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Gears 5
38 Accessibility Features

We've documented 38 accessibility features for Gears 5, including Environmental Captions, Large Subtitles, Large Text, Low Pressure and Control Assists. Its accessibility is strongest in Controls and Reading but it also has features in Visual, Communication, Getting Started, Navigation, Difficulty and Audio to reduce unintended barriers.

This report is created with input from accessibility experts and the player community to help people find games that have the accessibility features they require. Once you have found potential games on the database, there are excellent specialist accessibility sites that offer in-depth reviews to guide your purchasing decisions.

Gears of War is a series of shooting game about a conflict between humanity, the subterranean reptilian hominids known as the Locust Horde, and their mutated counterparts, the Lambent. It's a big brash game franchise with six games, a comic book series and five novels.

An external examiner first checked Gears 5 (Series) accessibility 2 years ago. It was re-examined by Andy Robertson and updated 20 months ago.

NotesAccessibility Notes

Gears 5 offers the following accessibility options:

Customize your gaming experience with updated accessibility features, including: full controller remapping, single stick movement, Adaptive Controller support, narrated UI and menus, improved subtitles.

Enabling Fabricator Ping will cause the fabricator in Horde to emit a ping sound while in tac-com. The ping will increase in volume as you approach, making it a valuable navigational tool.

Navigation Ping Escape Mode offers four settings to aid navigation through the Hive maps for players without sight. This places a cookie-trail style direction indicator that emits an audible ping. This is available from the Operation 7 update as a new navigation feature added in conjunction with accessibility consultants.

DetailsGame Details

Release Date: 07/11/2006, updated in 2019

Price: 75% off

Out Now: PC and Xbox One

Players: 1-3 (10 online)

Genres: Action, Shooting (Adventure, Creative and Narrative)

Accessibility: 38 features

Components: 3D Third-Person

Developer: Coalition Gears (@CoalitionGears)

Costs: Purchase cost, In-Game Purchases and In-Game Pass

 

ControlsControls

To complete the main campaign of the game you need to use a minimum of:

  • PC: 9 keys, 3 buttons, 1 mouse and 1 gesture.
  • Xbox: 10 buttons, 2 triggers and 2 sticks.
On PC you can use Mouse/Keyboard/Gamepad simultaneously. One Xbox you can use either Mouse/Keyboard or Gamepad.

You can swap Triggers and Sticks to play left handed. You can remap the buttons and triggers as well, how ever this remaps all actions assigned to a button, rather than allowing you to map specific actions to specific buttons.

You can apply multiple actions to a single button. For example you could make Left Trigger both Aim and Fire in one press, reducing the number of buttons you require.

There are some preset controls to aid play:
  • Face Trigger: Select this control scheme in the Options | Controller menu to avoid needing Triggers to aim and shoot.
  • Single Stick for Movement: You can then move around with a single stick.
  • Aim with Single Stick: You can then aim with a single stick.
  • Target Lock: Adds aim assist. Originally this was only on East, but provided you update the game you can use this feature on any difficulty.
  • Toggle Aiming: Choose to toggle rather than hold Left Trigger to aim.
  • Button Tap Challenges: Choose to repeated press or hold for quick time events.
  • Reload Automatically: To avoid having to press reload when you have emptied a ammo clip.
  • Toggle Primary Weapon: Turn on to cycle through buttons with Left/Right D-Pad.
Although you are sometimes prompted to use the Chainsaw (hold RB/R key), you switch to a different weapon and then it prompts to use the Knife instead (hold B/F key).
The following table guides you through which buttons you can map to custom controllers:

