REVIEW – Set on the war-ravaged planet of Sera, this ultra-violent, tactical third-person shooter drops you into the boots of a four-man commando unit tasked with wiping out the alien horde known as the Locust. After its iconic debut on Xbox 360, Gears of War has finally made its blood-soaked entrance on PlayStation 5, and it’s every bit as intense as fans remember—now enhanced by DualSense immersion. With brutal visuals, cinematic firefights, and a gritty tone that has aged like fine chainsaw oil, this remaster proves why Gears once defined an entire generation. The story might not win any awards, but every cover-based encounter hits with the ferocity of a Lancer fused with a scorpion’s sting.

Console gaming has no shortage of titles, yet few manage to become truly synonymous with a single platform. These rare franchises are the ones that push even the most loyal gamers to question their allegiance and consider jumping consoles. It’s no wonder exclusive games often hold near-mythical status—Gears of War included. As one of the Xbox 360’s breakout hits, it felt impossible to imagine the franchise ever stepping foot outside Microsoft’s ecosystem. But here we are, years later, and patience has finally paid off: Gears of War has crossed over—and it was worth the wait.

This is madness? “Madness? THIS IS SERA!”

So what made Epic’s tactical shooter such a phenomenon? It definitely wasn’t the plot. While not outright terrible, it’s filled to the brim with classic sci-fi clichés, and it’s clear that narrative depth wasn’t the top priority. Set in a distant future following humanity’s first interplanetary war, the story centers on Earth’s desperate struggle against a relentless alien species—the Locust. The only hope lies in the elite Coalition of Ordered Governments, specifically the Gears: towering slabs of muscle who look like overbuilt Spartan warriors ripped from a protein powder commercial. These brutal, battle-hardened, often unfeeling behemoths are worshipped as living gods by what’s left of the civilian population.

And the toughest Gear of them all? Marcus Fenix, of course—the disgraced war hero locked up in a military prison at the game’s start, until a former squadmate busts him out to rejoin the fight. From there, Gears plays out like a blood-soaked war road movie. The original Xbox 360 release was such a massive hit that even David Fincher, director of Fight Club, stepped in to create a cinematic trailer for the game.

World-building takes a backseat here. The game never dives deep into the origin of the Locust or Sera’s broader history. Instead, you’re thrust into a gritty, relentless campaign—one long, explosive march through hell where your squad battles through carnage to complete a mission of vital importance. Along the way, soldiers fall, new ones join, and eventually, Marcus takes the reins as squad leader in a desperate bid to survive.

Apocalypse Now, Gears Edition

On paper, Gears of War doesn’t stray far from the Halo formula—except this world is grimmer, bloodier, and far more hopeless. But it only takes a single gameplay innovation and jaw-dropping visuals to blow past the competition. While not a deep tactical sim, Gears makes one thing clear: running headfirst into enemy fire is a fast track to a messy death.

Progress means crouching, flanking, and moving from cover to cover. And it’s not always about hiding behind the nearest crate—Gears cleverly guides you toward environmental objects that serve as natural cover, helping create a fluid rhythm between defense and assault. It’s a small detail, but one that keeps the pace tight and the action exhilarating.

Thanks to systems like this, Gears of War remains one of the most satisfying next-gen re-releases of the year. Despite being a linear, “classic” shooter, it avoids falling into mediocrity by wrapping its campaign in a Mad Max-style post-apocalyptic aesthetic that makes every level feel like a fight for survival.

You’ll rip through Sera’s abandoned streets, shattered skyscrapers, derelict industrial zones, and sprawling underground cave systems—each area more oppressive and atmospheric than the last. The world may be dying, but it’s never looked this damn good.

Sharper Than Ever

When Gears of War first dropped nearly two decades ago on Xbox 360, it turned heads instantly. But for many—including PC players—it was the visual fidelity that made jaws drop. Powered by Unreal Engine 3, it was the first major game to truly push the hardware, and it still holds up surprisingly well. Characters feel alive, and environments were brought to life with an attention to detail that remains impressive.

Dynamic lighting, rich environmental effects, and bloom rendering combine to deliver a world that practically pulses on screen. The character models? Equally impressive—facial animations, body language, and voice acting come together to create a cinematic experience that’s as immersive as it is brutal.

Built for PS5, Felt Through Your Bones

This isn’t just Gears with a shinier coat—it’s a rebuilt beast. The PS5 edition brings 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, turning every movement into a fluid, film-like spectacle. HDR support adds depth and explosive intensity, but the real magic lies in the DualSense controller.

The adaptive triggers make every weapon feel unique, with the Lancer’s chainsaw bayonet buzzing violently in your grip. Haptic feedback adjusts to each gun, giving firefights a whole new level of physicality. The PS5’s SSD loads everything at lightning speed, and 3D Audio adds a chilling level of positional awareness—you’ll hear the Locust coming before you see them. This isn’t a simple port. This is the definitive Gears experience.

“F*ck!” – Don’t Sleep on This One

After such a long wait, it’s almost cruel that Gears of War PS5 dropped right in the middle of September’s crowded release calendar. Could the timing have been better? Definitely. A quieter launch window would’ve given it more breathing room. But even with the competition swarming, Gears doesn’t just survive—it dominates.

This may not be the most original shooter on the market, but it absolutely delivers where it counts: in scale, spectacle, and pure adrenaline. With its visceral visuals, tight gameplay, and immersive enhancements, this is Gears of War at its most brutal and beautiful.

Marcus Fenix and his Locust-slaying squad finally make their PlayStation debut—and they brought a fresh coat of carnage with them. You’ll thank yourself later for grabbing this one, especially when your hands are locked on a DualSense and your ears are ringing from the roar of battle on blood-soaked Sera.

-Gergely Herpai “BadSector”-

The PS5 code for the game was provided by the distributor in Prague.

Developer: Epic Games
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Genre: Tactical Third-Person Shooter
Release Date: August 26, 2025