The much-anticipated release date for Gears of War: Reloaded has been announced, marking a historic moment as it will launch on the PS5 simultaneously with Xbox. Dive deeper to discover details about its multiplatform launch and the enhancements fans can look forward to.
Gears of War: Reloaded Release Date Announced
Multiplatform Release
Gears of War has long been an Xbox exclusive, renowned as one of Microsoft's iconic franchises. On May 6, Xbox took to Twitter (X) to announce that Gears of War: Reloaded will be available on all platforms starting August 26, including the PS5.
This move aligns with Xbox's recent strategy of broadening the availability of its exclusives across various platforms. In a January interview with GamerTag Radio, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer emphasized their commitment to this approach, saying, "We love our platform and our hardware but we're not going to put walls up where people can engage with the great games our studios are building."
This strategy hints at the possibility that the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day might also follow suit, releasing across all platforms on the same day as the PS5. However, Xbox has not yet confirmed these plans, leaving fans eager for more updates on the future of other Xbox exclusives.
Faithful Remaster and Natively Optimized
The announcement of Reloaded came as a surprise to many, considering the original game was already remastered in 2015 with Gears of War: Ultimate Edition. On May 5, in an Xbox Wire post, The Coalition’s Studio Head Mike Crump detailed what players can anticipate from this new release.
He remarked, "As we approach the 20th anniversary of Gears of War in 2026, we’re reflecting on what this franchise means. It’s about the stories we’ve told, the friendships we’ve built, and the unforgettable moments we’ve shared together. With Gears of War: Reloaded, we’re opening that door to more players than ever."
Reloaded significantly enhances the performance over its 2015 predecessor. While the Ultimate Edition ran at 1080p at 30fps for the campaign and 60fps for multiplayer, Reloaded boasts 4k resolution at 60fps in campaign mode and an impressive 120fps in multiplayer. It also features 4k assets, remastered textures, enhanced post-processing visual effects, improved shadows and reflections, and more.
The Xbox Wire post also confirmed that "Players will gain immediate access to all post-launch downloadable content at no additional cost — this includes the bonus Campaign act, all multiplayer maps and modes, and a full roster of classic characters and cosmetics unlockable through progression."
Additionally, owners of The Ultimate Edition prior to the announcement of Reloaded will receive a free upgrade. Eligible Xbox accounts will be sent a code for the upgrade via direct message before the launch.
Gears of War: Reloaded is scheduled for release on August 26, priced at $39.99 across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. It will also be available on day one with Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass.
