| Gears of War: Reloaded | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Gears of War: Reloaded is a modern remaster of the iconic 2006 third-person shooter originally released on Xbox 360. Read our review to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
Gears of War: Reloaded Review Overview
What is Gears of War: Reloaded?
Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the original Gears of War from 2006 and the Ultimate Edition released in 2015. This remaster launched on August 26, 2025, marking the franchise’s first appearance on platforms beyond Xbox, including PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S. It was developed by The Coalition, with support from Sumo Digital and Disbelief.
Reloaded revisits the story of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad as they confront the emerging threat of the Locust Horde on the war-torn planet Sera. All content from the 2015 Ultimate Edition, including an additional campaign act, multiplayer maps, modes, characters, and cosmetics, is restored and integrated into this remaster at no extra cost. Players can experience the narrative solo or in co-op, either via split-screen or online.
While the core third-person, cover-based action remains faithful to the original, the campaign now runs at 60 FPS, with multiplayer reaching up to 120 FPS. The remaster also supports 4K resolution, HDR, variable refresh rate (VRR), Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos, alongside fully remastered textures, lighting, shadows, and reflections. Loading screens have been completely removed during campaign transitions.
Gears of War: Reloaded features:
⚫︎ Action
⚫︎ Multiplayer
⚫︎ Third-Person Shooter
⚫︎ PvP
⚫︎ 4k Support
⚫︎ Crossplay Support
For more gameplay details, read everything we know about Gears of War: Reloaded's gameplay and story.
 Steam |
 Playstation |
 Xbox |
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| Price | $39.99 | |||||||
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Gears of War: Reloaded Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
 The Best Way To Experience the Gears of War Campaign Significant Improvements to Multiplayer Looks Great, Plays Even Better |
Could Use A Few More Gameplay Enhancements and Features |
Gears of War: Reloaded Overall Score - 82/100
Gears of War: Reloaded is easily the best way to experience the original game. It leaves the Ultimate Edition in the dust with improvements that breathe new life into a title that was starting to show its age. Sure, there are moments where you can still feel its 2006 roots, and a few more upgrades would’ve been welcome, but what’s here proves just how well Gears still holds up. Reloaded sharpens everything—from visuals to performance—in a way that both longtime fans and first-time players can really appreciate.
Gears of War: Reloaded Story - 7/10
Gears of War had the challenge of setting the stage for its world and characters, and it does a commendable job. It pulls players into the dark, visceral world of Sera while delivering a story packed with action and intensity. Still, many of the characters feel more like sketches than fully realized personalities—aside from a few standouts—something later entries would expand on much more effectively. The pacing can also feel uneven, with some sections dragging and others rushing forward too quickly. And while the writing shows signs of a team still finding its footing, it’s easy to see how each installment refined and strengthened the narrative (well… maybe not Judgment).
Gears of War: Reloaded Gameplay - 8/10
Gears of War: Reloaded packs a substantial amount of content, including the full campaign with split-screen co-op, a robust suite of multiplayer modes, and all DLC from both the original release and the Ultimate Edition. Quality-of-life upgrades, such as smoother controls, help modernize the experience while preserving the series’ signature weighty, brutal combat. That said, since this is essentially a second remaster, more ambitious updates like features from later sequels or entirely new modes, maps, and characters would have elevated the release further.
Gears of War: Reloaded Visuals - 9/10
Gears of War: Reloaded is visually impressive. With full 4K support, higher frame rates, and upgraded assets, the game looks sharper and more immersive than ever. The developers have done an excellent job preserving the series’ signature grit and dark, foreboding atmosphere while modernizing the presentation. That said, the remaster isn’t flawless. In the campaign, some low-poly textures and occasional awkward character models remind you of the game’s age. Still, these are minor distractions in what is otherwise a dramatic visual upgrade that respects the original aesthetic.
Gears of War: Reloaded Audio - 7/10
The voice acting in Gears of War: Reloaded is top-notch, with John DiMaggio’s performance as Marcus Fenix cementing its place as one of gaming’s most iconic roles. The weapon audio is just as powerful; every chainsaw rev and shotgun blast hits with bone-rattling impact. Thanks to 7.1 3D Spatial Audio, the chaos feels alive, with gunfire and explosions tearing through from every direction. Where the sound design stumbles, however, is in the soundtrack. While functional, the score lacks the intensity and staying power you’d expect from a war-ravaged battlefield. Later entries refined this aspect, but here, the music is largely forgettable.
