Gears 5 made some dramatic changes to the typical Gears formula, with shake-ups and innovations to the multiplayer and the main campaign. Regardless of whether or not you liked these changes, you have to admire The Coalition’s willingness to experiment. While playing the fifth installment in the main Gears of War franchise, you might have been so caught up with these new changes, that you missed out on a few shocking details.
There are plenty of amazing things hidden throughout Gears 5. Read on if you want to know the best kind of trivia (the surprising kind) from Gears 5’s story that’s hidden throughout the campaign.
10 The Hamilton Reference
While walking around in the first parts of Settlement 2, keen-eyed gamers will notice a poster advertising a new musical. For those not aware of the real world’s musical scene, this poster is nothing special. However, if you’ve even heard of Hamilton, this poster should have been a beacon of a reference. In the Gears universe, Nassar Embry is considered a founding father of sorts, and apparently, a musical was made about him. Judging from the bit of script you can read and from the posture of Embry on the poster, this musical is very much in the same vein as Hamilton.
9 There Are 17 Different Relic Weapons
While wandering around the vast world of Gears 5, many players came across Relic Weapons. These weapons are scattered across the main campaign, and only spawn once per playthrough. However, there are seventeen different types of Relic Weapons, each based off of beloved guns from the Gears series. These special weapons provide varying quirks to typical gunplay that can assist gamers as they trek through the campaign. Each one is located in a specific spot, so be sure to keep your eyes open. (Or you can just use a handy-dandy guide.)
8 The Tyran Horror Movie Scene
One of the best things about Gears 5 is the attention to detail the developers gave to crafting the world that Kait and her team traverse through. World-building is an essential part of creating a video game like Gears 5, and The Coalition did not disappoint.
They showed players in hidden details how the war with the Locust and the Lambent affected culture on the planet. For example, the horror movies showing at the theater are indicative of the fright the population went through. Titles like They Came From B-Low 2 illustrate the mindset of the masses.
7 Baird Invented The Lancer GL Assault Rifle
You might have missed this piece of dialogue while fighting for your life against the Swarm, but when you first pick up the Lancer GL Assault Rifle, you learn that it is a specific invention of Baird’s. Fans of the original Gears of War titles will remember Damon Baird fondly, and his appearances in the newer games are not disappointing. Plus, he’s certainly been busy, inventing a host of devices to assist the COG. One of these inventions is the GL Lancer. Only Baird could be crazy enough (or inspired enough) to replace the Lancer’s chainsaw with a grenade launcher.
6 Smoking References Were Removed From Gears 5
The Coalition made a pointed decision to not include any smoking references in the game. Oblivious players might not have noticed, but gone are the generic COG soldiers puffing away at cigars or cigarettes. The developers wanted to show support for the movement against tobacco companies. In fact, going forward, smoking will not be included in future Gears games. Honestly, if you were so caught up in Gears 5’s gameplay, the lack of a cigarette in anybody’s hands might have gone under the radar. However, it’s a nice touch that the game doesn’t glamorize huffing tobacco.
5 The Skiff Exists Because Of A Lack Of Imulsion
If you were a fan of using the skiff to travel around the world in Gears 5, more power to you. It made up a significant portion of the game, so if you didn’t happen to enjoy using the skiff, you were in for a sizable amount of unpleasant traveling. However, not many players caught why the skiff was in play. Aside from being a faster mode of transportation than walking, the skiff was necessary because of events from previous games. After Imulsion was no longer used as a source of fuel, wind power became a necessity, especially for groups like the Outsiders. Thus, the wind skiff.
4 Jace Stratton Became A Movie Star
Not everybody who picked up Gears 5 played the previous entries in the franchise. As such, not many were able to catch the hilarity of the situation when it was revealed that Jace Stratton was a movie star. Jace appeared first in Gears of War 2 and then in Gears of War 3.
Of Marcus’ old comrades, he was a notable absence when it came to returning to Gears of War 4. The Coaltion made up for that by showing gamers what Jace had been up to since the end of the war with the Locust in Gears 5. He got into film, started his own company, and starred in his own movie.
3 No One Knows What Causes The Windflares
The windflares are a big addition to the Gears formula in this new generation of games. Massive storms cover the sky and lightning strikes the earth in these long-lasting bolts. Dodging those streams of lightning becomes a major hassle for gamers just trying to advance. It might surprise many players to learn that the exact cause of the windflares in-game is not known. COG scientists speculate as to what made them, but their theories have proven inconclusive. This might mean that the cause of windflares will become a major plot point in future games.
2 Minotaur Plating Can Withstand A Boomshot
The strength of the Minotaur as displayed in Gears 5 might have been overlooked by many gamers. This is understandable because it was revealed at a point in the game when a lot of stuff was happening. JD had just called down a Hammer of Dawn strike, the beam had gotten out of control, and Lizzie was stuck in its path. However, before the emotional wreckage, observant players will have noted that Lizzie’s Minotaur was able to withstand a direct hit from a Boomshot. It just dented the armored vehicle’s plating. If only the transport could hold up against the Hammer of Dawn.
1 The Outsider Riftworm Village Was Kind Of Made By Marcus
Again, only fans of the previous games will have noted the placement of the Riftworm Village. Newcomers to the franchise might have just remarked on the interesting look of the location when Kait and Del visit the Outsiders’ town. However, this haven built in the skeleton of a deceased Riftworm owes its home to Marcus Fenix. Marcus and his squad took down this giant Riftworm in an earlier game, causing its corpse to fall in the mountains of this snowy region. This is a delightful callback, and it should please any fan who enjoyed playing the original three games.
NEXT: Gears 5: 9 Bad Things About Horde Mode (& The 1 Good Thing)
