Released in November 2006, the original Gears of War was a groundbreaking title for the Xbox 360. It was the first showcase of what a “next-gen” console could do; both technically and how it affected gameplay.
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a remaster of this game with completely redone assets and performance capture. It also includes the five bonus chapters that were originally only released in the PC version.
The game follows Delta squad, with player controlled Marcus Fenix as they desperately fight against the Locusts in order to save the rest of humanity. The visuals of this remaster are immediately striking and all the work that has been done is miles ahead of most other re-releases.
Understandably, the campaign runs at 30 fps as the developers focused on providing a significant graphical upgrade. The campaign is filled with some brutal action and the violence really helps set the tone of the game. There are plenty of set-pieces that keep the action going and while the campaign is easily weaker than the sequels, it’s worth revisiting.
Multiplayer, on the other hand, runs at 60 fps and is a true showcase of its excellent gameplay. It comes with 20 maps that offer a good variety in design. It plays very differently than the campaign and staying behind cover isn’t always the best idea. Keep in mind though since this is the original game, all the features and game modes players are accustomed to including the ability to tag grenades, meat shields and Horde mode aren’t present in the game.
For better or for worse, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a true representation of the original game. The campaign and multiplayer haven’t aged well, particularly if gamers are used to all the new features introduced in later entries and the highly influential Horde mode. Regardless, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is great way to introduce players to the defining new IP for the Xbox 360.
