It’s been almost two decades since Marcus Fenix first broke out of prison and led humanity’s desperate fight against the Locust Horde. Now, the classic that defined Xbox’s golden era is back in a remastered form. In this Gears of War Reloaded Review, we take a close look at how the 2006 original has been reimagined for modern hardware, what’s changed, what still holds up, and whether this remaster is worth your time in 2025.
What is Gears of War Reloaded?
Gears of War Reloaded is a celebration of one of gaming’s most iconic franchises. Nearly twenty years after the original game launched in 2006, this remaster brings Marcus Fenix’s first fight against the Locust Horde to modern platforms with upgraded visuals, smoother performance, and new features.
The game has been fully optimized for current-generation consoles and PC, offering improvements across both visuals and gameplay. Here’s a look at what you can expect:
- 4K Resolution
- 60 FPS in campaign
- 120 FPS in multiplayer
- Cross-progression and cross-play across all platforms
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Dolby Vision & Dolby Atmos support
- 7.1 3D spatial audio
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- Remastered 4K assets and textures
- Enhanced shadows, reflections, and post-processing effects
- Improved anti-aliasing with super resolution
- Seamless campaign experience (zero loading screens)
I spent nearly two weeks with the game ahead of launch, and it’s safe to say Reloaded delivers on its promise. The remastered environments, character models, and cutscenes look incredible in 4K, and the game consistently ran smoothly throughout my time with it. The action feels cinematic in a way that pulled me right back in, especially during story-heavy moments like Marcus’s escape or the first encounter with a Berserker.
What surprised me most was how well the game balances nostalgia with modernization. I still recognized every beat of the campaign from memory, but the new level of detail in the visuals and the upgraded audio design made it feel fresh again. Explosions carry more weight, gunfire echoes realistically through environments, and the cinematics are far more engaging thanks to improved lighting and animation. For me, it was like rediscovering a game I’d loved as a teenager, but through a modern lens.
PlayStation 5 Features
Since I reviewed Gears of War Reloaded on PS5, here’s a closer look at the platform-specific improvements.
DualSense Controller Support
The DualSense is put to good use, featuring:
- Haptics and force feedback
- Adaptive triggers
- Controller speaker
- Light integration
The haptics and adaptive triggers add a satisfying sense of weight to every firefight. You can actually feel the thud of the Lancer’s recoil, the kick of the Gnasher, and even the subtle tension as you pull back the Torque Bow. This kind of feedback makes firefights feel more physical and immersive compared to playing on other platforms.
I didn’t personally make much use of the controller speaker or light integration, though I can see the appeal for players who like those features, especially when used to signal low health or reloads. For me, the standout was the way haptics tied into the atmosphere: the controller rumbled in sync with heavy footsteps, explosions, and cinematic set pieces in a way that heightened the immersion and kept me glued to the screen.
Activities, Stats & Challenges
PS5 players can access 24 activities and challenges spread across both campaign and multiplayer. These range from set-piece battles, like taking down the Brumak as quickly as possible on Insane difficulty, to speedrun-style missions with global leaderboards that let you compare your times against other players.
What I appreciated most was how these challenges encouraged me to engage with the game in new ways. Instead of just replaying missions for nostalgia, I found myself chasing faster times, experimenting with different weapons, and competing with friends on leaderboards. Being able to jump into a specific chapter through chapter select made this even better, since I didn’t have to slog through the entire campaign just to attempt a single challenge again. For a campaign that can feel short by today’s standards, these activities add meaningful replay value and gave me excuses to revisit some of my favorite moments.
Trophy Support
Gears of War Reloaded also includes 57 trophies, including a platinum, which was a big draw for me as a completionist. Thanks to chapter select, most of them can be unlocked without requiring multiple full playthroughs. I loved that I could enjoy my first run without worrying about missing trophies. Then, on my second time through, I used chapter select to hunt down specific achievements without breaking the flow of the story. The fact that the trophy list rewards both exploration and skill-based challenges makes it feel well-balanced, and I can already see myself chasing that platinum over the coming weeks.
PlayStation 5 Pro-Specific Enhancements
On PS5 Pro, Gears of War Reloaded benefits from Spectral Super Resolution (PSSR), Sony’s new AI-powered upscaling technology. In simple terms, PSSR takes a lower-resolution image and reconstructs it into a sharper, near-4K output. The result is crisper visuals that make the game feel closer to a native 4K experience without sacrificing performance.
PSSR isn’t the only improvement. Compared to the base PS5 version, the Pro also delivers:
- 25% higher render resolution before upscaling
- Campaign & Multiplayer: 1440p → 1620p at 60 FPS
- Multiplayer: 1080p → 1440p at 120 FPS
- Higher-quality shadows with improved resolution and sampling
- Better screen space reflections for more realistic lighting and surfaces
These upgrades don’t radically transform the game, but they do add polish and make Reloaded feel more refined on PS5 Pro. More importantly, they give us a preview of what Sony’s future hardware might accomplish with PSSR as more games adopt the tech.
How Does it Play in 2025?
The campaign is on the shorter side by today’s standards, running about 7 hours for a straight playthrough of the base story. That’s close to the original runtime, and while it’s still longer than many modern single-player shooters, it feels much shorter compared to Gears 5. That said, replaying on higher difficulties, chasing trophies, and tackling challenges adds meaningful replay value.
The core cover-based gunplay that made Gears of War famous is still intact, and it largely holds up in 2025. The weighty movement, crunchy weapon feedback, and tactical use of cover feel just as satisfying as they did in 2006. However, some mechanics show their age. Roadie Runs can feel stiff compared to modern shooters, and the stop-and-pop pacing may feel slower if you’re used to more fluid entries like Gears 5. On top of that, AI quirks remain frustrating because squadmates sometimes block your path or go down too easily, while enemies can backtrack into earlier areas and force you to hunt them down before you can progress. These issues don’t ruin the game, but they stand out against the otherwise polished presentation.
Multiplayer was only available in beta during the embargo period, so I expect the player base and matchmaking will improve at full release. Even so, my time with the beta was promising. Matches felt smooth and responsive thanks to 120 FPS support and cross-play, and the classic Gears feel came through in every firefight. Once the full release hits across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC, the community should be much larger, making it easier to find full lobbies and competitive matches.
Final Verdict – Is Gears of War Reloaded Worth Playing?
Yes, without a doubt. Gears of War Reloaded is a faithful remaster that both newcomers and veterans will appreciate. The updated visuals, smoother performance, and platform-specific features make it the best way to experience Marcus Fenix’s first battle against the Locust. For returning fans, it’s a nostalgic trip enhanced with modern polish, while for new players it serves as the perfect starting point for one of gaming’s most legendary franchises. While the AI quirks hold it back from perfection, they don’t outweigh the remaster’s strengths. Whether you’re stepping into Gears of War for the first time or replaying it after twenty years, Reloaded is absolutely worth your time, especially on PS5.
