Gears of Struggle is arguably essentially the most masculine property in video video games. A franchise based on the concept of muscular, refrigerator-sized dudes tearing aside pungent underground monsters with badass chainsaws till they’re lined in bloody viscera was all the time destined to draw such a repute, however this solely makes the moments when it subverts our expectations all of the extra impactful. Situations of quiet inside its post-apocalyptic world, or conversations shared between its foremost solid when every part appears misplaced, all the time hit the toughest.
When you strip away the chainsaw bayonets, you’re left with a profound narrative of grief as Marcus Fenix tries to avoid wasting a humanity that’s already flirting with extinction. Whereas all of his muscle tissue and bravado would possibly make the person appear infallible, Fenix is often tasked with the impossible–to save a human race that’s consistently beneath the specter of annihilation. He’s doomed to fail, to finally fall alongside his comrades till a brand new era emerges to proceed the battle. This makes excellent narrative sense, and would additionally give the enduring hero some a lot wanted relaxation. So, what would occur if The Coalition really went by way of with it and killed him?
Ever since I first laid eyes on Marcus Fenix as he explored the darkened streets of a fallen metropolis to the melancholic fantastic thing about “Mad World,” I’ve considered him as a tragic character. He’s combating an unimaginable warfare after being free of unjustified imprisonment, and spends all the unique trilogy watching shut pals succumb to their private demons or fall to an enemy that reveals no indicators of slowing. Making the participant really feel doomed from the outset might be an extremely highly effective storytelling device, so it’s no shock that E-Day focuses so closely on the world falling aside as a youthful roster of heroes is compelled to take motion.
If you flip as much as save the day amidst the rubble of Kalona, it’s usually about choosing up the items whereas strolling over recent corpses of 1000’s, the place discovering even two survivors is a cause to rejoice given the circumstances. Not as soon as does Fenix entertain leaving harmless individuals behind, and also you really really feel for him when retreat turns into the one choice. Sadly, as soon as the wonderful opening act concludes, the marketing campaign settles right into a predictable routine that may’t assist feeling middle-of-the-road.
This query has been on my thoughts for over a decade now, because the character arc of Fenix got here to a pure conclusion in Gears of Struggle 3 after the Locust are defeated and humanity is assured a future. Our flawed hero may be stricken with grief by the sacrifices of Dom and his different comrades, however he stays surrounded by individuals who love and care about him in methods that may now be treasured in a world the place survival is assured. However due to this have to maintain widespread franchises alive and keep away from disappointing legions of followers, Marcus Fenix has remained integral to Gears ever since.
Whereas the main points are cloudy all these years later, there was a time when Gears of Struggle was probably going to go away the planet of Sera behind in pursuit of pastures new. Chatting with Sport Informer as a part of a canopy story again in 2016, inventive director Chuck Osieja claimed that The Coalition was initially fascinated with taking Gears to a recent planet with an all-new solid of characters who have been solely loosely linked to what got here earlier than. As long as Gears focuses on the machinations of battle with satisfying fight and a worthwhile story, I can see it happening anyplace, however with out the stewardship of Epic Video games it settled for essentially the most predictable vacation spot conceivable. Marcus Fenix has a son, the Locust comes again, and humanity as soon as once more finds itself on the backfoot. Seems the unique trilogy was for naught.
Gears of Struggle 4 centered on a brand new trio of likeable characters–JD Fenix, Kait Diaz, and Del Walker–who have been all raised in a world with out the Locust risk, however nonetheless dwelling beneath the thumb of an outdated militaristic society that refuses to go away previous habits behind. It’s a extra saturated and releasing world, however the exact same darkness awaits beneath the floor. As for Marcus Fenix, he has secluded himself within the wilderness after the dying of his spouse and the trauma of perpetual battle, resentful of a son who determined to affix a navy he has actively come to despise. The warfare could also be over, however Marcus has little curiosity in returning to a world that refuses to be taught from its errors.
This new trilogy would finally shift focus away from the Fenix household and as an alternative principally on Kait and her unusual connection to the brand new Locust risk, with Gears 5 providing a harsh and sudden participant alternative within the remaining act as you’re requested to avoid wasting the lifetime of both JD or Del. Whoever you don’t select is murdered earlier than your eyes, however because the trilogy was ditched, at the very least for now, for a prequel in E-Day, we by no means get to witness the repercussions. Even Marcus appears fairly unfazed by the dying of his solely son, when this might have been a killer second for many years of anger, grief, and resentment to culminate in one thing significant. As a substitute it’s brushed apart and by no means talked about once more, becoming a member of Halo’s Reclaimer trilogy as tales ripe with potential that Xbox left behind as a result of market relevance was extra necessary.
Slightly than outliving his son and watching a world he helped save as soon as once more fall to wreck, Marcus Fenix ought to have perished in Gears of Struggle 4 as he passes the torch onto a brand new era. Not mauled by a horde of Locust in grotesque vogue as a twisted joke, however giving his life to individuals he cares about whereas cementing an everlasting hope that issues are price combating for. Starting his new character arc as a jaded previous man deciding to protect himself from the realities of a world he helped save earlier than reaching a place the place he possesses renewed hope within the coming era would match the narrative themes whereas being courageous sufficient to go away our personal nostalgia behind. Even in the identical universe, we shouldn’t be afraid to fall in love with new characters and new tales, and realise titans like Marcus Fenix are fallible creatures in their very own proper. Gears of Struggle 4 excelled in making such an iconic image of online game masculinity appear susceptible, however failed to drag the set off the place it mattered most.
