When Gears 5 first launched in 2019, it was hailed as a bold step forward for the franchise. With its stunning visuals, semi-open world exploration, and a campaign that shifted focus to Kait Diaz, the game brought fresh energy to the long-running Gears of War series. It quickly became one of the most critically acclaimed Xbox titles of its generation, praised for both its storytelling and polished gameplay.
Fast-forward to 2025, and the gaming landscape looks very different. Next-gen titles powered by Unreal Engine 5 are redefining visual standards, while new shooters dominate the competitive scene. With Gears of War: E-Day on the horizon, many fans are asking the same question: is Gears 5 still worth playing today?
This article takes a deep dive into what Gears 5 offers in 2025—from its campaign and gameplay mechanics to its graphics, performance, and multiplayer community. Whether you’re a newcomer curious about diving in through Xbox Game Pass or a veteran wondering if it’s worth revisiting, we’ll help you decide if Gears 5 remains a must-play experience in the current era of gaming.
1. A Look Back at Gears 5’s Launch
When Gears 5 launched in September 2019, it marked a major moment for the franchise and for Xbox as a whole. Developed by The Coalition, it was positioned as the game that would carry Gears of War into a new generation, both narratively and technologically.
At release, Gears 5 was praised for its cinematic storytelling, gorgeous visuals, and expanded gameplay scope. The campaign shifted the spotlight from JD Fenix to Kait Diaz, whose personal journey into her family’s connection with the Locust offered a more emotional, character-driven story. This change gave the series a fresh perspective while still tying back to its legacy heroes like Marcus Fenix.
The game also introduced semi-open world segments, a first for the franchise. These sections, set in snowy tundras and desert wastelands, gave players freedom to explore while mixing exploration with traditional Gears action. On the technical side, Gears 5 pushed the Unreal Engine 4 to its limits, showcasing breathtaking environments, smooth performance, and highly polished cutscenes.
Critically, Gears 5 was considers one of the strongest entries since the original trilogy. It received high review scores across the board, with many praising its mix of traditional cover-based combat, new mechanics like Jack the support drone, and updated multiplayer modes.
At launch, Gears 5 wasn’t just another sequel—it was a bold step forward that proved the franchise still had plenty of fight left.
2. Story and Campaign in 2025
The story of Gears 5 remains one of its strongest features, even in 2025. Unlike earlier games that focused heavily on Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad, this installment shifted the spotlight to Kait Diaz, a character introduced in Gears of War 4. The campaign follows her journey to uncover the truth behind her family’s ties to the Locust Horde, weaving a narrative that is both personal and deeply connected to the wider lore of the Gears universe.
What makes the campaign compelling, even years later, is its balance between high-stakes action and emotional storytelling. Kait’s struggle with her heritage creates moments of vulnerability and tension rarely seen in the series, while still delivering the large-scale battles and cinematic set pieces fans expect. Key missions in icy tundras and scorching deserts provide visual variety and keep the campaign engaging throughout its 12–15 hour runtime.
In 2025, the campaign still holds up remarkably well. Thanks to strong writing, memorable characters, and branching choices that affect certain outcomes, replayability remains high. Many fans return to experience the story again or to explore co-op mode, which allows the entire campaign to be played with friends.
For newcomers, Gears 5 also serves as an excellent entry point. While it continues threads from previous games, it provides enough background and exposition for fresh players to enjoy the narrative without feeling lost.
Ultimately, the Gears 5 campaign in 2025 is still worth playing for its emotional depth, action-packed sequences, and its role as a bridge between the original trilogy and the future of the franchise.
3. Gameplay and Mechanics
The gameplay of Gears 5 builds on the foundations that made the franchise iconic while introducing fresh mechanics that keep it engaging even in 2025. At its core, the series still relies on the cover-based combat system that revolutionized third-person shooters back in 2006. Sliding into cover, flanking enemies, and timing reloads remain as satisfying as ever, especially with the signature Lancer rifle and its chainsaw bayonet delivering brutal close-range kills.
