
All Gears of War games organized by their release date and in chronological order.
The Coalition
The initial Gears of War trilogy on the Xbox 360 introduced players to the world of Sera, Delta Squad, and the Locust Horde, which posed a significant threat to humanity. Since then, the franchise has expanded to encompass sequels, prequels, and titles that veer away from the original genre, resembling the experience of playing the Halo games in order. While you could opt to play just the main numbered titles sequentially, every Gears of War game (with one exception) contributes to the overarching narrative, particularly Gears of War: E-Day. Unlike the Doom series, which has considerable lore but keeps it somewhat peripheral, the storyline of Gears plays a vital role in elevating these games beyond mere shooters. We have been roadie running with Marcus since 2006, and we'll provide you with a detailed guide on how to enjoy the entire series in both release and chronological order.
All Gears of War games in release order
Xbox
Gears of War was among the most remarkable Xbox 360 titles at its launch, setting the stage for what would become a massive franchise. The original developer, Epic Games, delivered three main titles before passing the reins to The Coalition, although a few other teams have also contributed to the Gears universe. If you’re looking to start the series, playing in release order is a solid choice. With the original game re-released as Gears of War: Reloaded, revisiting the first installment has become easier than ever. However, this complicates the release order if you rely on the numbering, especially since the franchise was briefly branded simply as "Gears."
To experience the Gears saga as it was originally presented, excluding any remakes or remasters, here’s the official release order:
- Gears of War (2006)
- Gears of War 2 (2008)
- Gears of War 3 (2011)
- Gears of War: Judgment (2013)
- Gears of War 4 (2016)
- Gears 5 (2019)
- Gears POP! (2019)
- Gears Tactics (2020)
- Gears of War: E-Day (TBD)
All Gears of War games in chronological order
The Coalition
You can generally assume that the numbered entries follow a linear progression, but how do the non-numbered entries fit in? These titles are particularly noteworthy as they enrich the lore by introducing characters outside of Marcus and delve into previously unexplored segments of the timeline. Experiencing the series in chronological order may provide the best overall experience, as the main games often drop players into the narrative without sufficient context. Understanding the timeline, how you arrived at certain points, and the events that transpired up to that moment amplifies the emotional impact.
The only game you can skip for a chronological playthrough is Gears POP!, but otherwise, follow this order:
Note: The Gears timeline is denoted by years Before Emergence Day (B.E.) or After Emergence Day (A.E.)
- Gears of War: E-Day (0 B.E)
- Gears of War: Judgment (0 A.E.)
- Gears Tactics (1 A.E.)
- Gears of War / Gears of War: Reloaded (14 A.E.)
- Gears of War 2 (14 A.E.)
- Gears of War 3 (17 A.E.)
- Gears of War 4 (42 A.E.)
- Gears 5 (42 A.E.)
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