Gears of War: Reloaded Value for Money - 10/10
Gears of War: Reloaded comes in at $40, which is a solid deal considering the major visual upgrades and packed-in content. It’s a great starting point for newcomers, offering a roughly 9-hour campaign plus all the DLC from past releases. Multiplayer feels better than ever with full crossplay, improved dedicated servers, and cross-progression, so teaming up across platforms is seamless. On top of that, Xbox Game Pass members can jump in on day one at no extra cost, while digital owners of the Ultimate Edition get a free upgrade.
Gears of War: Reloaded Review: A Gorgeous, Gory Comeback
A lot of people were skeptical about Gears of War: Reloaded and why the first game needed another remaster, especially since we already got the Ultimate Edition. Honestly, I was right there with them at first. But the more I thought about it, the more it started to make sense. It’s been nearly ten years since that remaster on the Xbox One, and it hasn’t exactly aged gracefully. For something that was meant to modernize the game, there are plenty of moments where it just doesn’t hold up anymore.
That’s where Reloaded comes in. It doesn’t feel like a quick cash grab—it feels like it has a purpose. For the first time, PlayStation players finally get to experience where the series began, which is huge for a franchise that’s always been tied to Xbox. And for longtime fans, this isn’t just about nostalgia. Reloaded celebrates what made Gears such a big deal while giving it the kind of polish it always deserved. From the moment I started playing, it was clear this was more than a simple upgrade. It feels like a proper reminder of why Gears was special in the first place and why it still deserves attention today.
Nothing Feels Manlier than Saving the World from Extinction
I’ve heard a lot of people, both friends and strangers online, write off Gears of War as nothing more than a “meathead” shooter with no story, just pure testosterone, carnage, and violence. And while that reputation isn’t completely undeserved, the truth is the game has much more depth and lore than it might seem at first glance. For newcomers, the story is set on the planet Sera, where humanity faces extinction at the hands of the Locust Horde, a terrifying subterranean race.
Fourteen years after Emergence Day, Marcus Fenix is pulled back into the fight by his friend Dominic Santiago, and together with Delta Squad, they take the fight to the Locust in a desperate bid to save humanity. I won’t spoil the details of their mission, but revisiting the campaign still gave me goosebumps. The intensity never lets up, and it’s packed with heart-pounding action. Yet, what really surprised me was the humanity behind it all. Even though most of the Delta Squad feels one-note in this first entry, their banter, jokes, and camaraderie make them feel like real people living through the end of the world. Marcus and Dom’s bond in particular stands out; they truly feel like brothers in arms.
That said, the writing does stumble at times. The pacing can be inconsistent, dragging in certain sections while rushing in others. Too often, the flow falls into a repetitive cycle of clearing out waves of Locust and moving to the next area with little creativity compared to later entries. It’s clear that the developers was still finding its footing in terms of narrative direction. Despite these flaws, the campaign remains impactful, not just for its action, but for the bleak, war-torn atmosphere that grounds the story and gives Marcus real emotional weight as a protagonist.
Reloaded, though, is absolutely the best way to experience this campaign. The updated visuals make the already cinematic moments more immersive, pulling you deeper into Delta One’s struggle. Faster frame rates and the removal of loading screens smooth out the pacing, making the experience feel much more modern. The set pieces still hit hard, whether it’s facing down towering Locust beasts or fighting your way through overwhelming odds.
On top of that, the inclusion of the Lost Chapters DLC adds meaningful story content that many players might have missed, and the return of split-screen co-op is a huge win. For me, it brought back a wave of nostalgia from when I’d play campaign and multiplayer with my cousin, and I’m glad the developers didn’t leave that feature behind.
Bloody Gorgeous Visuals
If you thought Ultimate Edition looked impressive, Gears of War: Reloaded absolutely blows it out of the water. This is what Ultimate Edition should have been: a true remaster that feels night and day compared to both the original Xbox 360 version and its previous upgrade.
The visual overhaul is stunning. From dramatically improved lighting to richer textures, the enhancements don’t dilute the series’ trademark grit and gore. In fact, the game feels darker, more visceral, and far more cinematic. The campaign is where these improvements shine brightest. From the haunting prison where Marcus and Dom make their escape to the nightmarish battlegrounds of Sera, the set pieces feel more intense than ever. There’s a chilling beauty to the violence, especially when you stare down hulking Locust beasts like the Brumak, now rendered with horrifying detail that makes you appreciate just how terrifying these creatures are.
The Gears themselves look incredible too. I was worried their armor would appear too polished or glossy, but thankfully, it retains that war-torn aesthetic that fans love. Delta Squad has never looked better. The gore in this game is absolutely top-notch. Every encounter feels brutally satisfying, with blood splattering across the screen in all the right ways. When you rev up the Lancer’s chainsaw or tear enemies apart with gunfire, the sheer impact hits hard. Limbs fly, blood gushes, and it all comes together to create a gritty, visceral experience that makes every kill feel raw and intense.
