Gears of War: Reloaded Announced for Fall This Year

In a surprising move, Xbox Wire dropped a bombshell today announcing Gears of War: Reloaded, a remastered version of the gruesome 2006 classic, set to launch on August 26, 2025. Priced at $39.99 with a free upgrade for Xbox fans who own Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, the game will not only hit Xbox Series X|S and PC but also mark the franchise’s debut on PlayStation 5.

While the news brings high-fidelity upgrades like 4K/120 FPS support, cross-play, and cross-progression, it has left fans reeling—both from the unexpected reveal and what it means for long-standing rumors about a Gears of War trilogy collection.

Another Gears of War Remaster?

For years, the Xbox community has been buzzing with speculation about a trilogy collection that would remaster the first three games, especially after credible insiders reported that such a project was in development and possibly being playtested at The Coalition.

Fans hoped for a bundle akin to Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which would finally bring Gears of War 2 and 3 to PC, where they’ve been absent since their Xbox 360 days. Instead, Reloaded focuses solely on the first game—already remastered once in 2015—leaving many to lament the lack of progress on porting the sequels.

If partial parts of the rumors are still accurate, this latest announcement suggests Microsoft may be opting for staggered, individual releases rather than the long-rumored collection. This is a move that could disappoint fans craving a comprehensive package.

Off to Bluer Pastures

The reveal also marks a historic shift. Gears of War: Reloaded will be the first entry in the franchise to launch on PlayStation, making it the second major Xbox-exclusive franchise—right behind Forza—to break the chain. This aligns with Microsoft’s evolving multiplatform strategy, which has already seen other Xbox IPs expand to rival platforms.

Rumors of Halo following suit have been prominent, with whispers of Halo: The Master Chief Collection potentially hitting PS5 and Nintendo Switch 2. The Gears franchise itself may continue this trend, as the upcoming prequel Gears of War: E-Day. Currently slated for Xbox Series X|S and PC, it could plausibly launch day-and-date on PS5, especially given Microsoft’s recent trajectory. Although the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t a part of this initial announcement, I wouldn’t count out Reloaded and E-Day making their way to the upcoming hybrid console as well.

However, this multiplatform push isn’t without controversy. Some Xbox fans, even seen in reactions to the Xbox Wire post, are frustrated by the erosion of exclusivity, feeling that franchises like Gears—synonymous with Xbox since its 2006 debut—should remain a hallmark of the brand. Yet, Microsoft’s strategy appears to be paying off financially. The company reported record-breaking revenue last quarter, a success largely attributed to its multiplatform approach, which has broadened its audience while maintaining Game Pass growth.

Rev Up Your Lancers

While Gears of War: Reloaded has dashed hopes for a trilogy collection and raised concerns about exclusivity, I can’t help but feel excited for what’s coming. The promise of a polished, modern take on the masterpiece that is the original Gears is thrilling, even if Gears 2 and 3 remain stuck on the Xbox 360 for now.

This release will be another hallmark moment in the incredible first-party run Xbox is having in 2025, with titles like Avowed and South of Midnight already making strides with Ninja Gaiden 4 and The Outer Worlds 2 on the horizon. One thing is clear: no matter if you’re a returning fan or new, on Xbox or PlayStation, the future of Gears of War is looking bloody awesome.