I have no hesitation in naming Gears 5 on Xbox One as a triumph. The story is amazing, the multiplayer works perfectly, and Horde and Escape are the cherries on the cake.

Gears 5 is incredible, a true renaissance for the series. The changes made to campaign are exactly what I wanted the series to be. The multiplayer suite has something for everyone. This is just an incredible package that deserves its praises.

Gears 5 is perhaps the best entry in the long-running shooter series and stands as one of the best games of the Xbox One era.

Gears 5 is a very solid chapter of one of the cornerstones of gaming in Xbox format: an episode that proudly reaffirms the vigorous soul of Lancer's armed fighters and the talent of a studio like The Coalition, stopping just a step away from absolute excellence.

Gears 5 is an odd thing; it's neither a grand leap forwards, nor a complete rehash of what came before, and therefore sits somewhere in the middle of the two. On the whole, the improvements do outweigh the negatives (the non-linear approach to campaign levels and the small changes to horde mode being some of the most notable), and while The Coalition still has some work to do to really make the series its own, this is a far bolder and more varied approach the relatively safe Gears 4. If you love shooters and you want a good place to jump back into the series, this is perfect place to work the rust out of your lancer.

Gears 5 offers up an amazing campaign that isn't afraid to take risks, while staying true to its core. The new Escape mode is great, just like the additions to the iconic Horde mode. It's a shame the game suffers from many technical problems.

Gears 5 survives on its solid cover shooting gameplay and a campaign that isn't afraid to pose difficult questions about problematic topics. But the largely stagnant Horde mode and general mess of an Escape mode really pull the sequel back from being a bold step forward.