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For a first playthrough, start with Gears of War: Reloaded, then play Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4, and Gears 5. Although Gears of War: E-Day is chronologically first, it is a prequel; playing the original first preserves the series’ original introduction and reveals.
Recommended Gears of War order for a first playthrough
Follow the mainline games in release order. This lets you meet the setting and characters as the original games introduced them.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War 2 - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $18.74 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $14.17 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $25.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gears of War 4 - Xbox One (Renewed) | $21.99 | Buy on Amazon |
- Gears of War: Reloaded — a remaster of the original Gears of War.
- Gears of War 2
- Gears of War 3
- Gears of War 4
- Gears 5
The official Gears of War game catalog identifies the series entries and their story context. The recommendation to play the mainline games in release order is intended for newcomers who want the original sequence of introductions and reveals.
Where E-Day, Judgment, Tactics, and Hivebusters fit
Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day takes place fourteen years before the original game, making it first in chronological order. It launched on October 6, 2026. For a newcomer, play at least the original game before going back to this prequel; chronology alone does not make it the clearest starting point. See the Xbox E-Day listing and the Xbox Wire launch article for current availability information.
#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Gears of War: Judgment
Judgment is a prequel set in the immediate aftermath of Emergence Day. If you want to include it while keeping the original trilogy together, play it after Gears of War 3 and before Gears of War 4.
Gears Tactics
Gears Tactics is a strategy spin-off, so it is optional if your goal is to follow the shooter campaigns.
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.
Hivebusters
Hivebusters is a campaign expansion for Gears 5. Play it after the main game.
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Gears of War: Reloaded is the practical starting choice on a supported platform. Xbox describes it as a remaster of the original and says it includes the full breadth of content from Ultimate Edition, including the bonus campaign act, multiplayer maps and modes, and unlockable characters and cosmetics. Its platforms are Xbox Series X|S, Xbox PC, Xbox Cloud Gaming, PlayStation 5, and Steam. It also supports cross-play and cross-progression. Check the Xbox Wire announcement for the platform and content details.
Rank #3
- 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.
The announcement listed a $39.99 standard retail price at launch; that is not a promise of current or region-specific pricing, so check your storefront. Xbox also said that digital owners of Ultimate Edition who met the May 5, 2025 cutoff qualified for a free Reloaded upgrade. Do not assume an older physical copy qualifies.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Gears of War: E-Day editions and availability
As of October 7, 2026, Xbox lists E-Day as released on Xbox Series X|S and PC, including Steam, and included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Xbox Play Anywhere supports access on Xbox console and PC with shared progression. Subscription tiers and storefront availability can change; consult the current regional Xbox product listing.
Rank #4
- 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.
| Edition | What it includes | Price and availability notes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | The base game. | Xbox listed $69.99 on the consulted US product page; regional prices and availability may differ. |
| Premium | The game plus digital extras, including a weapon pack, seasonal customization packs, and premium in-game currency. Early access was a launch-period benefit. | Xbox listed $99.99 on the consulted US product page; regional prices and availability may differ. |
| Collector’s Edition | Physical collectibles, including a 15-inch Marcus and Dom statue, replica COG tags, art print, in-game photo, thank-you note, custom SteelBook case, and the game. | Limited quantities; availability varies by region. The Xbox Series X bundle includes a physical disc, while the Steam version supplies a digital token. |
The edition details are from the official E-Day editions announcement and Collector’s Edition announcement. Online campaign co-op and multiplayer require a Game Pass subscription tier that includes online multiplayer, sold separately; verify the applicable requirement for your platform and region on the current product listing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 25 Years after Gears of War 3, spurred by a series of strange disappearances, JD Fenix must embrace his father’s legacy and battle a terrifying new enemy
- Never Fight Alone: Enjoy two-player co-op with friends locally via split-screen, over Xbox Live or LAN. Player 2 can select either Kait or Del
- Redefined Cover Gameplay: New close-cover combat moves and combat-knife executions turn each piece of cover into an offensive opportunity
- Brutal New Weapons: An incredible arsenal of new weapons includes the Buzzkill and Dropshot, which can shoot around and over cover, raining destruction from all angles
Choose an edition based on what you want to play
- Want the original series introduction? Get Reloaded on a platform you own, then continue with games 2 through 5.
- Only interested in the newest prequel? Choose an E-Day edition based on whether you want just the base game, digital extras, or physical memorabilia.
- Want to play with someone else? Reloaded supports two-player campaign co-op and cross-play. E-Day supports campaign co-op, with online subscription requirements.
- Choosing between digital and physical E-Day editions? The Collector’s Edition has a physical Xbox disc option; its Steam version uses a digital token. Check local stock before buying.
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.
