Summary

Release Year: 2015
Genres: Shooter
Platforms: PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One
Developers: Epic Games
Publishers: Microsoft Studios

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (2015)

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a remastered version of the original Gears of War game, developed by The Coalition and Splash Damage and published by Microsoft Studios for the Xbox One and Windows 10. It was released on August 25, 2015, to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the original game’s release.

The game features remastered graphics, textures, and sound, and runs at native 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second in multiplayer and 30 frames per second in the campaign. It also includes all of the missions and maps from the PC version of the original game that were absent from the Xbox 360 version.

In addition to the graphical and performance improvements, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition also includes a number of new features and mechanics that were introduced in later Gears of War games, such as:

Spotting: Players can now mark enemies for their teammates to see, making it easier to coordinate attacks.
Switching weapons while roadie running: Players can now switch between their primary and secondary weapons while running, allowing them to adapt to changing combat situations more quickly.
Dedicated servers: Gears of War: Ultimate Edition uses dedicated servers for both online matchmaking and private matches, providing a more stable and reliable online experience.

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition was met with critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers praising the game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

Gameplay

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a third-person shooter game in which players control Marcus Fenix, a soldier fighting against the Locust Horde, a race of subterranean creatures that have invaded the planet Sera. The game features a cover-based combat system, in which players must use cover to protect themselves from enemy fire and flank their opponents.

The game’s campaign can be played cooperatively with up to four players, and there is also a competitive multiplayer mode that supports up to 10 players. The multiplayer mode features a variety of game types, including Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and Capture the Flag.

Setting

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is set on the planet Sera, which is a harsh and unforgiving world. The game’s story takes place 14 years after the Locust Horde emerged from underground and began their invasion of Sera. The human survivors are fighting a desperate battle against the Locust, and Marcus Fenix is one of their most skilled and experienced soldiers.

Characters

Marcus Fenix: The protagonist of the game, Marcus Fenix is a former soldier who was imprisoned for treason after disobeying orders. He is released from prison to lead a squad of soldiers against the Locust Horde.
Dominic Santiago: Marcus’ best friend and fellow soldier, Dom is a loyal and courageous fighter.
Augustus Cole: A close-quarters combat specialist, Cole is a powerful and intimidating fighter.
Damon Baird: A former engineer, Baird is the team’s weapons expert.
Anya Stroud: A communications specialist, Anya is the team’s eyes and ears on the battlefield.

Critical reception

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition received critical acclaim upon release, with many reviewers praising the game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features. The game was also a commercial success, selling over 1 million copies worldwide.

IGN: “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is the definitive way to experience the original Gears of War campaign and multiplayer. The game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features make it the best version of the game yet.” – 9/10
GameSpot: “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a stunning remaster of a classic game. The game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features make it a must-play for fans of the original game and newcomers alike.” – 8/10
Polygon: “Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is a faithful and lovingly crafted remaster of one of the most influential shooters of all time. The game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features make it the best way to experience the original campaign and multiplayer.” – 9/10

Awards

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition won a number of awards, including:

The Game Awards 2015: Best Remaster
Golden Joystick Awards 2015: Best Remaster
D.I.C.E. Awards 2016: Outstanding Achievement in Online Gameplay

Legacy

Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is considered to be one of the best remasters of all time. The game’s updated visuals, improved performance, and new features make it the definitive way to experience the original Gears of War campaign and multiplayer. The game’s success also helped to revive the Gears of War franchise, which has since released two more sequels and a prequel.