Gears of War: Reloaded storms PS5 — chainsaws, tight cover combat, and a very 2006 story
Gears of War: Reloaded launches on PlayStation 5 today and is also available on Windows PC and Xbox Series X. It is an updated port of 2015’s Ultimate Edition, and the single-player campaign runs roughly six hours across five acts. The game keeps its original third-person, cover-based shooting and signature chainsaw-bayonet executions, while offering shorter load times and visual updates compared with the 2006 original.
- Platforms and origin: PS5, Windows PC, Xbox Series X; based on Ultimate Edition (2015).
- Campaign structure and length: five acts, about six hours.
- Gameplay elements: cover system, Lancer and Gnasher weapons, chainsaw bayonet, mixed level designs.
- Presentation: updated visuals with increased color and reduced loading.
- Story and characters: minimal backstory for Marcus Fenix and noted criticisms about character portrayal.
Platforms and release
Gears of War: Reloaded released on PlayStation 5, and it is available on Windows PC and Xbox Series X simultaneously. The version is an updated port of the 2015 Ultimate Edition, bringing the original Gears experience to current hardware with modern performance improvements and shorter load times.
Campaign and structure
The single-player campaign is divided into five acts and typically takes around six hours to complete for a standard playthrough. Players move Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad through scripted levels and set pieces that alternate between cover-based combat and occasional detours, such as driving segments and levels using UV light against Kryll enemies. Additionally, one early sequence includes mine-cart movement instead of standard arena combat.
Gameplay
The game retains its original third-person cover system and a weapon roster centered on the Lancer assault rifle and the Gnasher shotgun. The Lancer notably includes a chainsaw bayonet, which remains a core melee execution mechanic. Movement while in cover and transitions between cover points are part of the combat flow, and many encounters emphasize close-quarters shotgunning alongside ranged weapon use.
Visuals and presentation
Reloaded applies visual updates compared with the 2006 original and the 2015 Ultimate Edition. For example, loading times are reduced on current hardware, and some levels show increased color saturation and texture detail. However, other areas retain the original’s muted palette in spots, especially in indoor concrete environments. A late-game estate level shows more greenery and color on exterior walls than many earlier levels.
Levels and variety
Level design mixes standard arena and hallway fights with alternative sequences. Some of these alternative sequences are short gameplay detours that change pacing, such as the UV-light segments and the mine-cart sequence. Other set pieces return players quickly to classic cover encounters, maintaining the franchise’s signature loop of taking cover, flanking, and close-range shotgun engagements.
Story and characters
The narrative centers on Marcus Fenix and his squad as they confront the Locust. Marcus’s backstory is referenced only briefly, and the campaign focuses primarily on mission objectives and combat encounters rather than extended character development. Delta Squad members largely maintain archetypal ‘macho marine’ roles, and one recurring character, Augustus “Cole Train” Cole, uses lines such as “Yeah! Woo! C’mon, sucker. This my kinda shit!” and “C’mon, baby, the Train’s at home on the rails!”
Moreover, the portrayal of some characters has been criticized in the series’ history for relying on stereotypes; the lack of depth in Augustus Cole was scrutinized during the series’ heyday. Later entries in the franchise addressed characterization and inclusion across the cast, and some later games were noted to have made strides to be more inclusive.
Takeaway
Gears of War: Reloaded preserves the original’s core cover-shooter gameplay and signature weapons while bringing performance and visual updates suited to modern hardware. While the campaign remains focused on mission-based combat and set pieces, the game’s character work is minimal compared with later series entries. Therefore, Reloaded functions mainly as a contemporary port of a landmark Xbox 360 title, with both its gameplay strengths and storytelling limitations intact.
