Let’s not beat around the Locust hive: Gears of War is getting a full-blown remaster, and it’s called Gears of War: Reloaded. That’s right—Marcus Fenix is once again grunting his way through chest-high walls and emotional trauma.
Originally launched in 2006 to a generation of Xbox 360 fans who weren’t emotionally ready for Dom’s future story arc, the game that basically invented cover-based shooters is making its grand return on August 26, 2025. And no, this isn’t just some upscaled texture job—they’ve polished this thing until you can see your own horrified reflection in every lancer blade.
Microsoft’s Xbox team is saying that the game has been “re-engineered” from the ground up and they are determined to make sure you know it. Here is what they they are laying out in terms of what players can come to expect in Reloaded:
- 4K resolution
- 60 FPS in Campaign
- 120 FPS in Multiplayer
- High Dynamic Range (HDR)
- Dolby Vision & 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos
- 7.1.4 3D Spatial Audio
- Variable Refresh Rate (VRR)
- 4K assets and remastered textures
- Enhanced post-processing visual effects
- Improved shadows and reflections
- Super resolution with improved anti-aliasing
- Zero loading screens during Campaign
You can play it on damn near anything with a screen.
As if the above weren’t enough, Hell has apparently frozen over (or at least thawed just enough for diplomacy), because Gears of War: Reloaded is not just sticking to Xbox territory. It’s releasing on PlayStation 5, Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox Cloud Gaming, and Xbox PC, with a $39.99 price tag that says, “We know you probably bought this game three times already.” And for Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass users? It’s dropping Day One, which means your monthly subscription continues to be the best deal in gaming, second only to finding a lancer under your seat on a Southwest flight.
The most complete Gears experience ever.
Reloaded includes everything from Gears of War: Ultimate Edition—plus all post-launch DLC at no extra charge. That means:
- The extra Campaign act (aka “Remember how bad things got underground?”)
- Every multiplayer map and mode
- A full roster of classic characters and cosmetics that’ll make you feel like it’s 2006 all over again, minus the Mountain Dew Code Red and LAN cable arguments
Split-screen? Still here. Two-player co-op campaign? Absolutely. Eight-player Versus Multiplayer? Let’s chainsaw some friendships apart.
You don’t need a Microsoft account for crossplay.
Here’s where things get modern. You can play with friends across all supported platforms—yes, cross-play between Xbox, Steam, and PlayStation is real—without needing a Microsoft account. But if you do choose to sign in with one? You unlock full cross-platform progression, letting your Campaign and multiplayer stats follow you like a COG soldier carrying emotional baggage. Xbox to PlayStation invites? Confirmed. Steam to Xbox team-ups? Absolutely. Cross-everything carnage is officially on the table.
It’s not just prettier,—it’s smarter, too (and possibly shinier than your future)
Reloaded isn’t just about high-res Marcus grumbles. It’s tuned for each platform, with faster frame rates, deeper visual fidelity, and platform-specific enhancements that make the most of whatever machine you’re on. Think: modern lighting, smoother animations, and enough immersive detail to make you forget you’re replaying a 19-year-old game. Also: if you bought the digital version of Ultimate Edition before May 5, 2025, you get Reloaded for free. Microsoft will be sliding into your DMs with a download code. It’s like they’re apologizing for the emotional damage they caused with Dom’s storyline.
Xbox Series X|S, Steam Deck, PlayStation 5, your cloud-enabled fridge—Gears of War: Reloaded is launching with the promise of meeting you wherever you are. No console wars required, just war-war. And blood. And testosterone.
Welcome back to Sera, soldier. We saved you a spot behind cover.
