BETA TEST – Having played the original Gears of War back in the day, trying it now on PS5 makes me wish I could travel back in time. The ultimate thrill: we’ve already tested the multiplayer mode of Gears of War: Reloaded on PS5, and the experience was absolutely fantastic.

Gears of War: Reloaded is exactly the kind of game that makes you yearn for the good old days. It sets a nostalgia trap that’s impossible to escape, perfectly capturing the vibe of the PS3/Xbox 360 era when life—and our games—seemed much simpler. I spent several hours playing the Team Deathmatch mode and already can’t wait for the full release. After experiencing firsthand how incredibly fun Gears of War: Reloaded’s multiplayer is, I’m just hoping that an active, vibrant community will be waiting after launch, always ready for a quick match and some simple, genuine fun.

The Multiplayer that Defined a Generation

We couldn’t dive deeply into the context or story, as only a small slice of multiplayer was available, but Gears of War: Reloaded is the perfect example of the cover-based shooter genre that took the world by storm years ago. Many might not remember, but even the seventh console generation had its own problems, one being an overabundance of cover-based shooters, often senselessly shoehorned into online modes. Even Harry Potter games included these mechanics, transforming spells into weapons!

Several games contributed to this trend, but undoubtedly the massive success of Gears of War was the avalanche’s starting point. The original game debuted nearly 20 years ago, in 2006, exclusively on Xbox 360. Reloaded isn’t a remake of that original but rather a remaster of the Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, released ten years ago, which already significantly improved upon the first game. As a result, the visuals far exceed those of the original but still don’t fully match current-gen standards: the campaign’s grander moments are missing. However, performance has drastically improved: multiplayer now offers up to 120 FPS, 4K resolution, Dolby Vision-Atmos, and HDR support. Of course, once you hold the controller in your hands, graphics become secondary.

Many matches in Gears of War: Reloaded feel like a shooter version of Dark Souls

We tested it on PS5, which itself feels peculiar, especially with the added element of DualSense usage. The vibration feedback, the weight of character movements, and gunshots—all feel incredible in your hands. Additionally, built-in audio effects like chainsaw startups, warnings, and environmental sounds further enhance the experience. Accessibility options are available in all versions and can be selected from the very beginning.

If you’re entirely new to the series, Gears of War: Reloaded is a third-person, cover-based shooter that’s gritty, brutal, but immensely fun due to its heavy-hitting arsenal. Every weapon is ruthless: grenades, the Lancer’s chainsaw (one of the best video game weapons ever!), or the shotgun that rips enemies apart with a single shot. During the first weekend, we played classic Team Deathmatch on three maps: Raven, Gold Rush, and Deadlock. These straightforward maps are full of cover and debris. You can select from various character and weapon skins, but everyone starts with the same gear: shotgun, chainsaw-equipped assault rifle, and pistol. Melee combat with the Lancer literally saws your enemies in half in bloody, spectacular animations. If you haven’t blown your opponent to bits, you must quickly finish them off, or they’ll return or be revived by teammates.

Pure Action and Fun, Nothing More, Nothing Less

Gears of War: Reloaded never lets you catch your breath, injecting madness into every battle. It also introduced active reloading: if you’re knocked down, button mashing can get you back up. It’s pure adrenaline without compromises, featuring quick respawns.

Cover-based combat is extremely fast-paced: you can slide into cover while running, aim or blind-fire from behind it, or vault to another spot—all effortlessly and intuitively. The key to success isn’t aiming accuracy but rather movement: sprinting, rolling, quick maneuvers, followed by an unexpected shotgun blast. Many Gears matches indeed feel like a Dark Souls shooter variant: you must trick your opponents to demolish them at close range. There are no complicated mechanics, no other goals than taking each other out—a pure, streamlined arcade experience without frills. Nostalgia might not grab you immediately, but once you feel how addictive this multiplayer is, its simplicity and speed become refreshing. Gears of War: Reloaded launches on August 26 for PS5, Xbox Series X/S (also via Game Pass), and PC, with cross-play and cross-save support. We only tested Team Deathmatch now, but the upcoming beta will include King of the Hill mode.

My honest opinion as a gamer: I feel privileged to finally enjoy this legendary experience in its best form and that this piece of video game history is accessible again to many. It’s amazing that, after so many years, everyone can discover why Gears of War reshaped an entire gaming generation’s perspective. Will today’s players appreciate it too? Will the game remain just nostalgia, or will it succeed in catching a new wave in the online community? We’ll find out soon.

-Herpai Gergely “BadSector”-