pc interview"/> an extension of five new single-player chapters to act five which describes events of Delta Squad escaping a giant Brumak between acts four and five<ref name="ign gears pc interview"/> (which Mark Rein claims is "about 20 percent extra" over the existing Xbox 360 content),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80440|title=Rein clarifies ''Gears of War'' PC campaign length|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2007-07-27|last=Bramwell|first=Tom|access-date=2007-07-27|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930031553/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=80440|url-status=dead}}</ref> new game modes, a [[UnrealEd|game editor]], and [[Games for Windows – Live]] support integrated into Unreal Engine 3. When asked about bringing the additional content to the Xbox 360 version, Mark Rein of Epic Games stated that "it is unlikely we will bring that content to 360". He then states, "Unfortunately the version it's built on is not really compatible with the 360 and so it would involve a massive patch, a patch larger than all five we've done so far, to ''Gears of War'' to do that."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=10886 |title=E3 2007: ''Gears of War'' interview with Mark Rein & Cliff Blezinski |date=2007-07-13 |last=Almeda |first=Ray |access-date=2007-07-13 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070715123413/http://360.advancedmn.com/article.php?artid=10886 |archive-date=July 15, 2007 }}</ref> Additionally, the PC and Xbox 360 versions will not allow for cross-platform play; Cliff Bleszinski stated that "while this feature does add value, it just wasn't that desired nor worth the extra months of design and development time. We want ''Gears of War'' to be out this holiday on PC."<ref name="ign gears pc interview" /> This news angered many owners of ''Gears of War'' on the Xbox 360 due to the game no longer living up to its "Exclusively for the Xbox 360" title and not receiving the additional content.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/new-gow-pc-content-not-coming-to-the-360/|title=New GoW PC content not coming to the 360|publisher=Engadget|date=2007-07-13|access-date=2019-05-19|archive-date=2016-02-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228082153/http://www.engadget.com/2007/07/13/new-gow-pc-content-not-coming-to-the-360/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mark Rein noted that despite their original label of the game as an Xbox 360 exclusive, Microsoft allowed them to develop the game as part of the Games for Windows moniker, as has been done previously with ''[[Halo 2]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.teamxbox.com/xbox/8388/Gears-of-War-Is-It-Coming-to-Xbox-360-and-C/ |title=''Gears of deh war'': Is It Coming to Xbox 360 and PC? |publisher=Team Xbox |date=2005-05-26 |access-date=2007-07-27 }} {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

Use: Close-range against just about anything. Beware of melee attacks if you get too close.

Don’t Use: Mid-to-long range. You’ll get pasted..[[Image:Longshot_Sniper_Rifle.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Lancer Assault Rifle]] The COG Sniper]]

A patch was released on November 28 to fix performance issues and also the Games for Windows – Live update issue.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/GearsPC/Gears+of+War+PC+Title+Update.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071205192019/http://gearsofwar.com/GearsPC/Gears+of+War+PC+Title+Update.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-12-05|title=''Gears of War For Windows Title Update''|date=2007-11-28|access-date=2007-11-28}}</ref> The patch was only released for American and Western European versions of the game; legitimate purchasers of the Eastern European and Russian versions were informed that "the game would continue to function without the patch" and never issued a corresponding version.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pc.qj.net/Gears-of-War-updated-PC-patch-now-available/pg/49/aid/115099 |title=Gears of War updated PC patch now available |publisher=QJ.Net |date=March 4, 2008 |author=Enrico S. |access-date=2008-09-21 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914002706/http://pc.qj.net/Gears-of-War-updated-PC-patch-now-available/pg/49/aid/115099 |archive-date=September 14, 2008 }}</ref>

'''Longshot Sniper Rifle'''

The camper’s favorite, the Longshot is Gears of War’s ultimate ranged weapon. Two body-shots will result in a downing; one headshot and it’s over. The Longshot’s scope gives incredible zoom, allowing you to pick off targets from across the other side of maps like “Gridlock”. Practice your reloads with this weapon; a perfectly-timed active reload could just give you the chance to score an all-important second hit on an enemy while he’s running for cover.

A [[macOS]] version was confirmed by Mark Rein at the end of E3, on the ''[[Game Head]]'' television program on July 14, 2007, along with ''[[Unreal Tournament 3]]'', but no release time frame was specified. As of August 2014, nothing more has been mentioned.

Beware of staying scoped-in too much, however, as this leaves you extremely vulnerable to close-range attacks from enemies sneaking up on your position. This is especially likely after you’ve let off a shot or two, as the Longshot leaves clearly-visible tracers.

In early 2009, an issue with a digital certificate, used to sign certain game-critical files as part of the anti-cheat mechanism, which expired on January 28, 2009, rendered the game unplayable without a temporary workaround of resetting the system clock to before the certificate expired. Initial information from sources led people to believe the issue was related to DRM within the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/01/pc-gears-of-war-drm-causes-title-to-shut-down-starting-today.ars|title=Gears of War DRM Screwup makes PC version unplayable|date=30 January 2009|access-date=14 June 2017|archive-date=16 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120416044405/http://arstechnica.com/gaming/news/2009/01/pc-gears-of-war-drm-causes-title-to-shut-down-starting-today.ars|url-status=live}}</ref> Epic later acknowledged the problem, claiming it was not in relation to a form of DRM but instead to a form of anti-cheat, and notified end users that they "[were] working with Microsoft to get it resolved."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=25987040&postcount=89 |title=Epic Games Workaround & Advisory relating to Anti-Cheat |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090202064140/http://forums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=25987040&postcount=89 |archive-date=2009-02-02 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=25981126#post25981126 |title=Super Moderator Post Advising the matter is being investigated |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208011604/http://forums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=25981126#post25981126 |archive-date=2009-02-08 }}</ref> This issue was corrected as of February 6, 2009 with a downloadable patch.<ref>[http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/pc/qfe1.htm "''Gears of War'' for Windows Update Now Available"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208231258/http://gearsofwar.xbox.com/pc/qfe1.htm |date=February 8, 2009 }}</ref>

Use: To dominate open maps like from afar.

Don’t Use: In close-range combat, unless it involves beating someone in the face with it..[[Image:GOW_grenades.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Lancer Assault Rifle]] The Main Grenades You Will Use]]

===Music===

'''Grenades'''

The music was composed by [[Kevin Riepl]] who has previously worked with Epic Games on the soundtracks for ''[[Unreal Tournament 2004]]'' and ''[[Unreal Championship 2: The Liandri Conflict]]''.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/30/gears-of-war-composer-interview-2|title=Gears of War Composer interview|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=29 November 2006|first=Spence|last=D.|access-date=2014-08-16|archive-date=2014-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140819083430/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/30/gears-of-war-composer-interview-2|url-status=live}}</ref> Riepl began receiving early builds and cinematics about halfway through the development process, closely collaborating with the development team on the influence the music should have on the player and the story. The theme of 'Destroyed Beauty' that had inspired the game's visuals guided the music too, creating mood suited to a beautiful city in ruins and the emotional desperation of its inhabitants.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview" />

Ideal for flushing out enemies behind cover, Gears of War’s grenades are relatively plentiful throughout the single-player and multiplayer modes. If you’re into aiming, you can direct your grenades with precision by observing their projected path through the world. In single-player mode, it’s worth trying to hold onto frags for closing up Emergence holes. A well-timed grenade will close these holes up completely, meaning fewer Locust to fight and less ammo wasted.

The score includes many mechanical percussive elements, altered samples of explosions, hits and impacts, and electric guitar stingers that punctuate the game's combat encounters. To complete the score these elements were combined with the organic sounds of a live orchestra. The orchestral score was orchestrated and conducted by Corey Status and performed by the [[Northwest Sinfonia]] orchestra.<ref name="Composer Kevin Riepl IGN Interview" /> The title track was written and performed by [[thrash metal]] band [[Megadeth]], with an instrumental version of the song being used for the soundtrack; a revised version with lyrics was featured on the band's 2007 album ''[[United Abominations]]''. Megadeth performed the track live as headliners of [[Gigantour]], a twenty-five stop metal tour sponsored by [[Microsoft]] as part of the promotion for the game.<ref name="IGN Megadeth Gears of War">{{cite web|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/24/gears-of-war-release-slip|title=Gears of War Release Slip?|publisher=[[IGN]]|date=24 July 2006|first=Charles|last=Onyett|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151835/http://www.ign.com/articles/2006/07/24/gears-of-war-release-slip|url-status=live}}</ref>

In multiplayer, standing and aiming for too long leaves you vulnerable to the very enemies you’re trying to frag, so you might want to consider blind-firing them from behind cover.

Tightly-packed corridors with lots of cover are the grenadier’s friend. Tossing a couple of ‘nades around a group of enemies behind cover usually results in panic, flushing them out into the open, and possibly gibbing them in the process.

