If there were a Mount Rushmore of influential video games, you can bet Marcus Fenix from Gears of War would have his stoic mug carved into the granite. A defining release of the late 2000s, Gears of War helped turn the Xbox 360 into the must-have console, as outside of PC, it was the only hardware capable of running Epic Games’ groundbreaking action extravaganza. Almost 20 years later, the unthinkable has happened: Gears of War has arrived on PS5. A decade after the first game’s impressive remake, the original blockbuster has recruited Sony’s console into Delta Squad. Nice.
Before we get into the meaty chainsaw-rifle details of this review, here’s the setup. Set on the planet Sera, the game follows military veteran Marcus Fenix and his squad as they fight to turn the tide of war. After years of losing ground to the subterranean Locust—and still reeling from the devastation of a civil war—humanity needs a last-ditch miracle if it wants to survive one more day in this harsh frontier.
A simple premise for a sci-fi shooter? Absolutely. What set Gears of War apart, though, was how its straightforward story was elevated by tight chapter-to-chapter pacing and a capable cast of voice actors, who made you root for a squad of soldiers built like a team of Arnold Schwarzenegger clones. In 2015, developer The Coalition gave the game a graphical overhaul with the Ultimate Edition, and the result showed just how well the design had aged. It didn’t feel like a fresh coat of paint slapped on an old frame—it still played like a smart blend of tactics and action, where clever use of cover in battles (a pioneering concept back in 2006) makes all the difference in advancing and securing victory. That balance remains just as sharp in 2025 with Gears of War: Reloaded.
The latest remaster also strips away some of the drab design choices of the original, injecting it with a vivid sense of colour. Some elements may still look dated, but Reloaded knows how to make an impression, whether it’s through verdant skies or the crimson spray of a chainsaw kill.
On PS5, Reloaded makes excellent use of the system hardware. Graphical upgrades include 4K resolution and support for up to 120Hz if your display allows, with 60fps in single-player and 120fps in multiplayer. Accessibility options and fully customisable controls are welcome additions, while in-game comms piping through the DualSense speaker—and a clever use of adaptive triggers—add an extra layer of immersion.
Performance is rock-solid, smoother than an active reload, with no noticeable frame drops even in the heat of large firefights against Locust squads. There’s also a rewarding Extras section, letting you unlock concept art by completing levels. Alternatively, you can collect Gears of War comic books by hunting down COG tags scattered throughout the game.
Overall, Gears of War: Reloaded makes a strong first impression on PS5. It’s just as fun to play in 2025 as it was in 2006; it looks spectacular in motion, and cross-platform co-op broadens its appeal for veterans and newcomers alike.
Gears of War: Reloaded released on 26 August for Xbox Series consoles, PC and PS5.
| Gears of War: Reloaded review | |
If you’ve ever been curious about Gears of War, Reloaded is the definitive entry point, showcasing the best of the franchise: tight, cover-based gunplay and a squad of unforgettable, musclebound heroes. It may be a relic of the past at its core, but Gears of War: Reloaded is still a rip-roaring blast—and modern shooters could stand to learn a thing or two from it. |
8 |
| Gears of War: Reloaded was reviewed on PS5 Pro | |