Microsoft has dropped Gears 5, the latest anticipated installment of its flagship Xbox and PC shooter. Gears 5 Ultimate Edition buyers can now play via exclusive four-day early access, ahead of a formal September 10 debut. From an acclaimed story campaign to a variety of accompanying multiplayer modes, Gears 5 looks to be a return to form for first-party exclusives. And if you know where to look, you can start playing for just $2 today.
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition costs $80 on Xbox One and PC, framed as a pricey premium alternative with early access and exclusive unlocks. However, budding Gears 5 players can save by leveraging an ongoing Microsoft promotion for its Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription.
Save on Microsoft's three-in-one Xbox and PC subscription
Wrapping together Xbox Game Pass for Xbox, Xbox Game Pass for PC, and Xbox Live Gold, this trio of services delivers the full experience in 2019. Microsoft's ongoing promotion cuts two months to $2, including access to Gears 5 Ultimate Edition.
Save and play Gears 5 Ultimate Edition today
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is Microsoft's all-inclusive subscription, and via an ongoing introductory promotion, two months costs just $2. The newly-launched service bundles a Netflix-style subscription of over 100 games with Microsoft's latest releases on Xbox One and PC, including Gears 5 Ultimate Edition. The membership also stows Xbox Live Gold, required by Xbox One users to play online, while PC multiplayer remains free.
The deal reduces the upfront cost of Gears 5 Ultimate Edition by 97 percent, with added benefits of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. While, like Netflix, access to Xbox Game Pass titles requires an active subscription, the deal grants a full two months of play before choice of renewal. The time is more than enough to explore single-player and multiplayer, without committing to further payments. If you do decide to retain Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, the service shifts to $15 monthly.
Related: In Gears 5, an evolved formula brings home a big win for Xbox
Gears 5 release date and times
Gears 5 Ultimate Edition is currently rolling out worldwide, with staggered availability dependent on time zones. While already live in Australia, those further west may wait until 9 PM in their respective region. The full Gears 5 Ultimate Edition release schedule is located below, also applicable for Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
- North America: September 5 – 9 PM EDT / 6 PM PDT
- United Kingdom: September 5 – 9 PM BST
- Europe: September 5 – 9 PM CEST
- Australia: September 5 – 9 PM AEST
While Gears 5 Ultimate Edition is available from September 5, buyers of regular Gears 5 copies wait until September 10. Standard Gears 5 preorders are currently cheapest at Amazon at $50, with exclusive preorder bonuses still up for grabs.
Gear up for a wild ride.
Gears 5 raises the stakes with Microsoft's latest evolution of the brutal shooter series. Amazon is currently offering the game at the cheapest price we've found, just $50. The game is expected to be released on September 10, 2019, while the $80 Ultimate Edition grants four-day early access.
