Gears of War is one of the most iconic series in gaming history, known especially for its gritty war combat action and cover-based shooting system. It was the first game to introduce the cover-based shooting system, which has since become the core blueprint for many action-adventure video games. Moreover, the cinematic storytelling and character development are what make this franchise a love-at-first-sight for most players. For nearly two decades, it has been one of the golden boys for Xbox, but now, for the first time, other platforms get to enjoy the best experience the Gears of War has to offer. It is one of the big games from Xbox Game Studios, which PlayStation users will also get to enjoy. We are honored to be reviewing the remaster/remake of Gears of War, Gears of War: Reloaded.
NOTE: The review copy of Gears of War: Reloaded was provided by the developers. This review was done on PC (Windows).
Story
Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster/remake of the first original game (2006), including the Ultimate Edition (2015). It follows the same original story and puts players directly into action on Planet Sera against the subterranean creatures, Locust Horde. You play as Marcus Fenix alongside his loyal friend, Dominic Santiago. Moreover, the Delta Squad includes two other soldiers: Damon Baird and Augustus Cole. Bring the fight to the Locust Horde to assist the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) and extinct the Locusts once and for all.
Gameplay
Gears of War: Reloaded is a third-person action-adventure video game. The core gameplay mechanics of the game are to utilize the iconic cover-based shooting system. Running and pushing forward towards the enemies will easily get you hit, so you must use cover to advance in the fights. Firing blindly while in cover lets you suppress enemies as your squad advances. Moreover, like in most modern games, you can look around and aim confidently to eliminate any target in the open. Furthermore, vaulting over the cover feels very smooth, and switching weapons while running is quite effective in intense fights.
The gunplay in Gears of War: Reloaded has been kept original, which gives nostalgic vibes to veteran players. Similar to the original game, you can use four different types of guns, including the iconic Lancer Assault Rifle. All the weapons in Reloaded are even polished than the Ultimate Edition. The use of the Chainsaw bayonet on the Lancer Assault Rifle feels more aggressive and gory than ever. To be honest, it feels more satisfying to do justice to the current-gen consoles.
Speaking of current-gen consoles, Gears of War: Reloaded performs phenomenally on consoles. It is no longer 30 FPS, but 60 FPS on performance in campaign acts at native 4K. Moreover, it runs at 120 FPS in multiplayer if you have a 120Hz or more monitor/TV. With such performance boosts for the current-gen, the game does not even have loading time or screen transitions between missions. It gives a pure cinematic war experience against the monstrosity that everyone enjoys. Last, but not least, I was happy to see the DualSense support for PS5 controllers. The adaptive triggers help with a more immersive experience during the fights. However, it can be tiring, but there are accessibility options to turn them off.
Multiplayer & Cross-Play and Cross-Progression
The multiplayer is quite popular in Gears of War, as it gives a whole new experience for players to enjoy. Playing Solo can become repetitive after five or so hours, but playing with a friend is what makes the campaign more fun. Playing with a buddy on the couch with the split-screen feature or the online co-op feature both feel good. The Cross-Play feature allows you to play with your friend regardless of their platform. It is available across Xbox, PS5, and PC. Moreover, the cross-progression feature allows you to keep track of the progress.
Similar to the original game, the multiplayer versus supports up to 8 players with three main modes, including Team Deathmatch, Execution, and Warzone. The matchmaking is done across Xbox, PS5, and PC due to cross-play. Moreover, it includes all the multiplayer maps and modes from the original and Ultimate Edition games.
Sound & Video
Gears of War: Reloaded features remastered textures, which greatly enhance the overall gritty visuals. The redesign of the core environment increases the overall immersion and does justice to the remake. The lighting and shadows are perfect throughout the campaign acts. Moreover, the sound design of Reloaded is very nostalgic. From gunfire sounds to grenade blasts, everything feels authentic. Last but not least, I do feel the same weight in the voice of Marcus as I did back in the original game.
Verdict – Score 9/10
Gears of War: Reloaded is, hands down, the best remake of the original game. It includes everything from the original and the Ultimate Edition, and is enhanced to perfection for the current-gen consoles. I am glad and honored to recommend this game to my fellow PlayStation gamers. It is one of the best action-packed adventure games to enjoy with your buddy and play against other players in multiplayer versus mode.
Gears of War: Reloaded is now available on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC.
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