A soundtrack was released on July 31, 2007 by [[Sumthing Else Music Works]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/gears-of-war-original-game-soundtrack-r1113182|title= Gears of War [Original Game Soundtrack]|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=2012-04-09}}</ref>

Smoke grenades may not have much offensive use compared to their exploding cousins, but they’re often useful to bring up a smokescreen or distraction while you pick up a powerful weapon (e.g. Longshot in “Warzone”, Torque Bow in “Rooftops”.

==Marketing and release==

Grenade tagging is a useful and fun way to take down an unsuspecting foe. Use your melee attack with the grenade selected to stick your grenade to an enemy. They’ll have just enough time to think “oh shit” before their innards decorate the surrounding area. This trick also works for smoke grenades, however as you’d imagine it’s more useful for causing confusion than anything else.

===Promotional videos===

Microsoft produced a thirty-minute documentary, titled ''Gears of War: The Race to E3'', that aired on MTV2 on May 19, 2006 to promote the game.<ref name="gearsofwartheracetoe3">{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywood.com/tv/gears-of-war-the-race-to-e3-59489999/|title=Gears of War: The Race to E3|publisher=[[Hollywood.com]]|access-date=2015-08-22|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132351/http://www.hollywood.com/tv/gears-of-war-the-race-to-e3-59489999/|url-status=live}}</ref> The program was produced in a reality TV style and featured Cliff Bleszinski, Epic Games president [[Mike Capps (executive)|Mike Capps]], and producer Rod Fergusson in the weeks leading up to the ''Gears of War'' gameplay reveal at the Xbox Media Briefing at [[E3 2006]].

The program captures several stressful moments including Xbox executive [[Peter Moore (businessman)|Peter Moore]]'s desire to remove the chainsaw rifle from the E3 demo days before the show. The chainsaw remained and after the demo was given [[Bill Gates]] confided to Cliff "I love that chainsaw."<ref name="gearsofwartheracetoe3billgates">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/gears-of-war-11/|title=Gears of War|date=25 May 2006|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=2015-08-22|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924110757/http://www.gamesradar.com/gears-of-war-11/|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Gears of War television ad, "Mad World".jpg|thumb|right|The "Mad World" spot used the game's textures and models, demonstrating the fidelity of the game's graphics.|231x231px]]

If you’ve been tagged with a frag grenade, quickly dash towards the guy that tagged you – if you’re close enough, the explosion will take out both of you.

The ''Gears of War'' television ad reveals Marcus Fenix alone in the ruined streets of Sera as he moves to avoid threats that appear throughout a dark and deserted city. The spot was widely praised and has been described as one of the most iconic game trailers of the 2000s.<ref name="madworldkotaku">{{cite web|url=http://kotaku.co.uk/2015/08/17/microsoft-brings-back-mad-world-gears-war-ultimate|title=Microsoft Brings Back 'Mad World' for Gears of War Ultimate|author=Julian Benson|work=Kotaku|publisher=Gawker|date=August 17, 2015|access-date=August 22, 2015|archive-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820023325/http://www.kotaku.co.uk/2015/08/17/microsoft-brings-back-mad-world-gears-war-ultimate|url-status=live}}</ref> The spot, set to the [[Gary Jules]]' cover of "[[Mad World]]" and directed by [[Joseph Kosinski]], is melancholic and reflective in tone and was a significant departure for videogame advertising at the time, especially a fast-paced shooter game.<ref name="madworldkosinski">{{cite web|url=http://thefilmstage.com/features/watch-the-early-works-of-oblivion-director-joseph-kosinski/|title=Watch: The Early Works of 'Oblivion' Director Joseph Kosinski|author=TFS Staff|work=The Film Stage|date=April 17, 2013|access-date=August 22, 2015|archive-date=May 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150513145450/http://thefilmstage.com/features/watch-the-early-works-of-oblivion-director-joseph-kosinski/|url-status=live}}</ref> According to Kosinski, [[David Fincher]] was slated to direct the ad but had to drop out from a scheduling conflict, leading to Kosinski being brought on to direct.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gamesradar.com/fight-club-director-david-fincher-nearly-shot-gears-of-wars-mad-world-trailer-before-top-gun-mavericks-lead-took-over/ | title=Fight Club director David Fincher nearly shot Gears of War's iconic Mad World trailer before Top Gun: Maverick's lead took over | date=25 May 2022 | access-date=25 May 2022 | archive-date=25 May 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525180320/https://www.gamesradar.com/fight-club-director-david-fincher-nearly-shot-gears-of-wars-mad-world-trailer-before-top-gun-mavericks-lead-took-over/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Visual effects company [[Digital Domain]] created the visuals inside the [[Unreal Engine 3]] game engine, the same engine that powered ''Gears of War'' on the Xbox 360. While the spot was pre-rendered, the production method gave consumers an accurate preview of the game's textures and subtle facial expressions.

The popularity of the commercial built a bigger audience for "Mad World" which would reach the #1 spot on iTunes five years after it was initially recorded.<ref name="Gary Jules Mad World Engadget">{{cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|title=Mad World: Gears ad propels song to #1 on iTunes|publisher=[[Engadget]]|date=24 July 2006|first=Ross|last=Miller|access-date=2015-08-08|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924011936/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|url-status=live}}</ref> The melody remains heavily associated with the ''Gears of War'' franchise and was later adopted into the soundtrack of ''[[Gears of War 3]].'' Bleszinski said in 2015 that he chose the song as it was his "anthem" at the time to cope with the failure of his first marriage.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Skipper |first1=Ben |title=Cliff Bleszinski talks Gears of War development, Eminem, dudebros and Mad World |url=https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cliff-bleszinski-talks-gears-war-development-eminem-dudebros-mad-world-1516968 |website=International Business Times |date=25 August 2015 |access-date=22 February 2022 |archive-date=22 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220222112312/https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/cliff-bleszinski-talks-gears-war-development-eminem-dudebros-mad-world-1516968 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Use: In a whole variety of fun and inventive ways.

Don’t Use: For ball games.

===Limited Collector's Edition===

'''Torque Bow'''

At the game's release, Epic Games released a "Limited Collectors Edition". Some of the notable differences are a steel case instead of the regular plastic case and an extra disc which contains artworks of environments and stages including Locust that did not made it to the game, and extra content and behind-the-scenes footage of the making of ''Gears of War''. The disc also contains a time-lapse on the creation of the "Emergence" mural. The game's disc and case has a different cover and instead features the ''Omen'' background. Another of the Limited Collector's Edition extras is a book titled ''Destroyed Beauty'' which illustrates the game's back-story and includes concepts, sketches, and descriptions of the game's characters. The Limited Collector's Edition also includes the same instruction manual and 48-hour Xbox Live Gold trial as the regular game does.<ref name="collectorsedition">{{cite web|url=http://features.teamxbox.com/xbox/1784/Gears-of-War-Limited-llectors-Edition-Review/p1/ |title=Review: Gears of War Limited Collectors Edition |publisher=[[TeamXbox]] |access-date=2007-07-09 }} {{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

The Torque Bow is one of Gears of War’s more inventive weapons. Hold down your firing trigger for longer for a more powerful shot – when the target indicator turns red, your shot will penetrate enemy armor and score an instant kill if you’re on target.

</ref>

===Downloadable content and updates===

The Torque is great for mid-to-long range combat, and if you hit a cluster of enemies you could even score multiple kills with one shot. However, Torquers are extremely vulnerable to close-range attacks, due to the bow’s long charge-up and reload times. It’s useful to carry a shotgun or some sort of close-range backup weapon in case you end up getting caught off-guard.

