At first glance, the original Gears of War from 2006 might’ve looked like just another hyper-macho shooter, full of biceps and bravado. But over time, it proved to be much more than that. Beneath the tough-guy exterior was one of the most iconic third-person cover shooters ever made—complete with unforgettable weapons, intense gameplay, and surprisingly strong storytelling. Now, nearly two decades later, Gears of War: Reloaded gives this classic another shot in the spotlight, and this time, it feels like the glow-up it truly deserves.
Unlike some remasters that show up too soon and barely justify their existence, Reloaded actually makes a strong case for itself. It’s a full visual overhaul that brings the game up to modern standards without losing its original feel. Thanks to The Coalition, this new version rolls out the welcome mat for PS5 and Steam players with sleek graphics, faster frame rates, and best of all—no more painfully long loading screens.
If you played the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition back in 2015, much of what was praised then still holds up now. After logging around seven hours in Reloaded, I’d say the foundation is still rock solid. The campaign wastes no time: you’re dropped straight into a desperate warzone, where everything goes sideways fast. Things get bleak for Marcus Fenix and his squad, but that escalating chaos makes for a seriously gripping experience—especially when paired with the new technical upgrades.
Let’s talk performance. Reloaded supports 4K resolution with up to 120Hz output if your display can handle it. The campaign now runs at a smooth 60fps on consoles, a big improvement from the original’s 30fps (unless you played with the Series X enhancements). Multiplayer hits 120fps, making it feel more fluid than ever. On top of that, there are more customization options across controls and audio than we had in the Ultimate Edition, giving players more ways to tailor their experience.
That said, it’s not all flawless. While playing on PS5, I ran into a few bugs—nothing major, but noticeable. Checkpoints occasionally jumped me forward or started me facing the wrong direction. Sometimes a character’s voice would randomly cut out for a line, and a couple of enemies got stuck in awkward cover spots. These glitches were rare and didn’t really mess with the overall experience. I didn’t see these same issues on the Xbox version, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there—bugs can be weird like that.
Still, despite a few hiccups, Gears of War: Reloaded feels like a meaningful return to a game that helped shape modern shooters. It’s a faithful, smart update that makes it easier than ever to recommend to newcomers and old fans alike.
GAMENEON RATING 8.5 OUT 10 GREAT PORT
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