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For a first playthrough, follow the numbered games in release order: Gears of War (or its remaster, Gears of War: Reloaded), Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4, then Gears 5. Add Gears 5: Hivebusters after the fifth game if you want its extra campaign. Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel, but playing it first is a chronology choice rather than the best introduction to the series.
Recommended order for a first playthrough
- Gears of War or Gears of War: Reloaded — Start with the original story. Reloaded is a remastered, modernized version of that game, so it occupies the same story slot rather than adding a new chapter. The official franchise catalog presents the original and the series’ central storylines; the Reloaded page describes its return in remastered form.
- Gears of War 2
- Gears of War 3
- Gears of War 4
- Gears 5
This release-order route preserves the way the main saga introduces its characters, conflicts, and major reveals. For a straightforward run through the numbered story, you do not need to insert the prequel games between these entries.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War: The Poster Collection (Insights Poster Collections) | $24.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $14.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears of War (2-Disc Edition) | $37.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Gears of War 3 | $3.81 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Steamforged Games Gears of War The Card Game: Core Game - 2 Players, 30-60 Minutes of Gameplay... | $14.95 | Buy on Amazon |
Where the optional games fit
Gears of War: Judgment
Judgment is an optional prequel set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. It follows a young Damon Baird and Kilo Squad, making it an earlier-era side story rather than the next step in the numbered saga. You can play it after the original game if you want that context, or leave it until after the numbered campaigns. The official game description provides its setting and characters.
Gears Tactics
Gears Tactics is an optional turn-based strategy game set twelve years before the first Gears of War. The Coalition’s November 10, 2020 announcement describes a period when Sera’s cities are beginning to fall to the Locust Horde. Its earlier setting adds background, but it is not required to follow the numbered campaign sequence.
Gears 5: Hivebusters
Play Hivebusters after Gears 5. It is an additional campaign featuring Lahni, Mac, and Keegan, the Scorpio Squad members introduced in Gears 5’s Escape mode. The official expansion page identifies it as a campaign expansion, and the Gears 5 page gives the characters’ game context.
Where Gears of War: E-Day fits
Gears of War: E-Day is set fourteen years before the original game and tells an origin story about Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during the Locust emergence. Xbox Wire reported that it launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, for Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Game Pass, and Steam. The official game page describes the prequel; Xbox Wire’s launch announcement lists the date and platforms.
Rank #2
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
If you want strict story chronology, put E-Day first, followed by the older-era stories and then the numbered saga. If your goal is to experience the franchise in the order its main story was released, start with the original or Reloaded instead. The prequel’s earlier setting does not make it a necessary starting point.
Can you play the campaigns in co-op?
Co-op options vary by game and edition. The original Gears of War campaign supports solo play or co-op with one friend as Dominic Santiago, according to its official game page. Gears 5 supports three-player online or split-screen campaign co-op, as listed on its official page. Check the specific game and platform edition for its available modes.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Listen up, soldier. The world is in ruin. The Locust Horde has risen. It’s Human vs Horde, and here’s your mission: Pick a side, build a powerful deck, and win the war. The fate of the world is in your hands!
- Experience the gritty gunplay of the video game in this official two-player card game. Take command of the COG forces or the Locust horde and seize control of the battlefield, one chapter at a time.
- Strategise your way through each chapter, bolstering your forces with classic characters like Marcus Fenix, General Raam, August “Cole Train” Cole, Dominic Santiago, and Damon Baird.
- Every battle counts. Whatever happens in each chapter will change what comes next, so you’d better be ready to dominate. The deck you build and decisions you make will change the way you play each campaign, making this a game you can reload time and time again.
- Whether you're a hardened vet or a grass-green rookie, get ready to take cover and lay down suppressive fire. Your enemies are trying to take the line, soldier. You’d better shove back hard.
Rank #4
- This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
- Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
- Unparalleled gameplay
- One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
- Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
Rank #3
- Engaging and disturbing cinematic story
- Never Fight Alone
- Gears of War Extras: Map Packs 1 & 2, Theme - Emergence Day, Gamer Pics - Gears of War, Emergence Day
- Engaging and disturbing cinematic story
- Never Fight Alone
Quick route choices
- Main story, first time: Gears of War or Reloaded → Gears of War 2 → Gears of War 3 → Gears of War 4 → Gears 5.
- Include the extra campaign: Finish with Gears 5: Hivebusters.
- Explore earlier events: Add Judgment and/or Gears Tactics as optional prequels; play E-Day first only if strict chronology is your priority.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
