After years of Xbox exclusivity, the legendary shooter Gears of War is crossing new frontiers. Gears of War Reloaded, a remastered return to the 2006 classic, is set to launch August 26, 2025, bringing the franchise to PlayStation for the very first time and delivering a host of modern upgrades for veterans and newcomers alike.
The upcoming release is more than a visual facelift-it’s a seismic moment for the series. In addition to enhanced graphics and performance, Gears of War Reloaded is launching simultaneously on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC, shattering its Microsoft-only legacy and opening the doors for a massive new player base. Whether you played the original on Xbox 360 or are picking up a Lancer for the first time, there’s a lot to unpack.
Key Takeaways
Game Info
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Release Date | August 26, 2025 |
| Genres | Third-person shooter, Action |
| Platforms | PC, Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5 |
So, what’s the big deal with Reloaded? For starters, this isn’t a half-hearted port. Xbox Game Studios has packed in native 4K graphics, high-res assets, and all the visual bells and whistles you’d expect from a 2025 remaster. Players can expect up to 60 FPS in the single-player campaign and a blistering 120 FPS in multiplayer—plus HDR, improved shadows, and completely reworked reflections. And if you remember the endless waits between campaign missions, rejoice: the new build boasts zero loading screens, letting you chainsaw through Locust uninterrupted.
But it’s not just shiny graphics. Gears of War Reloaded includes every post-launch DLC right from the jump, and every character and cosmetic is unlocked organically through gameplay—no microtransactions, battle passes, or premium cosmetics to nickel-and-dime the player base. In an age where so many remakes come with a catch, this commitment to value stands out.
This brings us to perhaps the most surprising twist: PlayStation 5 support. After nearly two decades as an Xbox staple, Gears’ arrival on PS5 is huge. Crossplay between all platforms is seamless and, refreshingly, you don’t need a Microsoft account to squad up. Xbox loyalists who own the digital Ultimate Edition will get Reloaded for free—a rare, consumer-friendly move for such a high-profile remaster.
From a gameplay standpoint, everything that made the original Gears iconic is here: the cover-based system, cooperative campaign for two, and the unmistakable impact of active reloads. What’s new is how visible (and invisible) barriers between platforms have been torn down, making this the most accessible Gears experience ever. As we await more news on Gears of War E-Day, Reloaded feels like both a celebration of the series’ roots and a signal of bold new directions to come.
Will Gears thrive on PlayStation? Will the crossplay ecosystem unite a new generation of COGs and Locust? And could this consumer-friendly approach to remasters set a new bar for the industry? One thing’s certain: Gears of War Reloaded is poised to be more than a nostalgia trip—it’s a possible blueprint for future re-releases.
TL;DR: Gears of War Reloaded launches August 26, 2025, on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and for the first time, PlayStation 5. Expect 4K graphics, all DLC included, no microtransactions, full crossplay, split-screen co-op, and a consumer-friendly $39.99 price (or free for digital Ultimate Edition owners). The barriers between platforms are gone, making this the most accessible Gears yet.
Source: Xbox Game Studios via GamesPress