Impression Gears of War: Reloadeds: Multiplayer Beta

There’s something special about booting up a game that defined your teenage years and realizing—it still slaps. That’s exactly what Gears of War: Reloaded delivers in its multiplayer beta: a brutal, beautiful return to form that manages to feel both nostalgic and surprisingly fresh. Whether you’re a longtime fan who can still hear Marcus Fenix yelling “Dom!” in your sleep, or a newcomer curious about the franchise’s legacy, this beta has something for you.

The first thing that hits you is how good everything feels. The movement is tight, the weapons are punchy, and the cover-based combat—still the franchise’s bread and butter—is as satisfying as ever. The “roadie run” is back in all its shoulder-hunched glory, and the Lancer’s chainsaw bayonet still delivers that gruesome, over-the-top thrill that made it iconic.

But this isn’t just a nostalgia trip. The game runs at a silky 120 FPS in 4K, and it shows. Animations are smoother, hit detection feels more precise, and the overall responsiveness makes every shotgun duel and grenade toss feel earned. The Coalition has clearly put in the work to modernize the experience without losing what made it special.

The beta featured a mix of remastered classics and new battlegrounds, and both types delivered. The old maps have been rebuilt with stunning detail—lighting, textures, and environmental effects all feel next-gen. Meanwhile, the new maps introduce vertical and dynamic cover elements that force you to rethink your approach. Whether you’re holding a chokepoint or flanking through a side tunnel, every match feels like a chess game with chainsaws.

One of the smartest moves here is full cross-play and cross-progression. Whether you’re on Xbox, PlayStation, or PC, you can team up with friends and keep your progress no matter where you play. It’s seamless and makes matchmaking faster and more fun.

The control options are also worth shouting out. New players get a streamlined layout that makes it easier to jump in, while veterans can switch to the classic scheme and feel right at home. It’s a small touch, but it shows how much the devs are thinking about the full player spectrum.

Of course, it’s not all perfect. Matchmaking had its moments—long wait times and occasional lag spikes reminded us that this is still a beta. Some weapons, especially the Gnasher, felt a bit too dominant, leading to some frustratingly one-sided encounters. But the good news? The Coalition is listening. They’ve already responded to feedback by extending beta weekends and adding more maps and modes to keep things fresh.

If this beta is any indication, Gears of War: Reloaded is shaping up to be more than just a remaster—it’s a full-blown revival. It captures the gritty, tactical chaos that made the original a classic, while updating the experience for today’s players. The full release is set for August 26, and honestly, it can’t come soon enough.

Whether you’re here for the nostalgia, the carnage, or just to chainsaw your way through a few Locusts with friends, Reloaded delivers. And if the final game builds on what we’ve seen in the beta, it might just be the best way yet to experience the Locust War all over again.