Like previous entries in the series, the story campaign can be played through co-operatively with a second player in a local or online co-operative mode. The game features 4 categories of weather: from heavy breeze (trees, leaves, dust kicking up) and can grow into violent category 3 windstorms that can affect combat and weapon usage.
Players can also perform a short distance shoulder charge, knocking enemies off balance and enemies can also pull players out of cover and perform their own takedowns. Many gameplay elements from the previous games are reintroduced, along with new elements such as the Dropshot weapon that fires explosive drills and the Buzzkill that fires ricocheting sawblades at enemies. The game was also the first Gears of War title since the original to be released for Windows. Upon release, the game received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the game's combat, visuals and set pieces, while criticism was directed towards the campaign and writing. The sequel, Gears 5, was released on September 10, 2019.
The game was released worldwide on October 11, 2016. It is the fourth main installment in the Gears of War series, and the first mainline entry not to be developed by Epic Games. Gears of War 4 is a 2016 third-person shooter video game developed by The Coalition and published by Microsoft Studios for Windows and Xbox One.
