In late August, later this year, the once Xbox and PC-exclusiveGears of Warseries will break tradition and launch on PlayStation platforms with the upcomingGears of War: Reloaded. A remaster of 2006’sGears of War 1and 2015’sGears of War: Ultimate Edition,Gears of War: Reloadedwill have players replay through Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad’s first operation together, known as the Lightmass Offensive. WithReloadedexpected to prepare players forGears of War: E-Day’s release in 2026, it could be predicted that The Coalition would next work on aGears of War 2remaster afterE-Day’s debut. However, it may be lucrative for The Coalition to remaster a differentGearstitle afterReloadedandE-Day’s release:Gears of War Judgment.
Gears of War Judgment Explained
Released in early 2013 as the final game developed byGears of Warcreators Epic Games and the finalGearsgame to be developed for the Xbox 360,Gears of War Judgmentwas the fourthGearstitleever produced, following 2011’sGears of War 3. Despite being the fourthGearstitle and releasing after the climactic events ofGears of War 3,JudgmentwasGears’ first proper prequel game set several months after Emergence Day and about 14 years beforeGears of War 1’s Lightmass Offensive. WhileJudgmentis a prequel, most of its gameplay, weapon arsenal, enemies, and design are based on features fromGears of War 3, sometimes in non-canonical ways, such as the early appearance of the chainsaw Lancer.
In terms of narrative,Gears of War Judgmentfollows then-Lieutenant Damon Baird and his Kilo Squad on trial for disobeying the orders of Coalition of Ordered Governments’ Colonel Ezra Loomis. Each section ofJudgment’s campaign is split up by flashbacks recounted by each member of Kilo Squad, with players being able to play as Baird, Augustus Cole, Sofia Hendrick, and formerUIR soldier Garron Paduk.
As Kilo Squad attempts to defend the COG city of Halvo Bay from the invadingLocust General Zamil Karn, players can take part in optional declassified mission objectives. These often make levels more difficult by restricting available ammo, weapons, issuing a time limit, and more, similar toHalo’s skull modifiers.
Gears of War 2 Remastered Vs. Gears of War Judgment Remastered
With bothGears of War: ReloadedandGears of War: E-Daybringing players back to the past of the Locust War decades beforeGears of War 4andGears 5, it may be more opportune for The Coalition to remasterGears of War JudgmentbeforeGears of War 2. RemasteringJudgmentcould give new PlayStation fans a better perspective of the early years of the Locust War, withJudgmentexpected to take place right afterE-Day’s events. Additionally,Judgmentis currently only playable on the Xbox 360 or through modern Xbox consoles’ backwards compatibility, so remasteringJudgmentafterE-Daycould allow gamers to finally play Baird’s starring role on PC and PlayStation.
AJudgmentremaster could additionally help PC players gain a better view of the early Locust War, asGears Tacticstakes place one year after Emergence Day. However,Judgmentwasn’t a very popular game compared to its mainlineGearspredecessors.Gears of War Judgmentreceived many mixed reviewsdue to its lack of features, and it only sold one million copies by August 2013, compared toGears of War 3, which sold over three million copies in its first week alone. Due to these factors, it may be better if The Coalition simply remasteredJudgment’s campaign or lump it in alongside aGears of War 2or3remaster, similar to howHalo 3: ODST’s campaign was later added toHalo: The Master Chief Collection.
The Potential of a Gears of War 2 Remaster
IfGears of War: Reloadedproves to be a critical and financial success on PC, PlayStation, and Xbox, it may be better to remasterGears of War 2next, especially if the rumoredGears of War Marcus Fenix Collectionnever comes into fruition.Gears of War 2is often regarded as the bestGears of Wargamedue to its emotional and thrilling campaign as well as the introduction of Horde mode, which went on to inspire many games to develop similar wave-based PVE modes. However, despiteGears of War 2’s widespread critical and financial success,Gears of War 2has never been updated beyond the Xbox 360 and is only playable through modern Xbox consoles’ backwards compatibility.
Gears of War: Reloaded
WHERE TO PLAY
Experience the origins of one of gaming’s most acclaimed franchises like never before. Featuring 4K resolution, up to 120 FPS support, and the ultimate multiplayer experience with cross-progression and cross-play, across all platforms, this is the definitive way to experience the game that started it all.
