Is the Next Gears of War Game a Prequel?

Gears of War Game Informer

It’s possible. Game Informer’s got the scoop on the newest no-neck cover-based execution-loving third-person shooter from Epic Games, and while we don’t know much about it, we do know that it’s a brand new Gears of War game. It’s the particulars that get a little bit iffy.

So far, the big rumor that’s swirling around the tubes is that the fourth Gears of War game is a prequel. And not only that, but the first game in a prequel trilogy, developed by People Can Fly, the team that created Bulletstorm. The cover image from Game Informer’s July issue would seem to indicate that this new game could possibly show how Marcus Fenix ended up in the prison cell when the first game started.

As much as I’ve adored the Gears of War franchise, count me among the people in the world that is just not that excited by the term “prequel” any longer. The problem with most prequels is that we’ve seen the end of the story already, so they just don’t hold the narrative steam of new content. And even though Epic and Co. insist that they can go a million different directions with the story, I’d rather see a new setting/universe, but with the same mechanics that make Gears of War unique. Why keep spinning out endless threads for a story that we’ve already explored to death? I guess we’ll find out more next week at E3.

So what do you guys think of the idea of a new Gears of War game? Do you dislike the idea of it being a prequel? Are prequels old news now? Go!

Update: Game Informer has updated the link, showing that the cover image is actually of both Cole and Baird in chains, not Marcus Fenix. So it looks like this will still be a prequel, but starring the two fan favorites. Does this change your feelings?

Source – Game Informer and CVG

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I write about samurai girls and space marines. Writer for Smooth Few Films. Rooster Teeth Freelancer. Author of Red vs. Blue, The Ultimate Fan Guide, out NOW!

8 thoughts on “Is the Next Gears of War Game a Prequel?”

  1. I’m mildly interested, but I’m with you Eddy, I’m sick of prequels. Especially since the Gears story is over, I don’t think a prequel would have any weight to me. It doesn’t help that the Pendulum Wars (the wars before Emergence Day) are heavily detailed in the novels (which I admit I have read), so I feel like I already know the story. So that would leave only the gameplay as a draw for me, and I felt like Gears 3 was the absolute refinement of the Gears formula. I’ll play it at E3, so I’ll reserve my judgments until then, but consider me skeptical.

  2. Updated the article to reflect the GI update: apparently the cover is of Cole and Baird. Interesting… I guess?

  3. [quote comment=”19403″]Updated the article to reflect the GI update: apparently the cover is of Cole and Baird. Interesting… I guess?[/quote]
    Notice the Locust, meaning it can’t be a prequel.

  4. The Locust war lasted about 14 years with the Gears trilogy taking place at the very end. Lots of time for a prequel.

  5. E-day up to Marcus Fenix goin to prison 10 years.
    Time Marcus Fenix spent in prison 4 years. Start of first game.
    The game will probably take place right after E-Day or during the ten year period that Marcus is not in prison.

  6. [quote comment=”19405″]The Locust war lasted about 14 years with the Gears trilogy taking place at the very end. Lots of time for a prequel.[/quote]
    When I was thinking prequel I was thinking Pendelum Wars. According to leaked info, it takes place shortly after Baird and Cole join the COG and Baird is tried for treason and blah blah blah. I don’t know, the whole thing seems so unnecessary to me. The franchise makes money, so I knew there would be more, but meh. Not feeling this. I might feel different after next week though.

  7. I just feel that after the epic conclusion to the trilogy, a prequel 1 year later doesn’t serve the franchise well.

    But I am open to changing to my mind.

  8. [quote comment=”19411″]I just feel that after the epic conclusion to the trilogy, a prequel 1 year later doesn’t serve the franchise well.

    But I am open to changing to my mind.[/quote]

    Baird and Cole never really got time to shine they were always overshadowed by Marcus and Dom. We can now see Sera before the Hammer Strikes and some of the questions brought up during the ending of the third game may be addressed. It would be very intresting if this game covered all the Baird and Cole segments from the other gears games when ever they were seperated from Marcus and Dom.

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