Deal | Steam all-time low: Latest entry in iconic shooter series drops below $5 for the first time

Anyone who grew up with Xbox will probably remember one game in particular: Gears of War - one of the defining classics on Microsoft's console. The series is now simply called Gears and is no longer Xbox-exclusive, but it's still well worth a look for longtime fans and third-person shooter enthusiasts, especially at a price below $5. The latest entry, Gears 5, has just reached a new all-time low on Steam. According to SteamDB, the 2019 release is now available for around $4.50 instead of $30 with an 85% discount, marking the first time it has dropped below the $5 mark.

Gears 5 continues the story immediately after its predecessor. On the planet Sera, a world not unlike Earth, monstrous creatures known as the Swarm overrun entire cities and abduct their inhabitants. In the middle of the conflict, soldier Kait Diaz is haunted by disturbing visions and discovers that she shares a mysterious connection with the monsters. Together with her squadmates, she sets out to uncover the truth, only to stumble upon dark secrets hidden within her family's past.

Newcomers will still be able to follow the story, but many characters, relationships, and conflicts rely on knowledge of the earlier games. As a result, Gears 5 isn't the ideal starting point for the series. Players who want to experience the story from the beginning are probably better off with Gears of War: Reloaded, the 2025 remaster of the original game.

Gameplay-wise, Gears 5 stays true to the series' greatest strengths. Players battle grotesque hordes of monsters from cover using assault rifles, shotguns, and the franchise's iconic Lancer chainsaw rifle. Alongside traditional firefights and spectacular action sequences, the campaign also features semi-open areas to explore. Those who don't want to fight alone can play through the story in co-op with up to two friends.

Critics praised Gears 5 for its impactful combat, cinematic presentation, and generous amount of content. According to HowLongToBeat, completing everything takes around 19 hours, after which Horde Mode and traditional online multiplayer provide even more to do. The game holds a Metascore of 82. Steam users have been more divided, however, with around 20,000 reviews resulting in a 71% positive rating. The biggest complaints focus on microtransactions, technical issues at launch, and the occasionally empty open-world sections that disrupt the pacing. Even so, Gears 5 is widely regarded as an excellent third-person shooter - and it's also Steam Deck Playable. It's also a great way to get ready for Gears of War: E-Day, which launches on October 6, 2026.

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