The Coalition has rolled out another targeted update for Gears of War: Reloaded, focusing once again on the series' iconic Gnasher shotgun. Despite previous adjustments made during the beta period, the Gears community has been vocal about wanting further refinements to the weapon that's been the heart of the franchise's combat since day one.
The primary concern? Players were still getting eliminated by the Gnasher at ranges that felt unreasonable for a shotgun, creating those frustrating "how did that kill me?" moments that can make or break a multiplayer experience.
Damage Consistency Gets Another Pass
The Gnasher has always been notorious for its seemingly unpredictable damage output. While The Coalition previously addressed technical factors like server stability and hip-fire pellet patterns, this latest patch dives deeper into the weapon's damage profile. The most significant change is a 15% reduction in mid-range damage, ensuring the shotgun feels more balanced when engaging enemies beyond point-blank range.
Additionally, the aim-down-sights pellet spread has been recalibrated. It's now looser than the launch version but still tighter than what players experienced during beta testing – striking a middle ground that should satisfy both casual and competitive players.
Beyond the Gnasher
This update isn't just about weapon balancing. The Coalition has squashed several crash-related bugs that were affecting stability across all platforms, addressing some of the technical issues that contributed to mixed Steam reviews. The team also added quality-of-life improvements including ultrawide monitor support for benchmark mode and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) compatibility for Xbox Series X|S players in campaign mode.
However, one glaring omission remains: PC players are still waiting for local split-screen co-op support, a feature that many consider essential for the Gears experience. The Coalition hasn't indicated whether this functionality will arrive in future updates.
Quick Patch Rundown:
- Gnasher adjustments: 15% mid-range damage reduction, refined aim-down-sights spread
- Stability fixes: Multiple crash-related bugs resolved across platforms
- Visual improvements: Ultrawide benchmark support, Xbox Series X|S VRR in campaign
- Still missing: PC split-screen co-op functionality
As The Coalition continues refining Gears of War: Reloaded based on community input, it's clear they're committed to getting the Gnasher's feel just right – even if it takes multiple attempts to nail that perfect balance.
News Writer | Editor
Erika Adzhaia is a talented writer and journalist with over 11 years of experience in editorial and copywriting. Erika is a wordsmith and a deep video game lover who successfully combines her literary talents with her love of video games.
Back to Top
