Gears of War 4 looks to be a throwback for a series that seemed to be suffering from an identity crisis. Though 2013’s Gears of War: Judgment wasn’t a bad game, it lacked the spark that made the original trilogy so popular, and its multiplayer never really found the same audience as the other games. It appears that Microsoft and developer The Coalition aren’t skimping on the ridiculousness in Gears 4‘s competitive mode, as a new trailer shows off some crazy new moves; and it’s a throwback to a simpler time in the best and worst way.
“Get Gory,” the trailer states in the beefy Gears of War font as a COG soldier drives his Lancer’s chainsaw into a downed enemy. The new “vault kick” and “yank” abilities are also highlighted; these give you a chance to quickly take out an enemy on the other side of a piece of cover, which should keep players on the move. The Gears of War series may have popularized the cover-based shooter, but it has never emphasized staying in one place for too long.
The new weapons may be the most “Gears of War” aspect of the trailer. The “Dropshot” allows you to fire a projectile over a piece of cover before it falls and destroys your enemy’s head, while the “Buzzkill” bounces blades between surfaces to turn targets into a mess of giblets.
The emphasis on over-the-top gore, hip-hop music, and the “LAN Ready” claim at the end of the trailer. It all feels straight out of 2006, which seems fitting, given the campaign’s return to the darker and more horror-based nature of the original Gears of War. But will a throwback be enough for the fans who’ve waited five years for the next “real” entry in the series? Only time will tell.
Gears of War 4 launches exclusively for Xbox One on October 11. An open beta will run next week, beginning on April 25.