Epic Games began working on [[Downloadable content|new content]] for ''Gears of War'' in August 2006. The updates would remain free according to Epic Games president [[Mike Capps (executive)|Mike Capps]].<ref name="Surette">{{cite web|first=Tim|last=Surette|date=2006-12-14|access-date=2006-12-14|title=Gears of War DLC to be free|publisher=[[GameSpot]]|url=http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240|archive-date=2007-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930160533/http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240|url-status=live}}</ref> The first of these updates was released over Xbox Live on January 9, 2007,<ref name="GoW-Update1">{{cite web |title=Gears of War Patch to Roll Out Before Maps |publisher=Gears of War Fans |date=2007-01-08 |access-date=2007-01-10 |url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314215631/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps |archive-date=2007-03-14 }}</ref> with two new maps released the following day on January 10, 2007. The two maps, "Raven Down" and "Old Bones", reflected background scenes from the game's storyline which depict Gears fighting Locust amidst the crash site of a ''King Raven'' [[Helicopter|chopper]] and a museum.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears of War Free Maps|publisher=Gears of War Fans|date=2007-01-08|access-date=2007-01-10|url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160213082232/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced|url-status=dead|archive-date=2016-02-13}}</ref> Another update was released for ''Gears of War'' on January 22, 2007,<ref>{{cite web|title=2nd Patch Quietly Released|publisher=Gears of War Fans|date=2007-01-22|access-date=2007-01-22|url=http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314215637/http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/|archive-date=2007-03-14}}</ref> which, according to Epic Games' Marc Rein, is said to fix some compatibility issues with the release of ''Gears of War'' in Japan, and that no game play or functionality features were changed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Small Gears of War Compatibility Update|publisher=Epic Games|date=2007-01-22|access-date=2007-01-22|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070321091011/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630|archive-date=2007-03-21}}</ref>

On April 9, 2007, Epic Games released their third update, containing a new game mode titled "Annex", which requires teams to capture and hold certain areas of each map, as well as additional gameplay tweaks and fixing up some glitches, bugs and exploits. The update was free of charge.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2007/04/04/gears-of-war-annex-detailed | title=Gear of War Annex Detailed | work=[[IGN]] | publisher=[[Ziff Davis]] | first=Erik | last=Brudvig | date=2007-04-04 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref>

There are a variety of ways to take out a Torque-wielding enemy. From a distance, the Longshot is your best bet – the rifle’s long-range instant death usually beats the bow’s slow-charging explosive rounds. Up-close, try using your chainsaw – this gives your foe no chance to escape or change weapons.

Epic Games initially said that four new maps would be released in conjunction with the third patch. However, due to disagreements between Microsoft and Epic Games, Epic decided instead to "put these maps on sale at a reasonable price then make them free a few months later," according to Mark Rein of Epic Games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=24843914&postcount=12|title=Mark Reid forum post on April 8, 2007 on availability and pricing of new maps|access-date=2007-07-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070827110115/http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showpost.php?p=24843914&postcount=12|archive-date=August 27, 2007}}</ref> The map pack, titled ''Hidden Fronts'', was released on Xbox Live Marketplace on May 3, 2007, and included the maps ''Bullet Marsh'', "Garden", "Process", and "Subway".<ref name="joystiq-4th-update">{{cite web|url=http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~3/113354105/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121130115925/http://feeds.joystiq.com/~r/weblogsinc/joystiq/~3/113354105/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-11-30|title=Joystiq - New Maps for Gears of War|access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref> Free downloads of these maps were made available on September 3, 2007, four months after their initial release.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/gears-hidden-fronts-is-now-a-free-download/ | title=Gears Hidden Fronts is now a free download | work=[[Engadget]] | publisher=[[AOL]] | first=Dustin | last=Burg | date=2007-09-03 | access-date=2015-08-26 | archive-date=2015-09-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924031053/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/03/gears-hidden-fronts-is-now-a-free-download/ | url-status=live }}</ref>

Use: At mid or long range to blow up an unsuspecting enemy.

Don’t Use: In close-range toe-to-toe combat..[[Image:Hammerburst.jpg|thumb|250px|right|[[Lancer Assault Rifle]] The Standard Locust Firearm]]

A fourth update on June 14, 2007 added 250 additional Achievement points (bringing the total possible achievement points to 1250), in eight Achievements related to Annex mode and the maps from ''Hidden Fronts''. Additionally, the update includes improvement of roadie run to keep the player from sticking to cover areas, and a patch to prevent the Annex clock from counting during connection errors. Other "housekeeping" issues were also addressed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/News/news_6-14-+title+update.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615163953/http://gearsofwar.com/News/news_6-14-+title+update.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2007-06-15|title=Gears of War - June 14 Title Update|access-date=2007-07-05}}</ref>

'''Hammerburst'''

Also known as the “Locust Rifle”, this is the first main weapon you’ll use in the single-player campaign, firing four rounds in quick succession. It’s also the weapon most-used by Locust drones throughout the first half of the single-player game, meaning ammo is relatively plentiful.

===''Ultimate Edition''===

The Hammerburst is pretty much just a nerfed version of the Lancer rifle, without a chainsaw attachment; this means it’s of little use in multiplayer mode. In single-player, it’s useful to hang onto one until you start coming across better weapons, since you’ll probably never run out of ammo. Dump it once you come across the likes of the Gnasher and the Longshot.

{{main|Gears of War: Ultimate Edition}}

During a press conference at [[E3 2015]], Microsoft announced a remaster of ''Gears of War'' entitled ''[[Gears of War: Ultimate Edition]]''. It brought about a number of improvements, including updates to the gameplay from later titles and enhanced graphics featuring remodeled characters, environmental assets and other stylistic changes.<ref name="win10">{{cite web|title=Gears of War: Ultimate Edition for Windows 10 Available Now on Windows Store|date=March 2016|url=http://news.xbox.com/2016/03/01/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-now-available-windows-10/|publisher=Xbox.com|access-date=20 April 2016|archive-date=29 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160429180009/http://news.xbox.com/2016/03/01/gears-of-war-ultimate-edition-now-available-windows-10/|url-status=live}}</ref> It was subsequently released worldwide for the [[Xbox One]] in North America and Asian-Pacific countries on August 25, 2015, and in Europe on August 28, and [[Microsoft Windows]] on March 1, 2016.

=== ''Reloaded'' ===

Use: To save on Lancer ammo at mid-range.

{{main|Gears of War: Reloaded}}

Don’t Use: In a tough fire-fight if you have other options.

''Gears of War: Reloaded,'' co-developed by The Coalition, [[Sumo Digital]] and Disbelief, was announced in May 2025 and is set to be released on August 26, 2025 for [[Xbox Series X/S]], [[Windows]] via [[Microsoft Store]] and [[Steam (service)|Steam]], and [[PlayStation 5]], marking the first time the ''Gears of War'' franchise has been made available on non-Xbox consoles.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nelson |first=Mike |date=2025-05-05 |title=Gears of War: Reloaded Comes to Xbox Series X{{!}}S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5 and Steam in Summer 2025 |url=https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2025/05/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-release-date/ |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Xbox Wire |language=en-US}}</ref> It is intended to be an updated port based on ''Ultimate Edition,'' with an enhanced presentation at [[4K resolution]] and 60 frames-per-second for the campaign, and 120FPS for multiplayer.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peters |first=Jay |date=2025-05-05 |title=Microsoft announces a Gears of War remaster – and it's coming to PlayStation, too |url=https://www.theverge.com/news/661169/gears-of-war-reloaded-remaster-release-date |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=The Verge |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Reloaded'' will also support [[High dynamic range|High Dynamic Range]] (HDR) and [[Variable refresh rate|Variable Refresh Rate]] (VRR) displays, as well as spatial audio technology.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tailby |first=Stephen |date=2025-05-05 |title=Gears of War: Reloaded Remasters the Original Game This August, Confirmed for PS5 |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2025/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-remasters-the-original-game-this-august-confirmed-for-ps5 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Push Square |language=en-GB}}</ref> The port also collects all previously released post-launch downloadable content (DLC) from ''Ultimate Edition'', including the bonus campaign, multiplayer maps and player cosmetics. Players using a Microsoft Account will also unlock full cross progression for the campaign and multiplayer components across all platforms, as well as cross-platform invites for multiplayer and the co-op campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Gears of War: Reloaded announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2025/05/gears-of-war-reloaded-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Gematsu |language=en-US}}</ref> ''Gears of War: Reloaded'' will offer a free upgrade path for all players who purchased ''Ultimate Edition'' digitally on Xbox and Windows prior to the game's announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-05-05 |title=Gears of War Getting New Remaster, Coming To Xbox And PS5 This Summer |url=https://kotaku.com/gears-of-war-1-reloaded-remaster-ps5-xbox-pc-summer-1851779167 |access-date=2025-05-05 |website=Kotaku |language=en}}</ref>

==Reception==

'''Revolver'''

===Critical reception===

You’ll start coming across this powerful alternative to the snub pistol around the end of act 1 in the single-player campaign. In terms of damage and range, it comes somewhere in between the Gnasher and the Longshot. A headshot with the Revolver always means instant death, and a body shot is a great way to take down an injured enemy.

