Gears of War Reloaded Review

After years of silence and anticipation, Gears of War: Reloaded storms the battlefield, bringing with it the franchise’s signature chainsaw-gun brutality, tactical cover mechanics, and emotionally-charged storytelling. Acting as both a reboot and a continuation, Reloaded aims to reignite the spark that made the original trilogy iconic, while modernizing the experience for new-gen hardware and audiences.

But does it succeed in evolving the Gears formula while respecting its roots?

Story and Setting

Set several years after the events of Gears 5, Reloaded introduces a new generation of COG soldiers—led by Lara Stroud, daughter of Anya and a clone-based hybrid of Marcus Fenix. The Locust aren’t just back—they’ve mutated, evolved, and turned the planet Sera into a grotesque warzone of biomechanical nightmares.

The campaign is darker, more personal, and heavily cinematic. Flashbacks to the original Delta Squad are woven into the narrative, giving longtime fans emotional callbacks while keeping the focus on new faces and their struggles with legacy, war, and identity.

Gameplay and Combat

Gears of War: Reloaded doesn’t reinvent the wheel—it sharpens it.

Tactical cover-shooter combat returns, but is faster and more fluid.
The Lancer Mk IV introduces customizable chainsaw attacks and alternate fire modes.
New enemy types like the Burrowers and Leech Titans require adaptive tactics.
Squad command features let you issue real-time orders to AI or co-op teammates.

The game encourages aggressive play while still rewarding strategic cover usage. Environments are more destructible, allowing dynamic cover destruction and adaptive battlefield movement.

Multiplayer and Co-op

Versus Mode is back and better than ever, featuring:

Classic modes like Execution, King of the Hill, and Guardian
New mode: “Wreckage”, a 4v4v4 match with dynamic environment hazards
120 FPS support on Xbox Series X and high-end PCs

Horde Mode 4.0 is a massive upgrade. With new classes, ultimate abilities, and semi-roguelike mechanics, it offers near-endless replayability with up to 5 players.

Drop-in, drop-out campaign co-op (2-player online and local split-screen) remains a Gears staple.

Visuals and Audio

Built in Unreal Engine 5, Reloaded is the most visually stunning Gears title to date.

Cinematic cutscenes rendered in real-time at 4K
Dynamic weather and lighting systems
Highly detailed character models and environments
Real-time facial capture performances

The audio mix is thunderous, with each gunshot, chainsaw rev, and Locust scream landing with brutal impact. The soundtrack blends orchestral and industrial tones, punctuated by quieter emotional beats in the story.

Gears of War: Reloaded is more than just a reboot—it’s a celebration of everything that made Gears iconic, with modern enhancements that make it feel fresh and vital again. It’s brutal, beautiful, and confident in its legacy. Whether you’re a grizzled vet of Delta Squad or a newcomer to Sera, Reloaded delivers a must-play experience.

Final Score: 9/10
A powerful return that balances nostalgia and innovation in all the right ways.

System Requirements Gears of War Reloaded (PC)

Minimum:

OS: Windows 10 (64-bit)

Processor: Intel Core i5-9600K / AMD Ryzen 5 3600

Memory: 16 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1660 Ti / AMD RX 5600 XT

Storage: 80 GB SSD

DirectX: Version 12

Recommended:

OS: Windows 11 (64-bit)

Processor: Intel Core i7-12700K / AMD Ryzen 7 5800X

Memory: 32 GB RAM

Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4070 / AMD RX 7900 XT

Storage: 80 GB SSD (NVMe preferred)

DirectX: Version 12 Ultimate