The Gears of War franchise needs no introduction: its legacy revolutionized and standardized what we now know as third-person shooters. It’s been 19 years since the original release and 10 years since its first remaster, and now we have Gears of War Reloaded.
At its core, this new release is essentially a remaster of the already remastered version, but taken a step further: 4K resolution, 60 stable FPS, and up to 120 FPS in multiplayer. Visually, it is without a doubt the most polished version to date, fixing pop-in issues from the original and showcasing far more detailed textures in both environments and character models. Still, despite these upgrades, it’s clear that this is a game of its time.
The story remains the same suicidal mission of Delta Squad against the Locust invasion. The narrative is still strong, with well-crafted cutscenes, dramatic moments, and twists that remain impactful even today. The original voice acting is preserved, now enhanced with clearer audio. That said, animations still feel a bit stiff, a reminder of the original design.
Gameplay also stays true to the classic experience, with some adjustments to movement, collision feedback, and more satisfying shooting mechanics. The game modes are intact: the campaign can be played solo or cooperatively, both online and locally, while multiplayer supports up to 8 players across modes like King of the Hill, Annex, Execution, and the ever-popular Team Deathmatch. On top of that, all skins and 19 maps are included, delivering the complete package.
One element that never loses its edge is the series’ signature violence: from the iconic chainsaw to explosive dismemberments, the blood effects are as visceral as ever.
PlayStation 5 players will notice some unique features thanks to the DualSense controller, including adaptive trigger resistance, radio chatter coming directly from the controller, cross-play support, and team identification via the touchpad’s lighting. While somewhat superficial, these additions do enhance immersion for those on Sony’s platform.
On the downside, the game still carries the “bones” of the original, and its visual upgrades may not feel striking enough for long-time fans. Multiplayer also shows some balancing issues, and overall, the experience may come across as more of a temporary novelty than a must-have re-release.
Gears of War Reloaded is ultimately an excellent gateway for PlayStation players to experience one of the most influential franchises in gaming history. With its solid story, combat, and technical upgrades, it’s a strong package, but veterans will likely find little reason to return beyond nostalgia or the chance to share the experience with friends on another platform.
Final Score: 4/5
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