Gears of War Reloaded May Be Writing a Check It Can’t Cash For PlayStation Fans

Gears of War: Reloaded marks a major milestone in the industry, as the game serves as an olive branch between Xbox and PlayStation. For over two decades, the “console wars” have been used as a marketing tool, as the competition served as a fun way to ignite hype for exclusive projects. Gears of War: Reloaded marks the beginning of a new era, though. The Gears of War franchise is now no longer an Xbox exclusive, meaning die-hard PlayStation fans are getting their very first taste of the action-packed shooter.

Of course, there are plenty of gamers who play both consoles, but there are devoted fans out there who prefer to stick to one specific console. Those who have spent their lives dedicated to Sony’s consoles have likely never played Gears of War. After years of talking up Gears of War and the hype building up to Reloaded‘s release, many PS5 players have been eager to finally check out the first chapter in the series. As exciting as this PS5 port is, though, it could also leave a lot of first-time players feeling let down.

Despite a Fresh Coat of Paint, Gears of War: Reloaded is Still a Product of its Time

Keeping Expectations in Check

A whole lot has changed since the first Gears of War was released back in 2006. The gaming industry has seen nearly 20 years of innovation since then, and while Gears of War is still undoubtedly a blast to play, some newcomers may feel disappointed with its dated feel. Granted, there are bound to be plenty of longtime gamers who fondly remember Gears of War‘s launch, even if they were die-hard PlayStation players. This generation is likely far more prepared for what to expect from a 20-year-old cover shooter.

However, since 2006, an entirely new generation has been born and grown up with more advanced gameplay and high expectations. It’s highly likely that someone is playing Gears of War: Reloaded who wasn’t even alive when the original game was released. Some of these players may not be able to connect with the game’s rudimentary cover mechanics and gunplay, and while the thought makes me feel ancient, it’s also understandable.

Dated Doesn’t Have to Mean Less Fun

While Gears of War: Reloaded may potentially be tough to get used to after such high expectations, getting to experience the series for the first time is also bound to be a huge thrill for plenty of newcomers. Gears of War: Reloaded brings iconic moments back in a fresh light, and it feels surreal that its world is finally available for PlayStation fans to enjoy, too.

Gears of War: Reloaded is the Spark That Could Ignite a Wildfire

After Gears of War: Reloaded, the door is wide open for the rest of the franchise to follow suit and get PS5 ports. Beyond that, series prequel Gears of War: E-Day could easily include the PS5 in its launch plans. This is purely speculation, but it definitely seems like the seed has been planted.

With PS5 allowing Helldivers 2 to come to Xbox, and the latter bringing Gears of War: Reloaded to the former, there’s no telling what’s next. Now, with rumors that franchises like Halo could come to PS5, it seems like the console wars truly really are over. It may be the end of an era, but it’s a fascinating moment that signals exclusivity may be a thing of the past, or at the very least, far less common.