Gears of War 4

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Gears of War 4 are quite varied, with some positive aspects highlighted by reviewers such as Digitally Downloaded, GamesBeat, and NZGamer. These critics appreciated the well-written narrative that focused on themes of friendship, family, and legacy, providing emotional moments and unexpected twists. Digitally Downloaded specifically mentioned that the story fits well with the summer blockbuster style of the series, while GamesBeat praised the balance between drama and humor, maintaining emotional depth and meaning. NZGamer described the script as natural, fun, and epic, introducing new charismatic and likable characters. On the other hand, several critics pointed out negatives in the story of Gears of War 4. Reviewers like Cheat Code Central, GameSpot, and Metro GameCentral criticized the lack of depth and emotional substance among the characters, describing the narrative as predictable and uninspired. Cheat Code Central mentioned that the story felt like an extended prologue with more questions than answers, while GameSpot highlighted the forced and predictable nature of the narrative. Metro GameCentral specifically mentioned that the story campaign was fairly uninspired, especially for solo players, indicating a lack of engagement or innovation in the storytelling. Overall, the consensus among the critics leans towards a mixed reception of the story in Gears of War 4. While some reviewers appreciated the new direction and characters introduced in the game, such as Guardian and Impulsegamer, others felt that the narrative lacked the depth and impact of previous entries in the series. The positive aspects of the story, such as the engaging banter between protagonists and surprises along the way, as noted by DarkStation, were contrasted by criticisms of disjointed storytelling and lack of emotional depth. The varying opinions suggest that while Gears of War 4 succeeded in some aspects of its storytelling, it fell short in delivering a cohesive and impactful narrative that resonated with all critics.

The majority of critics praised the gameplay of Gears of War 4, highlighting its solid mechanics, satisfying combat, and the addition of new enemies and weapons. Critics like Cheat Code Central and Game Informer found the gameplay to be classic Gears of War third-person cover-based action that remained true to the series' roots while introducing enjoyable combat staples and diverse encounters. EGM and Game Rant appreciated the diversity of action sequences, new mechanics like close quarters combat, and the well-paced campaign, with GameCrate also mentioning the importance of teamwork and strategic gameplay in the cover-based combat system. However, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks in the gameplay of Gears of War 4. Digital Spy and GameSpot mentioned issues with pacing and repetitiveness, with the latter highlighting slow starts and repetitive situations that affected the overall experience. The Digital Fix noted minor pacing issues and repetitive elements in the campaign, while M3 and New York Daily News mentioned a lack of innovation and occasional lulls in the story-focused campaign mode. Overall, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the gameplay of Gears of War 4. The game is commended for its solid mechanics, engaging combat, and the successful integration of new elements while staying true to the series' core gameplay. Critics like IGN Italia and Trusted Reviews appreciated the familiarity of the gameplay for fans while introducing new enemies and weapons to keep things interesting. The addition of Horde mode with improved features and expanded multiplayer options was also well-received by critics, showcasing the game's ability to deliver a satisfying and immersive gameplay experience. Despite some minor criticisms, the general sentiment is that Gears of War 4 excels in delivering a solid and enjoyable gameplay experience that resonates well with both fans of the series and newcomers alike.

The majority of critics were highly impressed with the graphics and visual design of Gears of War 4, praising its stunning environments, detailed character models, and impressive weather effects. Critics like DarkStation, GameCrate, and God is a Geek highlighted the game's visually stunning elements, with DarkStation specifically mentioning the incredible environmental detail and variety that make it one of the most visually impressive games on the Xbox One. The use of Unreal Engine 4 was commended by Digital Spy for showcasing beautifully designed sci-fi industrial and naturalistic settings. The attention to detail in character models and particle effects was also noted by The Digital Fix, emphasizing the polished graphics and smooth performance even during chaotic scenes. While the overall sentiment towards the graphics and visual design of Gears of War 4 was overwhelmingly positive, there were some criticisms raised by a few critics. M3 expressed disappointment in the graphics, describing them as a refined version of what has been seen before but feeling outdated with mediocre enemy design and low-resolution environments. PCWorld mentioned soft and cartoony characters, blurry textures, and console port aesthetics as drawbacks to the game's visual presentation on PC. Despite these criticisms, they were in the minority compared to the overall positive reception from the critics. In conclusion, the consensus among the critics is that Gears of War 4 delivers exceptional graphics and visual design that elevate the gaming experience. The game was praised for its attention to detail, stunning environments, immersive weather effects, and overall visual fidelity. Critics like Guardian appreciated the impressive physics and environmental effects that added a puzzle-solving element to combat, while Trusted Reviews noted that the game managed to outdo itself with each spectacle and set piece. Overall, the majority of critics found Gears of War 4 to be a visually impressive and technically sound title that successfully met or exceeded expectations for a current-gen blockbuster game.

The Sound Design and Music of Gears of War 4 received high praise from the majority of critics. Ramin Djawadi's music composition was highlighted as excellent by Digitally Downloaded and VideoGamer, with Impulsegamer also mentioning a fitting musical score that enhances the overall experience. Gaming Age and Kill Screen appreciated the fantastic audio design, particularly the weapons, explosions, and gunshots, which added a sense of heft and immersion to the gameplay. God is a Geek commended the sound direction for dripping atmosphere from every surface and enhancing the overall presentation. On the downside, some critics pointed out issues with the Sound Design and Music of Gears of War 4. Digitally Downloaded noted that the voice acting could be drowned out by gunfire, impacting the overall experience. PCWorld highlighted a specific issue related to the lack of impact of controller haptics on PC, affecting the feel of the guns and the overall sound design. These criticisms suggest that there were some inconsistencies in the balance between sound effects, music, and voice acting, which may have detracted from the overall immersion and gameplay experience for some players. Despite some minor criticisms, the overall consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the Sound Design and Music of Gears of War 4. The seamless integration of audio elements, including a perfect mood-setting soundtrack, authentic sound effects, and talented voice cast, was widely appreciated. TheSixthAxis praised the solid voice cast and entertaining character chatter in multiplayer matches, while Video Chums highlighted the perfect mood-setting soundtrack. The general sentiment is that the sound design and music significantly contributed to the immersive experience of the game, enhancing the overall gameplay and atmosphere for players.

