| Gears of War: Reloaded | |||
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| Release Date | Gameplay & Story | Pre-Order & DLC | Review |
Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the first GOW game, released originally in 2006. Read our review of its multiplayer beta to see what it did well, what it didn't do well, and if it's worth buying.
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Everything We Know About Gears of War: Reloaded
Gears of War: Reloaded Story Plot
Humanity on the planet Sera faces an existential threat from a dangerous race of monstrous creatures known as the Locust Horde. Set fourteen years after Emergence Day, Marcus Fenix is conscripted by his friend, Dominic Santiago to help fight against the Locust threat. Relive Marcus story as he leads the charge to fight back against the Locust in hopes to save humanity.
Gears of War: Reloaded Gameplay
Gears of War: Reloaded will feature classic third-person shooter action remastered and optimized for current generation platforms. Relive the first chapter of the Locust War trilogy in 4K resolution and 120 FPS in either campaign split-screen or online co-op.
Prove yourself as the best Gear in classic Versus multiplayer with added cross-play and cross-progression functionality across all platforms. Additionally, the remaster comes with a new modern, streamlined control layout fit for newcomers of the series. Veterans can choose to play with classic controls to relive the classic feel that they know and love.
Gears of War is a cover-based third-person shooter where staying behind cover and using tactical movement is essential to survive. Players use the iconic “roadie run” to sprint between cover while engaging in intense, brutal firefights with weighty weapons like the Lancer, a machine gun with a chainsaw bayonet. Combat emphasizes squad tactics, with teammates supporting each other as they flank enemies or hold defensive positions.
Gears of War: Reloaded Release Date
Launches August 26, 2025
Gears of War: Reloaded releases this August 26, 2025 for the PC (via Steam, Xbox Game Pass), PS5, and Xbox Series X|S. The game can be pre-ordered in Steam, Xbox Store, and PSN Store for $39.99.
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| $39.99 | |||||
Gears of War: Reloaded Review [Multiplayer Beta]
Carnage Never Felt So Good
As someone who spent countless hours playing Gears of War split-screen with my cousin, the announcement of Gears of War: Reloaded hit me with a tidal wave of nostalgia and excitement. The opportunity to return to its dark, gritty, and relentlessly visceral world—to once again step into the boots of Marcus Fenix and mow down the Locust Horde—was something I couldn’t pass up.
To this day, I still catch myself quoting the game without even realizing it. Lines like “Revive me!”, “Smoke out!” and, of course, the unforgettable scream of “DOM!!!” are permanently etched into my memory. It’s the kind of game that doesn’t just stick with you—it becomes a part of your gamer DNA. I could go on for hours quoting Gears, and honestly? That’s a testament to just how iconic and impactful it really is.
Reloaded brings with it a host of visual upgrades, full cross-play support, and, perhaps most surprisingly, marks the series’ first official debut on PlayStation. It still feels strange to say, but it’s a welcome change that opens the franchise to a whole new audience.
I had the chance to dive into several hours of the multiplayer beta, and the first thing I have to say is: it’s good to be back. The moment I heard the iconic chainsaw rev and felt the familiar weight of the Lancer in my hands, it was like slipping into a perfectly worn pair of combat boots. From what I’ve played so far, Gears of War: Reloaded captures that unmistakable Gears feel—gritty, heavy, and brutally satisfying. It’s clear that the core DNA of the series remains intact, and both longtime fans and newcomers will quickly be reminded of why this franchise became a genre-defining staple.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. While the foundation feels strong, it’s worth diving deeper into the pros and cons of what the beta has shown us so far—because while nostalgia is powerful, execution is everything.
Locked, Loaded, and Loud
I had the chance to dive into the Gears of War: Reloaded multiplayer beta, and while the campaign wasn’t available in this build, players were given access to the core of what makes Gears multiplayer so iconic: Versus Mode. The beta included two main playlists—Social Match and Competitive Match. Social is your standard public matchmaking experience, while Competitive features classic modes like King of the Hill and Execution. I was able to try them all, though I quickly noticed that most players gravitated toward Social Match, with significantly longer wait times for the Competitive modes—especially Execution.
