I really enjoyed the campaign. My spoiler-free review:
Try to remember what it was like playing Gears of War for the very first time. You played as a He-Man-inspired soldier with a colored past on an earth-like planet ravaged by monsters. The campaign was an homage to both the action and horror genres, filled with gore, bullets, and chainsaws, and it was glorious.
It has been nearly 10 years since the first Gears title was released, and throughout the five Gears titles in the franchise, things haven't been toned down. Instead, the characters, the setting, and the lore have been refined to near perfection. With the latest title, Gears of War 4, developers at The Coalition have managed to begin a new chapter in the series while carrying over some of the crucial hallmarks of the previous Gears games.
The story in Gears 4 isn't very complex, and largely predictable, but it is above all, entertaining. You play as Marcus Fenix's adult son, J.D., who finds himself in the advent of a new threat to the human race. With friends at his side, he takes on the Swarm with classic and new Gears weapons. There are great cameos and some lovely little easter eggs throughout the game, so be sure to take your time through the short campaign.
One of my favorite moments in any game was the Riftworm level in Gears 2. It was glorious and spectacular in its unique presentation of gore and action. Although less gruesome, there are a couple of highly memorable and exciting levels that are equally as jaw-dropping. They are so superbly executed that I want to replay those levels again in co-op with different friends.
The dialogue between the characters is sharp and for the most part, doesn't take itself too seriously. The writers clearly had fun developing the characters for Gears 4, and knew that they had to make the new characters likable for diehard Gears fans. Believe me, there's a lot to like about the characters. They're passionate and campy - they'll say things that you can imagine yourself saying in their boots ("I think some of it got in my mouth!" is one of my favorite lines).
Gears of War 4's wonderful campaign is a high-flying roller coaster ride that is not only a worthy successor, but an outstanding start to a new trilogy of heroes. It's non-convoluted story leaves you completely satisfied, yet aching for more.