The voice acting in Gears of War 4 has received a mix of positive feedback from critics. AusGamers notes that while the new protagonist JD Fenix may come across as too vanilla compared to the iconic Marcus Fenix, Game Informer appreciates the upbeat and witty delivery of the voice acting, particularly highlighting JD Fenix's rapport with his cohorts. Additionally, GamesBeat praises the performances of characters like JD Fenix, Del, Kait, and Kait's uncle for providing a mix of serious and humorous interactions that contribute to the emotional depth of the story. God is a Geek also commends the strong performances and witty dialogue that make the characters engaging and entertaining. On the other hand, some critics express negative opinions about the voice acting in Gears of War 4. Digital Spy criticizes the new cast of characters for feeling generic and lacking the depth and impact of the original Gears of War characters. Kill Screen specifically points out JD Fenix's portrayal as too soft and lacking the superhuman qualities needed for the game's over-the-top world, although they do acknowledge Kait's performance as selling a world-weary viciousness better. PCWorld echoes similar sentiments, criticizing JD for being bland, whiny, and lacking charisma compared to other characters in the game. Overall, the consensus among critics leans towards a positive view of the voice acting in Gears of War 4. While there are criticisms regarding certain characters like JD Fenix and the new cast feeling generic, the majority of reviewers appreciate the performances of the voice cast, the varied and entertaining dialogue, and the emotional depth brought to the story through the voice acting. The voices of Liam McIntyre, Eugene Byrd, and Laura Bailey are specifically highlighted for their contributions to keeping the dialogue engaging. Despite some drawbacks, the overall sentiment is that the voice acting adds value to the immersive experience of the game and contributes to the entertainment factor, as noted by DarkStation and Video Chums.

In terms of the positives for Gears of War 4's technical performance, critics generally praised the game on both Xbox One and PC for its smooth gameplay experience. Many reviewers highlighted the solid frame rates and stable performance on the Xbox One, with Gaming Age noting that the game ran consistently on the console. The use of Unreal Engine 4 and Direct X12 was also commended by GamesBeat for enhancing the overall performance, while Easy Allies described the PC port as excellent and technically solid. PCWorld specifically lauded the PC version for being one of the best PC ports from Microsoft, with high frame rates and responsive controls. On the flip side, some critics did mention a few negatives regarding the technical performance of Gears of War 4. GameSpot reported technical issues on the Xbox One, including freezing and objectives not triggering, impacting the overall gameplay experience. Washington Post encountered framerate slowdowns in the campaign and lag in multiplayer matches on the Xbox One, highlighting performance issues that affected immersion. IGN Spain also noted stability issues with the multiplayer aspect of the game, indicating potential inconsistencies in the online experience for players. Overall, the consensus among critics regarding the technical performance of Gears of War 4 is largely positive, particularly on the Xbox One and PC platforms. The game was praised for its smooth gameplay, solid frame rates, and stable performance by various reviewers such as Guardian, who experienced smooth progression in multiplayer with minimal technical hiccups. While there were some reports of technical issues on the Xbox One, the majority of critics, like The Digital Fix and Wccftech, emphasized the excellent performance of the game on both platforms without significant server problems. The seamless cross-play functionality between PC and Xbox One, as highlighted by TheSixthAxis and ZTGD, further contributed to the overall positive reception of the technical aspects of Gears of War 4.

The majority of critics praised the replay value of Gears of War 4, particularly highlighting the multiplayer modes and Horde mode as major strengths. AusGamers commended the multiplayer and Horde mode for offering a lot of content and continuous support post-release. Cheat Code Central and Game Informer also appreciated the robust multiplayer experience provided by various match types and customization options, indicating a high level of replayability. Additionally, Digitally Downloaded and God is a Geek noted the addictive nature of Horde mode, with the latter mentioning the depth introduced by Bounty cards and modifiers, providing a compelling reason to keep playing. On the flip side, some critics pointed out certain drawbacks regarding the replay value of Gears of War 4. Giant Bomb and Giant Bomb (PC) mentioned concerns about the in-game currency system feeling biased towards real-money transactions, potentially impacting the overall experience for players. Video Chums expressed disappointment in the lack of variation and excitement in the competitive online modes, suggesting room for improvement in diversifying gameplay experiences. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment from the majority of reviewers leans towards the positive aspects of the game's replay value. In conclusion, the consensus among critics is overwhelmingly positive regarding the replay value of Gears of War 4. The multiplayer modes, particularly Horde mode, were highlighted as key components that contribute significantly to the game's longevity and enjoyment. Critics such as DarkStation and Trusted Reviews praised the extensive array of multiplayer activities and improvements in Horde 3.0, emphasizing the depth and fun provided by these modes. While there were some minor criticisms raised by a few reviewers, the general sentiment is that Gears of War 4 offers a compelling and replayable experience, making it a worthwhile addition to the franchise for both new players and fans of the series.