One notable change from the original is that you no longer pick your faction; instead, the game assigns you randomly to either the Gears or the Locust. It didn’t bother me too much, especially since the pre-game lobby gives you a great selection of iconic characters from both sides. From Dom, Marcus, and Hoffman to General RAAM and Theron Guards, there’s solid variety right out of the gate. Naturally, I had to lock in Anthony Carmine—my cousin and I always had a soft spot for the Carmine brothers.
Loadouts are what you'd expect: Lancer and Gnasher shotgun as your default weapons. What impressed me, though, was the immediate variety in cosmetic skins available even during the beta. Hopefully, that level of customization carries over to the full release.
My first match threw me into the classic map War Machine, and wow—that wave of nostalgia hit hard. Gears maps are tight, intimate, and designed for close-quarters brutality. Unlike the high-speed, run-and-gun chaos of other shooters like Call of Duty, Gears forces you to slow down, take cover, and think tactically. Every corner could be your last. I was rusty at first, dying frequently as I tried to get my bearings, but once I started to feel the rhythm again—sliding into cover, blind-firing from behind pillars, perfectly timing a shotgun blast—the old instincts came rushing back.
Gears multiplayer is controlled chaos. It’s tense, brutal, and unrelenting. I’ve had moments where I thought I was safe, only to get chainsawed from behind in a split second. And when the match really gets going, it’s a bloodbath—dismembered bodies, curb stomps, and clutch plays all unfolding in gritty, satisfying fashion.
Out of all the maps I tried, Courtyard stood out as my personal favorite. Its design encourages a mix of direct confrontations and sneaky flanking routes through the tunnels below. I especially loved the scramble to grab the sniper rifle and post up, picking off enemies as they tried to push the middle. It’s the kind of map that balances chaos and control perfectly, and it reminded me exactly why Gears multiplayer still holds up.
The other game modes are just as fun—King of the Hill plays like a chaotic mix of capture-the-flag and shotgun heaven. Matches usually run 10–15 minutes and can get incredibly intense, though sometimes they feel like they could benefit from a slightly faster pace, maybe by lowering the score cap. Since this is just the beta and you can’t host private matches yet, it’s unclear if that’s adjustable.
Still, Execution mode is a definite highlight. It forces you to finish enemies with headshots or brutal execution moves like chainsaw kills or curb stomps. It creates high-stakes moments, especially when a downed enemy is near their allies—you have to decide whether to go for the execution or take the risk and try to shotgun them all before getting overwhelmed. It’s that kind of tense decision-making that makes Gears of War so thrilling, and I’m glad to say this version doesn’t mess that up.
Crossplay Works Seemlessly
If you’re planning to play with friends, especially across platforms, I recommend setting up a Microsoft account—it’s essential for cross-play functionality for PC to consoles. That said, you can still match with players from other platforms even without signing in. In fact, during my play sessions, I tested this out and was still able to join games with players from Xbox and PlayStation without any issues. The cross-play support in Gears of War: Reloaded works surprisingly well, and during the beta, I didn’t experience any noticeable lag or stuttering. Matches ran smoothly, and my teammates seemed to have the same experience.
However, there were a few hiccups—whether due to the beta build or server-side quirks, I sometimes ran into teammates disconnecting or going AFK mid-match. It’s unclear whether this was a technical issue or just typical online behavior, but it did impact the experience in some matches. One particular round ended up being a brutal 2v8 mismatch after half our team dropped. While these situations were rare, they’re still frustrating and hopefully something that gets ironed out before launch.
