How Long Does It Really Take to Beat Gears of War 4?

The question “How long does it take to beat Gears of War 4?” is deceptively simple. The answer, like a well-executed chainsaw bayonet charge, depends entirely on your playstyle. For the average player blazing through the main storyline, expect around 9 hours. Completionists, those brave souls seeking every collectible and achievement, are looking at a significantly longer campaign, averaging around 14 hours to achieve that coveted 100% completion. However, let’s delve deeper into the factors affecting your playtime and address some frequently asked questions.

Factors Influencing Gears 4 Playtime

Several elements contribute to the variance in completion time for Gears of War 4. These include:

• Difficulty Level: Playing on higher difficulties like Insane will inevitably increase your playtime. Enemies are tougher, requiring more strategic gameplay and potentially leading to more deaths and retries. Insane difficulty forces precision aiming and resource management, adding to the overall challenge and time commitment.
• Playstyle: Are you a “run and gun” type of player, or do you prefer a more methodical, cover-based approach? Taking your time to explore each area, utilizing cover effectively, and engaging in strategic combat will naturally extend your playtime.
• Completionism: As mentioned earlier, those aiming for 100% completion will need to dedicate considerable time to finding all the collectibles scattered throughout the game’s five acts. This includes COG Tags, memorabilia, and other hidden items.
• Co-op Play: Playing co-op can affect playtime in a couple of ways. It can make encounters easier, potentially speeding up progress. However, coordinating with a partner and dealing with potential mishaps can also introduce delays.
• Cutscenes and Dialogue: While skippable, many players enjoy the narrative elements of Gears of War. Watching all the cutscenes and engaging with the dialogue will, of course, add to your total playtime.

Understanding the Game’s Structure

Gears of War 4 is structured into five Acts, each further divided into several chapters. This episodic format makes it easy to track your progress and estimate how much time you have left. Here’s a basic breakdown:

• Act 1: Sets the stage, introducing the new characters and conflict.
• Act 2: Explores the growing threat and sets the characters on their journey.
• Act 3: Intensifies the conflict with more challenging encounters.
• Act 4: Builds toward the climax, revealing more about the Swarm and their motivations.
• Act 5: Concludes the main storyline with a final confrontation.

Knowing the number of chapters within each Act can help you pace yourself and predict your overall playtime. Remember, each Act also contains collectibles, so factor in extra time if you’re hunting for them all.

Gearing Up for a Second Playthrough

Even after completing the game once, many players find themselves drawn back for a second playthrough. This could be for a variety of reasons:

• Difficulty Challenge: Tackling Insane difficulty after gaining familiarity with the game.
• Achievement Hunting: Pursuing specific achievements that require particular actions or gameplay styles.
• Co-op Experience: Playing through the entire campaign with a friend.
• Narrative Appreciation: Re-experiencing the story and catching details missed the first time around.

A second playthrough can be significantly faster, especially if you’re skipping cutscenes and focusing on the objectives. However, even then, the playtime will still depend on the difficulty level and your chosen playstyle.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Here are some frequently asked questions related to the Gears of War 4 completion time and gameplay:

How hard is Gears 4 on Insane Difficulty?

The Insane difficulty in Gears 4 is unforgiving. Enemies deal significantly more damage, and you cannot be revived in single-player. Headshots are crucial for conserving ammo. It’s a challenge best suited for experienced players.

Should I play Gears 1-3 before Gears 4?

While understanding the history of the Locust and the established lore is helpful, it’s not essential. Gears of War 4 introduces a new generation of characters and a new threat, making it accessible to newcomers. However, if you have the time, experiencing the original trilogy enriches the overall experience.

How long is Gears 4 after Gears 3?

Gears of War 4 takes place 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3.

How many acts are in the Gears 4 campaign?

There are five Acts in the Gears of War 4 campaign.

Is Gears 5 a direct sequel to Gears 4?

Yes, Gears 5 is a direct sequel to Gears of War 4, continuing the story and focusing on Kait Diaz’s journey.

Is Gears 5 repetitive?

Some players find aspects of Gears 5 repetitive, but the open-world elements and freedom to approach objectives at your own pace help mitigate this.

Do you have to play all of Gears 4 before 5?

Yes, you should play through Gears of War 4 before playing Gears 5 to understand the story and character relationships.

How much time passed between Gears 4 and 5 in the storyline?

Only two weeks passed between the end of the events in Gears 4 and the beginning of Gears 5, which is explored in the prequel book Gears of War: Ascendance.

Can you play Gears 4 without playing the others?

Yes, it’s possible to play Gears of War 4 without playing the previous games, though you might miss some references.

Can I skip gears when shifting?

In a modern manual transmission car, it’s generally okay to skip gears when shifting up or down, depending on the situation and engine revs.

How many waves are in Gears of War 4’s Horde mode?

Horde 3.0 in Gears of War 4 features 50 waves of enemies.

Who do you fight in Gears 4?

You primarily fight the Swarm and the DeeBees in Gears of War 4.

Is Gears 5 on insane difficulty really that hard?

Gears 5 Insane difficulty, like Gears 4, presents a significant challenge, requiring expert knowledge of the game and strategic play.

Should I skip Gears of War 4 if I’m going straight to Gears 5?

No, you should definitely play Gears of War 4 before Gears 5 to understand the story and character development. Skipping it would result in significant narrative gaps and a less fulfilling experience.

Are Gears 4 and 5 connected?

Yes, Gears 4 and Gears 5 are directly connected, with the latter continuing the story established in the former.

Conclusion: Embrace the Horde

Ultimately, the playtime for Gears of War 4 is a personal journey. Whether you’re a speedrunner, a completionist, or simply looking for a fun co-op experience, the game offers a lot of replay value. From the pulse-pounding action to the intriguing story, there’s something for everyone in this installment of the Gears franchise. For those interested in the educational aspects of gaming and game-based learning, consider exploring resources like the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org, which delves into the many facets of how games impact learning and cognition. So, grab your Lancer, gather your squad, and prepare to face the Swarm!