Gears Tactics PC - The Digital Foundry Tech Review: VRS, Performance, Engine Analysis + More

[@churibman]

"Heavy weapons guy!" *Proceeds to miss every single shot*

[@axelhopfinger533]

Well, as the name implies, he's using heavy weapons, not accurate ones!

[@churibman]

@@axelhopfinger533 That IS true hahahaha

[@karmmaguitar]

welcome to xcom type games

[@bearpuns5910]

They were able to outsmart bullet.

[@balazslevai7701]

@@bearpuns5910 Some people think they can outsmart me

[@trblemayker5157]

This is probably the best looking turn-based tactics game I've seen so far. I find it charming that you can customize your squad with different gear and it reflects in the cutscenes as well. Similar to XCOM I feel like a little kid with my GI Joe action figures again when I see my customized squad in game.

[@logirex]

XCOM really needs a graphical update it basically looks the same as it did in 2012 with XCOM: Enemy Unknown. Even nearly a decade later they still make use of Unreal Engine 3.

[@dud5606]

@@logirex XCOM 2 came out 5 years ago. Cmon, XCOM 3 will totally blow XCOM 2 out of the water graphically. X:CS doesnt count because its basically just an expansion.

[@logirex]

@@dud5606 What are you even talking about ? The first new XCOM game from Firaxis came out in 2012 XCOM: Enemy Unknown and used Unreal Engine 3. XCOM 2 from 2016 still used a modified version of Unreal Engine 3 and the new stand alone XCOM: Chimera Squad (2020) still to this day uses an old modified version of the 2012 version. "XCOM 3" has been worked on for years and I can almost guarantee it will use the same old engine and many of the same assets. They have simply gone lazy the way Bethesda did.Not saying graphics is everything but the XCOM game looks really dated compared to Gears Tactics.

[@trblemayker5157]

@@logirex To be fair, Firaxis hasn't claimed that they'd be using UE3 for XCOM 3. And given Chimera Squad is a spin-off instead of a full fledged sequel, I can give them the benefit of the doubt.

[@hacked1174]

And Gears Tactics doesn't have any Microtransactions.

[@Nitrile]

11:37 for optimised settings

[@ClaytonMathisVO]

I'm a big fan of GEARS and I absolutely LOVE Tactics games. This is gonna be awesome! I'm gonna be playing through Xbox Gamepass for PC.

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Enjoy!! I can’t wait!!

[@danialahmad8912]

Same .. Downloading it on game pass.

[@nathanddrews]

UE4 really adds realism to Thomas the Dank Engine.

[@pepeblas3596]

It ridicoulous that such a beautiful game can run at 1440p on a 1060/580 so smoothly. Thanks GoW graphics engineers, you rock 👏👏

[@mrcraggle]

Gears 4 had an awesome bench mark tool and that continued with Gears 5 but we also saw that same tool in Forza Horizon 4 and now Gears Tactics. Can this be the basis for all benchmarking tools for all PC titles as well as the settings?

[@stefans4562]

Both games are developed my Microsoft first party studios. Maybe they share some know how.

[@HeloisGevit]

Microsoft have retaken their crown of top PC developers.

[@Floodsye]

Correction. Can this be the basis for all benchmarking tools for all titles, PC and otherwise? There's this weird, completely untrue perception that consoles players don't care about performance or resolution specs. Of course, current consoles can't really have settings for tweaking due to the low CPU power, but next-gen consoles should definitely include settings menus for personal tweaking just like PC along with in-game or system-wide benchmarking tools. I love Digital Foundry's work and such features might cut back on their views a tiny bit, but I've talked to countless other console players over the years that want to see benchmarking tools and settings to come to consoles.

[@azzaprime7257]

Gears suits this genre so well, the best cover shooter game in the industry, in a genre all about cover shooting, couldn't ask for more.

[@CasepbX]

Meh.

[@Nick930]

So lame how much we're stuck censoring video game footage now - especially considering KZbin started off this year saying "Oh - we're rethinking how we approach age restrictions on gaming violence" But oh well - I appreciate the "Cole" Train popping up lol

[@JohnnyFaber]

Commietube...

[@klurikon3004]

My man Nick930 is here :)

[@mandocastillo4557]

Welcome back to another episode of direct comparison hahaha love ur videos

[@gmanuk1986]

Another great video from DF. I was very excited to see you covering Gears tactics. I'm super hyped for the game and glad it looks awesome

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

This is my most anticipated game this year (surprising i know) I can’t wait to play this! I’m 100% this game! I’m so glad it’s been getting raved reviews!