{{Video game reviews

| GR = (360) 94%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/928234.asp |title=GameRankings - ''Gears of War'' |access-date=2007-07-05 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070314013826/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages4/928234.asp |archive-date=March 14, 2007 }}</ref><br>(PC) 87%<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942000.asp?q=gears%20of%20war |title=Gears of War (PC) |publisher=Game Rankings |access-date=2008-03-11 |archive-date=2009-01-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090126023138/http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages2/942000.asp?q=gears%20of%20war |url-status=live }}</ref>

| MC = (360) 94/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-of-war/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360 |title=''Gears of War'' for Xbox 360 |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2010-01-03 |archive-date=2019-06-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190614084301/https://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/gears-of-war |url-status=live }}</ref><br>(PC) 87/100<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/gears-of-war/critic-reviews/?platform=pc |title=''Gears of War'' for Windows |publisher=[[Metacritic]] |access-date=2010-01-03 |archive-date=2019-04-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401064352/https://www.metacritic.com/game/pc/gears-of-war |url-status=live }}</ref>

| 1UP = (360) A+<ref>{{cite web |last=Hsu |first=Dan |date=2006-11-06 |url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154958 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061126214859/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3154958 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2006-11-26 |title=1UP.com - Gears of War review| access-date=2008-03-12}}</ref><br>(PC) B−<ref name="1up pc review"/>

| Allgame = (360) {{Rating|4.5|5}}<ref name="allgamereview">{{cite web| url = http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47510&tab=review| title = Gears of War - Review| author = Marriott, Scott Alan | publisher = [[AllGame]]| access-date =April 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141114200102/http://www.allgame.com/game.php?id=47510&tab=review|archive-date=November 14, 2014}}</ref>

| EuroG = (360) 8/10<ref name="eurogamer review"/><br />(PC) 9/10<ref name="eurogamer pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=87046| archive-url=https://archive.today/20121208231553/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=87046| url-status=dead| archive-date=December 8, 2012| title=Gears of War| publisher=Eurogamer| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12| first=Tom| last=Bramwell}}</ref>

| GamePro = (360) 4.75/5<ref>{{cite web| last=Sid| first=Vicious| date=2006-11-12| url=http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/85408.shtml| title=Review: Gears of War| publisher=[[GamePro]]| access-date=2006-12-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061207024644/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/85408.shtml|archive-date=2006-12-07}}</ref>

| GI = (360) 9.5/10<ref>{{cite web| last=McNamara| first=Andy| date=2006-11-12| url=http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200612/R06.1107.1009.00464.htm| title=Review: Gears of War| publisher=[[Game Informer]]|access-date=2008-05-15|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619045840/http://gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200612/R06.1107.1009.00464.htm |archive-date=June 19, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref>

| GSpot = (360) 9.6/10<ref name="GameSpot Xbox 360 review" /><br>(PC) 9.0/10<ref name="gamespot pc review" />

| GSpy = (360) 5/5<ref>{{cite web| url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/744635p1.html| title=Gears of War Review (360) - GameSpy| last=Williams| first=Bryn| date=2006-11-07| publisher=GameSpy| page=3| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2021-01-25| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125043757/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/744635p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 4.5/5<ref>{{cite web| url=http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/unreal-iii-working-title/833643p1.html| title=Gears of War Review (PC) -| last=Accardo| first=Sal| publisher=GameSpy| page=2| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2016-03-04| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304085215/http://pc.gamespy.com/pc/unreal-iii-working-title/833643p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

| GT = (360) 9.1/10<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14748.html| title=Gametrailers.com - Gears of War - Review| publisher=[[GameTrailers]]| date=2006-11-07| access-date=2008-08-20| archive-date=2009-05-03| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503004251/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/14748.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 8.8/10<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28228.html| title=Gametrailers.com - Gears of War - Review| publisher=[[GameTrailers]]| date=2007-11-21| access-date=2008-08-20| archive-date=2009-04-14| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090414134220/http://www.gametrailers.com/player/28228.html| url-status=live}}</ref>

| GRadar = (360) 10/10<ref name="gowgr360rev">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/gears-of-war/review/gears-of-war/a-20061107102052108052/g-2005122011355464042| title=Gears of War Review (360) - GamesRadar| last=Graziani| first=Gabe| publisher=GamesRadar| page=3| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2011-06-15| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615200036/http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/gears-of-war/review/gears-of-war/a-20061107102052108052/g-2005122011355464042| url-status=live}}</ref>

| IGN = (360) 9.4/10<ref name="ign">{{cite web| last=Miller| first=Jonathan| date=2006-11-07| url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html| title=IGN reviews ''Gears of War''| publisher=IGN| access-date=2006-11-19| archive-date=2006-11-17| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061117102716/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/744/744356p1.html| url-status=live}}</ref><br>(PC) 8.7/10<ref name="ign pc review"/>

| OXM = (360) 10/10<ref name="gowoxm360rev">{{cite web| url=http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/gears-war| title=Gears of War Review (360) - Official Xbox Magazine| last=Amrich| first=Dan| date=November 5, 2006| publisher=Official Xbox Magazine| page=2| access-date=2008-07-10| archive-date=2011-08-21| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110821054214/http://www.oxmonline.com/article/reviews/xbox-360/a-f/gears-war| url-status=live}}</ref>

}}

Upon its release, ''Gears of War'' received praise from critics, maintaining an average review score of 93.97% at [[GameRankings]] and 94/100 at [[Metacritic]]. It was the second highest rated game of 2006 on both sites.<ref>{{cite web|title=GameRankings|url=http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&year=2006|website=GameRankings|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111073230/http://www.gamerankings.com/browse.html?site=&year=2006|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Best Video Games for 2006|url=http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all?sort=desc&year_selected=2006|website=Metacritic|access-date=7 January 2015|archive-date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111073231/http://www.metacritic.com/browse/games/score/metascore/year/all?sort=desc&year_selected=2006|url-status=live}} Metacritic erroneously lists the 2007 version of ''[[Out of the Park Baseball]]'' as its highest rated game of the year, conflating it with its 2006 counterpart. This is also assuming that both iterations of ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess]]'' are taken together as a single game.</ref> Most reviewers praised the game for its concept visuals, presentation and sound. ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s review of the game called it "the most gorgeous looking game on the Xbox 360" and that "the sound design is worthy of awards."<ref name="ign" />

Pistol-whipping with the Revolver is a useful way of getting rid of Wretches at close-range. On Hardcore or above you’ll have trouble taking the little buggers down up-close using standard weaponry.

While the game received high praise, reviewers did point out that ''Gears of War'' did not offer anything significantly new in its core gameplay. ''Eurogamer''{{'}}s review of the game states: "let's not pretend that we're wallowing in the future of entertainment. What we have here is an extremely competent action game that's as polished and refined as it could be, and is therefore very enjoyable. But if Epic had applied the same widescreen scope and ambition to the gameplay as it did to the engine we'd be much more excited than we are."<ref name="eurogamer review">{{cite web| last=Reed| first=Kristan| date=2006-11-07| url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69696| title=Eurogamer review: ''Gears of War''| publisher=[[Eurogamer]]| access-date=2008-02-16| archive-date=2008-12-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201193221/http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=69696| url-status=dead}}</ref> The game's story was noted for not being very deep, as ''[[GameSpot]]''{{'}}s review states "The lack of exposition feels like a missed opportunity to make the characters and the setting even more compelling."<ref name="GameSpot Xbox 360 review">{{cite web| last=Gerstmann| first=Jeff| date=2006-11-07| url=http://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-of-war-review/1900-6161188/| title=GameSpot reviews ''Gears of War''| publisher=[[GameSpot]]| access-date=2006-11-19| archive-date=2019-07-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701094850/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/gears-of-war-review/1900-6161188/| url-status=live}}</ref>

Use: To get unexpected kills if you’re a good shot.

Don’t Use: If you can’t aim.

The PC release of the game received similar praise as the 360 version, with reviewers noting various differences between the two versions. ''[[IGN]]'' commented that "The mouse and keyboard allow for more precise control, and the graphics have been improved as well;"<ref name="ign pc review">{{cite web| url=http://pc.ign.com/articles/833/833529p1.html| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110102903/http://pc.ign.com/articles/833/833529p1.html| url-status=dead| archive-date=November 10, 2007| title=Gears of War Review| publisher=IGN| first=Charles| last=Onyett| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12}}</ref> however, ''1UP'' stated that "the control scheme's a very central obstacle" to the game.<ref name="1up pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164479| archive-url=https://archive.today/20121211040755/http://www.1up.com/do/reviewPage?cId=3164479| url-status=dead| archive-date=2012-12-11| title=Gears of War| first=Jeff| last=Green| date=2007-11-19| access-date=2008-03-12| publisher=1UP}}</ref> ''GameSpot'' noted that the additional chapter felt out of place as "it changes things up a bit in ways that betray the difficulty progression of the game."<ref name="gamespot pc review">{{cite web| url=http://www.gamespot.com/pc/action/gearsofwar/review.html?sid=6182319| title=Gears of War| first=Jeff| last=Gerstmann| date=2007-11-07| access-date=2008-03-12| publisher=[[GameSpot]]}}</ref> ''[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]''{{'}}s Cam Shea commends the game for its "visual, solid gameplay, killer multiplayer and reload mechanics". However, he criticised it for "potential frustration, pointless squad commands and chainsaw mechanics".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Shea|first=Cam|date=January 2007|title=Gears of War|journal=[[Hyper (magazine)|Hyper]]|publisher=[[Next Media]]|issue=159|pages=52, 53|issn=1320-7458}}</ref>

'''Hammer of Dawn'''

The game’s orbital death cannon, the Hammer of Dawn is controlled via target painters found around the game world. Generally, you’ll want to be outside and high up in order to get the best out of this weapon. Remember, the hammer only works outside with a clear sky, so you can forget trying to have it blast through the roofs of buildings. The Hammer of Dawn also works surprisingly well as a cover-breaker, flushing enemies out into the open from tricky positions.

