Gears of War: Reloaded Launch Sees Mixed Reviews and Optimization Issues

Gears of War: Reloaded Faces Mixed Reception and Performance Concerns at Launch

The Coalition's new remaster, Gears of War: Reloaded, has just hit the market, marking a significant milestone as the first game in the series to arrive on Sony's PlayStation console. However, its debut has been met with a mixed reception, particularly on PC, where it currently holds a 'mixed' rating of 50% based on just over 600 Steam reviews.

A major point of criticism from PC players centers on optimization issues. Many users have reported problems ranging from severe lag to game crashes, some even occurring at critical moments like connecting to servers or after changing graphics settings. One frustrated player shared, 'I want to play as the square-headed men in armor, not fix the game. I tried turning off motion blur and now I can't even start playing after restarting.' Another user lamented downloading a 70 GB preload only to encounter performance issues, noting blurry textures even with settings automatically adjusted to medium on a capable system, which they felt was unexpected for a 'remaster of a remaster.'

Other player complaints include a perceived downgrade in some cutscene quality compared to earlier versions, and the absence of an in-game option to select voiceover language, forcing players to resort to unofficial methods for original audio.

Critical Reception Highlights PS5 Performance

Despite the PC struggles, media outlets have generally given Gears of War: Reloaded a much warmer reception. The game currently boasts an average score of 80 on Metacritic (PS5 version) and 81 on OpenCritic, with a 77% 'recommend' rating. Many reviews praise the game's updated visuals and performance on the PlayStation 5, particularly noting improvements over the 2015 Ultimate Edition.

Here's a quick look at what some critics are saying:

• Loot Level Chill (100/100): Praised the 'fantastic' PS5 port, excellent cover system, and engaging combat, calling it a 'masterpiece' that introduces a new generation to a classic.
• PlayStation LifeStyle (90/100): Highlighted the campaign's lasting appeal and the game's strong performance and visuals on PS5 Pro, calling it a great nostalgic experience and a solid entry for PlayStation players.
• TechRadar Gaming (80/100): Applauded the impressive visual upgrades and improved performance, emphasizing that the brutal campaign remains as fun as ever, especially with its PlayStation debut.
• Push Square (70/100): Found the campaign enjoyable and multiplayer legendary, but noted that even for a second remaster, the graphics felt 'outdated' at times.
• Final Weapon (60/100): Expressed mixed feelings, calling it a 'mediocre remaster' that feels like a standard update despite the surreal novelty of playing Gears on a Sony console. Criticized the lack of more significant effort for a $40 title.

The game is available on PC (Steam, Microsoft Store), PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, including Game Pass, and features full Russian localization.

For players, the launch of Gears of War: Reloaded means a chance to revisit a classic shooter, or experience it for the first time. While PC users may need to wait for potential patches to address performance issues, PlayStation 5 players seem to be enjoying a polished experience that celebrates the franchise's enduring legacy.