Action Xbox PC Notes Required
Pause / Menu View Button Escape
Use Item X Button E KeyHold to Pickup.
Interact Y Button T KeyRequired to Continue certain scenes.
Hide / Cover A Button Spacebar
Hit / Melee B Button F KeyHold to Execute enemy.
Dodge B Button Spacebar
Aim Zoom Right Stick Press Mouse Wheel (Click)Default to Hold, can be Toggle.
Select Weapon / Ammo D-Pad Mouse Wheel
Movement Left Stick WASD Keys
Aim / Look / Camera Right Stick Mouse Movement
Aim Shot Left Trigger Right Mouse Button
Fire Right Trigger Left Mouse Button
View Scores Menu Button Tab
Sprint A Button SpacebarHold to Sprint (Roadie Run).
Crouch Left Stick Press Ctrl (Left) Key
View Objectives Left Bumper TabHighlight teammates and objectives.
Reload Right Bumper R KeyCan auto reload on empty. Hold for Chainsaw.
Aim Mark a Target Left Stick Press + Left Trigger Q Key

Action Xbox Notes Required
Pause / Menu View Button
Use Item X ButtonHold to Pickup.
Interact Y ButtonRequired to Continue certain scenes.
Hide / Cover A Button
Hit / Melee B ButtonHold to Execute enemy.
Dodge B Button
Aim Zoom Right Stick PressDefault to Hold, can be Toggle.
Select Weapon / Ammo D-Pad
Movement Left Stick
Aim / Look / Camera Right Stick
Aim Shot Left Trigger
Fire Right Trigger
View Scores Menu Button
Sprint A ButtonHold to Sprint (Roadie Run).
Crouch Left Stick Press
View Objectives Left BumperHighlight teammates and objectives.
Reload Right BumperCan auto reload on empty. Hold for Chainsaw.
Aim Mark a Target Left Stick Press + Left Trigger

Action PC Notes Required
Aim Zoom Mouse Wheel (Click)Default to Hold, can be Toggle.
Fire Left Mouse Button
Aim Shot Right Mouse Button
Select Weapon / Ammo Mouse Wheel
Use Item E KeyHold to Pickup.
Hit / Melee F KeyHold to Execute enemy.
Interact T KeyRequired to Continue certain scenes.
Movement WASD Keys
Hide / Cover Spacebar
Dodge Spacebar
Pause / Menu Escape
Aim / Look / Camera Mouse Movement
Aim Mark a Target Q Key
Reload R KeyCan auto reload on empty. Hold for Chainsaw.
Sprint SpacebarHold to Sprint (Roadie Run).
Crouch Ctrl (Left) Key
View Objectives TabHighlight teammates and objectives.
View Scores Tab

We've documented 13 accessibility features for Controls in Gears 5 which deal with how you control the game, different options for alternative inputs and whether you can remap these settings to suit your needs.

Gamepad

Can play with the following:

Multiple Buttons & Two Sticks: Can play with multiple buttons and two sticks.

Mouse And Keyboard

Can play with the following:

Mouse and Keys: Can play with mouse and multiple keys.

Remap Controls

Can customise the controls for the game as follows:

Inputs Documented: The inputs required to complete the game in campaign mode or play competitively are documented on the database (or in other official documentation).

Remap Buttons: Can re-map all buttons so that you can use alternatives that better suit your play.

Swap Sticks: Can swap the sticks over so that you can use the opposite sticks to control the game.

Remap Mouse and Keyboard: Can remap mouse and keyboard key bindings, on systems that support these controls.

Remap Extra Mouse Buttons: Can remap additional buttons on mice that provide more than the two standard buttons, on systems that support these controls.

Remap One Action to Multiple Buttons: Can remap multiple buttons to perform the same action to reduce the need to memorise buttons and make the action easier to access.

Invert X/Y Axis: Can invert the direction required to control looking and aiming. This enables you to match your instinctive orientation when looking.

Button Combinations

Specific button operation required to play

Holding Down Buttons Optional: Holding down buttons for prolonged periods (a second or more) is not required or can be switched to toggling the action on and off. This is in addition to the movement stick/button which is not considered a hold for this purpose.

Rapid Repeated Pressing Optional: Quick, repeated button pressing (more than 2 times a second) is not required, can be skipped or switched to holding a button to trigger a repeated action.

Controller Vibration

Vibration Optional: Controller vibration not used in the game or you can disable it.

