Xbox has always been a company and a console defined by the 21st century. While Nintendo and PlayStation had a presence before the 2000s, the Xbox has a distinctly post-2000s energy. Launching with its first exclusive, Halo: Combat Evolvedthe Microsoft-owned console made one thing very clear at launch: Xbox is the new home for great action games. Since then, the gaming landscape has changed drastically. The console wars seem to be over. Xbox Game Pass makes it a great place to try out many games, and flagship franchises like Halo loses its exclusive status. It's the start of a new era for Xbox, and whether that's good or bad remains to be seen.
When I think of the early days of the Xbox, I think of the original Halo trilogy and Mountain Dew ads. When I think of Xbox 360, I also think of Gears of War. Between Halo and Gears of WarXbox's two major exclusives made it a clear choice for shooter fans. It wasn't until later that the Xbox felt like an adult, especially in the way it brought in young gamers.
I will never forget watching the trailer for Gears of War. I was only 10 years old at the time, but when Gary Jules' version of “Mad World” played while Marcus Fenix wandered through ruined Sera, I knew this game was going to be something special. Fast forward to launch, and my friends and I gathered around the Xbox 360 to play Gears of War for the very first time. Playing Gears of War as a kid, I felt like I had experienced a new level of mature video gaming. My first thoughts about Gears of War was, “Cool. This is what adults play.” Looking back 20 years later, however, it's a different story.
I still have a special place in my heart for Gears of War, but there's a reason I thought it was deep as a kid
With the launch of Gears of War: Reloaded last year I jumped in again. Before that, it must have been about 15 years since I replayed the first game. When I jumped back into Marcus Fenix's story, it didn't take long for me to realize that I had matured a lot since the first time I played. Gears of Wars influence on gaming cannot be understated, but it was definitely not the deep and gritty story that I had remembered it as. I still enjoyed replaying it, but after two decades of improvements not only in gameplay, but in-game writing and storytelling, it's now a far cry from the “grown-up” feeling I had when playing with my childhood friends.
If anything it felt like I was back in middle school and not because of nostalgia. Now, Gears of War feels more like a 13 year old's idea of what a deep war story is. I don't even say that as a bad thing either. I was a tomboy growing up, so young macho energy is nothing new to me. After so many years I had just built up Gears of War in my head as a much more mature and layered story similar to something like Save Private Ryan of video games. Honestly, it was just hard to see it with new eyes. Marcus, Dom and the rest of the crew are incredibly one-dimensional with tough personalities. Since then there have been several Gears of War games that have helped the series evolve. The early days of the franchise simply planted the seeds for something more because, as the series progressed, so did the writing and characters.
This isn't the first time this has happened to me when returning to an old favorite either. Not necessarily with a game's story, but with other aspects, like mechanics and the overall gameplay loop. Sometimes you forget that your memories of a game are based on your age and understanding of the world at the time. Of course, thought a 10-year-old Gears of WarThe story was a revolutionary moment in storytelling. I had barely lived.
Gears of War Being a product of its time is not a bad thing
While I was mistakenly expecting a thoughtful story, mowing down alien enemies is a blast regardless of the story. Will come back to Gears of War after so long may have shattered my rose-tinted glasses under Marcus Fenix's comically large boot, but the plot is still as solid as ever. Gears of War is still one of the best action games out there, even if some of its controls are dated.
In the game's defense, it does try to say something deeper, but what it says just struggles to break through the surface. Gears of Wars themes deal with the bonds of brotherhood and the mental toll of war. With Coalition of Governments abbreviated to COG and soldiers called Gears, the metaphor is crystal clear, so at least there's something there. My ability to understand stories has just changed drastically since I was 10 – thank goodness.
After Revisiting Gears of War, Gears of War: E-Day is Hopefully the Gut-Punch I'm Craving
I love a tear jerker. Since the first days Gears of Wargaming isn't just about great gameplay anymore. It has become a medium for storytelling on a par with film and television. My favorite gaming stories of the past few years have been some of the most heartbreaking, like The last of us part 2, God of war (2018), and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. When Gears of War: E-Day announced in 2024, it definitely hit me in a similar way that the original game's “Mad World” trailer did. There is a deep air of melancholy that I hope comes across. Because it's a prequel to Gears of War taking place on the outrageous E-Day event, it's the perfect opportunity to bring out Gears of Wars most emotionally complex story to date.
Gears of War: E-Day doesn't have an official release date yet, but it's expected sometime in 2026.
What happens on E-Day is a defining moment, especially for characters like Dom Santiago. Gears of War: E-Day, that takes place during this moment, involves a great deal of emotional intensity. After two decades of in-game storytelling becoming stronger and more well-rounded, the franchise's prequel hopefully hits the deeper notes that 10-year-old me once felt in the first Gears of War.
