Gears of War: Reloaded – blind accessibility review and impressions on PlayStation 5 Pro
Hello dear friends. As a legally blind gaming, technology, and entertainment journalist, I have a long and very personal history with the Gears of War franchise. The original trilogy, which I played many times on Xbox before losing my sight, redefined the third-person action shooter, introducing a cover-based combat system that felt innovative, tactile, and very satisfying.
For me, Gears is a piece of my personal gaming history. So stepping into Gears of War: Reloaded on the PlayStation 5 Pro felt like a journey back into a world that shaped my love for gaming.
Seeing Gears of War land on PlayStation for the first time is extraordinary. This is a series that defined an era of Xbox exclusives, and now, with its reach expanded, I can only hope the industry slowly shifts away from “console wars” and toward what matters the most: giving players the best possible experience, regardless of the box sitting next to their TV.
The campaign pulls us once again into the boots of legendary war hero Marcus Fenix, joined by his steadfast brother-in-arms, Dominic Santiago. Their mission is as desperate as ever: push back against the terrifying Locust Horde and save humanity from extinction. The story remains gritty, intense, and surprisingly emotional, drawing you deep into its universe. Experiencing the cinematic campaign again was powerful, especially when my wife Alina joined me for some co-op action. It reminded me why these games endure and are loved by so many people.
Blind accessibility experience in the campaign
Accessibility is where the conversation becomes more complex. On PlayStation 5, the game is not fully blind-accessible, but it’s clear the developers are taking steps in the right direction. The inclusion of a fully functional screen reader is an huge leap forward – something we couldn’t even dream about in 2006! Having menus, settings, and options spoken aloud makes a world of difference.
That said, the experience stops short of being truly independent. What’s missing most is a reliable lock-on targeting system and proper navigation assistance. These two features would turn a still-visual game into one where blind players could thrive. Given the game’s linear nature and straightforward structure, it wouldn’t take a massive design overhaul to achieve this. We already have fantastic directional sound design, allowing us to hear gunfire, footsteps, and chainsaw revs from every angle. Layering navigation assistance and target lock on top of that would have made Gears a landmark in accessible design.
As it stands, while blind players can enjoy parts of the experience, there are still barriers. Some sequences remain heavily dependent on visual cues, leaving us reliant on sighted assistance or copilot features to push forward.
Accessibility settings, deep dive on PS5 Pro
From a technical standpoint, this version is nothing short of a marvel. The PlayStation 5 Pro showcases the game in remastered 4K, with vastly improved lighting and texture work that gives Sera’s war-torn landscapes new life. Every stone, flame, and fragment of debris feels more detailed and immersive.
But the real standout for me is the DualSense controller. Adaptive triggers and immersive haptics breathe new life into Gears’ signature weaponry. Feeling the heavy kickback of the shotgun, the rattling burst of the Lancer rifle, and the bone-shaking rumble of its chainsaw bayonet is nothing short of thrilling. For blind players, these tactile cues help anchor us in the action in ways visuals never could.
The package is generous too: all post-launch content bundled in, full cross-play and cross-progression across platforms, with support for up to 8 players online. Whether you’re fighting alone, sitting side by side with a partner, or teaming up with friends across different consoles, this is the most complete version of Gears of War to date.
Final Thoughts
I wholeheartedly recommend Gears of War: Reloaded to anyone who has yet to experience this legendary franchise. For sighted players, it’s the definitive way to play. For blind players, while it isn’t fully accessible, there’s still enjoyment to be had, especially with the help of the copilot feature and a sighted friend. In fact, it can create a collaborative experience that adds its own special flavor to the game.
Personally, I’m already looking forward to the next chapter, Gears of War: E-Day, which is expected in 2026. My hope is that The Coalition and Xbox continue this positive momentum, expanding accessibility with each release and ensuring that these stories, these worlds, and these friendships forged in battle can be experienced by everyone.
For those who’d like to go deeper, I invite you to watch my YouTube videos covering both my first campaign impressions and a detailed look at the accessibility settings.
Below you can also watch how I got shredded in the multiplayer, although I think I managed to get some chainsaw action back at them!
Review code provided by Xbox Nordics.
Victor Dima