The Lancer weapon was later featured in an ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' article that discusses its practicality and historical precedents. Keirsey criticized this weapon by noting that in real life, "chainsaws are heavy." He noted that the closest historical precedents are "medieval bludgeoning weapons".<ref>Evan Samoon, "Gun Show: A real military expert takes aim at videogame weaponry to reveal the good, the bad, and the just plain silly," ''Electronic Gaming Monthly'' 230 (July 2008): 48.</ref>

To take down a hammer-wielding enemy, you’ll want to take advantage of the weapon’s slow charge-up time and let rip with a medium or close range weapon like the Lancer or Gnasher.

===Sales===

Use: Out in the open to vaporize unsuspecting foes from afar.

''Gears of War'' was a hit upon its release. On November 7, 2006—the day that it was released—it became the most popular game on the [[Xbox Live]] service, until the release of ''[[Halo 3]]'', overtaking ''[[Halo 2]]'' which had held the spot since its launch in November 2004.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gears of War takes top spot in Xbox Live chart |publisher=GamesIndustry.biz |date=2006-11-20 |access-date=2006-11-20 |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070105225540/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222 |archive-date=January 5, 2007 }}</ref> ''Gears'' was the second most-played game on the Xbox Live service throughout 2007.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=31885 |title=CES 2008: Microsoft reveals Xbox Live stats |publisher=Games Industry |date=2008-01-07 |access-date=2008-03-09 |first=Matt |last=Martin |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080209233704/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=31885 |archive-date=February 9, 2008 }}</ref> ''Gears of War'' sold one million copies in its first two weeks on sale making it the fastest-selling Xbox 360 game to date.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Jenkins|publisher=Gamasutra|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102764/Gears_Of_War_Breaks_Worldwide_Xbox_360_Records.php|title=Gears Of War Breaks Worldwide Xbox 360 Records|date=22 November 2006|access-date=2015-08-15|archive-date=2015-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130427/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/102764/Gears_Of_War_Breaks_Worldwide_Xbox_360_Records.php|url-status=dead}}</ref> By January 19, 2007, just ten weeks after its debut, over three million units of the game had been sold.<ref name=GearsJuggernaut>{{cite web|title=Gears of War Juggernauts sells three million units|publisher=Xbox.com|date=2007-01-19|access-date=2007-01-19|url=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-arsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm}} {{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> It received a "Double Platinum" sales award from the [[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] (ELSPA),<ref name=dpelspa>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090520070249/http://www.elspa.com/?i=3945 |url=http://www.elspa.com:80/?i=3945 |title=ELSPA Sales Awards: Double Platinum |work=[[Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association]] |archive-date=May 20, 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> indicating sales of at least 600,000 copies in the United Kingdom.<ref name=gamasutrasales>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170918063107/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/112220/ELSPA_Wii_Fit_Mario_Kart_Reach_Diamond_Status_In_UK.php |title=ELSPA: ''Wii Fit'', ''Mario Kart'' Reach Diamond Status In UK | author=Caoili, Eric | date=November 26, 2008 |work=[[Gamasutra]] |archive-date=September 18, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> As of November 7, 2008, the game has sold 5.88 million copies worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|author=Brett Gibbens|url=http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/corporate_relations/fi_lit/248|date=2008-10-02|title=The Fidelity Investments "Leadership in Technology" Executive Speakers Series Proudly Presents: Michael Capps, President: Epic Games|access-date=2008-10-02|archive-date=2008-09-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080906192125/http://www.csc.ncsu.edu/corporate_relations/fi_lit/248|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Gears of War'' was also the first Xbox or Xbox 360 game to sell out and reach the top ten charts in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyes |first=Emma |date=January 25, 2007 |title=Gears of War shoots into Japanese top 10 |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164717.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930095825/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6164717.html |archive-date=2007-09-30 |access-date=2007-01-27 |publisher=GameSpot}}</ref>

Don’t Use: At close range, indoors, or without a decent overhead view.

===Awards===

'''Boomshot'''

Leading up to the game's release, ''Gears of War'' was one of the most anticipated games of 2006.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://worthplaying.com/event/Misc_Events/Most_Anticipated_Games_of_2006/|title=Most Anticipated Games of 2006|author=Rainier|publisher=Worthplaying|date=2006-01-01|access-date=2011-07-24|archive-date=2012-02-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208023531/http://worthplaying.com/event/Misc_Events/Most_Anticipated_Games_of_2006/|url-status=live}}</ref> The game premiered during the [[2005 in video gaming|2005]] [[E3]] show, and won, among others,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gearsofwar.com/Community/2005_E3_Awards.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060601082212/http://gearsofwar.com/Community/2005_E3_Awards.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-06-01|title=Gears of War - 2005 E3 Awards|publisher=Microsoft|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> several "Best 360 Game" awards, including from ''[[IGN]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/619/619568p1.html|title=Xbox 360 Best of E3 2005 Awards|author=Douglass C. Perry and David Clayman|publisher=IGN|date=2005-05-27|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2007-08-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070831111351/http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/619/619568p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[1UP.com|1UP]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3140792&did=1|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050718074936/http://www.1up.com/do/feature?cId=3140792&did=1|url-status=dead|archive-date=2005-07-18|title=1UP's Best of E3|author=1UP Staff|publisher=1UP|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> and ''[[GameSpy]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p1.html |title=The Annual E3 Awards: 2005 |publisher=Gamespy |date=2005-05-24 |access-date=2008-03-11 |author=Gamespy Staff |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080217000307/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/618/618469p1.html |archive-date=2008-02-17 }}</ref> The game continued to win several awards at following [[2006 in video gaming|2006]] E3 show prior to the game's release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gearsofwar.com/community/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060516151230/http://gearsofwar.com/community/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2006-05-16|title=Official ''Gears of War'' Community & Awards Page|publisher=Epic Games|access-date=2006-11-17}}</ref> These included the [[Game Critics Awards]] for "Best Console Game" and "Best Action Game",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2006winners.html|title=2006 Winners|publisher=Game Critics Awards|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2018-10-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024054426/http://www.gamecriticsawards.com/2006winners.html|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[IGN]]''{{'}}s "Best 360 Action Game", "Best 360 Multiplayer Game", and "Best Overall Multiplayer Experience",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p1.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060616084100/http://games.ign.com/articles/709/709355p1.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 16, 2006|title=IGN's Overall Best of E3 2006 Awards|publisher=IGN|author=IGN Staff|date=2006-05-16|access-date=2008-03-11}}</ref> and GameSpy's "Best Console Multiplayer", "Best Action Game", and "Xbox 360 Game of Show".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p1.html|title=The Annual E3 Awards: 2006|publisher=GameSpy|author=GameSpy Staff|date=2006-05-16|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2008-03-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302144436/http://www.gamespy.com/articles/709/709100p1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Boom! The Boomshot is Gears of War’s rocket launcher, carried by Locust Boomers in the single-player campaign. On Casual or Hardcore difficulty, you can rely on the Boomer to have a fair bit of splash damage, and due to its firing arc its ideal for dropping shots behind enemy cover.

Upon release, ''Gears of War'' received numerous awards from many publications. ''[[IGN]]'' named ''Gears of War'' as the "Xbox 360 Game of the Year" among other awards.<ref name="ign 2006 awards">{{cite web |url=http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ |title=The Best of 2006 |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080404184741/http://bestof.ign.com/2006/ |archive-date=2008-04-04 }}</ref> ''[[GameSpot]]'' named the game its "Game of the Year" as well as "Best Xbox 360 Game", among other accolades.<ref name="gamespot awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/review/index.html |title=Best Games and Worst Games of 2006 |publisher=Gamespot |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017031826/http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/review/index.html |archive-date=2007-10-17 }}</ref> ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]'' named ''Gears of War'' as their "Xbox 360 Game of the Year".<ref name="oxm_goty">{{cite magazine | title=Xbox 360 Game of the Year | url=https://archive.org/stream/OXM_2007_02-web#page/n22/mode/1up | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future Publishing]] | issue=67 | page=52 | date=February 2007 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref> [[G4 (U.S. TV channel)|G4 TV]] during the [[2007 in video gaming|2007]] [[G-Phoria]] awards, named ''Gears of War'' its "Game of the Year" in addition to other awards.<ref name="g4 tv awards">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15041|title=Gears Of War Tops G-Phoria Game Awards|date=2007-07-09|first=Jason|last=Dobson|publisher=Gamasutra|access-date=2008-03-11|archive-date=2008-02-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080227214236/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=15041|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On Insane difficulty or Versus, however, you’ll need to be a lot more accurate, as the Boomshot carries very little splash damage. Still, landing a body shot still results in instant death. The Boomshot’s other caveat is its slow reload time. A skilled player can easily get off enough Lancer or Gnasher shots to take you down in the time it takes to do a full (non-active) reload.

