'Gears of War: Reloaded' runs best on PS5 despite its Xbox legacy

Highlights:

• Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the Xbox 360 classic, launching on PS5.
• The game supports 4K visuals and up to 120 fps, with PS5 Pro offering the best console experience.
• DualSense features, including adaptive triggers and built-in speaker effects, are exclusive to PlayStation.
• Critics note the remaster highlights dated design but adds modern performance upgrades.
• The release reflects Xbox’s shift away from strict exclusivity as its titles reach rival platforms.

A former Xbox exclusive arrives on PlayStation

Once the defining Xbox 360 exclusive, Gears of War is now available on Sony’s PlayStation 5 in the form of Gears of War: Reloaded. The title, a remaster of the original game, delivers enhanced visuals at 4K resolution and up to 60 fps in the campaign, while multiplayer can reach 120 fps.

Ironically, the best-performing version is not on Xbox but on the PS5 Pro, where the game benefits from PlayStation’s AI upscaling technology, delivering smoother frame rates and higher resolution than on other consoles.

A remaster of a remaster

Reloaded follows the 2014 Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, which itself was a remaster of the 2006 original. The Coalition, the studio behind the project, has updated graphics to include sharper textures and a closer resemblance to the gritty tone of the first release.

While the remaster looks sharper and runs more smoothly, the design remains rooted in early cover-shooter conventions, where grey environments and muscle-bound characters dominate the experience.

DualSense features on PS5

The PS5 version adds exclusive DualSense functionality not available on Xbox. Adaptive triggers simulate the kickback of weapons such as the Lancer, while the controller’s built-in speakers play audio for radio chatter and weapon effects like the chainsaw bayonet.

These features add a tactile element to gameplay, enhancing immersion for those revisiting the franchise on Sony’s hardware.

Performance on PS5 Pro

On PS5 Pro, Gears of War: Reloaded takes advantage of PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI upscaling tool that boosts resolution while maintaining high frame rates. In testing, the game maintained 120 fps in many indoor areas, though frame rates could dip into the 90s during large outdoor encounters.

By comparison, the standard PS5 and Xbox Series X versions rely on AMD’s older FidelityFX Super Resolution, making the PS5 Pro the top-performing console option.

A changing era for exclusives

The release also highlights a broader industry shift. Xbox, once protective of franchises like Halo and Gears of War, has increasingly brought its games to rival platforms, including PlayStation and Nintendo. Recent moves include the arrival of titles such as Forza Horizon 5 on PS5, signalling a decline in strict console exclusivity.

Industry analysts suggest Sony is also exploring cross-platform strategies, expanding its titles to PC and potentially other systems while maintaining hardware as a core business.

- YouTube YouTube/ Gears of War

Worth revisiting?

For long-time fans, Gears of War: Reloaded offers nostalgia with modern upgrades in resolution, frame rate, and controller feedback. However, the core gameplay—focused on cover mechanics and heavy firepower—remains largely unchanged from its 2006 origins.

The re-release may appeal most to those wanting to revisit the Xbox 360 era or experience the game for the first time on Sony hardware. For others, it serves as a reminder of how far the series evolved in later instalments such as Gears of War 2.