Gears of War: Reloaded launches August 26, but players will get early access through a multiplayer beta running across two weekends in June. For the first time, a Gears title is coming to PlayStation 5, expanding the long-running series beyond its Xbox roots.
Weekend one runs from June 13 at 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET through June 15. It features Team Deathmatch across three maps: Gridlock, Raven Down, and Gold Rush. The second weekend, June 20–22, expands the beta with five maps and adds King of the Hill mode, playable on the Canals map. Cross-play and cross-progression are fully supported across Xbox Series X|S, PS5, Steam, Windows PC, and GeForce Now. A linked Microsoft account is required, though cross-play can be turned off in settings.
Access to the beta is not free to all players. To qualify, users must either:
- Preorder the game digitally for PS5, Xbox, or PC
- Have an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscription
- Own the digital version of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition, purchased before May 5
Players who qualify through preorder or Game Pass will also receive two exclusive multiplayer skins: Adam Fenix and Anya Stroud. Those who own the digital version of Ultimate Edition will receive Reloaded as a free upgrade, which also includes beta access. Preordering through the PlayStation Store will also provide these same bonuses, though only in digital format.
Gears of War: Reloaded is a 4K remaster of the original 2006 Xbox 360 game and includes major technical improvements. It features 60 FPS in campaign, 120 FPS in multiplayer, HDR, Dolby Vision, and Atmos, 7.1 3D spatial audio, and remastered textures and effects. Zero loading screens, enhanced shadows, improved reflections, and support for VRR and super resolution bring the experience up to modern standards.
Gears of War: Reloaded (Photo: Microsoft)
Although some fans hoped the beta would be free and open to all, Microsoft has limited access to paying players. Xbox Gaming CEO Phil Spencer commented during Summer Game Fest that decisions like these are part of “running a good business” and making trade-offs while continuing to invest in the Xbox platform.
Preorders for the $39.99 remaster are live, including a physical PS5 edition. Xbox users are limited to digital pre-orders. For longtime fans and new players alike, Reloaded is a chance to revisit, or finally experience, the series’ gritty, chainsaw-filled multiplayer ahead of the full launch this August. It’s also an opportunity to reconnect with a community that helped define online shooters for over a decade.
Let’s gooo!
Yes cer
Gears is coming back 🙌
Play this one if you never had before!
Hell yeah!
cant wait
This should be awesome.
Gears of War is back ! It was a blast back in the day and I’m sure it will be just as fun on the new consoles 👍
Felt like I was back in middle school again. Game played and looked awesome.
Here you go folks!