Have you heard the news? On October 11, 2016, Microsoft and The Coalition are releasing the highly anticipated Gears of War 4 for the Xbox One and Windows 10. Gears of War 4 is the beginning of a new chapter in the popular series, and I spent some time recently talking to the people who made it.
Starting on Thursday, October 6 you can get your hands on the limited edition Xbox One S Gears of War 4 2TB Bundle. In case you have hesitations, I managed to get one before the launch. Today, we'll unbox it and show you why you may want to splurge for this fantastic release!
What it is
The Xbox One S Gears of War 4 Bundle is a limited edition custom run of the new Xbox One S. The One S includes a 4K Blu-Ray player and support for HDR video and games — along with a 2 TB storage drive (Gears of War 4 is around 55 GB for reference).
Microsoft Xbox One S Full Review
However, instead of just a fancy paint job this edition features laser-engraved claw marks giving a whole new sense of realism to the game box.
This special Xbox One S also features the franchise's Crimson Omen symbol and a red color scheme to give it a unique and stunning look.
Besides the exclusive console you also get a few other treats, including:
- Crimson Omen limited edition Xbox One S controller
- Gears of War 4 Ultimate Edition
- Gears of War 4 Season Pass
- Early access: Get to play GoW4 four days early starting on October 7
- Gears of War Collection: Unlock Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, and Gears of War: Judgement that can be played on the One S through Backward Compatibility program
- Exclusive in-game content: Grab the Vintage Oscar Elite Gear Pack (Vintage Oscar, Vintage Retro Lancer, Vintage Boomshot, etc.); pre-order Vintage Del Gear Pack plus six additional Gear Packs
Needless to say, that is quite a lot of Gears stuff. Did I also mention it has a custom startup and shutdown tones? Take a listen!
There are also 500 GB and 1 TB versions as well, however, those are white and 'deep blue' instead of crimson red and don't ship until November 1.
How Much?
The Xbox One S Gears of War 4 Bundle runs for $449, making it one of the most expensive editions available.
The regular 2 TB Xbox One S costs $399 making the Gears limited edition a $50 markup. However, that is a good deal as the Gears of War 4 Ultimate Edition and Season Pass will cost you $99. Were you to buy everything separately you would be paying $499 for the bundle instead of "just" $450.
How is it?
Putting aside that this is just a rebranded Xbox One S with laser-etched claw marks the Xbox One S Gears of War 4 2TB Bundle is fantastic. Speaking of, those claw marks (presumably from the new baddies in Gears 4 aka 'The Swarm') are a real treat, and they're also found on the included One S controller, which is a nice touch.
I prefer the dark Crimson red to the white for my home setup. While the white version stands out in a dark media center the Crimson blends in while also looking unique. For those who don't like the "grill" on the right-hand side of the One S, the Gears of War version appears to hide it with the Crimson Omen logo.
Obviously, you shouldn't even bother with this console of your not a Gears fan. If you are a Gears fan then this console is for you if:
- You do not yet own a One S
- You want to the Gears of War 4 Ultimate Edition + Season Pass
- You have or are considering getting an HDR 4K TV shortly
The last point is because Gears of War 4 is one of a few new titles this year that supports HDR gaming (HDR10) for the first time. I have been playing the HDR version on my Samsung 65-inch 8K series TV and IT. IS. JAW. DROPPING. I was a bit concerned that HDR gaming would be just 'okay' or even a gimmick, but no way, it is astounding to look at. There is more detail, brighter and richer colors and I'm afraid once you see it you can never go back.
Availability
The Xbox One S Gears of War 4 Bundle is available in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, and Turkey.
Where to buy
For those in the US and UK and some other regions you can order the Gears of War 2 TB Edition Xbox One S on Amazon and the Microsoft Store:
Need more? Don't miss our other coverage of Gears of War 4 including:
- Gears of War 4 main page
- Gears of War 4 Achievement List
- Gears of War 4 Gear Pack Guide: Types, prices, loot and more
- Gears of War 4 Windows 10 PC system requirements
- We survived the first taste of Gears of War 4's campaign and interviewed the developer
- The Gears of War 4 Xbox One S is Microsoft's best special edition yet