What sets Gears 5 apart from earlier entries are its expanded mechanics. The introduction of Jack, the customizable support drone, adds a tactical layer to combat. Jack can cloak allies, deliver shocks to enemies, provide shields, or hack equipment, giving players new ways to approach encounters. These abilities make firefights more dynamic, especially in co-op play where squad coordination becomes crucial.
The game also experiments with semi-open world exploration, offering larger maps to traverse in a skiff vehicle. While not a full open-world design, these areas give players freedom to explore, discover side missions, and uncover lore. It’s a welcome addition that breaks up the intensity of linear battles and adds variety to pacing.
In terms of difficulty, Gears 5 offers plenty of options. From casual runs to hardcore modes, the game appeals to both newcomers and veterans who crave punishing encounters. Combined with tight shooting mechanics, destructive environments, and enemy AI that adapts to player tactics, the gameplay remains sharp and rewarding.
In short, Gears 5’s mechanics still feel modern in 2025, striking the perfect balance between classic Gears intensity and new features that refresh the formula.
4. Graphics and Performance Today
When Gears 5 released in 2019, it was hailed as one of the most visually impressive titles of its time, showcasing the full potential of Unreal Engine 4. In 2025, the game still holds up remarkably well, thanks to its detailed environments, realistic character models, and cinematic presentation.
On Xbox Series X|S, Gears 5 has been optimized to take advantage of next-gen hardware. Players enjoy 120 FPS in multiplayer, 4K resolution in campaign, and significantly reduced loading times. These upgrades make the gameplay smoother and more immersive compared to the original Xbox One release. On PC, the game continues to shine with scalable settings, ultra-wide monitor support, and strong optimization across a range of hardware.
Visually, Gears 5’s environments remain stunning. From frozen tundras to desert wastelands, the diverse biomes add cinematic variety, while dynamic lighting and particle effects enhance firefights. Character animations, especially facial detail during cut-scenes, still feel modern, keeping the story immersive even six years after launch.
Here’s a quick breakdown of Gears 5 performance in 2025:
| Platform | Resolution & FPS | Notes |
| Xbox Series X | 4K @ 60 FPS (Campaign), 120 FPS (Multiplayer) | Optimized for next-gen with fast loading times. |
| Xbox Series S | 1440p @ 60 FPS (Campaign), up to 120 FPS (Multiplayer) | Smooth but lower resolution than Series X. |
| PC | Up to 4K+ @ 60–120 FPS (depending on hardware) | Highly customizable with strong graphical fidelity. |
Even with newer games on the horizon, Gears 5’s graphics and performance still feel next-gen in 2025, proving how well the game was built to last.
5. Multiplayer and Horde Mode in 2025
One of the reasons Gears 5 continues to stay relevant in 2025 is its robust multiplayer and Horde offerings. From competitive Versus modes to co-op survival experiences, the game still provides a wide variety of ways to play with friends—or against them.
The multiplayer community remains active, thanks in large part to Xbox Game Pass and cross-play support between PC and Xbox consoles. Classic competitive modes like Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, and Guardian still attract players, while custom lobbies and seasonal events keep things fresh. For long-time fans, the Gnasher shotgun battles remain a staple of Gears multiplayer, offering fast, skill-based combat that feels just as intense in 2025 as it did at launch.
The real highlight, however, is Horde mode. Introduced back in Gears of War 2, Horde has become a fan-favorite mode, and in Gears 5 it evolved with class-based roles, character abilities, and buildable defenses. Even years later, Horde remains one of the most replayable experiences in the game. Playing through wave after wave of enemies with friends still delivers a perfect mix of challenge and teamwork.
Additionally, Escape mode, a cooperative experience where players fight their way out of Swarm hives, provides another alternative for those seeking something different from Horde or versus. While not as popular as Horde, it adds variety for dedicated players.
