In the modern XCOM games, soldiers get new abilities when they advance in level (rank). This "perk" system works well, but characters can go from weak to overpowered after advancing only one rank. Gears Tactics uses a similar system, but the number of perks is greatly increased over what XCOM offers. The perks in Gears Tactics are not only more numerous, they also allow for more varied tactical options on the battlefield. This helps soldiers seem more unique and allows players to make soldiers more suited to a specific task or tac

The SLG Game News also, surprisingly, doesn’t have much to do once the credits roll. Outside of Veteran Mode, which does tweak the formula with modifiers, there are no additional multiplayer or co-op modes to jump into. For a franchise that built itself on robust multiplayer and co-op options, Gears Tactics feels light on modes. While it may focus too much on side quests, it makes up for it with solid gameplay. Like a traditional tactics style game, Gears Tactics is played from a top-down perspective with players taking turns to maneuver around the map, attack and set up tactical positions. During your turn, each character gets three actions to move, take cover, fire on enemies, set up overwatch, use abilities or execute downed enemies.

Set prior to the events of the first Gears of War , Gears Tactics follows the exploits of COG soldiers Gabe Diaz, father of Kait Diaz from Gears of War 4 and 5 , as well as a grizzled veteran named Sid Redburn. The two of them are tasked with collecting information on a powerful Locust scientist named Ukkon, who is the creator of some of the Gears of War series' most memorable and dangerous monst

The Scout skills consist of top and abilities that result in different features of characters in Gear Tactics . With the right choice of skills, the characters can develop versatile features and become experts in various fields in the g

Gears’ strong history of delivering stellar presentations remains intact with Gears Tactics. Though the perspective is different and the action turn-based, Gears Tactics looks fantastic. Splash Damage has managed to provide a presentation that looks and sounds the way a Gears game should. Whether it’s the violent growls of the Locust, the sounds of a chainsaw revving or the brutal popping sound a head makes following a headshot, the presentation perfectly captures the essence of the franchise. Though it may not have the close-up shots of a shooter, Gears Tactics still features plenty of detailed textures and models for players to admire, particularly in the menus. A suite of features allows players to extensively customize the visual experience on PC. Meanwhile, plenty of accessibility options exist to ensure that whoever wants to enjoy Gears Tactics can. It’s another fantastic Gears game to look at and listen to.

Other than a brief foray into the Pop! figure world, Gears of War has always been a third-person cover shooter. Across all six entries so far, players have come to expect Gears games to play a certain way. Slide into cover, pop up and blast the grubs. Despite this, Gears is a franchise with tons of potential in different genres, which is something Splash Damage hopes to take advantage of with Gears Tactics. Embracing the turned-based strategy genre, Splash Damage has created a new type of Gears game that aims to blend this genre with the franchise’s roots. Is Gear Tactics another excellent addition to the franchise or does it need more time at boot camp?

In a game where troops can be killed permanently, it is both a gift and a curse that the soldiers level very slowly. On one hand, it can make the pain hurt less when a troop is killed and they aren't insanely str

The first act of Gears Tactics will be very compelling for fans of the franchise. Not only does it give them a chance to meet Gabe Diaz, and therefore learn a bit more about Kait's history, but it also shines more light on the origins of the Locust creatures. There are some pretty interesting twists and turns, and the story of each mission bleeds into the next in a way that gives it a lot of momentum. And while Gabe and Sid aren't exactly the most complex or deep characters, they're a nice change of pace from games constantly revolving around Marcus Fe

Grenadiers are heavy units that can tank a few hits. Similar to wretches, grenadiers will rush friendly units with their shotguns which makes them a lot scarier to deal with than Wretches. However, they have to get close to your units in order to deal damage. Try to take them out from far away, and prioritize attacking these units if they overstep their bou

Even though Gears Tactics struggles with delivering a consistently engaging story, it never fails in delivering entertaining gameplay. Each Gears Tactics mission plays like an XCOM level with a Gears of War skin, with players selecting their squad and then completing a variety of objectives while having to account for enemies, status effects, and environmental hazards. Anyone expecting to just run head-first into encounters will have a hard time, as the game does require a genuine strategy for players to make it through most of the levels and enemy encount