If Halo Ever Comes to PlayStation, It Can't Repeat the…

Gears of War: Reloaded isn't a particularly robust or earth-shattering remaster. At least, it's nothing like some of the more visible and ambitious remasters that have graced the industry recently, like Oblivion Remastered, which totally redefines how the original looks and feels to play. Gears of War: Reloaded is far from impressive, but that doesn't mean that it's not significant.

In fact, Gears of War: Reloaded is incredibly important for at least one reason: it marks the first instance of a Gears of War game on PlayStation. The game's arrival on PlayStation is rather momentous, as it ostensibly heralds greater cooperation and cross-pollination between two of the three biggest platform-holders. It's an interesting state of affairs, to be sure, but it hasn't been as rosy and smooth as many would have liked. If Xbox is in fact planning on bringing its other flagship franchises, such as Halo, to PlayStation, then it would behoove the gaming giant to avoid some of the problems it's faced with Gears Reloaded.

A Potential PlayStation 5 Port of Halo Has to Stick the Landing with Multiplayer

Player Positioned on Turret Gears of War Reloaded Raam Boss Fight

Gears of War: Reloaded's Multiplayer Launched with a Host of Issues

As is unfortunately much too common with new multiplayer releases, Gears of War: Reloaded hit the market with a host of online-related shortcomings. Players reported lag and latency issues en masse, and connectivity problems, such as getting kicked from matches, have been frequently alleged as well. This soured what should have been a triumphant moment for the Gears franchise, marring its otherwise momentous arrival on the PlayStation 5.

Players have reported numerous miscellaneous matchmaking issues as well. These problems, alongside the aforementioned ones, were alleviated somewhat in the week following the game's release, but they stained Gears of War: Reloaded's launch nonetheless. This is especially problematic since, while Gears of War has a fun campaign, it has always been more, or at least equally, defined by its multiplayer offerings, much like other leading Xbox franchises of its era.

All Skins and How to Unlock Them In Gears of War Reloaded Multiplayer

Like Gears of War, Halo Is a Multiplayer-First Franchise, and Future PS5 Ports Need to Get That Right

Ultimately, the stumblings of Gears of War: Reloaded's multiplayer don't constitute a death sentence: the game is still doing well, and will likely continue to do so for at least a few more weeks or months. But they don't exactly make for a great first impression, either. After all, the original Gears of War was successful, in large part, because of its rock-solid multiplayer, which is perhaps what many PlayStation players were most eagerly anticipating about Reloaded. The same claims can be made about Halo.

There have been numerous leaks and rumors about Halo coming to PS5, but nothing has been confirmed by Microsoft yet. Nevertheless, it seems a likely prospect.

Master Chief's design in the first game - Halo Combat Evolved

Though lauded for its epic space opera narrative, the Halo franchise is also inextricable from its multiplayer. Halo: Combat Evolved in particular played a major role in shaping the then-burgeoning online gaming scene, and is therefore even more important, historically, than the iconic single-player campaign. It would therefore be a major shame, akin to the shame that accompanied the rough launch of the Master Chief Collection, if Halo launched on PlayStation after all of these years with roughshod online play. Indeed, Halo's multiplayer may be even more important to get right than Gears of War: Reloaded's.