Gears of War 4: A Comprehensive Guide to the Chapters
The latest installment in the Gears of War franchise, Gears of War 4, was released in 2016 to great critical acclaim. The game marked a significant departure from its predecessors, introducing a new cast of characters, improved gameplay mechanics, and a fresh narrative direction. But one of the most interesting aspects of Gears of War 4 is its chapter structure. In this article, we will delve into the numerous chapters that make up this gripping game.
Direct Answer to the Question
Before we dive deeper, let’s answer the million-dollar question: how many chapters are in Gears of War 4?
17
Yes, you read that correctly – Gears of War 4 contains a total of 17 chapters. These chapters are divided into three Acts, each with its unique narrative focus and gameplay twists. But what makes up each chapter, and why are they important to the game’s overall story and mechanics?
Chapter Breakdown
Before we start dissecting the chapters themselves, let’s take a closer look at the different components that make up Gears of War 4:
- Main Questline: This is the core narrative that drives the story forward, with cutscenes, scripted events, and set piece battles. There are 15 main chapters, each tackling a specific portion of the narrative.
- Side Missions: These brief adventures can be found throughout the campaign, providing additional gameplay mechanics, puzzles, or simply extending the narrative. We have 11 side chapters in total.
- Multiplayer Modes: These are additional game modes, such as Horde Mode 3, Escape Mode, and Free Play Mode. We will discuss these further in a separate article, but they are integral to the Gears of War 4 experience.
- Interludes: These brief, bonus levels offer more insight into key characters or plot developments, often via 2D cutscenes.
- Ending Chapters: We have a total of 3 ending chapters**, depending on your in-game decisions (more on that later).
Chapter Analysis
Each main chapter is roughly an hour long, with an estimated 45-50 minute playtime. Within each chapter, you will experience a mix of narrative focus, character development, set piece battles, and cover-based gameplay. Chapters typically begin with a quickening pace, building upon earlier events or setting the stage for later conflicts. They then settle into more straightforward combat and exploration. Toward the end of the chapter, the pacing usually quickens once again, culminating in boss battles or high-stakes skirmishes.
Here are the Main Chapters 1-17, followed by a brief summary for each:
- Ch. 1: ‘Until Dawn’: Introduced as a potential pre-credit sequence.
- Ch. 2-5: ‘New Exodus’: An introductory period to the COG forces, with initial encounters against Swarm.
- Ch. 6-11: ‘Red Ridge Resupply’: A trek across the scorched surface of Sera, targeting important supply points.
- Ch. 12-15: ‘After the Fall’: Set inside the Jacinto Windmill, you navigate narrow tunnels and catwalks amidst Swarm resistance.
- Ch. 16: ‘False Sense’: A cinematic-heavy section highlighting the early struggles with COG-HQ relocation.
- Ch. 17: ‘Set Me Free’: This marks the final stand, with decisive action dependent on your character choices during gameplay.
Chapter Decision Outcomes
The previous Act’s narrative and choice sets the stage for different scenarios in Chapter 16 (False Sense) and, ultimately, the Act III finale. These branch out into one of two possibilities:
- Cassity’s Demise: Resulting in her death at the hands of the COG or Grissom.
- Ez is Betrayed: With either the COG discovering Grissom’s lies or Grissom openly announcing his loyalty shift.
Act III Branches
Two primary Branching Paths appear:
A Grassroots Defiance: After defeating General Singh, Marcus Fenix finds himself within the Grassroots’ grasp. COG forces re-constitute the Jacinto Military Base under Grissom’s direction.
A New Frontiers – The Windflare Satellite Transmitter secures Grissom as a valued member of the COG Council, pushing the rekindled fight against Swarm into the final stretch. Marcus, reinvigorated, is tasked to reclaim the Swarm-controlled Jiel Mountains and set conditions for a Sera reunion.
In Conclusion
The 17 chapters that make up Gears of War 4’s main campaign are engaging and well-balanced between story, exploration, combat, and cutscenes. Throughout the chapters, a new cast of characters (Deacon, Kait, Marcus) face Swarm challenges, setting the scene for the sequel. For Gears enthusiasts, newcomers alike, Chapter walkthroughs have become the norm with multiple playthroughs possible and a more personal exploration.
