Gears of War: Reloaded is a truly beautiful remaster — but new players will enjoy it most

Gears of War is one of the first games I ever played, thanks to my dad recommending it. Over time, it’s become one of the franchises I’ve returned to most often, drawn in by its unique sci-fi world, intense combat, and that undeniable nostalgia. I’ve spent hours in Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, which remains one of the best remasters I’ve experienced, so trying out Gears of War: Reloaded felt like a natural next step.

This second remaster of the 2006 original looks stunning, holds the same magic, and still evokes the same excitement I felt the first time I played.

Yet, I can’t help but wish for more — new missions, mechanics, or weapons that would make returning to the game yet again feel truly justified. While it primarily introduces the game to new audiences on platforms like PS5, longtime fans might find themselves wanting a little extra.

Even so, the game’s ultra-smooth performance and upgraded visuals make it a joy to play, and it’s hard not to appreciate the care that went into this remaster. There are just a few minor drawbacks I noticed in my playthrough, which I’ll cover in my full Gears of War: Reloaded review.

Gears of War: Reloaded: The Basics

• What is it? Gears of War: Reloaded is a third-person cover shooter where players battle through a post-apocalyptic world overrun by the Locust Horde. You’ll fight solo or in co-op, taking cover, coordinating attacks, and using a variety of weapons to survive both campaign missions and multiplayer battles.
• Who is it for? This remaster is perfect for long-time fans of the franchise looking for an even more polished experience, as well as newcomers who want a fast-paced, action-packed shooter with intense combat and cooperative options.
• What's the price? Gears of War: Reloaded costs $39 across platforms, with a free digital upgrade for owners of the Ultimate Edition (if you purchased it before May 5, 2025).
• What other games has the developer made? It comes from The Coalition, the studio behind recent Gears titles including Gears 5 and Gears Tactics.
• What games is this similar to? The gameplay is reminiscent of other third-person shooters such as Resident Evil 5, Spec Ops: The Line, and Mass Effect, combining cover-based combat with cinematic action and tactical strategy.

Looking better than ever

I can’t deny that Gears of War: Reloaded looks incredible. Of course, that’s what most would expect from yet another remaster of this iconic game, and I can confidently say it’s an obvious step up. Not just from the 2006 original, but even from the Ultimate Edition released in 2015.

Reloaded brings the world of Sera to life in a way that feels almost unrecognizable (in the best way). Rebuilt 4K textures, a ninefold resolution boost, and sharper anti-aliasing make every detail pop. Lighting and shadows have been overhauled, with richer reflections and more dynamic environments that heighten the atmosphere of each firefight.

Even wandering the deserted streets, I found myself staring at the detail in something as small as a rusty can on the ground or even the puffy clouds drifting above.

It’s a true visual reimagining that makes the classic campaign feel fresh. Even compared to the Ultimate Edition, it’s noticeably brighter, with sharper water textures, more defined shadows, and far less of that odd fog effect lingering in the air.

There’s really nothing to fault when it comes to visuals, and if anything, the improvements make the story more engaging, especially now that you can clearly see the intense emotions on the characters’ faces.

While Reloaded looks stunning, it has lost some of the original’s grittiness, and cutscenes naturally look sharper than the actual gameplay. That said, the upgrades still make a significant impact, even for someone like me who has played this game countless times.

The same fight, polished and refined

Gears of War: Reloaded runs smoother than ever, with the campaign locked at 60 FPS and multiplayer officially up to 120 FPS (though on PC, I was easily hitting 140). Load times are drastically reduced, and the campaign now features zero loading screens, keeping the action uninterrupted.

If you’ve ever played the original, or even the Ultimate Edition, you’ll know there were a few issues with hit detection and responsiveness, which could make combat frustrating at times. Large creatures like the Corpser bursting from the ground would push the system harder, causing grand moments to feel a bit janky. Thankfully, Reloaded has none of that.

In fact, I was expecting some lag when transitioning from cutscenes to gameplay, but I’m glad this remaster removed any lingering stuttering.

Every gun fight, dash, and jump over cover feels precise and responsive, which is a huge improvement over earlier versions. The fluidity makes revisiting Sera far more appealing, especially for players who’ve spent countless hours in this world before.

As with any remaster, I was cautious about the balance between visual fidelity and performance, but Reloaded genuinely delivers on both. Even during the most chaotic combat scenarios, where I move quickly from cover to cover and flank enemies by throwing grenades, there’s not a hint of slowdown.

The same goes for using the turret — when I was aimlessly firing at enemies on the ground, there was no disruption, and my shots went exactly where I intended. Maybe it’s just caution from past experiences: I distinctly remember playing the original multiplayer once, and constantly firing a turret froze my game completely.

Honestly, I don’t really have anything negative to say about the performance. If I had to nit-pick, there was one early scene during Act 1 where some visuals were still loading in, but within a few seconds, the details on the structures snapped into place, and I didn’t see it happen again.

Combined, these upgrades make Reloaded not just a visual treat but also a smooth, responsive experience that feels like a proper modernization of the beloved original.

Nostalgia served plain

Nostalgia served plain is the only way I can describe Gears of War: Reloaded. Anyone who has played the game multiple times, even back in 2006, might find it hard to ignore the fact that there’s no truly new content.

The story, missions, and enemies are all the same ones we’ve battled through before, and while the upgraded graphics and refined mechanics make it feel fresh on a surface level, the experience itself is fundamentally unchanged.

It’s the same campaign: Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad battle the Locust Horde to save humanity on the planet Sera. Along the way, players experience key story moments that explore the bonds between squad members, the sacrifices of war, and the grim realities of the Locust threat.

I couldn’t help wishing for at least a small injection of new content — maybe a quick bonus mission, new weapons to experiment with, or even fresh enemy types or encounters to mix up the combat.

Without something like that, Reloaded leans heavily on nostalgia, which is enjoyable but also bittersweet. It’s a polished trip down memory lane, but one that stops short of adding anything entirely new to the ongoing saga.

Of course, I understand that adding anything truly new takes extra work for the developers, especially when the focus of a remaster is primarily on modernization rather than expansion. Still, a few extra touches could have elevated the experience beyond nostalgia and given fans something new to sink their teeth into.

That said, the remaster still has its merits. Experiencing Sera through the modernized visuals, seeing every crack, shadow, and reflection in the environments, and watching the characters’ emotions more clearly in cutscenes is undeniably fun and satisfying.

For newcomers, this is a perfect opportunity to enjoy the game for the first time without having to dig up old hardware or struggle with dated performance. They get the full story and world, rendered beautifully, just as it was always meant to be experienced.

Plus, there’s the chance to take advantage of cross-play, letting you team up with friends or new players across platforms. On top of that, the upgraded visuals and performance extend to all included DLC, giving new players even more ways to explore this world and enjoy the story with enhanced clarity.

Gears of War: Reloaded review: Verdict

For fans like myself, the performance improvements alone make revisiting the campaign a joy, with smoother frame rates, faster load times, and buttery-smooth combat enhancing every firefight.

Newcomers will have a blast exploring Sera, experiencing the story and world through these modernized, impressive visuals. Gears of War: Reloaded sets a high standard for how a classic third-person shooter should look and feel in 2025.

However, for some longtime players, the difference might not feel huge and is most noticeable when comparing the remasters side by side, especially given the lack of new content. While the game is still worth revisiting (particularly if you can get the free upgrade), personally, I wouldn’t pay the full $39 for another remaster.

Still, Gears of War: Reloaded is a highly polished remaster that impresses both technically and experientially, without compromising the gameplay that made the original such a standout. However, newcomers will likely get the most enjoyment out of it.