''Gears of War'' won eight awards (out of ten nominations) at the [[10th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards]]: "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Game of the Year|Overall Game of the Year]]", "Console Game of the Year", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Action Game of the Year|Action/Adventure Game of the Year]]", and outstanding achievement in "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Animation|Animation]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Art Direction|Art Direction]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement|Visual Engineering]]", "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Online Game of the Year|Online Gameplay]]", and "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Character Performance - Male]]" ([[John DiMaggio]] as Marcus Fenix).<ref name="dice awards">{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165614.html |title=D.I.C.E. 07: Gears grabs gold |publisher=Gamespot |first=Tim |last=Surette |date=2007-02-09 |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030005640/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6165614.html |archive-date=2007-10-30 }}</ref> The game received the awards of "Ultimate Game of the Year" and "Xbox Game of the Year" at the [[2007 in video gaming|2007]] [[Golden Joystick Awards]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30019 |title=Gears of War victorious at Golden Joystick Awards |publisher=Games Industry |date=2007-10-26 |first=Mark |last=Androvich |access-date=2008-03-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302223656/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=30019 |archive-date=March 2, 2008 }}</ref>

To get the most out of the Boomshot, use it as a surprise weapon – you’ll almost always end up missing if you try to go toe-to-toe with a player with a decent mid-range gun.

In addition, the characters within the game received additional awards. ''GameSpot'' gave their 2006 "Best New Character(s)" award to the Delta Squad of ''Gears of War''.<ref name="gamespot awards" /> G4 TV named Marcus Fenix the "Best New Character" and gave [[Lester Speight]]'s performance for "Augustus 'Cole Train' Cole" the award for "Best Voiceover". The game was given the [[D.I.C.E. Awards|Interactive Achievement Award]] for "[[D.I.C.E. Award for Outstanding Achievement in Character|Outstanding Character Performance – Male]]" for its voicework.<ref name="dice awards" /> The Berserkers were named as ''[[Official Xbox Magazine]]''{{'}}s "Enemy of the Year".<ref name="oxm_enemy">{{cite magazine | title=Enemy of the Year | url=https://archive.org/stream/OXM_2007_02-web#page/n16/mode/1up | magazine=[[Official Xbox Magazine]] | publisher=[[Future Publishing]] | issue=67 | page=40 | date=February 2007 | access-date=2015-08-26}}</ref>

Use: To surprise a slow or stationary opponent.

Don’t Use: If you’re not sure you’re going to hit.

Guinness World Records awarded ''Gears of War'' with 5 world records in the ''Guinness World Records: Gamer's Edition 2008''. These records include, "First Console Game to Use the Unreal 3 Engine", "Fastest Selling Original Xbox 360 Game", and "First Music Single to Top the Chart After Promoting a Video Game" for the [[Gary Jules]] version of "[[Mad World]]", which was originally released in 2003, but topped the download charts in November 2006 after it was used as background music during the TV commercial for ''Gears of War''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes/|title=Mad World: Gears ad propels song to #1 on iTunes|publisher=Joystiq|date=2006-11-27|first=Ross|last=Miller|access-date=2012-06-23|archive-date=2010-05-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100504122509/http://www.joystiq.com/2006/11/27/mad-world-gears-ad-propels-song-to-1-on-itunes|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Plot===

'''Act 1: Ashes''' - As the game opens 14 years after Emergence Day, former soldier Marcus Fenix is freed from the Jacinto Maximum Security Penitentiary by his close friend, Dominic Santiago, who needs Fenix's help in the fight against the Locusts. Both manage to escape the prison moments before it is destroyed by a Corpser, and then meet up with the other members of Delta Squad, Private Carmine and Lieutenant Kim with orders to find Alpha Squad and secure possession of the "Resonator", a device intended to map out the Locust underground tunnel network for the Lightmass Bomb. En route to Alpha's last known ___location, Carmine is killed by a Locust sniper and Kim is killed by General RAAM. Dominic and Marcus are able to meet up with 2 Privates from Alpha Squad, named Cole and Baird, at the House of Sovereigns. After defeating a Locust Berserker, the team confirms with headquarters that the Resonator is safe, and are then ordered to an Imulsion mining facility ten kilometers from their position. Marcus is also granted a rank as Sergeant in place of Kim.

'''Act 2: Nightfall''' - Dom suggests that the fastest way to reach the mine would be to borrow an APC from a Stranded named Franklin, who owes Dom a favor from deals in the past. After reaching the camp, Franklin reluctantly agrees to give them his "Junker" on the condition that Cole and Baird remain at the Stranded camp to help them defend against the Locust. Marcus and Dom head across the ruined city as nightfall descends, bringing out the carnivorous bat-like creatures known as Kryll that attack anything in the dark. The two fight through the Locust forces to reach the gas station where the Junker is kept, and then drive it back to the camp, defending themselves from the Kryll with an [[ultraviolet]] light equipped on the Junker that can kill the Kryll. The two arrive just in time back at the Stranded camp to help defend it from a large Locust onslaught. Once the situation is secured, the team moves onwards towards the mining facility in the Junker.

'''Act 3: Belly of the Beast''' - Delta Squad reaches the outskirts of the mining facility just as the Junker ceases to function. They make their way on foot through the abandoned facility and into the Imulsion mine tunnels, heading towards a predetermined ___location where the effect of the Resonator should have maximum effect, all the while defending themselves against constant Locust onslaughts. The team eventually reaches their target destination, and after securing the area, set off the Resonator device and narrowly escape back to the surface. Unfortunately, the team quickly learns from HQ that the data collected from the Resonator blast was much too limited to be of use for the Lightmass Bomb. However, a device found by Baird seems to already contain a near-complete map of the tunnel system, with the data linking back to Marcus' father and his home at the East Barricade Academy.

'''Act 4: The Long Road Home''' - Delta Squad rides a Raven helicopter to the East Barricade Academy, now ruined and heavily controlled by Locust, losing a helicopter to an attack by Nemacyst air spores in the sky. The team is dropped off just outside the Academy and are forced to fight their way through massive numbers of Locust to the mansion where Marcus's father lived. Cole and Baird discover another APC in need of repair at the back of the manor, and they rush off to repair it while Marcus and Dom search the manor for the data. After finding the hidden laboratory in the basement, they leave their cloaked robot Jack to download the data and defend the house against waves of Locust attackers. As Jack finishes downloading the tunnel maps, the two soldiers rush for the newly repaired APC behind the manor with a gargantuan reptilian-like Locust called a Brumak already charging towards them. The Squad and Jack reach the APC just as the Brumak smashes through the manor, escaping the pursuing monster.

'''Act 5: Desperation''' - The team now rushes for the train station to get aboard the Tyro Pillar, an armored freight train carrying the Lightmass Bomb at its front. Locust attack them at the station and prevent Cole and Baird from jumping onto the train as it speeds past, leaving only Marcus and Dom to battle through to the front of the train as it travels across the wasteland towards the Locust stronghold. They unfortunately encounter General RAAM at the front of the train, guarding the Lightmass Bomb, but the two are able to defeat him. With a destroyed bridge quickly approaching as the train speeds ahead, Marcus uploads the tunnel data into the Lightmass Bomb and activates it, escaping the train by jumping into a nearby Raven helicopter, with the help of Dom and Cole. Dominic grabs Marcus seconds before the train falls off of the tracks and into the Imulsion below. Struggling to hold on to Dominic's hands with only 1 of his, Hoffman comes over, and, to the team's surprise, offers his hand to help Marcus up.Marcus grabs his hand and is pulled onto the '''King Raven'''. The bombs from Lightmass launch into the Locust tunnels beneath, successfully eradicating most of an important Locust stronghold. Hoffman's voice later announces their victory to the rest of the world, but the haunting voice of what is assumed to be the Locust Queen clearly tells the player that the Locust have not been defeated, and will fight back: possibly foreshadowing the premise of a sequel to Gears of War.

