Gears of War: Reloaded: Release Date, System Requirements, Gameplay Revealed

Sagar Mankar
Jul 23
4 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad soldiers wielding weapons, amidst a fiery, chaotic backdrop. Intense atmosphere with flames and dystopian setting. its Gears of War Reloaded. — Gears of War Reloaded (Image Credit: The Coalition/Xbox)

Gears of War: Reloaded, a full-scale remaster of the original 2006 classic, is set to reignite the legacy of the franchise with modern visuals, cross-platform play, and performance upgrades.

Developed by The Coalition in collaboration with Sumo Digital and Disbelief, this release isn’t just a nostalgic throwback—it’s a reimagined experience optimized for current-gen hardware and broader accessibility. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, here's everything you need to know ahead of its launch.

Gears of War: Reloaded All Details

Release Date

The official launch date for Gears of War: Reloaded is August 26, 2025. It will be available across all major platforms on day one, and will also be included as part of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. Pre-order bonuses and early access benefits are already live, with the game rapidly climbing players' wishlists.

Platforms

For the first time in the franchise’s history, Gears of War is going multiplatform. While originally a flagship Xbox exclusive, Reloaded is opening the door to a wider player base:

Xbox Series X|S
PlayStation 5 (first ever Gears release on Sony’s platform)
Xbox PC (Microsoft Store)
Steam
Xbox Cloud Gaming (via Game Pass Ultimate)

The game also supports Xbox Play Anywhere, allowing shared progression between Xbox consoles and Windows PCs. And yes, full cross-play is available between all supported platforms.

Note: No PS5 release in Japan due to “regional rating restrictions” and “platform policies.”

System Requirements (PC)

To ensure a smooth and optimized experience, Gears of War: Reloaded comes with detailed system requirements for PC users. Here's a breakdown:

Minimum:

OS: Windows 10 (19H2)
Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 or Intel i5 Skylake (4 cores)
Memory: 8 GB RAM
Graphics: AMD RX 480 / Nvidia GTX 1650 / Intel Arc A380
Storage: 70 GB
DirectX: Version 12
Sound Card: Windows-compatible audio device

Gameplay Overview

At its core, Gears of War: Reloaded retains the original’s third-person cover-based shooting mechanics, but it's been upgraded with refined controls, modern visual enhancements, and platform-specific optimizations.

Campaign:

Relive the story of Marcus Fenix and Delta Squad as they fight back against the Locust Horde on the planet Sera.
Features the bonus campaign act that was originally exclusive to the Windows version.
Supports two-player co-op, playable via split-screen or online.
Modernized control layouts are available for new players, while classic control settings are retained for veterans.
No loading screens between sections in campaign mode.

Multiplayer:

PvP multiplayer for up to 8 players.
Game modes include Team Deathmatch, King of the Hill, Warzone, and Gold Rush.
All original maps and characters from the Ultimate Edition are included.
Cross-play and cross-progression supported via Microsoft account.
Runs at up to 120 FPS with 4K resolution for multiplayer (60 FPS for campaign).

It’s worth noting that Horde Mode, introduced in Gears of War 2, is not present here as Reloaded remains faithful to the original 2006 game.

Graphics and Technical Enhancements

Reloaded brings massive visual and performance improvements over its previous remaster, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition (2015). Here's what players can expect:

4K resolution assets and remastered textures
120 FPS in multiplayer / 60 FPS in campaign
HDR, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos
7.1 surround sound with spatial audio
Zero loading screens during campaign transitions
Enhanced lighting, shadows, reflections, and anti-aliasing

These updates make Reloaded not just a remaster, but a complete modernization of the original.

Editions and Pricing

Gears of War: Reloaded will be available in a Standard Edition, priced at:

$39.99 USD / £34.99 GBP

There are no deluxe or collector’s editions announced at the moment, but the Standard Edition comes packed with all content, including:

Bonus campaign act
All multiplayer maps and modes
Classic characters and cosmetics
Unlockable progression content

Free Upgrade Offer:

Players who digitally purchased Gears of War: Ultimate Edition before May 5, 2025 (16:00 UTC) will receive a free upgrade to Reloaded. Codes will be sent via Xbox Message Center before the launch.

Pre-Order Bonuses:

Multiplayer skins for Adam Fenix and Anya Stroud
Available for both pre-orders and Game Pass members

File Size

During the beta, the game’s download size on Xbox Series X was around 13.4 GB, suggesting a final install size of approximately 15–20 GB depending on platform and resolution assets. Higher file sizes can be expected on PC and PS5 due to enhanced textures and audio files.

Xbox Game Pass Availability

Gears of War: Reloaded will be available day one on:

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
PC Game Pass
Xbox Cloud Gaming (for Ultimate subscribers)

What’s Missing?

While Reloaded brings back nearly everything from the original game and its remaster, a few things are not included:

No Horde Mode
No new story content (faithful retelling of the original)
No legacy progression transfer from Ultimate Edition

It drops August 26, 2025, on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. If you're a Game Pass subscriber or longtime fan with a digital Ultimate Edition purchase, you might already be locked in—otherwise, $39.99 is your ticket back to the battlefield.