Gears of War: Reloaded

Gears of War: Reloaded is a remaster of the original 2006 Gears of War, released on PC with mixed player reception. While the game retains the classic cover-based shooting mechanics and iconic storyline that fans cherish, the port suffers from significant technical issues, including crashes, poor optimization, and missing features. Many players were disappointed by the removal of local split-screen co-op on PC, a feature heavily advertised pre-launch but later quietly removed, leading to accusations of false advertising. Multiplayer is often criticized for unbalanced gameplay, hit registration problems, and a dwindling player base. Graphically, the game offers some improvements over previous versions but is marred by texture pop-ins and lacks modern enhancements expected from a remaster. The price point of around $40 is considered too high by many, given the game's issues and lack of added content. Despite these problems, the campaign remains engaging for newcomers and nostalgic players alike, though some lament the absence of Horde mode and remasters of subsequent series entries.

Highlights

Players praise the timeless, engrossing campaign that delivers the gritty, raw Gears experience with iconic voice acting and soundtrack. The core gameplay mechanics remain satisfying and faithful to the original, providing a nostalgic appeal. The game runs well on lower-end systems like the Steam Deck, and crossplay support is appreciated. Fans also highlight the improved lighting and HDR effects as positive visual upgrades. The multiplayer still offers moments of fun when matched with balanced players, and the inclusion of multiplayer and campaign achievements adds to replayability for some.

Criticisms

The removal of local split-screen co-op on PC despite prior advertisement is the most frequent and vocal complaint, seen as a bait-and-switch tactic. Technical issues such as game crashes, bootloops after changing graphics settings, and poor optimization plague many users. Multiplayer suffers from hit registration problems, unbalanced matches, and a shrinking player base. The port has clunky controls, limited keybinding options, lack of FOV slider, and no sensitivity adjustment for ADS. Texture pop-ins, muddy audio mix, and missing features like Horde mode and lobby browsers further detract from the experience. Many feel the $40 price is unjustified given these shortcomings and the game's age.