Do I Need to Play Gears of War: Judgment Before 4?
The short answer is: no, you absolutely do not need to play Gears of War: Judgment before Gears of War 4. While Judgment is a part of the Gears universe, it’s essentially a standalone spin-off and a prequel that doesn’t directly contribute to the core narrative arc that connects Gears of War 1 through Gears of War 5. However, like many prequels, playing Judgment might enhance your appreciation of certain characters and lore, albeit in a subtle way. Let’s delve deeper into why this is the case and what benefits (or lack thereof) you might gain from playing Judgment before Gears 4.
Understanding Gears of War: Judgment’s Place
Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel set before the original Gears of War trilogy. It focuses on Damon Baird and Augustus Cole’s adventures as part of Kilo Squad, showcasing their earlier days and a specific event leading to their court-martial. This is a marked departure from the main storyline of Gears, which revolves around Marcus Fenix, Dom Santiago, and the Locust War.
Narrative Independence
The events in Judgment don’t have direct ramifications on the narrative of Gears of War 4. Gears 4 takes place 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3, introducing a new generation of characters, including JD Fenix (Marcus’s son), and a new threat, the Swarm. Judgment’s storyline is largely self-contained and doesn’t intersect with the primary storyline of Gears 4. You can think of Judgment as an isolated historical event within the Gears universe.
Character Backgrounds
While you’ll see familiar faces in Judgment, their younger selves are not crucial to understanding their roles in Gears 4. Judgment serves to flesh out Baird and Cole’s personalities, showing a different side of them from the stoic veterans of the later games. Knowing this backstory doesn’t significantly alter the way you experience them in Gears 4 as older, more mature characters. It’s nice to have, but it’s far from essential.
Missing References?
Gears of War 4 and later entries in the series primarily reference the original trilogy (Gears 1-3). There are few to no direct callbacks or plot points that rely on the events or characters introduced in Judgment. You won’t be scratching your head about missing information by skipping Judgment. Therefore, you won’t miss out on crucial details or plot elements by jumping straight to Gears 4. The narrative in Gears 4 is crafted to be accessible to new players, meaning prior knowledge of Judgment is not necessary.
Gameplay Differences
Gears of War: Judgment also introduces some significant changes to gameplay mechanics, like the removal of the D-pad weapon selection and the implementation of a class system in multiplayer. Gears 4 returns to the core gameplay mechanics of the original trilogy, making the experience of playing Judgment somewhat less relevant to preparing for Gears 4 from a purely gameplay perspective. In short, even from a mechanical viewpoint, playing Judgment doesn’t really help you much.
Conclusion: Your Choice
In conclusion, while Gears of War: Judgment can be an enjoyable experience for a dedicated Gears fan, it is not a necessary step to fully understand and enjoy Gears of War 4. Playing Judgment offers character backstories and a unique perspective on the universe, but it is a self-contained narrative. Your understanding and engagement with the central narrative of Gears of War 4 will not suffer in any way by skipping Judgment. Start with Gears of War 1 for the most impact, if you’re diving in for the first time, and work your way through the mainline series. Judgment can be treated as a fun side story.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions that should provide even more clarity about playing Gears of War: Judgment in relation to the main Gears of War series:
1. Is Gears of War: Judgment a direct sequel to any game?
No, Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel to the entire Gears of War franchise, not a sequel to any of the prior games. It takes place before the events of the original Gears of War.
2. Does the story in Judgment tie into Gears of War 4?
No, the storyline of Gears of War: Judgment is independent and doesn’t have direct implications or connections to the events of Gears of War 4. It’s a largely self-contained narrative set in the past.
3. Is Gears of War: Judgment worth playing?
If you are a fan of the Gears franchise, Judgment is a solid experience, though it has a mixed reception among fans. It offers a different perspective on the Gears universe with different gameplay mechanics that may or may not appeal to all players.
4. Should I play Gears of War in release order?
Yes, it is generally recommended to play the main series in release order starting with Gears of War (2006), then Gears of War 2 (2008), Gears of War 3 (2011), Gears of War 4 (2016), and then Gears 5 (2019). Judgment (2013) is best enjoyed after the main trilogy.
5. Does Gears of War: Judgment explain the origins of the Locust?
No, Judgment does not focus on the Locust origin story. That storyline is explored more directly in the core trilogy. Judgment deals with a specific event focusing on Baird and Cole’s earlier military careers.
6. Is Gears of War 4 a direct sequel to Gears of War 3?
Yes, Gears of War 4 is a direct sequel to Gears of War 3, set 25 years after the events of the original trilogy, introducing new characters and a new threat.
7. How much time passes between Gears 4 and Gears 5?
The time gap between Gears 4 and Gears 5 is short – approximately two weeks. This time was used as an opportunity for a prequel book, Gears of War: Ascendance.
8. Are Gears 4 and 5 connected?
Yes, Gears 5 is a direct sequel to Gears of War 4, continuing the story of Kait Diaz and her journey. The two games should be played in order to understand the overall narrative arc.
9. Is Gears of War 5 stronger than Gears of War 4 in terms of the narrative?
In the context of the article, it’s not clear what “stronger” narrative means. If we consider it from gameplay perspective, Gears 5 expands the formula, offering a semi-open world and deeper character progression. If it is about plotline, Gears 5 continues the story from 4 with the same main characters and villains, so it is a direct continuation.
10. Why is Gears of War called just Gears now?
The Gears of War title was shortened to Gears for Gears 5 to make the branding cleaner and more concise. Many people were already referring to it as just Gears.
11. Does Marcus Fenix appear in Gears of War: Judgment?
Marcus Fenix has a very brief cameo in Gears of War: Judgment. He is not a significant character in that particular game.
12. What are the main differences between Gears of War: Judgment and the main trilogy games?
Judgment features gameplay changes like the removal of D-pad weapon selection, a new class system in multiplayer, and a story that’s focused on a courtroom drama.
13. Does Gears of War 4 focus on new characters?
Yes, Gears of War 4 introduces a new generation of characters, such as JD Fenix, Kait Diaz, and Delmont Walker, while also featuring appearances by some older characters.
14. Is Gears of War: Judgment after Gears of War 3?
No, despite its release date, Gears of War: Judgment is a prequel set before Gears of War 1.
15. What order should I play all Gears games?
The recommended order is: Gears of War (2006), Gears of War 2 (2008), Gears of War 3 (2011), Gears of War: Judgment (2013), Gears of War 4 (2016), and Gears 5 (2019). This combines release order with the general narrative flow.