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How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (Metacritic) | – | 84 | 20 |
| Creator reviews (3 tracked) | – | 79 | 3 |
| All-time Steam reviews | – | – | 0 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 74 | 750 |
| Backloggd ratings | – | 66 | 750 |
| Xbox store ratings | – | 70 | 750 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | – | – | 0 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 0 reviews sampled · 0 total reviews in window · weighted 0 up / 0 down · computed 1h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (98)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 70
“The campaign is flimsy, and despite claims of signifying a new generation for the series, Gears of War 4 is ultimately an upholder of the status quo.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“The game's successes as a continuation of Gears of War's narrative falter in the face of stubbornly archaic gameplay. ”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Gears of War 4 is simply more of the things that players know and love. The developers may have failed during the creation of a cool single-player campaign and the new heroes are pale shadows of previously used veterans but the multiplayer portion of the game shines. This is its strongest part that deserves every praise.”
read full review ↗ - 93
“Gears of War 4 delivers a solid entertainment experience. Supported by a great multiplayer and cooperative modes as well as an amazing campaign, the game only falls short on its script and character development. Horde 3.0 is awesome and deep, the new multiplayer modes are fun and the history feels like a 3D Contra game. Leaving other minor technical setbacks aside, Xbox One users can't go wrong with this one.”
read full review ↗ - 90
“From the single-player to the co-op and multiplayer, every aspect of the game sings with quality as they successfully blend old traditions with new mechanics. There's already a ton of content in the game, which is great at giving you many possible ways to access it all. While the PC is the preferred platform to play the game, the Xbox One version is no slouch, as it still comes up with a solid experience. Overall, action fans will have a blast with this title.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Gears of War 4 as a whole looks interesting and it's definitely a pleasure to once again become an armed warrior and jump from cover to cover. The game may not impress in terms of graphics, and the universe is not as captivating as it used to be, but it's still good, demanding "Gears" - and that's crucial.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“Gears of War 4 makes the best of the franchise's multiplayer modes, but delivers a lackluster campaign in the process.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“What does stand out are the weather effects, which fill the screen with debris and drop cover in your path - or just as easily rip it away. With constant windflares and lightning storms, this might be the loudest Gears yet. There are some off-the-wall vehicular segments and executions are at their goriest peak. Technically speaking, Gears of War 4 is solid. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The competitive multiplayer isn’t much of an evolution from previous efforts, and the campaign drags for a bit, but the high points make it worth the ride and the new Horde mode is simply stellar. If you’ve enjoyed this franchise previously or have a few friends looking for co-op, give Gears of War 4 a close look, it’s definitely worth the time.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“The story campaign can be a little bland, at least when playing on your own, but otherwise this does a fine job of bringing Gears into the current gen.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“Gears of War 4 is a solid and fun, if overly familiar, entry in the beloved cover-shooter franchise. Veterans will feel right at home, and newcomers will feel welcome.”
read full review ↗ - 80
“This is still a franchise about muscle-bound men and alpha women using machine guns fixed with chainsaws to eviscerate battalions of antagonists. But I love it unlike any other big-budget shooter series.”
read full review ↗
The Jimquisition
Slant Magazine
GRYOnline.pl
LevelUp
Worth Playing
Eurogamer
GameSpot
Easy Allies
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
We Got This Covered
Washington Post…and 86 more tracked reviews.