The Coalition recently announced that it will be revealing Gears 5‘s multiplayer this summer on TBS’ Eleague show. Though certain aspects from Gears of War 4, like Horde mode, are expected to carry over, there’s room for more competitive and cooperative options. Free-for-all, Wingman, and Search and Destroy are a few modes that should be included in the game when it launches exclusively for Xbox One later this year. Check out what else Gears 5 multiplayer should offer below.
Gears 5 Multiplayer Wishlist | Free-for-all
Fans who are tired of relying on teammates during standard Team Deathmatch sessions may find Free-for-all mode more suitable. As its name suggests, this multiplayer option allows up to 10 players the chance to duke it out individually rather than in a group. Though Free-for-all is a departure from the series’ cooperative roots, it proved to be a popular mode in Gears of War: Judgment.
It’s a mystery why The Coalition didn’t bring it back for Gears of War 4, but there’s a good chance it’ll reappear thanks to fan demand. The mode has tremendous opportunity is the esports scene, after all, considering how a player must rely solely on his or her own skills in order to rack up the most kills.
Gears 5 Multiplayer Wishlist | Blitz
Gears of War‘s King of the Hill modes aren’t different from those found in other contemporary shooters. In nearly every iteration so far, players are tasked with staying within the radius of a designated area in order to accrue points. The belligerent with the most team members alive is the side that’s granted more points over the other.
Blitz offers a nice alternative to this tradition, as the first team to enter the ring is the one that captures it. Leaving the area for whatever reason is considered an act of cowardice, and teams are awarded points every time the opposite side steps foot outside of the perimeter. In a way, Blitz can be considered a hardcore version of King of the Hill. Its return in Gears 5 would make a lot of die-hard fans happy, especially those who’ve played the original titles on Xbox 360. There’s also potential for Blitz to become popular in the esports scene due to its challenging nature.
Gears 5 Multiplayer Wishlist | Submission
Speaking of challenging game modes, Gears of War 2‘s Submission is considered the hardest the franchise has included so far. It’s similar to Capture the Flag in that it tasks two teams with capturing a civilian character and bringing him to a ring. The team who’s able to keep this “meatflag” in their area for five seconds wins the round.
The caveat here is that this civilian is hostile to both COG and Locust soldiers and is able to defend himself from being captured by either side. This “flag” can only be carried once it’s downed and can break free from an enemy’s grasp if he or she is knocked down with a grenade. Suffice it to say, one session of Submission may last a long time. However, the constant back and forth of the mode may make for compelling content for streaming audiences to enjoy should it be included in Gears 5.
Gears 5 Multiplayer Wishlist | Wingman
No matter how skilled a player may be solo, he or she must rely on a buddy when playing Gears of War 2 and 3‘s Wingman modes. Here, fans are put into pairs and tasked with taking down opposing teams execution-style. Teamwork is key to success in this feature, as one player can defend a location to allow the other to grab a powerful weapon, or one teammate can shoot down opponents from afar while the other massacres them up close and personal. Deceased partners can warn their living counterparts where enemies may lie on the map, too.
Wingman is unique enough to stand out among modern shooters who are still latching onto the battle royale trend. The mode is just as fun to play as it is to watch and makes for some satisfying content to stream casually with a buddy. It also has esports potential, as no other franchise in the market right now has pairs duke it out for a chance to win prizes.
Gears 5 Multiplayer Wishlist | Search and Destroy
It’s a shame that the Gears of War franchise hasn’t incorporated a variation of the familiar Search and Destroy mode in any of its titles so far. Typically, players are granted one life per round and tasked with either eliminating the enemy team or detonating a series of bomb sites.
When it comes to the Gears 5, the game could have COG soldiers or DeeBees exterminate Swarm nests that are filled with pods while the race attempts to defend itself. While the mode may not usurp the popularity of Rainbow Six Siege, it could serve to differentiate Gears of Wars‘ cooperative multiplayer component.
In addition to the above, Gears 5 would be wise to eschew the microtransaction model it deploys in Gears of War 4, as some fans found that it transformed cooperative modes into pay-to-win environments. Though the card system and randomized loot boxes are purely cosmetic, each feature is overpriced and forces players to grind extensively if they hope to avoid paying with real-life money.
Furthermore, the game would benefit from improved movement fluidity, as many of its shooter contemporaries are noticeably faster. Should The Coalition incorporate all of this and listen to the community’s feedback on Gear of War 4, fans of the franchise may have an excellent sequel on their hands. If not, they’ll have another microtransaction-laden target to throw stones at.
