What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
iTechGuides is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Learn more
For a first playthrough, play the original-era games in release order: Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, then Gears of War: Judgment. If you are starting the first game now, Gears of War: Reloaded is the current remaster of that game—not a collection of all four titles.
The recommended order for a first playthrough
Use release order if you want to follow how the original series unfolded and reach Judgment as a later side story. That order is:
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War: Reloaded – PlayStation® 5 | $49.90 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War: Reloaded – PlayStation® 5 | $44.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $25.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
![Gears of War Reloaded [AT-PEGI] (100% Uncut) (PS5)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519r9dUB3IL._SL160_.jpg)
|
Gears of War Reloaded [AT-PEGI] (100% Uncut) (PS5) | $69.95 | Buy on Amazon |
- Gears of War (2006)
- Gears of War 2 (2008)
- Gears of War 3 (2011)
- Gears of War: Judgment (2013)
Microsoft’s Xbox backward-compatibility list identifies these as Xbox 360 titles and included all four for Xbox One compatibility. That list is historical evidence, not a guarantee that each game is currently purchasable or playable in every region. Check the local store listing and the platform you intend to use before choosing a version.
Why release order works
Judgment came out after the original trilogy, but its story is set earlier, in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. Playing it last preserves the release sequence and makes it a later-set side story rather than the opening chapter. The Xbox Store describes it as a prequel.
#1 Best Overall
- THE ORIGINAL, REMASTERED: Powered by Unreal Engine, Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the blockbuster first Gears of War, now fully optimized for PlayStation 5.
- ALL INCLUDED: Gears of War: Reloaded delivers all post-launch content for the original title, including a bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps, plus characters and cosmetics, at no additional cost.
- STUNNING GAMEPLAY: The iconic original now looks and plays better than ever with lightning-fast load times; 4K assets; remastered textures, lighting, shadows, and reflections; HDR; Dolby Atmos; Variable Refresh Rate; and up to 120 FPS in multiplayer.*
- CROSS-PLAY: Supports cross-play across platforms, allowing you and your friends to squad-up, regardless of where you play.*
- CROSS-PROGRESSION: Jump from one platform to another and your campaign saves. Signing in with your Microsoft account is required for cross-progression.*
If you prefer chronology over release history
You can start with Judgment if your priority is to encounter its earlier timeline setting first. Then play the original trilogy in release order. This is a preference, not the recommended first-play route: release order keeps the games in the sequence players originally encountered them.
Which version of the first game should you play?
Gears of War: Reloaded is the current remaster of the first Gears of War. Xbox Wire announced it for August 26, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam. The announcement says it includes the breadth of content in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, including the bonus campaign act and post-launch multiplayer content. Its campaign supports two-player co-op.
Rank #2
- The Original, Remastered: Powered by Unreal Engine, Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the blockbuster first Gears of War, now fully optimised for PlayStation 5.
- All Included: Gears of War: Reloaded delivers all post-launch content for the original title, including a bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps, plus characters and cosmetics, at no additional cost.
- Stunning Gameplay: The iconic original now looks and plays better than ever with no load times, 4K assets plus remastered textures, lighting, shadows and reflections, HDR, Dolby Atmos, Variable Refresh Rate as well as up to 120 FPS in multiplayer.*
- Cross Play: Supports cross-play across platforms, allowing you and your friends to squad-up, regardless of where you play.*
- Cross Progression: Jump from one platform to another and your campaign saves. Signing in with your Microsoft account is required for cross-progression.*
Reloaded covers the first game only. After finishing it, continue with Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Judgment as separate entries; do not expect the remaster to include those sequels.
Recommended Free Tools
Reloaded and Ultimate Edition
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition is another remastered and modernized version of the original, according to its Xbox Store description. It remains a useful name to recognize if it is already in your library or appears in an account you own. The available facts do not establish current retail formats, stock, or region-specific purchasing options for either edition, so check the listing for your platform rather than assuming a particular format is available.
Rank #3
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Includes full game of the original Gears of War remastered in 1080p.
- Play five campaign chapters never released on console.
- Experience competitive multiplayer in 60FPS with 19 maps and six game modes.
| Version | What it is | Platforms or access established here | What to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gears of War: Reloaded | Current remaster of the first game | Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam, per Xbox Wire’s August 26, 2025 announcement | Includes the content breadth of Ultimate Edition, including the bonus campaign act and post-launch multiplayer content; campaign supports two-player co-op |
| Gears of War: Ultimate Edition | Remastered and modernized version of the first game, per the Xbox Store | Not stated here | A relevant version to recognize if you already own it; verify the current platform listing |
Where you can play the games
The original four are Xbox 360 titles. Microsoft’s 2016 backward-compatibility list included them for Xbox One, but that historical compatibility information does not settle current availability, purchase options, or service access. Store catalogs and cloud-play rights can vary by region and change over time.
The Xbox Store’s current listing for Judgment describes it as playable on Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S, as well as through cloud gaming. The listing also displays cloud-play inclusion with Game Pass Premium and Ultimate. These are changeable subscription and service details: confirm the title’s local listing, your plan, and regional availability before relying on them.
Rank #4
- German packaging. German instructions. Completely German playable.
- 4K resolution 60 FPS in the campaign 120 FPS in multiplayer mode
- High Dynamic Range (HDR) Dolby Vision and 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos 7.1.4 3D Room Sound
- Variable refresh rate (VRR) 4K assets and re-mastered textures Enhanced visual post-processing effects
- Improved shadows and reflections Super resolution with improved anti-aliasing. No loading screens during campaign
Check access before you plan the sequence
- Search the Xbox Store or the relevant platform’s store for the exact game and edition you want.
- Confirm the listing names your console or platform. For cloud play, check that the game and cloud option are available in your region and included with your current plan.
- For a game already in your library, verify that it can still be installed or launched on your device; historical backward compatibility alone does not establish current store access.
- For Reloaded, select it as the first-game remaster only. Plan for separate access to the other three entries if you want the full release-order playthrough.
Playing alone or in co-op
Xbox Wire says the Reloaded campaign supports two-player co-op. The Xbox Store listing for Judgment lists local co-op. Those statements do not establish every mode, network requirement, or co-op option on every platform, so check the individual platform listing for the exact local, online, and subscription requirements before arranging a session.
If co-op is important, confirm the mode before buying or installing: “two-player co-op campaign” for Reloaded and “local co-op” for Judgment are the specifically established details. Do not assume that a feature listed for one title or platform applies to the whole series.
Quick Recap
A quick decision guide
- First time through: play Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Judgment.
- Starting the first game on a current platform: choose Reloaded if it is available on your platform and suits your needs; it is the remaster of the first game, not a four-game bundle.
- Already own Ultimate Edition: it is a remastered and modernized version of the first game; check your library and platform listing before replacing it with another version.
- Want the earlier timeline setting first: start with Judgment, then play the trilogy in release order.
- Need Xbox backward compatibility or cloud access: check the current local store and service listing. The 2016 compatibility list is historical, and subscription access can change.
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.