{{spoiler-end}}

==MultiplayerFilm adaptation==

In March 2007, [[New Line Cinema]] bought the rights to make a film adaptation, with [[Stuart Beattie]] writing the script along with Marty Bowen and [[Wyck Godfrey]]. In June 2008, [[Len Wiseman]] was confirmed to direct before dropping out in 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36822/gears-war-film-delayed-or-curbstomped|title=Gears of War Film -- Delayed or Curbstomped?|date=27 August 2012|publisher=DreadCentral|access-date=7 April 2010|archive-date=9 April 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100409011116/http://www.dreadcentral.com/news/36822/gears-war-film-delayed-or-curbstomped|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Gears of War'' supports both [[split-screen]] and regular multiplayer over Xbox Live and [[System Link]]. There are two multiplayer modes in ''Gears of War'', Cooperative and Versus mode. Multiplayer also adds the "downed" state, which works similar to down comrades the player must help in the single-player missions. When a player has taken too much damage from enemy, their character becomes incapacitated instead of dying instantly. The player remains in this state until they bleed out and die, are killed by the enemy, revive themselves (in the Execution versus mode only), or are revived by another player. However, in cases where the damage is severe as to cause mutilation or disintegration of the body (including chainsaw attacks, short range shotgun blasts, boomshot hits, sniper headshots, or grenade explosions), the player is dead instantly. Runeswordwill is the best at Gears of War.

On April 29th, 2013, [[Scott Stuber]] signed on to produce the film adaptation, unrelated to the previous New Line Cinema project.<ref>[https://variety.com/2013/film/news/scott-stuber-game-for-gears-of-war-movie-1200412653/ Scott Stuber Game for ‘Gears of War’ Movie (EXCLUSIVE)]</ref> On October 5, 2016, [[The Coalition (company)|The Coalition]], the franchise's current developer, announced that the film rights shifted to [[Universal Pictures|Universal Studios]] thanks to Stuber's first-look deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13179788/gears-of-war-movie-announcement-universal-studios-xbox|title=Universal is making a Gears of War movie|first=Michael|last=McWhertor|work=[[Polygon (website)|Polygon]]|publisher=[[Vox Media]]|date=October 5, 2016|access-date=March 21, 2021|archive-date=November 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108154431/http://www.polygon.com/2016/10/5/13179788/gears-of-war-movie-announcement-universal-studios-xbox|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2017, [[Shane Salerno]] was hired to write a new draft of the screenplay.<ref>[https://variety.com/2017/film/news/gears-of-war-movie-avatar-writer-shane-salerno-1202408554/ ‘Gears of War’ Movie Gains Momentum With ‘Avatar’ Writer Shane Salerno]</ref> In 2018, F. Scott Frazier was hired to rewrite Salerno's screenplay.<ref>[https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/f-scott-frazier-writing-gears-of-war-movie-1203047173/ F. Scott Frazier Hired to Write Untitled ‘Gears of War’ Movie]</ref>

===Cooperative===

[[Cooperative gameplay]] in ''Gears of War'' multiplayer allows two players to play through the game from start to finish. The game offers the ability to invite players on the users’ friends list and have them instantly pop in (known as "Drop in, Drop out" gameplay) the player’s game to help them out. ''Gears of War'' chooses each player's character depending on certain factors. The first player or multiplayer game host plays as Marcus Fenix (the main character) while the second player as Dominic Santiago, Marcus' best friend.

Production stalled, and in 2022, it was reported that Stuber had purchased the rights for [[Netflix]], where he was newly hired as head-of-film.<ref>{{citation|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/gears-of-war-movie-netflix-tv-show-1235425535/|title='Gears of War' Movie and Animated Series Coming to Netflix|last=Moreau|first=Jordan|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=November 7, 2022|access-date=November 7, 2022|archive-date=November 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221107220630/https://variety.com/2022/film/news/gears-of-war-movie-netflix-tv-show-1235425535/|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2023, [[Jon Spaihts]] signed on to write the screenplay for the film.<ref>{{citation|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/gears-of-war-writer-jon-spaihts-netflix-1235559889/|title=Netflix's 'Gears of War' Movie Taps 'Dune' and 'Doctor Strange' Writer Jon Spaihts (EXCLUSIVE)|last=Jackson|first=Angelique|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 21, 2023|access-date=March 21, 2023|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323155109/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/gears-of-war-writer-jon-spaihts-netflix-1235559889/|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2023, it was reported that Spaihts had completed a long-treatment for the screenplay.<ref>{{citation|url=https://collider.com/gears-of-war-movie-netflix-adaptation-update/|title='Gears of War' Movie Adaptation Gets Update From Netflix Film Chief [Exclusive]|last=McPherson|first=Chris|website=Collider|date=November 9, 2023|access-date=November 9, 2023|archive-date=June 9, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240609144936/https://collider.com/gears-of-war-movie-netflix-adaptation-update/|url-status=live}}</ref> In May 2025, [[David Leitch]] was hired to direct and produce with Kelly McCormick.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gears-of-war-movie-david-leitch-director-1236212544/|title='Gears of War' Movie Landing David Leitch as Director (Exclusive)|last=Kit|first=Borys|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|date=May 15, 2025|access-date=May 15, 2025|archive-date=May 15, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250515212747/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/gears-of-war-movie-david-leitch-director-1236212544/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Cooperative Play differs from the single-player game in some ways. On the sections of levels that offer multiple paths, the first player chooses their own path and effectively sends the other player onto the other. Both players are separated and each tackle separate parts of the level. If either player is downed while on these split paths, both characters will begin from the previous checkpoint. While outside these paths the players may revive each other and use unique flanking maneuvers impossible with the AI.

===Versus mode=Sequel==

A sequel, ''[[Gears of War 2]]'', was released in November 2008 for the Xbox 360.

Multiplayer is team-based, supporting up to eight players (four COGs vs. four Locust) engaging in battles over Xbox Live or through System Link. In versus mode, matches consist of several rounds. Each player starts each round with the same standard set of weapons, but more powerful items of warfare are laid out across each map to be contested by the opposing teams. The team who has won the most rounds at the end of a match wins.

There are two types of versus modes, player matches and ranked matches.

*'''Player matches''' have no effect on leaderboard ranks and allows users to invite friends or use split-screen mode.

*'''Ranked matches''' keep track of player statistics, give players a 'rank' on the ''Gears of War'' leaderboard, forbid invitations, can't be played in split-screen mode, and can be played to get [[Xbox_360_Achievements#Gamerscore|achievements]].

==Notes==

Three types of versus modes have been developed: Warzone, Assassination, and Execution.<ref>{{cite web | last = Miller | first = Jonathan | date = [[2006-10-26]] | url = http://xbox360.ign.com/articles/741/741993p1.html | title = ''Gears of War'' Map Quest | publisher = [[IGN]] | accessdate = 2006-10-28 }}</ref>

{{notelist}}

*'''Warzone''' mostly follows the standard [[Deathmatch (gaming)|Team Deathmatch]] archetype, with each team trying to eliminate the other. When players are downed they can only get back up when an ally revives them. A "bleed-out" time can be set from 5 seconds to 60 seconds. This is the length of time the person will survive after being downed because they die of blood loss.

*'''Execution''' is very similar to Warzone, except that when an opponent is down, the opposing team must finish them off using certain violent fatalities. Should the opposing team fail to destroy the downed player during the allotted time, the player will be revived and will once again become a threat. However, this can only be done twice. If the player is downed a third time, he dies. The bleed-out time is applied here by altering the amount of time before a downed person rises again without any input from the player.

*'''Assassination''' requires that teams focus on killing the other team's designated leader while protecting their own. The leader is the only player that can pick up weapons during play initially. However, if the leader picks up a weapon and drops it, the rest of his team can pick it up. If a non-leader player kills the other team's leader character, that player becomes the new leader on their team the next round.

