The 10 most iconic moments in Gears of War history
Gears of War has made us laugh, cry and angry, and with the upcoming prequel only weeks away, let’s take a look at some of the most iconic moments in the Xbox series.
While every single game hasn't knocked it out of the park, Gears of War: Judgement, we’re looking at you, for the most part, there’s a good reason it’s remained one of Xbox’s most popular properties since its inception on the 360 in 2006; it’s simply fantastic.
Sure, it doesn't have the deepest gameplay mechanics, but for a pure, shoot-everything-that-moves kinda game with a bromance story that can keep you hooked from start to finish, you can’t go much wrong with the Gears of War series. And now, fans are looking forward to the aforementioned prequel, Gears of War: E-Day, which arrives next month on PC and Xbox Series X/S.
However, before we get to the release of Gears of War: E-Day, let’s take a look back at some of the most iconic moments in the series history that have provided us with all sorts of mixed emotions. Oh, and it should really go without saying, but just in case, this article will have spoilers. So, you have been warned.
Most iconic Gears of War moments ever
First encounter with General RAAM (Gears of War)
The first time we saw the menacing General RAAM was in the original Gears of War when he dramatically walked through flames in slow motion, approached Lieutenant Minh Young Kim, before he lifted the unfortunate COG soldier off the ground, and impaled him brutally through the chest with his serrated knife right in front of his Delta Squad, with a helpless Marcus Phoenix and Dominic Santiago watching on. This moment perfectly set the tone for the big bad villain we’d encounter later in the story.
Our first encounter with the Berserker (Gears of War)
This has to be one of the most terrifying moments in the series, at least when it was our first encounter with the Hulk-like Berserker. She may be blind, but she has super hearing and smell, and if you get in her way when she’s charging at you, it’s an instant game over, man. You’ll have no chance of killing her with your more conventional weapons. So instead, you have to lure her out of the claustrophobic tombs to the outside and blast her with the Hammer of Dawn. To this day, even for veteran fans of the series, the Berserker can raise your blood pressure in the worst way.
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Mad World trailer (Gears of War)
While this isn't an iconic moment in an actual Gears of War game, when it comes to hype trailers in the video game industry, it doesn't get much better than the cinematic “Mad World” trailer, featuring the song from ‘Tears for Fears’. This trailer was first released for the original 2006 game, and then for its first remaster, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, in 2015. Despite having no gameplay, it portrays the sadness and cruel nature of war. This is one of the best trailers of all time and most certainly, one of the most iconic moments in the series history.
Riftworm fight (Gears of War 2)
We were introduced to the armoured spider-like creature, the Corpser, in the original Gears of War, and it stands out as one of the most menacing Locust enemies. However, as much as that boss was a visual set-piece, the actual boss fight was a little underwhelming and run-of-the-mill, which is why it misses out as a standalone entry on this list. But that’s not the case with the titan, Riftworm.
The Riftworm is so big that not only can it destroy cities with ease, but it also takes a whole level to defeat it. After Delta Squad are swallowed by this creature, they battle enemies inside of it, and the only way to kill the Riftworm is to cut it open from within.
Brumak ride (Gears of War 2)
The Brumak is a T. rex-like creature, used by the Locust, and it wields machine guns and rocket launchers on its armour. If you’re old enough to remember the children's cartoon, Dino-Riders, you’ll get the picture. In Gears of War 2, rather than the Brumak chasing us, we mount this giant creature, and this time, it’s Delta Squad doing the chasing. We get to storm the battlefield, destroying every Locust in sight. It was one of the few moments the player felt truly overpowered in the series, and it was a great change of pace, swapping intensity for all-out silly fun. Good times.
Finding Maria (Gears of War 2)
This is one of the most heartbreaking moments in video game history, but it's still arguably not the most heartbreaking moment in Gears of War history (if you know, you know). After Emergence Day, Dom’s wife, Maria, went missing. Maybe this story beat is explored in Gears of War: E-Day. Only time will tell. Dom has been searching for his wife ever since, and eventually, he finds her in Gears of War 2.
Sadly, Maria had been captured by the Locust, and she had been cruelly experimented on for years. Physically and mentally broken, Maria has essentially become a mindless zombie. Dom makes the heartbreaking decision to end his wife’s pain by ending her life. As his best friend, Marcus, walks away to leave them alone, we hear the harrowing gunshot after Dom pulls the trigger.
The Locust Queen reveal (Gears of War 2)
Now, this is how to do a cliffhanger. Just when Marcus and Dom thought they had won the war by ending the Locust threat by sinking Jacinto, a mysterious voice is heard over the radio. It’s Myrrah, the Locust Queen, issuing a stark warning that the war is far from over and humanity remains in great peril. Worst still, the COG had been playing the Queen’s game all along, and any meaningful act they thought they achieved, it was all part of her devious plan. Then it was an agonising three-year wait for Gears of War 3.
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Dom sacrifice (Gears of War 3)
There were plenty of memorable moments in Gears of War 3, but none compares to Dom’s traumatising sacrifice. Seriously, that moment may have happened in 2011, but it can still bring tears to the eyes of veteran fans. Delta Squad are on their knees, surrounded by the new Lambent threat, moments away from death with no visible escape in sight. Dom sees a fuel tanker full of gas. Marcus sees what Dom is planning before he even gets in the vehicle, and pleads desperately for his best friend not to do what he’s about to do. But Dom will do anything to save his brothers-in-arms and to be reunited with his soul mate, Maria. As Dom fast approaches the enemy, an instrumental “Mad World” begins to softly play. Honestly, this is emotional storytelling at its best, and if someone wanders in the room while you're crying your heart out, you can always blame it on the neighbour chopping opinions, or something.
Marcus Fenix returns (Gears of War 4)
It’s fair to say that after Gears of War 3, the series struggled to create new characters that would form strong bonds with fans, at least to the level of the OG Delta Squad. So, when Marcus returned in Gears of War 4, it was not only the starpower the game needed, but it was great to see our charismatic and badass soldier once more. However, this isn't the same Marcus from the original trilogy.
25 years have now passed since the events of Gears of War 3, visibly broken by war and the loss of his brother-in-arms, Dom, Marcus was a shell of his former self, at least initially. Marcus attempted to live a quiet life on his farm, that was until the “new” Delta Squad came knocking on his door, pleading with him to put on his COG armour once more. Marcus was reluctant at first, even with his son, JD, being part of the squad. But no matter what, Marcus will never let his home planet of Sera be overrun by an invasion again. Marcus may be battle-worn, but he’s still every bit the badass we knew him to be.
Kait discovers her connection to the Locust (Gears 5)
JD Fenix was the lead character in Gears of War 4, but his fellow member of the new Delta Squad, Kait Diaz, was the lead character in Gears 5. Kait might not have been everyone’s cup of tea, but regardless, many jaws would have dropped when it was revealed that Myyrah, the Locust Queen, is her grandmother! It was like something straight out of the Jerry Springer Show. Kait uses this shocking revelation as a means to finally end the Locust Queen once and for all. The only problem now is that Gears 6 hasn't been announced. Hopefully, this story will at least conclude one day.
Gears of War: E-Day will be released on October 6, 2026. If you're interested, the entire Gears of War series is available on Xbox Game Pass.
Topics: List, Gears Of War, Xbox, PC