Gears of War: Reloaded is bringing the beloved cover shooter to every platform under the sun - apart from Nintendo Switch, unfortunately - and fans couldn't be happier. It follows on from another Xbox-owned franchise that got a remaster in the form of Oblivion Remastered, which took the world by storm and sold millions of copies in just a handful of days. While Xbox is likely hoping for another win with a Gears of War remaster, those who are deeply familiar with the franchise may want to hold off on buying it straight away.

Gears of War: Reloaded's changes certainly seem appealing, especially for those who've played it numerous times since the original launched back in 2006. However, while many may see the screenshots and comparisons and feel like its hefty $40 price tag is worth it, it is all a little deceiving. That's because you've probably already played Gears of War: Reloaded, just like I have, over a decade ago. Of course, back then it was known under a slightly different name, although Xbox isn't really telling anyone that.

Gears of War: Reloaded Is A Remaster Of A Remaster

It Is Remastering 2015's Gears of War: Ultimate Edition

Gears of War: Reloaded promises a huge improvement over the original experience, including enhanced textures, 60 FPS in the campaign and 120 FPS in the multiplayer modes, for 4K, and minor gameplay improvements. All of this will make it a markedly different game from the original 2006 release, although I'd argue that it still holds up to this day as one of the best third-person shooters ever made and one of Xbox's greatest first-party titles. Gears of War defined its generation for a reason, and continues to inspire cover shooters to this day.

However, as phenomenal a remaster as Gears of War: Reloaded looks, it's all a bit smoke and mirrors. Xbox hasn't lied about any of the tech in Reloaded, it really is as good of a remaster as it sounds. I should know, as, after all, I've played the remaster this is ostensibly remastering. Reloaded is based on the 2015 Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, which enhanced the textures, framerate, and gameplay features from the original version, ensuring to keep the spirit of the 2006 experience while making it more palatable for the Xbox One generation.

This isn't as impressive as Oblivion Remastered, which took the original experience and completely overhauled it. For the most part, Gears of War: Reloaded is taking the 2015 remaster and essentially bumping the resolution and framerate. Sure, that's great for those who are particularly bothered about having 60 FPS, but one has to wonder whether the $40 price tag is worth it for such a minor improvement over an already phenomenal experience. Suffice it to say, I don't feel like Xbox has done enough with Gears of War: Reloaded.

Gears of War: Reloaded Doesn't Do Enough

It Isn't A Big Enough Upgrade

Gears of War: Reloaded may now be the definitive experience with its higher framerate, but it seems a shame that Xbox didn't take the 10-year gap between it and Ultimate Edition to do either a full-blown remake or find another reason to remaster the original game. Frankly, that's likely because Ultimate Edition, with its gameplay tweaks that brought it more in line with the later entries, is the perfect remaster. There really is very little more to add to the first Gears of War game that Ultimate Edition hadn't already.

It is worth noting that those who already own Gears of War: Ultimate Edition will get a free Reloaded, meaning that they won't have to fork out $40 for a game they practically already own. That's a smart move on Xbox's behalf, but it doesn't excuse Gears of War: Reloaded's lack of meaningful additions or improvements.

What's worse is that Reloaded is getting in the way of a potential Gears of War remastered trilogy that has been rumored for a while. It wouldn't make sense for Xbox to release a collection of all the games remastered if it is selling the first separately, at least at a single $40 to $70 price point. It is more likely that Xbox will release remasters of each game in the series individually, with each one of them costing around $40. That could mean that, if Xbox forgoes Judgment, fans are looking at around $120 for the entire trilogy.

While $120 may not seem like that much, considering Xbox is raising prices of its first-party games to $80, it is still a ridiculous amount for a collection of games we've already played a lot. Gears of War 3 was released all the way back in 2011, nearly 14 years ago. If Xbox releases one remaster a year, it would be nearly 16 years by the time it gets around to Gears 3. $120 for a series that's over 20 years old is obscene, even if they have slightly better visuals and higher framerates.

Gears of War: Reloaded Will Appeal To PS5 s

It Hasn't Ever Been On The Platform

Of course, Gears of War: Reloaded isn't aimed at fans like me or likely you, those of us who played the entire series on Xbox or PC all those years ago. Rather, it is part of Xbox's strategy to port its library of classics to PlayStation to both increase revenue and establish a precedent for releasing newer entries on the platform, too. It makes sense, especially considering Xbox's shift to taking on more of a publisher role than competing in the console wars that have been losing relevancy and importance since the Xbox One released.

Reloaded is a PlayStation game first and foremost, an attempt to gauge how interested in the franchise PS5 fans are. I'm under no illusion that Gears of War: Reloaded was intended for the likes of me and you - so long as you're not a PlayStation exclusive - and that's fine. Frankly, I'm glad more people get to play Gears of War, especially this version of it. While the original game was great, the Ultimate Edition's changes make it truly exceptional, making it an even better way of getting into this beloved and iconic series.

With E-Day's release date around the corner, it is time to bring Gears of War to PlayStation fans and get them ready for the torment that lies ahead. I'm excited to jump back into Gears of War after its long hiatus, and Reloaded will help with that, especially as it'll be completely free for me. It is undeniable that we've all played Gears of War: Reloaded over a decade ago, and it is a shame Xbox didn't do more, but at least a new cohort of people will soon understand our devastation every time we hear Mad World.

Source: PlayStation/X