[@ReneHoffmann194]

Thanks for the test. I love you performance/tweak guides and recommendations for different mashines.

[@KurtMueller]

What's the game in the lower lefthand corner at 15:19? The one with the yellow robot and green robot.

[@Meisuko]

Have been waiting for Alex's investigation on this. Great work again.

[@WilsonTRB]

This game looks amazing! Being a fan of XCOM I cant wait to play it!

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Me either!! Enjoy it 😄☝🏽 let me know what you think after you play it.

[@un80rns]

Finally turn-based tactics looks awesome! I hope Wasteland 3 visuals will be on par.

[@Robspassion]

Awesome video, thank you Alex!

[@Socomnick]

This was a brilliant move by Microsoft, its getting people into gears that would not otherwise get into a gears game. Now Microsoft let this be a trend with all of your big ips. Give us a Halo Tactics game.

[@YourManJazzie]

Halo Wars is an RTS, that's as close as you'll get

[@raresmacovei8382]

Lmao at the Cole Train.

[@Blastingmike]

Haha same! 😂🤣

[@DriveCancelDC]

It was funny the first time not the 5th, memelords should stay out of DF

[@TeamRespawn]

Hoping this catches on! Looks like a great game.

[@RyanGatts]

what is with the cloth object in the guy's hands at 13:17? It seems to update at half rate, but it's uneven? It's really strange looking in motion, and its shadow in particular catches my eye.

[@RxMxG]

There should be a list of Alex's Optimized Settings, it will be HIGHLY helpful

[@everydayismidnight5508]

Can't wait to play this. Looks beautiful.

[@madfinntech]

1:57 WTF? You are censoring videos now?

[@malecrium8665]

Suprised to see df covering tactics. So excited to watch this video!

[@WaitTillE]

I can't wait to play this game on my PC.

[@bwellington3001]

Does it have the same PC HDR implemetation as gears 5?

[@XvitruvX]

yes, it does

[@jgadiaz]

Loved Gears of War since 2006.

[@Overonator]

The game has recommended settings for your computer setup. Why is that the ingame recommended settings turn off ascynch compute for my 1070?

[@weltuntergang6668]

From the games displayed in the end, does anyone know the name of the last one with the yellow robot in the artwork? I know and have played the other games, but that one is new to me.

[@morbid1.]

"Battletech" maybe?

[@koilkondaraviteja9945]

@@morbid1. not battletech ,battletech has 120+ achievements,this has 66 . i too am curious to know what this might be and he played it for 515 hrs OMG!

[@DenisMoreiradosReis]

It is a DLC for Natural Selection 2 called B.M.A.C. Supporter Pack. I was also curious and could find it using Google image search.

[@weltuntergang6668]

@@DenisMoreiradosReis Thanks a lot, even so the answer is dissapointing. I was hoping it to be a cool tractics game I had missed ...

[@weltuntergang6668]

@@DenisMoreiradosReis Thanks a lot, even so the answer is dissapointing. I was hoping it to be a cool tractics game I had missed ...

[@properletters]

it is a performance masterpiece. Wasn't expected that I can run Gears Tactics on Macbook Pro 16 on Ultra in 1600p with 60 fps.

[@Halo117CL]

great video as always

[@TerraWare]

Can't wait to play this tomorrow in my new GPU. I just finished pre-installing it.

[@TilSkywalker]

Thanks for the optimized settings! Saves some time tweaking stuff. I actually haven't really played any strategy games yet, but I really love the Gears series and that game is in GamePass anyways, I will give it a try for sure!

[@Thethinker6141]

Can't wait to play this game

[@vandammage1747]

Imagine how it will look on the 12.16TF beast with raytracing

[@billygunn142]

Oh but you will have to wait as xbox is the waiting man's console

[@vandammage1747]

@@billygunn142 I have no problem with that meanwhile you'll have to make your strategy games yourself in dreams lol and Tlou2 mp is cancelled and the game is delayed again😂

[@billygunn142]

@@vandammage1747 PSVR has better strategy games than any game on Xbox. oof! Statik on PSVR - 84 Gears Tactics - 81 😂👍

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Same !!

[@nercksrule]

I thought this game just had randomly-generated characters, but I also have the Scout Marcella "Specter" Trihn in my squad.

