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Gears of War: Reloaded review
by Notly

Finally, ”Gears of War” is on Steam (and beyond)

For many newcomers, this is the most convenient entry point into the series: the remaster looks much “fresher” than the 2006 original, with improved graphics and modern quality-of-life features.

The campaign runs at a stable 60 FPS, multiplayer goes up to 120 FPS, loading times are faster, and modern rendering technologies are used.

In ”Reloaded”, the color grading, lighting, and detail are clearly improved compared to the ”Ultimate Edition”. Textures are sharper, lighting and shadows are more realistic, water reflections and metallic highlights look much better.

At the same time, the visual style has noticeably changed: the game has become brighter, and the atmospheric “dark” aesthetic of the original and early remasters has been softened. It’s now less “gritty and oppressive“

Many players expected “Reloaded“ to be something more than just a graphical touch-up; however, the content, gameplay, and mechanics remain almost the same as in the previous version (Gears of War: Ultimate Edition). There are no new missions or significant gameplay improvements.

If you are a fan of the original ”Gears 1” atmosphere and value its “grit, gloom, and oppressive tone,” be prepared that Reloaded may feel “too clean” and “washed out.”

If you expect major gameplay changes, new content, or a fundamentally reworked remaster, ”Reloaded” will likely disappoint you: essentially, it’s ”Ultimate Edition” + upgraded graphics / tech.

Other reviews2

Gears of War: Reloaded is a beefed-up remaster that brings the brutality of the 2006 classic roaring back to life, delivering visceral firefights and a tense Cold War-style atmosphere. On stream, the slow-motion dives and destructible environments shine, offering a gory spectacle for FPS fans. However, inconsistent AI, dated controls, and high PC requirements slow the momentum, making some sections frustrating. Compared to Gears 5, it's rougher, but also less refined. At its price (often on sale for 19.99 € instead of 39.99 €), it's a solid pick for fans of the series on PS5 or Xbox Series, though the PC experience remains less stable. An explosive return that still shows its age. Full review here: https://rogueh24.fr/test-du-jeu-gears-of-war-reloaded/