Almost every single problem this game has actually is a result of the length and trying to get as much playtime out of the player as possible. The game is good, and Gears translates really well to an XCOM style game. But this purposely extended playtime means that you are playing very similar missions constantly, and your characters will never be maxed out by the end of the game.
Basically, this game takes between 25-30 hours to beat, which isn't crazy, but the issue is that between every couple of chapters you have to do 2-4 side missions before you can progress (this side mission stuff really kicks in during Act 2). These side missions can have 1 of 4 different objectives, but the objectives aren't interesting enough to be excited about doing them. The level design does help make these side missions less annoying to do, but yeah, it is still repetitive. There is one side mission type where you are collecting crates while being chased by missiles. I recommend doing that one every time just because it is the quickest side mission to do.
Also, the boss fights are fun. At the end of Act 1, you need to fight a brumak while all these other locusts keep swarming you, which was really fun. In fact, the last chapter of Act 1 was my favorite part where you are progressing across a really cool bridge for 20 minutes, before having to kill the brumak mentioned a moment ago.
I got to Act 2 chapter 7 (out of 3 acts) before deleting the game and moving on. However, after about a week, I wanted to play the game some more, so I redownloaded it and finished it.
Also, the story is fine, but given in such small chunks that it is hard to stay engaged with it. basically, every hour or 2, I would get a cutscene for the story. Out of the 30 hours to beat this game, right at 1 hour of it was cutscenes
I'm glad I played this game, but I would say that you should only play it until you have your fill, then watch the rest of the story on YouTube.
Basically, this game takes between 25-30 hours to beat, which isn't crazy, but the issue is that between every couple of chapters you have to do 2-4 side missions before you can progress (this side mission stuff really kicks in during Act 2). These side missions can have 1 of 4 different objectives, but the objectives aren't interesting enough to be excited about doing them. The level design does help make these side missions less annoying to do, but yeah, it is still repetitive. There is one side mission type where you are collecting crates while being chased by missiles. I recommend doing that one every time just because it is the quickest side mission to do.
Also, the boss fights are fun. At the end of Act 1, you need to fight a brumak while all these other locusts keep swarming you, which was really fun. In fact, the last chapter of Act 1 was my favorite part where you are progressing across a really cool bridge for 20 minutes, before having to kill the brumak mentioned a moment ago.
I got to Act 2 chapter 7 (out of 3 acts) before deleting the game and moving on. However, after about a week, I wanted to play the game some more, so I redownloaded it and finished it.
Also, the story is fine, but given in such small chunks that it is hard to stay engaged with it. basically, every hour or 2, I would get a cutscene for the story. Out of the 30 hours to beat this game, right at 1 hour of it was cutscenes
I'm glad I played this game, but I would say that you should only play it until you have your fill, then watch the rest of the story on YouTube.