Sensitivity

You can adjust

Adjust Mouse/Stick/Touch Sensitivity, Deadzones and Thresholds: Adjust how sensitive touch/mouse/stick controls are and the related deadzones and thresholds.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Controls

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Controls accessibility features you require, this similar game extends the Controls accessibility:

DifficultyDifficulty

We've documented 2 accessibility features for Difficulty in Gears 5 which deal with how you can adjust the challenge of play, and whether this is locked once chosen or can be adjusted as you play.

Difficulty Options

Select Difficulty: Select the level of difficulty from a range of presets. This not only offers a way to adjust the challenge of a game but enables you to do so without dealing with individual criteria.

Adjust After Setting

Adjustable Anytime: You can adjust the difficulty while playing, without having to restart the level you are on. This enables you to quickly adjust the game to suit your needs and see the difference immediately.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Difficulty

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Difficulty accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Difficulty accessibility:

Getting StartedGetting Started

We've documented 3 accessibility features for Getting Started in Gears 5 which deal with what support is offered to get started with the game. This includes customising the experience when you first open the game via any onboarding processes it provides as well as tutorials and other assistance when you first start playing.

Assistance Getting Starting

These features aid your play of the game in terms of cognitive load on learning controls, dealing with pressure and coping with the environment and challenges.

Tutorials: There are helpful tutorials and instructions on how to play. Information is provided in a timely manner, with appropriate level of detail.

Assistance With Controls: The game can automatically assist with aiming, steering, reloading, jumping, running etc. This reduces the challenge of certain aspects of play to remove barriers and make control of characters more accessible.

Low Pressure: Game tasks aren't time-limited or there's a low-pressure mode. This avoids the pressure of being put on the clock for overarching missions, or failing tasks because you didn't reach a destination in time.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Getting Started

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Getting Started accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Getting Started accessibility:

ReadingReading

We've documented 7 accessibility features for Reading in Gears 5 which deal with how much reading or listening comprehension is required, how well the game provides visual and audible access to the text and whether subtitles and captions are a good fit for purpose.

Reading Level

How much reading is required to play the game's main path or story and how complex the language is. The presence of voiced characters doesn't reduce this requirement, as it's recorded as a separate datapoint.

Moderate Reading: Moderate reading required. The quantity and complexity of reading are at a level that a high school student (14-year-old) would appreciate.

Text Visibility

Large Clear Text: All essential text is large and clear or can be adjusted to be. The general text used throughout the game in menus, instructions and other key information (excluding subtitles that are assessed separately) is at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height on landscape screens and at least 1/40 height on portrait screens. We base this on the full line-height, including the space above and below the letters.

High Contrast Text: Text colour contrasts to the background or can be adjusted to be. The text in menus, instructions and other information is presented in high contrast with a solid background.

Subtitles

Large Clear Subtitles: Subtitles are large, clear and of good contrast. They are at least 1/20 (46 pixels on 1080 screen) the height of a landscape screen and at least 1/40 height on portrait screens, or can be adjusted to be. We base this on the full line-height, including the space above and below the letters. Considered separately from the general text of the game, the subtitles are large, clear and of good contrast.

All Speech Subtitled (Or No Speech In Game): All spoken content has subtitles, or there is no speech in the game. This means there is no requirement to hear spoken dialogue or narrative to play the game.

Captions

Speaker Indicator, their Tone and Environment Sounds: Captions indicate who is speaking (or there is only ever one person speaking) and their tone, game sound and music. This can also be indicated visually in the game with character icons or character expressions with text in speech bubbles next to the person speaking. Environmental sounds are provided as extra text within the subtitles.

Voice Acted

Some Dialogue is Voice Acted: Some of the game dialogue and narrative is voice acted. This reduces the pressure on reading all the dialogue text, although not everything is provided audibly.

NavigationNavigation

We've documented 3 accessibility features for Navigation in Gears 5 which deal with how the game provides guidance and assistance to navigate its worlds. These are only for games that have traversal and exploration in 2D and 3D spaces.

Clarity

Large Clear Navigation: The in-game navigation and maps are clear to read. They offer large text and offer markers that are large and of high contrast. Where text or information is small, there are settings to zoom-in and increase visibility.