Multiplayer maps also received a significant visual upgrade, with sharper 4K textures and enhanced atmospheric details that make each location, from Clocktower to Gridlock to Canals, feel more immersive and battle-scarred than ever.
And then there’s the performance. The higher frame rate is a game-changer. It delivers smoother animations without sacrificing the series’ trademark weighty movement. Characters look and feel more polished in motion, and every firefight is now as intense as it is beautiful.
Still a Chainsaw-Ripping Good Time
The visual upgrades don’t just make the game look better; they fundamentally improve how it feels to play. The higher frame rate is a game-changer because it delivers smoother animations while enhancing the overall combat experience. Aiming and dodging feel far more precise and responsive, with an added level of fidelity that makes every movement snappier. The characters still maintain that iconic sense of weight, but their movements now feel faster and more fluid, with noticeably less input lag.
As someone who spent plenty of time with the classic control scheme, I have to say I vastly prefer the modernized layout. It feels more intuitive and natural, making gunfights smoother and quicker without sacrificing the series’ trademark heaviness. It is great that the game gives players the choice between the classic and updated controls, letting everyone stick with what feels best.
Gunplay itself has never felt better: fast, responsive, and immensely satisfying. Whether it is revving up the Lancer’s chainsaw bayonet or unloading a shotgun blast into an enemy’s face, the tactile feedback on controller is phenomenal. Every kill feels impactful, and every shot delivers a punch. I do have a few minor gripes with certain mechanics, which I will get to later, but overall, the gameplay is sharp, fluid, and a joy to experience.
A War You Won’t Want to Stop
Having played the multiplayer beta back in July, I already had a solid sense of what Gears of War: Reloaded had to offer. My main curiosity going into the full release was simple: what additional changes and improvements would it bring? The answer, as it turns out, is plenty. This is a multiplayer experience that not only builds on the beta but elevates it in ways that make it feel sharper, deeper, and more rewarding for both veterans and newcomers.
One of the first things that stands out is the expanded roster of modes. Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Execution, Warzone, 2v2 Gnasher Execution, Assassination, and Annex are all here, and each one offers a slightly different flavor of Gears combat. Team Deathmatch and King of the Hill provide fast-paced, objective-driven chaos, while Execution slows things down into a tense, tactical chess match where one mistake can end your run. For fans of close-quarters duels, 2v2 Gnasher Execution is an adrenaline rush, rewarding lightning-fast reflexes and precision movement. The addition of these modes ensures that players of all preferences—from competitive purists to casual brawlers—will find something that suits their style.
The most notable balancing change comes to the Gnasher shotgun, the weapon that has long dominated the Gears meta. In Reloaded, the Gnasher still packs the devastating punch that makes it iconic, but it no longer feels like the sole determining factor in every engagement. This tweak changes the tempo of matches. Instead of simply rewarding whoever fires first at point-blank range, fights now emphasize positioning, timing, and adaptability. Assault rifles, power weapons, and team coordination feel more relevant than ever, creating a layered battlefield where variety and strategy win out over pure muscle memory.
The content offering is impressive. Reloaded ships with 19 multiplayer maps, all benefiting from significant visual upgrades that showcase just how far the franchise has come in terms of art direction. Classics like Gridlock are back, now bathed in richer lighting and environmental details that breathe new life into these fan-favorite arenas. The improved textures and enhanced effects make each battleground feel gritty and cinematic without losing that distinct Gears identity.
Adding to this is the inclusion of all DLC content from Ultimate Edition, now reimagined within a progression system that feels rewarding rather than grind-heavy. Unlockables range from character skins to weapon customizations, ensuring that players have plenty of long-term goals beyond climbing leaderboards.
Performance-wise, the difference is immediately noticeable. Dedicated servers running at 60Hz make every action feel crisp and responsive. Even when playing at higher ping, improved regional coverage helps maintain consistency, drastically reducing the frustrating moments that plagued earlier iterations. Higher frame rates across all platforms and fully integrated crossplay ensure that the competitive environment remains smooth, fair, and more accessible than ever.
Anti-cheat measures deserve a shout-out as well. The experience has been clean, with no noticeable interference from hackers or exploiters. Pair that with seamless cross-progression through your Microsoft account, and you have a multiplayer ecosystem that feels modern and future-proof.
What makes Gears multiplayer truly special is the way it balances raw aggression with tactical precision. The adrenaline rush of sprinting across the battlefield, rolling into cover, and lining up that perfect shotgun blast or revving the Lancer’s chainsaw never loses its appeal. Execution mode, in particular, remains a highlight for me. The tension of knowing that downed players can be revived—and the thrill of denying that revival with a brutal execution—creates moments that are as nerve-wracking as they are satisfying. These executions remain gloriously over-the-top, and they continue to deliver that signature Gears brutality fans have loved since day one.