[@fredsonteles791]

Gears 😍

[@Elias_g1]

It looks amazing !

[@KatalistProductionsKozzySasha]

Can't wait to try this tomorrow, thanks for the video!

[@disabledcable685]

Great work Alex as always but you didn't mention the one thing I am curious about...can you create your own soldiers ala XCOM? I had no idea this was even coming out until I saw the new Chimera squad spinofff for $10! I love that they included a benchmark again, this should be an industry standard imho, stay safe and hope ya have great day!

[@PC-tan]

I don't think so and instead you just recruit pre-madd characters from the Gears universe

[@Julle399]

There are some story characters, other you can customize more at will

[@exsinner]

I have this game preordered on steam, cant wait for the next 19 hours!

[@Granhier]

Splash Damage worked on this?! That's pretty unexpected

[@LuneyN]

they work a lot with the coalition even on the mainline games they help with maps and such.

[@Granhier]

@@LuneyN It's moreso because of the fact that they were always the "Shooter pedigree" guys to me

[@Ozzianman]

Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, such a good game.

[@CaptHotah]

I just recieved 7 notifs about this at the same time 😂

[@elliottblair31]

CaptHotah sammee

[@PrOtaku123]

Same lmao gonna watch acg after this

[@ShutterSpeedGaming]

Me too! And I’m watching all of them!! Lol 😆

[@koilkondaraviteja9945]

i was a tester and mark my words....this will be the new xcom.give it a try,you'll enjoy it

[@Alfenium]

Yeah okay sounds legit. As long as the Cole Train is in the game I'll probably give it a try.

[@koilkondaraviteja9945]

@@Alfenium he is . he is included as part of preorder DLC

[@_MrGameplay_]

Nice video. Agree with you about VRS being too agressive in this case. Is the labeling at 9:00 maybe switched? The left side seems to run smoother than the right half

[@DriveCancelDC]

Too aggressive if you zoom in 400% sure.

[@diezgp]

Great video, man.

[@hemangchauhan2864]

Thanks Alex

[@Czaderblader]

Is there any DLC for Gears Tactics Planned?

[@user-fm8xs3hr3w]

The Digital Foundry comment section is consistently one of the better ones in regards to video games. Always on topic and relevant feedback 👏👏👏

[@Hotobu]

Screw you.

[@leonthesleepy]

I love Xcom 2, but man comparing this to that, visually the jump is huge

[@jagster7985]

Thanks for your settings recommendations! Got 97.3% frames rendered at native 4k in benchmark on my rig :-) 3800x, 2080Ti, 16GB 3600 RAM

[@XEvilToastX]

What's up with the lighting difference at 13:33

[@MostlyPennyCat]

How could it not be exciting? New RTSs on consoles are very few and far between

[@achandab]

This isn't RTS tho. It's TBS

[@vandammage1747]

@@achandab yeah you're right but more strategy games are welcome on console

[@mhjmstultiens]

@@vandammage1747 It's PC only atm.

[@christiancruzada]

Glad to see VRS in action. Just a taste of what’s to come for next gen gaming.

[@trblemayker5157]

15:22 What's that game with the robots?

[@ereinion9240]

Natural Selection 2 with B.M.A.C DLC I think

[@Optamizm]

Dynamic scaling is much better for a game like this. Overall things might look softer, be the aliasing is so much worse with VRS. Aliasing is more distracting than a soft image.

[@Six1Eye]

Great video, am amazed on what VRS can deliver is pretty cool, cant wait to play this game looks so good.

[@kylehadyniak4648]

My GTX 1080 is struggling, even at low resolutions. I'm talking like 20 fps. I did a clean install of the graphics driver, but the problem persists. Any suggestions? The same issues happened with Gears 5....

[@DigitalFoundry]

Write to Alex on Twitter and He wil help you out!

[@CyberKiller]

Hopefully it runs nicely on my XBox One S, when it comes out in November. It would be cool to see a comparison for this game running on XOne and XSeries.

[@TwoMeterGamingUK]

Man, hope this is coming to one x/series x, never been into xcloud games but even I am excited to give this a go on game pass

[@ambro2786]

Confirmed its coming to Xbox consoles. I also think you mean *XCOM*

[@Baxtexx]

I really like variable resolution. It allowed me to play Gears 5 on a 2500k and 970 in 60 fps. I really don't notice when the resolution goes down.