Overall, the multiplayer and Horde experience in Gears 5 (2025) is still alive and thriving. Whether you’re jumping into competitive matches or teaming up with friends for endless waves of enemies, the game’s online offerings remain one of its strongest selling points today.
6. Accessibility and Availability
One of the biggest strengths of Gears 5 in 2025 is just how easy it is to access and play. Thanks to Xbox Game Pass, the game remains available to millions of players on both Xbox consoles and PC without requiring a separate purchase. This constant availability ensures that new players are continually joining the community, keeping servers active for both campaign co-op and multiplayer modes.
For those who don’t have Game Pass, Gears 5 is frequently discounted in sales on the Microsoft Store, Steam, and retail outlets, making it one of the most affordable entry points into the franchise. Its inclusion on Game Pass also means it’s bundled with cloud gaming options, allowing players to stream the game without downloading on high-end hardware.
Accessibility isn’t just about price—it’s also about inclusivity. Gears 5 has been praised for its extensive accessibility options, including customizable controls, colorblind modes, narrated menus, and adaptive controller support. These features have made it easier for players with different needs to enjoy the game fully, setting a strong standard for inclusivity in modern shooters.
Cross-platform play is another key advantage in 2025. Whether on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, or PC, players can seamlessly squad up with friends, ensuring no one is left out because of hardware limitations. Combined with cross-save support, you can switch between devices and pick up right where you left off.
In short, the accessibility and availability of Gears 5 remain top-tier. Its presence on Game Pass, strong accessibility features, and cross-platform support make it one of the easiest—and most welcoming—games to jump into in 2025.
7. How It Compares to Modern Shooters in 2025
In 2025, the shooter genre is more crowded than ever, with heavyweights like Call of Duty, Halo Infinite, and battle royale titles still commanding large audiences. Yet, Gears 5 continues to stand out because it offers something that few modern shooters do: a blend of tactical, cover-based third-person combat with emotional storytelling and cooperative gameplay.
Unlike fast-paced shooters such as Call of Duty or Apex Legends, Gears 5 slows the pace, forcing players to think strategically about positioning, cover, and squad coordination. This tactical element keeps it fresh in an era where many shooters focus solely on speed and reflexes. Its signature mechanics, like the active reload system and brutal executions, remain unique trademarks that help differentiate it from the competition.
Visually, while Gears 5 was built on Unreal Engine 4, its optimization for Xbox Series X|S keeps it competitive in terms of performance. While newer games may leverage Unreal Engine 5 for hyper-realism, Gears 5 still delivers crisp visuals and cinematic cutscenes that hold up well against newer titles.
Where Gears 5 truly shines compared to modern shooters is in its co-op experiences. The Horde and Escape modes offer replayability and teamwork-driven gameplay that most franchises still struggle to replicate. Combined with its strong campaign, Gears 5 offers both single-player depth and multiplayer longevity—something many shooters lack today.
In short, while newer games may have shinier technology, Gears 5 remains unique in 2025 because of its tactical gameplay, cooperative depth, and storytelling—ensuring it still has a place among modern shooters.
8. Conclusion – Is It Still Worth Playing?
So, is Gears 5 still worth playing in 2025? Absolutely. Six years after its release, the game continues to deliver an outstanding mix of storytelling, tactical gameplay, and cooperative modes that few shooters can match. The campaign, centered on Kait Diaz, remains emotionally powerful and replayable, while Horde and Versus modes keep the multiplayer scene alive and engaging.
With its availability on Xbox Game Pass, cross-platform support, and optimizations for Xbox Series X|S, Gears 5 feels far from outdated. Its visuals may not rival Unreal Engine 5 titles, but they still hold up impressively, and the gameplay remains as sharp and satisfying as ever.
For newcomers, it’s a perfect entry point into the franchise; for veterans, it’s worth revisiting to appreciate how well it has aged. In short, Gears 5 in 2025 is still a must-play and an essential part of the Gears of War legacy.
