Gears of War: Reloaded Review Roundup – A Blast from the Past with Modern Polish
With Gears of War: Reloaded hitting consoles today, everyone wants to know if it's worth loading up the chainsaw and jumping in. We have searched through all the reviews out there to come up with an answer for you. Reloaded currently holds an 80 Metacritic, based on 39 critic reviews, indicating generally favorable reception, with most of the praise centered on the worthwhile technical upgrades and the classic Gears gameplay. Here's a roundup of what critics are saying about this cross-platform revival of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad.
TheSixthAxis (8/10)
"Gears of War: Reloaded is a blast of 2000s-era sci-fi, appearing here in better shape than ever before. It’s not particularly smart or clever through a modern lens, but it remains a hell of a lot of good old-fashioned fun."
Worth Playing (85/100)
"Gears of War: Reloaded is a very solid game, even if the base is nearly 20 years old. The concept of a cover-based, stop-and-pop shooter may feel out of date, since so many other games have done this since the original title's release. The feeling of fast but weighted movement and meaty gunplay is still unmatched after all this time, though."
Playstation Universe (80/100)
"Taken on its own merits some nineteen years since its original release, Gears of War remains a blast to play, only showing its age in minor ways which do little to detract from what is a seminal piece of work. Though not too far removed from 2015’s Ultimate Edition, the lower price of entry makes this easier to stomach for PlayStation owners."
Push Square (70/100)
"One of the most iconic Xbox franchises ever lands on PS5 with somewhat of a graphical thud. On its second remaster, Gears of War: Reloaded won’t impress visually. However, with a campaign that still has something to offer despite its dated design, and an excellent multiplayer mode on top, this is a welcome introduction to the Gears of War series."
GameMinr's Overview
Nearly all reviews highlight the increase in graphical fidelity and the upgrades that stem from the more modern effects, and lighting enhancements. While some of the darker feel of the original game was lost in the transition to the new rendering engine, overall it is a great technical upgrade. The game runs stably in the 60 FPS mode with variable resolutions in play to hit that target on each system. The 120Hz modes are much more variable, and your mileage may vary on how well it works for you in play.
Gears of War was a transformative moment for shooters, and the industry in general, and it is still easy to see why today. The gameplay is great, with varied sequences that move you from one set piece to the next while also teaching you how to deal with the upcoming obstacles in a smart way. There are chaotic firefights in large outdoor areas, constrained fights in claustrophobic corridors, driving sequences, and environmental puzzles that always keep the gameplay fresh.
Overall, Gears of War: Reloaded is a faithful remaster with stellar performance, and multi-platform accessibility, making it a worthwhile revisit for fans and a solid entry point for newcomers, especially at its $39.99 price or via Game Pass. However, in the end, its conservative approach doesn't reinvent the wheel, and if you didn't love the original game in 2006, this remaster may not change your mind. But, if you're craving chainsaw duels and Locust hordes, this one's a safe bet.
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