As someone who loves the Gears franchise, I can't help but admit how bleak and grim the world of Sera especially if you dive into the lore.
Gears of War 1 starts with Marcus in prison, being left to die after everyone else has been evacuated because of a locust invasion, the bleakness in Gears 1 is probably the highest been it's for the series. Highlighted by the ruined but still grand and beautiful architecture. Pale monsters/demons (locust) roam the earth, executing everyone in sight. Horror is also a main element of the first, what with the kryll and berserkers. The art style goes well with the tone, being all desaturated and wet. Gears 2 and 3 has a bunch of character moments which highlight the world in chaos, stuff like Dom finding his captured wife and taking his own life. Color is also injected into the games but the bleakness remains. COG remains a fascist, ruthless government- operating rape camps, sacrificing civilians and building metropolis paradises for the smart and strong (leaving behind the weak).
Gears 4 and 5 are far less bleak, which has destroyed some of the atmosphere for me. I still like them but between the quips and PG cast, everything could use some down in the muck shitkicking. The environments are far more Uncharted like and not gears esquie. Marcus basically lost everything during the first three games. Hopefully Gears 6 is a return to these roots.
Gears of War 1 starts with Marcus in prison, being left to die after everyone else has been evacuated because of a locust invasion, the bleakness in Gears 1 is probably the highest been it's for the series. Highlighted by the ruined but still grand and beautiful architecture. Pale monsters/demons (locust) roam the earth, executing everyone in sight. Horror is also a main element of the first, what with the kryll and berserkers. The art style goes well with the tone, being all desaturated and wet. Gears 2 and 3 has a bunch of character moments which highlight the world in chaos, stuff like Dom finding his captured wife and taking his own life. Color is also injected into the games but the bleakness remains. COG remains a fascist, ruthless government- operating rape camps, sacrificing civilians and building metropolis paradises for the smart and strong (leaving behind the weak).
Gears 4 and 5 are far less bleak, which has destroyed some of the atmosphere for me. I still like them but between the quips and PG cast, everything could use some down in the muck shitkicking. The environments are far more Uncharted like and not gears esquie. Marcus basically lost everything during the first three games. Hopefully Gears 6 is a return to these roots.