[@Hammersmash3dFace]

Perfect! i wanted to watch the video before i start the game and get the perfect settings for the rx580. thanks!

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

I just started the Xbox one x version of it today. 60 frames per second mode is so good, and the look is crisp. Also I'm constantly amazed at how good the characters look in the cut scenes. The overall quality is super high, and they really made the controls easy on console. On samsung Q70 I couldn't really see a graphical difference between quality mode and performance mode, but the performance mode felt FAR better and is smoother than I'm used to on the One X. Yeah, doom eternal and gears 5 did it but it's rare.

[@RyuRanXII]

Finally! Strategy games on DF! How about a Total War analysis?

[@ambro2786]

The Dynamic Duo of Alex and *Volfenstein*

[@thiagovidal6137]

Who else envisioned this game almost 10 years ago? Every since Gears 2 came out, which introduce so many new stuff, I was hoping for a RTS with the Gears franchise like Halo Wars.. then X-Com Enemy unknow came out in 2012 and I immediately thought.. actually THIS is what will fit Gears perfectly due to all the cover mechanics and dynamics that pretty much simulates in a tactical way what Gears of War is all about.

[@alexbogl7358]

What new stuff? Nothing in Gears of War is or was innovate.

[@juancuelloespinosa]

I've been getting constant crashes on this game on win10, a 6700k, and gtx 1080. I was thinking you guys would say it had technical problems ugh, now I have to do work

[@SecondaryProtocol1]

I always had a hard time getting into these xcom type games.. but I love gears.. so ill probably give it a try - when it comes to console

[@Julle399]

You need a mouse and keyboard for them to be fun

[@alephnole7009]

As long as the balance isn't horrible and your not rushed to do everything like Xcom 2.

[@alephnole7009]

Probably won't but would be amazing if it had the out of combat free walking from Mutant year zero.

[@G_GO0NO]

@@Julle399 not true at all

[@bielsko87]

@@Julle399 not true at all. Shadow Tactics is great with controller, there are also very good strategy games like Frostpunk which are very good to play it on a console.

[@urmensch12]

Gears Tactics for me goes on the same List with Warhammer 40K Regicide . AKA Games that i never expected to exist.

[@MCplayer94]

DRS, VRS, DLSS, these are a most for foward releasing games!

[@guybrushthreepwood8174]

On my Xbox one x this game always forces my TV to go into 4K even though I want to play in 1440p, and I've set the resolution to 1440p in the Xbox one x's settings. I'm using the Samsung Q70. before entering the game my TV settings tell me that I'm on 1440p. then as soon as I enter the game it tells me it's set to 4K. Is anyone else experiencing this?? Edit: when I go into performance mode I can definitely tell it's 60fps, but visuals look identical to quality mode. In both modes, the tv signal is 2160p. I don't get what is going on.

[@harlodpeter5071]

I hate waiting, Purchased this game a week ago, downloaded it, and today is 28th April in Malaysia.. and I still couldn't play it.. anyone has any idea on how to fix this?

[@the360gaming5]

Cool video

[@Lewdology]

I can't believe that I am about to say: Love the censorship.

[@BrownOpsLeak]

What are you talkin about

[@jimmelton5846]

@@BrownOpsLeak This presumably. 15:46

[@cactusmanbwl1990]

Lol the Cole Train!! CHOO CHOO!

[@hasankhan2902]

I have a question - when the next genaration games comes out will it run on gtx 1060 cards on medium settings ans 1080p resolutions? How many fps i could expect then?

[@PlaceboHead360]

The Xbox Series X will match or EXCEED a 2080 TI

[@apostolos8734]

@@PlaceboHead360 uh no.

[@jackkenny4194]

@@PlaceboHead360 not true actually. It matches or exceeds a 2080 however

[@hasankhan2902]

@@PlaceboHead360 i asked will i be able to play next gen games on 1080p at medium settings on gtx 1060. I didn't ask will it be better or not than 2080ti. come on man

[@PlaceboHead360]

@@jackkenny4194 DF said it matches and will have more features than a 2080 TI. Next Gen will be BEASTLY On XsX. OPoster: If XsX games will scale to allow the X1-X to play them, yes, a 1060 should be fine at 1080p

[@SalveMonesvol]

I never expected the 1060 6gb to be on par with a 580 on a DX12 game, on an engine optimized for X1X, which runs Polaris.

[@Max86421]

😳😲 Nice!

