Gears of War: Reloaded Review

I never imagined the day would come when I’d pick up a PlayStation controller, turn on the console, launch a game, and the very first thing on the screen would be: Xbox Studios! Honestly, It’s very shocking. That’s right, Gears of War has returned in a re-remaster, aiming both to rekindle the nostalgia of longtime fans and to serve as an entry point for PlayStation players. But how well has it pulled that off?

I feel like going over the story and narrative of a game that’s already been remastered twice, and now has three official versions on the market is a bit of a waste of time. So let’s skip that and dive straight into the gameplay, graphics, and the changes this new version brings.

For PlayStation users who have never experienced Gears of War, this release marks a significant opportunity to step into a world that is both expansive and impactful, while also offering the chance to engage with one of the most refined controller-based shooting systems in the genre. From my perspective, few shooters have achieved such a seamless integration of gunplay with a controller, both in terms of precision and enjoyment. The game’s arsenal stands out with a selection of iconic weapons, each designed with distinctive and diverse capabilities. Complementing this are well-balanced recoil patterns that effectively convey the weight of combat, and a reload mechanic that adds a layer of depth by being equally rewarding when executed correctly and punishing when mistimed.

Speaking of weapons, it goes without saying that the true symbol of Gears of War—and one of the most iconic firearms in video game history—is the Lancer, instantly recognizable for the chainsaw attached to it. Now, imagine you’re about to introduce this legendary weapon, an emblem of the franchise, the studio, the brand, and even the console itself to fans of a rival platform after so many years. Naturally, you’d expect nothing short of perfection. Unfortunately, Xbox has handled this in one of the worst ways possible.

But why do I say that? Because one of the greatest joys of Gears of War has always been chainsawing through enemies with all the brutality, gore effects, and visceral satisfaction it brings. Yet in this new version, not only are those moments undercut by flawed physics, animations, and visuals, but at times the game outright prevents you from using the chainsaw kill. For example, if you approach an enemy with the chainsaw revved and take even a single hit, the entire animation and ability get canceled. While this limitation may have been acceptable in the original release, seeing it persist in a so-called “re-remaster”, especially one meant to welcome PlayStation players feels like a missed opportunity. At the very least, this mechanic deserved refinement, giving newcomers the full thrill of the weapon that defines Gears of War.

When it comes to graphics, the game falls short of what you’d expect from a 9th gen release. There are still noticeable low-quality textures, particularly in hair rendering and environmental objects that break immersion and feel out of place. At times, you may even encounter environments where textures fail to render altogether, which is difficult to overlook in a title that’s receiving its third remaster, especially on current-gen hardware. That said, the overall design and artistic presentation of the environments remain impressive. In particular, scenes featuring water are visually striking and can easily hold your attention, reminding you of the visual strengths the franchise has always been capable of delivering.

The gunplay remains as enjoyable as ever, and I could definitely feel some adjustments to the recoil patterns that make the experience both more challenging and more rewarding. What impressed me most was realizing that, even after more than a decade, the shooting mechanics still deliver that unmistakable feel, to the point where I genuinely enjoy firing every single weapon in the game.

Alongside this, the cover system and environmental interactions have seen noticeable improvements. But the most significant upgrade, in my view, is the smoother and more fluid character movement. Gone are the days when shifting directions mid-sprint felt like steering a tank that needed the strength of three soldiers just to turn ten degrees. Now, the controls are far more responsive, making the action feel natural and engaging rather than cumbersome.

If you’re a die-hard Gears of War fan, there’s no way you’ll skip the multiplayer mode. And if you’re new to the series, take my advice seriously: dive into multiplayer! That’s not to say the campaign is weak; On the contrary, it’s excellent in terms of story, mission design, and overall scenarios. But the real heart of the game lies in its competitive modes, especially Team Deathmatch.

Believe me, chainsawing another player is one of the most satisfying feelings in gaming—arguably even more enjoyable than knifing an opponent in Counter-Strike. The various multiplayer modes offer plenty of engaging scenarios that can keep you hooked for hours. The only real downside, at least in my experience, was the inconsistent server performance. Hopefully, with updates and proper support, this issue will be ironed out, allowing the multiplayer to shine as brightly as it deserves.

In the end, despite its flaws in physics and graphics, Gears of War Reloaded succeeds as both a nostalgic return for longtime Xbox fans and a welcoming entry point for PlayStation players. For both audiences, it’s absolutely worth experiencing. And hopefully, this cycle of remasters and remakes will eventually reach the second game in the series—which, in my opinion, still stands as the best entry in the entire franchise.

Score: 78/100