Gears of War Reloaded Review – Emergence Day
One of Microsoft’s biggest Xbox-exclusive franchises has finally made its way to PlayStation. If you told me when the Xbox Series X|S era started that we’d be seeing Gears of War and other Xbox first-party games on the PS5, I would have called you crazy. But here we are, and the first Gears of War is now available on PS5.
Packed in a shiny new edition, Gears of War Reloaded is the first, in what is hopefully many, Gears of War games to land on PlayStation. But with the game having been released in 2006, can it still be relevant almost 20 years later?
It’s hard to argue for it, though those on PS5 might have more incentive to get it since this is an entirely new game for PlayStation gamers.
Lock and Reload
Gears of War holds a special place in my heart, as this is the game that made me want an Xbox 360. In 2006, a third-person cover shooter that offered this kind of visceral action was something new. Customization? Unlocking abilities and progression? Those weren’t things that were even part of your everyday action game.
It was a game that many felt was ahead of its time, and part of the reason the Xbox 360 was so successful; the franchise eventually spawned several sequels and spin-offs. Of course, the original game was released almost 20 years ago, and a lot has changed since then. However, one thing is certain: Gears of War has managed to stay relevant, with many of today’s third-person shooters tracing their roots back to the classic release.
There’s a compelling reason to re-release the original Gears of War, given its significant impact on gaming. With Microsoft’s push for multiplatform gaming when it comes to its first-party titles, it’s sensible to introduce the title to a new audience, especially if the company wants to release the in-development Gears of War game on other platforms (something which we’ve reported on previously).
Gears of War: Reloaded isn’t a remake, but a remaster, so don’t expect the game to feature new mechanics, features, or even an overhaul of the visuals. What’s been added to this is 4K resolution, 60 frames-per-second in the Campaign, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) support, and more. Needless to say, if it wasn’t obvious enough, the improvements are mostly skin deep, which is something you’ll need to know beforehand before diving in, so expectations are set. It’s the definitive way to play the original release, with its online mode fully functional, including a full co-op campaign and, of course, the versus mode. The latter, we weren’t able to try much of it, given that this was a pre-release version and servers weren’t populated, but if you loved the competitive modes in the original, there’s no reason why you won’t love it in the remaster.
Complete Experience
PlayStation fans jumping in for the first time, don’t feel discouraged by some of the long-time veterans who may be stomping you in online. There’s a learning curve, but if you give it time, you’ll see just how fun and addictive the online can be. It’s brutal and bloody, but a whole lot of fun once you get used to it, and I’m glad that The Coalition, the new Gears of War developers, kept the multiplayer with this release.
Too often, we see remasters of old titles that fail to include their multiplayer components. So, thank you, The Coalition, for bringing this experience back for everyone to experience once again, or for the first time.
But enough about the competitive online mode, let’s dive into the campaign, the very thing that made me a fan of the Gears of War franchise.
I’ll be the first to admit that Gears of War, even in its remastered Reloaded edition, has not aged too well. I don’t mean when it comes to story or being politically incorrect or anything like that — just in general with the gameplay department, but that’s expected from something that came out in 2006. Mind you, it does seem like The Coalition did tweak some of the movement and controls to make it more “modern,” but it’s nothing drastic. It’s still the same Gears of War fans remember, just with prettier resolution and textures.
That’s not to say that it’s a bad thing, but if you’re a PlayStation gamer or someone entirely new to the franchise, you might feel it’s dated and wonder what the big fuss is about this franchise. I’m OK with that, and playing through this with someone entirely new to the franchise, they understood that fully going into this game.
The core loop of the campaign is essentially to find a badass weapon to wield and encounter gruesome aliens, which you kill in some of the most brutal ways. That’s it, basically. It’s not that cut-and-dry, as there is gameplay variety in the form of massive boss fights and driving segments and whatnot, but overall, what you have and what your character can do from the start is the same until the end.
The set pieces, even if they aren’t as spectacular as they once were, are still some of the best we’ve seen in a third-person shooter such as this. That first encounter you have with a Berserker is still spine-chilling, as it hunts you down through a closed-quarter area, wreaking havoc through the building. Seeing the swarm of Krylls (insect-like creatures that fly in swarms) chasing you down through the darkness, as you try to find the next light source, so you aren’t eaten to a bloody pulp. It’s intense and a great way to show how the world of Sera (the home of humanity) is a dangerous one.
The story is simple: save humanity from a horrific alien threat known as the Locust Horde. There’s not a lot of depth to the plot or the characters, but the banter between the members of Delta Squad is what makes it so enjoyable. Marcus Fenix, Dom Santiago, Cole, and Baird are a lovable and unforgettable crew. While they may not be the most nuanced characters, their personalities and interactions make you want to see them through to the end.
Looking at the character, you can begin to understand where the term “dudebro” was coined, as the game puts a heavy emphasis on exaggerations of masculinity, with over-the-top ultra-violence, and I’m here for all of that because it’s just dumb fun. Running around with a chainsaw gun, and sawing enemies into pieces, seeing all the blood spraying everywhere. It still makes me go, “oh shit” while smiling and laughing. This is a game that knew what it wanted to be, and executed it perfectly.
My favorite thing about it is the fact that you can play the entire thing in co-op. This isn’t just adding another player type of thing, either, where they don’t fit into the lore at all. You get to play as one of Marcus’ squadmates, with the game even splitting players up during certain sections of the game. To this day, I still think that’s one of the coolest ways to implement co-op, where it’s not just a feature that exists, but one that is actually integral to the game’s story, making it feel like there are two main characters rather than one.
Gameplay components are split, such as the vehicle, where one player drives, while the other controls the light to fend off the Krylls. When the players split off from one another, it’s often so one can go off and flank the enemy from a different side, or open a gate, and help each other progress through a level. Co-op shooters are a rare sight nowadays, especially in third-person cover shooters. Even in 2025, it feels refreshing to play through something like this with a friend.
A Remaster Worth Playing
For a new generation of players, Gears of War: Reloaded is a fantastic introduction to one of the most important franchises in modern gaming. It’s a chance to see where the core mechanics of countless third-person shooters originated from, and to be able to witness just how revolutionary this game was. At the same time, some aspects may feel dated—like the somewhat clunky movement and limited gameplay variety—the game’s brutal action, memorable set pieces, and engaging co-op campaign make it a worthwhile experience.
The fact that the core gameplay loop is still fun almost two decades later is a testament to the original’s brilliant design. For veteran players, it’s a nostalgic trip back to a simpler time, now with a smooth frame rate and a higher resolution, with a more lively multiplayer.
While the campaign is on the short side (around 5-6 hours if you rush it), it’s also priced at a modest $40. It’s a classic that has stood the test of time, and with more Gears of War games on the way, newcomers to the series now have a great way to get started with the franchise, which should prep them up nicely for Gears of War: E-Day when it releases (hopefully) next year.
Score: 8.5/10
Pros
- Action-packed from beginning to the end
- No loading times!
- Story, characters and theme still have that appeal
- Value for money with the campaign and full multiplayer
Cons
- Graphics and even mechanics feel dated compared to today’s modern third-person shooters
- There are no skill trees, unlockables or anything of that sort
- On the short side, as in you can beat this in one day for sure
Gears of War: Reloaded review code was provided by the publisher. You can read MP1st’s review and scoring policy right here.
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