[@Starfals]

I don't like Xcom cuz its about stuff that i don't care about. This however is perfect. I love the Gears universe. Count me in! Is the game even out yet?

[@nathandubuc9962]

I really love Alex's analysis in general. Though I wanted to say... I don't know if I'm the only one, but I really don't like the censorship of in game violent sequences

[@piotrekf943]

df killed vrs hype with one video

[@EazyHelper]

How?

[@panda12333]

@@EazyHelper its not looking good in my opinion way too aggressive but on the other hand would it be less aggressive then it wouldnt give a meaningful boost in performance definitly not a good first look

[@thatnerdgui3496]

@@panda12333 this is not a "first look" as they have covered VRS before.

[@DriveCancelDC]

@@panda12333 It looks fine. Unless you're zooming in 400% while playing games. Are you? No, didn't think so.

[@jrmaty]

Just to add to this: UE4 supports planar reflections and has done for a while. Otherwise, great stuff - thanks for this.

[@noaharce6921]

Yo digital Foundry, when will there be a video about Panzer Dragoon remake on Nintendo Switch? That game's been out for a while and knowing how much of a fan John Letterman is of the game, it is surprising that he hasn't made a video about it yet and I would like to watch an analysis on it from him.

[@hitvish]

I'm surprise they managed to translate the pace and excitement of normal GoW in this. Much more fast paced than xcom. Great expansion for GoW saga. Love the graphics too, just like a normal gears game

[@shmookins]

I got so excited over the graphics for a sec, then they showed it is a tactics game and the actual gameplay parts look nothing like those cutscenes...

[@alexbogl7358]

Are you new to gaming? Tons of games have cutscenes that are far away from what the gameplay is.

[@paddymcginty1264]

Sli support??

[@EdwinDPZ]

Wait a minute, all this time I thought that was JD but if it's set during the locust war then it can't be...

[@teranyan]

heavy weapons guy

[@Kuranghi]

"The worst of boast worlds"? Someones been watching Alan Partridge!

[@Kikobirdification]

does anyone else experience 30 fps locks during game play? Im using a 2070 max-q so it doesn't make sense. help please :)

[@MrCrypto137]

i love Alex´optimized settings. It actually helped me alot in the past months :D

[@epencrep]

I found async compute offers worse performance mostly stuttering issues on my 1080ti paired with a 4790k. Wonder if anyone else has the same results?

[@migii820]

I am so glad they showed Shining force. I’ve been looking for a game to scratch that itch for years, is this it?? Anyone else have a recommendation?

[@DroningaboutIreland]

How hard is it for a noob to this genre?

[@NatrajChaturvedi]

play on normal and you will be fine... Easy, you will more than fine...

[@Alfenium]

Don't play and you won't have to worry at all.

[@SolarScion]

VRS is a great idea, and I really like DRS, but I think I'll balance my framerate with either in mind without arbitrarily trying to hit "60 FPS". Maximum achievable static graphical fidelity is desirable over a framerate that usually actually takes away from the sense of immersion, especially in cutscenes. Higher time resolution makes shortcomings in animation and material physics much more apparent than when they are rendered at or somewhere between cinematic and 60+FPS. It's completely unnecessary in an SRPG, and makes cutscenes look worse, because games do not look real. It's a fantasy, not a reality sim a la _The Matrix_ . Edit: After finishing, I wanted to say that this is a great guide to optimizing the settings for hardware and visual fidelity, and kudos to the game makers for so many well-explained options.

[@stefans4562]

Does any one know wether this will release on Xbox series x? If so I'm definetly waiting to play it there. My pc couldn't handle it right now with acceptable performance .

[@bielsko87]

It is going to Xbox "later this year"

[@feedogg3946]

I'm thinking it'll be a XSX launch game.

[@HueyTheDoctor]

I wish you guys would do a video showcasing how this game runs across all Xbox platforms.

[@thegreytgandalf8605]

This game supports a controller on PC but it is not on xbox. Am I missing something?

[@NickJaime]

I was thinking more Mutant year zero then X-com but both are good game's

[@LemosArt0987]

I'm impressed by the inclusion of a useful benchmark, Gears 5 had one as well. I'm going to wait to play this on my Xbox One X. It's great that we're getting a different genre of game for Gears, just like we got an RTS for Halo in Halo Wars.

[@mbe102]

Dammit Alex, you HAD to bring Shining Force into it.... now I gotta play this damn game!