Gears games have traditionally had a linear structure, which allowed them to deliver some jaw-dropping set-pieces that pushed the console’s technology to its limits. In Gears 5, the areas you can explore are much more open-ended, allowing you to venture off the beaten path and discover secrets hidden in the world of Sera. You can traverse these larger environments in the Skiff – a kind of wind-surfing vehicle that can slide across sands and snows with style.

Along with the new open-ended structure comes new opportunities to experience the world of Sera away from the main story, in the form of side-quests. You’ll get these from Outsiders that are wandering the world and they’ll reward you with components that can be used to craft upgrades for your robot buddy JACK.

Speaking of JACK, Gears 5 marks the first time our little machine pal is playable. If playing the campaign solo, or in two-player co-op, you can issue commands to the AI-controlled character, but JACK is also a fully-playable member of the team. This is a great option for players who want to get involved in the action but aren’t masters of gunplay.

Escape is a brand new mode coming to Gears 5, in which a squad of three must fight through a Swarm hive, surviving rapidly escalating combat scenarios long enough to make it to a chopper for evac. Unlike Horde, which has traditionally been about hunkering down and fortifying your position, Escape demands fast-paced, aggressive play, as you attempt to free yourself from the terrifying depths of the hive.

Fans of Versus aren’t going to be left out when it comes to new features, either. Arcade is an all-new multiplayer mode coming to Gears 5, offering a completely new spin on player vs player action. Arcade mode changes things up, giving each character unique skills, equipment, and upgradeable stats. In addition, racking up kills in Arcade will grant you skulls, which you can use to purchase stronger firepower.

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