'Gears Of War: Ultimate Edition (2015)' is a HD remake of 'Gears Of War (2006)', featuring all new graphics but retaining the earlier title's original codebase and animations. This means that it basically plays exactly the same as its Xbox 360 counterpart and really has just been given a new coat of paint. That's not a bad thing, though, as it ensures that the title is pulled into the modern day in as authentic a way as possible. The only element that has been altered is the cut-scenes, which have been recreated and are now pre-rendered. They've also been tweaked slightly to improve character acting etc. As a whole, the game looks pretty great. It's an almost universal improvement on its source material, although some areas actually lack the same contrast and impact as their older counterpart. It's also playable in 4K and at 60 frames per second, which are huge quality-of-life boosts. Essentially, it's how you remember the original game looking and feeling. It's a pretty standard cover-based third-person shooter by today's standards, but it's important to remember that it actually helped to define that genre. It's also as fun as it is straightforward, with satisfying yet simple mechanics and level design. It's a little difficult to say exactly why the gameplay is as engaging as it is, since it mostly boils down to pumping enemies full of just a little bit too much lead, but it certainly hits the spot in more ways than one. With its visually interesting enemies, varied boss encounters and beautifully decayed locations, it keeps you hooked throughout its campaign. It is a little generic in some ways, especially when it comes to its 'manly men' characters and generally overly machoistic, militarised outlook. It's also a tad clunky when it comes to movement, though this does replicate the fact that you're playing as a fairly heavy-set dude in chunky armour who's carrying a hefty chainsaw/machine-gun hybrid, but this isn't too big a deal and it's something that you adjust to very quickly. Another area that does feel a bit lacklustre is the story. The game just drops you into the middle of its scenario with nothing but a brief opening sequence to fill you in on its backstory. That wouldn't be so bad if the plot itself didn't just boil down to your heroes just following orders to "go here, get this and win the war". Still, it does what it needs to and its characters are compelling enough that you care about their fate. It's all a little one note but it hits that note well, using its story to supplement its entertaining gameplay. It's a sort of no-frills experience that knows what it wants to do and does it with gusto, never quite going above and beyond but doing its job pretty much as well as it possibly could. It's a good game. Whether or not it's worth playing if you've played the original is up to you, as it's essentially just a reskin and doesn't add anything substantial in terms of content. However, if you've never played 'Gears Of War (2006)', it's the perfect place to start. After all, it's exactly what it says on the tin: the ultimate edition. 8/10.
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