Gears Tactics

fun action turn base game

Despite leaving a positive review for Gears Tactics, I *cautiously* recommend this title and suggest buying it with a discount. While its tactical combat has a solid and technologically advanced structure, it is the lack of diverse tactics that limit the game's potential. [list] [*]The combat is mostly resolved with guaranteed damage caused by Frag Grenades, Power Weapons, Chainsaws, and Bayonet Rush abilities. Frag Grenades are especially too strong since they deal extreme damage, can't miss, has AoE, and can be re-used between cooldowns. Might as well change the name of the game to "Frag Tactics". [*]When above methods are unavailable, Overwatch is preferred to (potentially) interrupt enemy actions instead of direct attacks. Combined with the guaranteed damage aspect, Gears Tactics feel like an 'ability puzzle' where you throw out surefire attacks whenever you can and you play defense when those are on cooldown, instead of choosing between uncertain odds, taking risks, and experiencing excitement or despair based on the outcome. [*]Enemy archetype isn't diverse enough, which also exacerbates the monotonous gameplay. Specifically, there should have been units that directly counter explosive damage and overwatch, and the concept of 'armor piercing' and armored enemies should have existed so critical damage isn't the only thing shooter classes pursue. [*]The highest difficulty is balanced poorly, and further necessitates the need of already-overpowered tactics. Enemies equipped with power weapons can consistently one-shot you, and the only way of surviving is not taking high cover inside their vision range, but breaking line-of-sight and completely running away from them. Revival options are completely pointless since your units instantly die when HP is at 0 instead of bleeding out like in lower difficulties. Healing is almost useless since one-shots are prevalent, and tanks (Vanguards) can't do their role until they reach Level 5. The way they handled the hardest difficulty is basically introducing bullet sponges and instant-kills, which feels cheap, and thus I also have to play cheap (I did complete Experienced and Insane, the two hardest options). [*]Basic kill-them-all mission types such as Incursion and Sabotage are boring since there is no turn limit, while Rescue and Control are significantly more difficult than the others since time is finite. It feels like there is no middle ground when it comes to the sense of difficulty between mission types. And despite the increased challenge, I still find myself taking Rescue, Control, and Scavenger Runs more often just to avoid the boredom that the first two missions provide. [/list] Gears Tactics is a game with solid bones and refined mechanics. As a XCOM maniac, Gears Tactics has (or had) potential to be the greatest turn-based tactics game that could surpass XCOM: Enemy Within and even Long War, but unfortunately it is hamstrung by its lack of tactical depth. This feeling I got from GT is similar to other Gears title in general, where the game is supported by the strongest game engine and the smartest engineers in the game industry, but the designers who create content and establish the depth of combat are not pulling their weight. I still recommend Gears Tactics since it is a good take on the traditional genre that has been stale since the release of XCOM, but due to its flaws, I also suggest not buying it at a full price. Get at least 25% discount for the purchase.

Great game

i have never seen a game start great and slowly destroy itself by the last act what starts as a enjoyable tactics twist on gears of war turns into a bloated down mess filled with mandatory repeating side missions that blur together into a fog of godawful game design the ♥♥♥♥ cherry on top is the absolutely attrocious final boss fight that sucked the life out of me and has me demanding the last 5 hours i've spent on it back and makes me wish i just spent the last 5 hours playing X-Com the worst thing too is how good and strong the game starts what an absolute shame

Enjoying the story and the similarities but simplification of Xcom like system. Not huge on the side missions, but still a very good game

buggy, repetitive, frustrating, unbalanced

good turn based strategy game with gears universe skin on top of it. story is okay, but i mean its not like its a front line gears game anyway. scratches a little bit of tht gears itch, but in a fun unique way of its own

fun xcom style game wish we had more customization

The game works really well as a 'tactis' style game. I'd say get it if you enjoy the Gears universe and it's on sale. It's fun and really well optimized.

A great take on the Gears franchise doubled by a solid and modern tactical. Combat feels satisfying, there are cool features and systems to explore and the story is quite efficient. It gets a tad repetitive though! But if you're a fan of Gears and/or of the genre, you should play this game, for sure!