Gears of War 4 is set 25 years after the events of Gears of War 3 and features three new playable characters, one of whom is Marcus Fenix's son.

From left to right, Delmont 'Del' Walker, JD Fenix and Kait Diaz.

Microsoft snapped up the latest Game Informer cover reveal and the US magazine has first dibs on a raft of details.

Marcus Fenix's son is called JD Fenix, and he's the primary protagonist of the game. He's described as an idealist who ran away from home to join the COG militia. JD goes AWOL after a classified incident you learn about as you play the game.

JD Fenix is played by Liam McIntyre, who stars in TV show Spartacus.

Other playable characters include Kait Diaz, played by Laura Bailey (Jaina Proudmoore in World of Warcraft), and Delmont "Del" Walker, an ex-COG soldier who became friends with JD at boarding school. Del is played by Eugene Byrd, who recently played Marcus "Boomer" Boone in Battlefield Hardline.

Game Informer said Gears of War 4 developer The Coalition is trying to bring the series back to its "darker, horror-themed roots". Two-player couch co-op is confirmed. There's a new "close-cover melee system", too.