Gears of War Judgement Day: Game Review

Set fifteen years before the events of the first Gears of War, "Judgement Day" provides the most authentic first-hand account of some of the turmoil that occurred while Marcus Fenix was imprisoned elsewhere. After being apprehended and detained for questioning, you are tasked with reliving the memories of four COG soldiers, two of whom, Cole and Baird, are household names in the Gears of War franchise.

While many gamers will dismiss "Judgement Day" as a reskinned version of Gears of War, what they will get in return is a detailed look at the events surrounding Gears of War 3 and what the end of the Pendulum Wars looked like right after the Locust army arrived. The mythology of the franchise may not be significant to the casual gamer, but those who have been heavily invested in the game's lore since the mid-2000s will greatly appreciate the journey. The Easter egg hidden at the end of the game's spin-off mode "Aftermath" actually ties into the Gears of War 3 game.

With Gears of War being a dominant gaming franchise for nearly two decades, you'd think the story behind such a well-known brand would run out of aesthetic and momentum. However, "Judgement Day" gets the world-building right, which will burn for years and bridge the gap in the world of Gears of War.

While most spinoff games get lost in the hype of their cash grab micro transactional greed, "Judgement Day" only requires the traditional blood, sweat, and tears of gaming progression to advance further in the game's cosmetic ladder. While "Judgement Day" is considered a cult classic, all great works have flaws. One of the cons for players of this game, as minor as it may be, is the difficulty spike throughout its campaigns.

Some key features and interfaces in "Judgement Day" are simplified in this installment of the Gears of War series. Instead of moving with a squad equipped with an arsenal fit for an Army of Two mercenaries, you are limited to a two-weapon minimum. It doesn't feel like a distraction at first, until running and gunning into reloading heaven becomes your epiphany and you and the game over screen become neighbors.

"Judgement Day" is a rare example of what happens when a developer follows their instincts, continuing their journey to the video game hall of fame. As a gamer, I was frustrated at times while overcoming chaotic situations in the game's story mode, as well as how easily the death mechanic appeared to be effortlessly programmed in the game's code.

And it wasn't until the end of my journey through the game's campaign that I was left with a lasting impression of being very astonished by the immersive game-play of "Judgement Day" and the fact that it didn't hold back from showing you all the turmoil the humans of the Gears of War universe had been enduring for decades. Casual fans of the franchise may dismiss this title as a flop.

Regardless, "Judgement Day" is a game designed not only for Gears of War fans, but also for die-hard fans of every title bearing the Gears of War name. Looking at the Cogs' hierarchy and the narrative surrounding the supporting cast is a fitting complement to everything in the game's lore prior to Gears of War 4.

Copyright © 2021 LUiS Thompson