There are smaller changes that long-time fans will notice, such as the removal of faction selection. Players are now randomly assigned to COG or Locust at the start of each match. It’s a purely cosmetic shift that doesn’t affect gameplay, but it does streamline matchmaking. Combined with enhanced menus and snappier UI, these little touches contribute to an experience that feels clean and modern.
At its core, Gears of War: Reloaded multiplayer is everything you could hope for from a modern reimagining of a classic experience. It’s fast, brutal, and endlessly satisfying, supported by thoughtful improvements that respect the legacy of the series while pushing it forward. With a robust mode lineup, polished mechanics, impressive technical performance, and a healthy mix of nostalgia and innovation, this is the definitive way to play Gears multiplayer.
I Need Horde Mode
As much as I enjoyed my time with Gears of War: Reloaded, I have to point out a few shortcomings. This is, after all, the second remaster of the original game. Granted, Ultimate Edition launched almost a decade ago, but I still wish the developers had gone further with this version. While I appreciate the importance of staying faithful to the original, adding more features from later installments could have made the experience feel truly modern and on par with newer entries.
The core gameplay of the first Gears remains solid, but its age occasionally shows, especially if you have played the more recent titles. Reloaded offers significant improvements over the original 2006 release, yet it does not introduce many of the quality-of-life upgrades that became standard in later games. I often found myself wishing for snappier movement, mid-action canceling when sliding into cover, shoulder charging, faster weapon switching, a more dynamic active reload system, and even simple touches like teammate color outlines.
Additional weapons, such as the Drozshot and Buzzkill, along with more multiplayer characters like Benjamin and Clayton Carmine, would have been great inclusions to help this remaster stand out. While I understand keeping the campaign unchanged, multiplayer feels like a missed opportunity. Features like Horde Mode, which became a staple and one of the most popular modes in the Gears of War franchise, should have been added because, in my opinion, it is a better version of Call of Duty’s Zombies. I also wish we had a Versus AI mode like in the later entries.
Reloaded is still a great way to experience Gears of War, but a few extra steps toward modernization would have elevated it from a strong remaster to a definitive one.
Is Gears of War: Reloaded Worth It?
Wear Your Gear, and Serve the COG
So, was this remaster necessary? I would say yes. Gears of War: Reloaded is absolutely worth picking up. At $40, it’s priced far more fairly than most recent remasters and delivers meaningful upgrades that make this the best way to experience the original. It is also an excellent entry point for newcomers who have never played the series, and for longtime fans, it is a great opportunity to relive the campaign that started it all.
Where you really get your money’s worth, however, is in the multiplayer. With better servers, full crossplay so you can play with friends across platforms, and a generally smoother experience, multiplayer is an absolute blast and offers countless hours of fun.
It may not fulfill every wish for a Gears game, but it is still fantastic. The campaign remains a brutal, satisfying ride, and the improved multiplayer keeps the action going long after the credits roll.
As a bonus, Reloaded sets the stage perfectly for the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel that explores the origins of the franchise, set 14 years before the first game.I’m also hoping this opens the door for remasters of Gears of War 2 and, especially, my personal favorite, Gears of War 3. Those two are absolute classics and, in my opinion, even stronger than the first game.
| Steam |
Playstation |
Xbox |
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| Price | $39.99 | |||||||
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Gears of War: Reloaded FAQ
Is Gears of War: Reloaded a Free Upgrade for Owners of the Ultimate Edition?
Yes, if you have the digital version of Gears of War: Reloaded, you get a free upgrade for Xbox Series X/S and Xbox on PC.
Who Are the Playable Gears of War: Reloaded Multiplayer?
⚫︎ Marcus Fenix
⚫︎ Dominic Santiago
⚫︎ Damon S. Baird
⚫︎ Augustus Cole
⚫︎ Anthony Carmine
⚫︎ Minh Young Kim
⚫︎ Victor Hoffman
⚫︎ Adam Jonathon Fenix
⚫︎ Aaron Griffin
⚫︎ Anya Stroud
⚫︎ Samantha Byrne
⚫︎ Richard Prescott
⚫︎ Dizzy Wallin
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Gears of War: Reloaded Product Information
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| Title | Gears of War: Reloaded |
|---|---|
| Release Date | Aug. 26, 2025 |
| Developer | The Coalition, Sumo Digital, Disbelief |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Supported Platforms | PC, Xbox Series XIS, PS5 |
| Genre | Shooter, Action |
| Number of Players | 1-8 |
| ESRB Rating | M |
| Official Website | GOW: Reloaded Official Website |