Overall, the cross-play experience was solid. I frequently saw a mix of Xbox, PC, and PS5 players in lobbies, and the game clearly displays what platform each user is playing on beside their name—a small but helpful touch. It’s great to see Gears finally embracing a more unified multiplayer community, and it opens the door for more seamless squad play no matter where your friends are gaming.
Shotguns are Still OP
If there’s one thing that hasn’t changed—and likely never will—in Gears of War, it’s this: shotguns are absurdly overpowered. One well-placed shot and you’ll watch your enemy’s guts explode in gloriously gory detail. But don’t get too comfortable—it still takes a fast trigger finger and sharp reflexes, because once you're in close range, 99% of encounters boil down to shotgun duels, with the remaining 1% reserved for the occasional chainsaw finisher.
Don’t get me wrong—the shotgun is easily one of the most satisfying weapons in the Gears franchise, and nothing quite matches the rush of a successful close-quarters blast. However, it does come with its drawbacks. Its sheer power often funnels combat into a single dominant strategy: close the distance and blast away. This can lead to repetitive skirmishes, especially in tight, objective-based modes like Capture the Flag, where close encounters are inevitable. I’ve had matches where entire rounds devolved into shotgun standoffs—three games in a row of nothing but gut-splattering chaos.
Still, that’s part of the gritty charm of Gears. Learning how to counter the shotgun meta—whether by locking down a vantage point with a long-range weapon or disorienting foes with smoke grenades—is part of the tactical depth that keeps the game from feeling one-note. Love it or hate it, the shotgun is the beating heart of Gears of War, and adapting to its presence is part of what makes the multiplayer so brutally fun.
In terms of weaponry, the beta doesn’t give you access to everything yet. So far, you only get the Lancer, the shotgun, and occasionally map pickups like the Torque Bow or sniper rifle. I didn’t come across the Hammer of Dawn during my matches, so I’m not sure if it’s in the game yet, but I hope they add it later. That said, the iconic smoke grenade is still here and just as essential as ever—it really elevates your strategy and feels great to use.
Going Back From 1 is Rough if You’ve Played Later Installments
It’s important to set expectations right away: this is a remastered edition, not a full remake. Much like the previous Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, this version enhances the original but doesn't fully modernize it. If you’ve played Gears 5 or even some of the later entries in the series, you’ll definitely notice aspects that feel dated—like the occasionally awkward wallbouncing, groggier movement, slower animations, and less responsive aiming.
To be clear, the game still plays well and feels much smoother than the original 2006 release, but it doesn’t include many of the quality-of-life improvements introduced in later titles. I found myself wishing they had taken this remaster a step further—like some of the more ambitious remasters I’ve reviewed recently, which went the extra mile to refine core mechanics, tighten controls, and bring outdated elements up to modern standards.
Small additions like improved hit detection, snappier movement, or even simple features like teammate color outlines would have gone a long way in making this feel more current. That said, once I got used to the slightly older feel, the game clicked again, and the nostalgia kicked in. It never seriously hindered my matches, and I was able to adapt quickly—but it’s something players should be aware of going in.
This remaster may not reinvent the wheel, but it’s still a solid and faithful return to a classic. Hopefully, future updates might address some of these gaps. Until then, just be sure to set your expectations accordingly.
A Solid Glimpse of What’s to Come
Considering the game supports cross-play, looks fantastic—especially in 4K—and already has a solid set of features, I definitely recommend checking it out once it's released in August. The cross-play alone makes it easy for friends to jump in together, which is a huge plus. While this is just a glimpse of what’s to come, I’m hoping the full game brings back fan-favorite content like Horde Mode, which is not only my favorite mode in Gears but arguably the best horde mode in any shooter.
That said, the online could use some tuning—disconnects are still an issue—and I’d suggest getting a Microsoft account if you're playing on Steam to get full access to perks and matchmaking. I'm also crossing my fingers for free DLC like in Gears 5. With continued support and quality-of-life updates, this could easily become the most replayable and accessible Gears yet.
Game8 Reviews
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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 |
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