Head-Up Display

Adjust Head-Up Display: Resize and adjust the content of the head-up display. This enables it to be made more visible. It can also enable the removal of too much information that can be distracting or confusing.

Menu Navigation

Menu Narrated: All of the game menus can be narrated for easier navigation. The game menus can therefore be navigated without reading text.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Navigation

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Navigation accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Navigation accessibility:

VisualVisual

We've documented 5 accessibility features for Visual in Gears 5 which deal with how you can adjust the visuals to suit your needs, and offer additional information if you can't hear the game.

Visual Distractions

No Screen Shake: No screen shake effect or it is included but it can be disabled. This includes the absence of screen shake for dramatic effect as well as to indicate hits on a target.

Audio Cues for Visual Events

Audio Cues for Visual Events: Audio is provided to indicate visual events. Game events or progress highlighted by visual icons, effects or animations are also accompanied by audio to signify that progress. This is useful for blind players.

Narration for Visual Elements

This is the audible narration of in-game text. Sometimes talk about as Text To Speech, although it may include the narration of no-textual elements. This is different to Text To Voice, which provides player-player textual communication audibly.

Menu Narrated: All of the game menus can be narrated for easier navigation. The game menus can therefore be navigated without reading text.

Colour Options

Colour Blind Friendly: Game doesn’t rely on colour or can switch to colour blind friendly mode with double coding or similar way to avoid colour dependance.

Violence

Turn Off Blood: Reduce or disable graphic content of blood and gore.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Visual

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Visual accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Visual accessibility:

AudioAudio

We've documented 2 accessibility features for Audio in Gears 5 which deal with how you can adjust the audio of the game and whether audio cues compensate for aspects of the game that are hard to see.

Adjustable Audio

Balance Audio Levels: Set music and game sound effects separately. This enables you to select your preference as well as ensure critical game sounds aren't obscured by other audio.

Audio Events

Visual Depiction of Directional Audio: Indication on-screen with arrows, icons, located colour splashes and the like, to show where directional audio for damage, footsteps, environmental or way-finding sounds are coming from.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Audio

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Audio accessibility features you require, these similar games extend the Audio accessibility:

CommunicationCommunication

We've documented 4 accessibility features for Communication in Gears 5 which deal with how you can communicate with other players in the game and what options are available to customise and control this interaction.

Player-to-Player Online Communication

This is how players communicate with each other in online games. This can be to plan strategy, chat as they play or co-ordinate resources.

Text Chat: Chat to other players by typing text.

Filtered Chat: Option to filter out profanity and/or sharing of personal information from online chat.

Online Communication Assistance

Text-to-speech: Convert text messages from other players to voiced messages. Game converts text typed by the player into synthesized audio that's read aloud to all other players in the voice channel. This feature allows players who can't speak verbally to have their thoughts expressed aloud to the rest of the players in their party.

Speech-to-text: Convert voice from other players to text messages. Transcribes incoming speech from other players into text onscreen in real time. Players who can't hear voice chat can read what other players have said aloud on their screen.

 

Similar Games With More Accessibility Features for Communication

If you want to play Gears 5, but it doesn't offer the Communication accessibility features you require, this similar game extends the Communication accessibility:

System Accessibility Settings

In addition to the accessibility features provided in the game, you can also use system-wide accessibility settings:

PC
Windows has extensive accessibility features. Some, like colour correction, work with games. Lots of accessibility software can be used with PC games, from voice recognition to input device emulators.
 
Xbox One
Xbox One has a system features, the excellent co-pilot share controls mode and adaptive controller support for all games.
 
Read more about system accessibility settings.

VSC LogoAccessibility Report supported by VSC Rating Board, PlayabilityInitiative and accessibility contributors Andy Robertson, @GeekDadGamer and @SightlessKombat


Taming Gaming Book Written by parents for parents, the database complements the in-depth discussion about video game addiction, violence, spending and online safety in the Taming Gaming book. We are an editorially independent, free resource without adverts that is supported by partnerships.

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