Microsoft just launched its Xbox Series X console with a slew of new games alongside it. This includes the long-awaited console port of the turn-based strategy Gears of War spin-off game Gears Tactics, which released earlier this year to mostly positive reviews. Now that Gears Tactics is out on Xbox Series X, some fans may be wondering how it plays when compared to the PC version of the game.
Whenever a game primarily built for PCs is ported to consoles, there is some concern about how it will translate. Sometimes there are no issues, and other times, the console version ends up having a worse user interface or an unwieldy control scheme.
So for those curious, here is how Gears Tactics plays on Xbox Series X when compared to the PC version of the game.
Controls
Turn-based strategy games sometimes lose a lot of their ease of use in the jump from PC to console. The mouse and keyboard setup just lends itself better to the genre, which is why some of the strategy genre's biggest giants have never even attempted to try. Usually a console port of a PC strategy game ends up having an especially-cluttered interface or clunky controls, but luckily, that's not really an issue with Gears Tactics on Xbox Series X.
That's not to say that there isn't a learning curve to playing Gears Tactics with a controller. There is, especially if one has already played the game on PC. But Gears Tactics players on Xbox Series X should get it down after a few missions. As far as turn-based strategy controls go on console, Gears Tactics is basically as good as it can get.
Graphics
In terms of specs, the Xbox Series X is arguably the most powerful video game console on the market, though its launch titles don't really do it justice. Gears Tactics isn't a game that really delivers on the "wow" factor some might expect from a next-generation gaming experience, but that doesn't mean it looks bad. On the contrary, Gears Tactics looks phenomenal on Xbox Series X.
Gears Tactics on Xbox Series X is like playing the PC version of the game on the highest settings, all displayed in gorgeous 4K resolution. There's a ton of detail to the environments and characters, with fantastic animations and other effects. And it is all displayed at a consistent 60 frames per second, with zero drops. While those with beefy PCs can achieve a similar level of quality, console players that want to get the most out of Gears Tactics in terms of visuals and performance will definitely want to play it on Xbox Series X.
Jacked Campaign
The Xbox Series X version of Gears Tactics includes some new content that wasn't available in the original PC release. The big highlight is an entirely new way to experience the Gears Tactics campaign with the robot ally Jack by players' side. Jack functions as an extra squadmate of sorts, and while he can't be used to kill enemies, he does make it easier to collect things in the environment, so players don't have to waste their human turns doing so. This results in a faster-paced campaign that's more consistently entertaining than the classic version, and it's hard to go back after playing with Jack.
To ensure that the Jack campaign is still challenging, Gears Tactics also adds deviant enemy types, which will definitely test players' skill and push them to their limits. We recommend newcomers and returning PC players alike try this version of the Gears Tactics campaign, as it's just more fun.
Xbox Game Pass
With an Xbox Game Pass subscription, Xbox owners can try Gears Tactics without the commitment of paying full-price for the game. And since it's one of the few Xbox Series X console-exclusive launch titles that is truly new (for console players, anyway), Gears Tactics is really a no-brainer. Gears of War franchise should definitely check it out, as it retains everything that Gears Tactics reviews praised, but with some added bells and whistles and improved visuals.
However, even if Gears Tactics wasn't an Xbox Game Pass game, it would still be worth the price of admission, especially for turn-based strategy fans. Here's hoping that Microsoft decides to experiment with the Gears of War franchise more in the future, as this spin-off shows that there is a ton of potential to explore the universe outside of the standard third-person shooters.
Gears Tactics is out now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.