After years of silence and speculation, Gears of War is back and it’s coming in hot with Gears of War: Reloaded, a reimagined multiplayer experience that’s set to ignite old school rivalry and new gen firepower. And here’s the best part: you don’t have to wait long to get your hands on it.
Two Beta Weekends, One Glorious Return
Xbox and The Coalition are inviting fans to join the Gears of War: Reloaded multiplayer beta across two weekends in June:
- Weekend 1: June 14–16
- Weekend 2: June 21–23
Each session runs from 5:00 AM AEST Saturday to 5:00 AM AEST Monday, giving you 48 hours of brutal, cover based mayhem with your squad.
Whether you’re a lancer vet or new to the series, this beta is your first chance to test out the newly rebuilt multiplayer before the full launch later this August.
How to Get In
Jumping into the beta is simple:
- Pre-order Gears of War: Reloaded digitally on Xbox Series X|S, PC, or—yes, this is real—PlayStation 5
- Be an active Xbox Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass subscriber
- Own a digital copy of Gears of War: Ultimate Edition
Any of these options grant you access to both beta weekends. No random invites. No codes. Just boot up and gear up.
What’s In The Beta?
Weekend 1 (June 14–16)
Modes:
- Team Deathmatch
Maps:
- Gridlock
- Raven Down
- Gold Rush
It’s a mix of fan-favorite arenas and refined mechanics. Think of it like a warm-up lap—with a chainsaw.
Weekend 2 (June 21–23)
Modes:
- King of the Hill (new addition)
- Team Deathmatch
Maps:
- Canals (King of the Hill)
- Courtyard
- War Machine
Weekend 2 steps things up, tossing in more tactical objective-based combat and additional maps for that sweet variety.
A First for PlayStation Players
Gears of War: Reloaded is officially the first Gears title to appear on a PlayStation platform. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to roll and pop heads with the buttery smoothness of a DualSense controller, now’s your chance.
Even better: the beta supports cross-platform play and progression, so you can squad up across Xbox, PlayStation, and PC with no issues.
When’s the Full Game Coming?
Gears of War: Reloaded officially launches on August 26, 2025, across Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. Priced at $69.95 AUD, it’s a budget friendly revival packed with legacy content, refined mechanics, and a strong multiplayer foundation.
This isn’t just a nostalgia trip. Reloaded feels like Gears with a new coat of blood-splattered paint fast, tight, and fun in all the right ways. Whether you’re trying to relive those LAN party memories or step into the series for the first time, this beta is the perfect entry point.
So charge your lancer, ping your crew, and get ready to roadie run into the weekend.
This is Gears, Reloaded.
1-Up Games 