==Reception==

{{sect-stub}}

''Gears of War'' achieved major success after its release. On [[November 07]], [[2006]], ''Gears of War'' became the most popular game on the [[Xbox Live]] service, overtaking ''[[Halo 2]]'', which had held the spot since its launch in November 2004. <ref>{{cite web | title = Gears of War takes top spot in Xbox Live chart | publisher = GameIndustry.biz | date = 2006-11-20 | accessdate = 2006-11-20 | url = http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=21222}}</ref>By [[January 19]], [[2007]], just ten weeks after its debut, over three million units of the game have been sold.<ref name = GearsJuggernaut>{{cite web | title = Gears of War Juggernauts sells three million units| first = Microsoft Games Studio | publisher = [[Xbox News]] | date = [[2007-01-19]] | accessdate = 2007-01-19 | url = http://www.xbox.com/en-US/community/news/2007/0119-gearsofwarjuggernautcontinues.htm}}</ref>

Recently, Gears of War has been awarded the Gamefly Game Of The Year, along with Best Xbox 360 Game from Gamefly as well. Gears of War has also won GameSpot's 2006 game of the year award and Official Xbox Magazine's 2006 "Xbox 360 Game of the Year Award." <ref>{{cite web | title = Gamespot's 2006 Game of the Year | publisher = gamespot.com | date = 2006 | accessdate = 2007-03-16 | url = http://www.gamespot.com/special_features/bestof2006/gameofyear/index.html?page=2}}</ref>

==Future developments==

News of the franchise's future has emerged multiple times since the game's release. ''[[PC Gamer]]'' accidentally released an image in its 2006 holiday issue where ''Gears of War'' can be seen in a [[Games for Windows]] display, which led to suspicion that ''Gears of War'' would be released for the PC;<ref>{{cite web | first = Hilary | last = Goldstein | date = [[2006-11-16]] | accessdate = 2006-11-26 | title = Gears of War on PC? | publisher = [[IGN]] | url = http://pc.ign.com/articles/746/746486p1.html }}</ref> however, the image was later stated to be a mock-up.<ref>{{cite web | first = Dan | last = | date = [[2006-11-23]] | accessdate = 2006-12-12 | title = Gears of War for PC Rumour Shut Down | publisher = GameArena | url = http://www.gamearena.com.au/xbox360/news/read/3940530 }}</ref> Possible leaked pictures were released on [[February 4]] [[2007]], leading to more suspicion of Gears on the PC. In an interview with Xbox fansite Team Xbox, Mark Rein stated that the game would eventually come to the PC, but that Epic was not currently ready to release it on that format. <ref>{{cite web | first = | last = | date = [[2007-02-13]] | accessdate = 2007-02-15 | title = Mark Rein Interview | publisher = Team Xbox | url = http://interviews.teamxbox.com/xbox/1893/Mark-Rein-Interview/p1/ }}</ref>

''Gears'' lead designer [[Cliff Bleszinski]] said he hoped for the game to expand into graphic novels and eventually film.<ref>{{cite web | first = John | last = Gaudiosi | date = [[2006-11-08]] | accessdate = 2006-12-08 | title = GamePro Q&A: Cliffy B Talks Gears of War | publisher = [[GamePro]] | url = http://gamepro.com/news.cfm?article_id=85688 }}</ref> On [[November 21]], [[2006]], Microsoft Corporate VP of Global Marketing and Interactive Entertainment Business [[Jeff Bell]] stated ''Gears of War'' is the first in a trilogy, through sequences on E-Day and the battle of Jacinto Plateau, as well as information on Adam Fenix and his research (which the character finds in Gears).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.younewb.com/index.php/2006/11/21/gears-of-war-is-going-to-be-a-trilogy/ | date = [[2006-11-21]] | title=''Gears of war'' to be a trilogy | accessdate=2006-11-21 | author=Nick of YouNewb.com}}</ref> Epic Games Vice President [[Mark Rein]] posted a message on the official ''Gears of War'' [[Internet forum]]s, stating "It's not over until it isn't fun anymore", and, in his view, ''Gears of War'' may become the next [[Halo (video game series)|''Halo'' series]] in terms of popularity.<ref>{{cite web | first = Michael | last = McWhertor | date = [[2006-11-24]] | accessdate = 2006-11-26 | title = Gears of War, Not a Trilogy | publisher = [[Kotaku]] | url = http://www.kotaku.com/gaming/mark-rein/gears-of-war-not-a-trilogy-217088.php }}</ref>

Epic Games will also release new ''Gears of War'' content available for download to the Xbox 360. Production on this content began as early as August 2006. These updates will be free according to Epic Games president [[Mike Capps]].<ref name="Surette">{{cite web | first = Tim | last = Surette | date = [[2006-12-14]] | accessdate = 2006-12-14 | title = Gears of War DLC to be free | publisher = [[GameSpot]] | url = http://www.gamespot.com/xbox360/action/gearsofwar/news.html?sid=6163240}}</ref> The first of these updates were released over Xbox Live on [[January 9]] [[2007]],<ref name="GoW-Update1">{{cite web | title = Gears of War Patch to Roll Out Before Maps | publisher = [[Gears of War Fans]] | date = [[2007-01-08]] | accessdate = 2007-01-10 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/patch-to-roll-out-before-maps}}</ref> with two new maps released the following day on [[January 10]] [[2007]]. The two maps reflected background scenes from the game's storyline, known as ''Raven Down'' and ''Old Bones'', which depict Gears fighting Locust amidst the crash site of a ''King Raven'' [[Helicopter|chopper]] and a museum, respectively.<ref>{{cite web | title = Gears of War Free Maps | publisher = [[Gears of War Fans]] | date = [[2007-01-08]] | accessdate = 2007-01-10 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/08/gears-of-war-maps-announced}}</ref> Another update was released for ''Gears of War'' on [[January 22]] [[2007]],<ref>{{cite web | title = 2nd Patch Quietly Released | publisher = [[Gears of War Fans]] | date = [[2007-01-22]] | accessdate = 2007-01-22 | url = http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/2007/01/22/2nd-patch-quietly-released/}}</ref> which, according to Epic Games' Marc Rein, is said to fix some compatibility issues with the release of ''Gears of War'' in Japan, and that no game play or functionality features were changed.<ref>{{cite web | title = Small Gears of War Compatibility Update | publisher = [[Epic Games]] | date = [[2007-01-22]] | accessdate = 2007-01-22 | url = http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/showthread.php?p=24770630#post24770630}}</ref>

At the 2007 Game Developers Conference Cliffy B confirmed that Epic Games does "intend to do a sequel" to Gears of War possibly set to be released in 2008.

==References==

{{reflistReflist|230em}}

== See also ==

*[[List of Gears of War weapons]]

==External links==

* {{official website|http://gearsofwar.com/}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-break}}

'''Official Websites'''

*[http://www.gearsofwar.com/ ''Gears of War'' website]

*[http://planetgearsofwar.gamespy.com/ ''Gears of War'' website]

*[http://www.gearsofwar.com/community/ ''Gears of War'' list of E3 Awards & fan websites]

*[http://gearsforums.epicgames.com/ ''Gears of War'' forums] at [[Epic Games]]

*[http://www.gearsofwarfans.com/forum/index.php ''Gears of War Fan Forums'']

'''Media Pages'''

*[http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/631759p1.html Destroyed Beauty Art Book] at [[GameSpy]]

*[http://www.gametrailers.com/gamepage.php?id=1650 ''Gears of War'' videos] at [[GameTrailers]]

*[http://files.filefront.com/GoW_0001wmv/;6127256;;/fileinfo.html Multiplayer Gameplay Footage] at [[FileFront]]

*[http://www.xleague.tv/gw1.aspx ''Gears of War'' video review] at [[xleague.tv]]

{{Gears of War series}}

{{col-break}}

{{Epic}}

'''Profile Pages'''

{{Cliff Bleszinski}}

*[http://xbox360.ign.com/objects/747/747891.html ''Gears of War''] at [[IGN]]

{{DICE GOTY}}

*{{GameSpot|id=928234|name=''Gears of War''}}

{{GDCA GOTY}}

*[http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/gears-of-war/ ''Gears of War''] at [[GameSpy]]

{{Golden Joystick GOTY}}

*[http://www.1up.com/do/gameOverview?cId=3140408 ''Gears of War''] at [[1UP.com]]

{{Authority control}}

*[http://gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/22919/info.shtml ''Gears of War''] at [[GamePro]]

*[http://www.totalgamerzone.com/game-12.html ''Gears of War''] at [http://www.totalgamerzone.com/ TGZ]

*[http://www.gameinformer.com/games/info/info.htm?CS_pid=200100 ''Gears of War''] at [[Game Informer]] Online

*{{GameFAQs|id=928234|name=''Gears of War''}}

*[http://www.mobygames.com/game/xbox360/gears-of-war ''Gears of War''] at [[Mobygames]]

{{col-break}}

'''Interviews'''

*[http://www.evilavatar.com/forums/showthread.php?p=605794#post605794 Interview] with [[Cliff Bleszinski|CliffyB]] at [[Evil Avatar]]

*[http://xbox360.gamespy.om/xbox-360/gears-of-war/715859p1.html Interview] with [[Cliff Bleszinski|CliffyB]] at [[GameSpy]]

*[http://www.1up.com/do/newsStory?cId=3155270 Interview] with [[Cliff Bleszinski|CliffyB]] and tour of [[Epic Games]] at [[1UP.com]]

'''Articles'''

*[http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-01-01-gears-of-war_x.htm USA Today - Gears of War breaks out]

'''Wikias'''

*[http://gearsofwar.wikia.com Gears of War Wikia]

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