Review: Gears Tactics (Steam)

Gears Tactics is the fast-paced, turn-based strategy game from one of the most acclaimed video game franchises – Gears of War. Outnumbered and fighting for survival, recruit and command your squad to hunt down an evil mastermind who makes monsters.

Pros:

• Gorgeous graphics.
• 28.8gb download size.
• Xbox login integration.
• Benchmark test.
• Full controller support.
• Steam achievements.
• 5 save slots.
• Four difficulties-Beginner/intermediate/experienced/insane.
• Iron man mode-on/off. (characters permadeath)
• Turn-based strategy gameplay.
• XCOM influenced game.
• Save and exit option.
• Can down enemies and then execute them.
• Crates-level rewards and found in le els, these give tiered loot based on rarity for equipment and weapons.
• Loadout-weapons/armour/appearance.
• Each squad member earns EXP and levels up for skill points to put in their own skill tree.
• Deployment screen-pick your team.
• Tac Com-use it in level to show buffs and disadvantages.
• A-action points that dictate what actions you can do.
• AAA quality cutscenes.
• When targeting an enemy you get a hit percentage and damage percentage.
• Fast-paced combat and enemy turns move fast.
• Each mission has a main and an optional objective.
• Recruit-roster changes periodically but you can hire new recruits.
• Side missions are in the game to help progress to the story missions.
• Colorblind settings.
• Gore and mature filters can be turned on/off.
• Controls-rebind both controller and keyboard.
• Solid level design with a lot of cavernous routes.
• Remembers your last deployed squad.
• Missions can have modifiers that help or hinder you.
• Maintains the Gears humor.
• When moving around you get lines of sights from enemies so you K ow if you are moving into trouble.
• Can move someone as another is moving.
• Veteran mode-after finishing the game you get rolling objectives and new loot.
• Easy or casual difficulty took 20 odd hours to finish.
• 3 acts with 8 levels in each for the story.
• Can use passives in such a way that you get a flow going.
• Passives-unlocked from the skill tree.
• Hide/show helmets and accessories.
• Crew roles-Vanguard/Support/Heavy/Scout/Sniper.
• Mission types-Sabotage/Scavenger/Control.
• Fog of war in use on the levels.
• Unlock new customize options for recruits as they can be changed in every way.
• Maintains core Gears mechanics and ideals like using the bow and boomer, rings in use for capturing zones, chainsaws.
• Heavy emphasis on action with endless numbers of enemies spawning.
• Loot rarity system in use.
• Completely playable with the controller.
• A lot of fun to play.
• Amazing set pieces.
• Compelling engaging story.

Cons:

• Long initial loads.
• Loves to default to mouse and keyboard.
• Using a controller is only pain when using the camera.
• Bayonet charges crashed the game a few times.
• Audio sync on cutscenes went crazy at a point.
• Long level playtimes.
• Looong boss fights.
• Player skill trees are the exact same for each role type.
• Maps and layouts feel repeated.
• Travelling is when a character can’t be used which is fine but you can’t access their gear to swap with others.