Microsoft has announced that the PlayStation 5 version of Gears of War: Reloaded will not be released in Japan, citing issues related to regional rating restrictions and platform-specific policies. The news comes just months before the game’s global launch on August 27, 2025, leaving many Japanese PlayStation fans disappointed—especially since this isn’t the first time the franchise has stumbled in the region.
A Repeating Cycle for Gears of War in Japan
Back in 2015, Gears of War: Ultimate Edition also faced legal hurdles that postponed its release in Japan. Now, a decade later, history seems to be repeating itself with Reloaded—a second attempt at remastering the original title. However, this time, only PS5 players in Japan are affected, while the Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam versions will still launch as scheduled.
Why Was It Canceled?
According to a post on Xbox Wire Japan, the PS5 version failed to meet regional rating board requirements and did not align with Sony’s platform policy standards in Japan. Microsoft has not provided further technical details, but sources speculate that content involving violence or political themes may have played a role in the decision.
PS5 Pro Features Now Out of Reach
What stings even more for fans is the fact that Gears of War: Reloaded includes PS5 Pro-exclusive visual enhancements, which will now be unavailable to Japanese players. This includes features like dynamic 4K resolution, enhanced ray tracing, and haptic feedback support—all of which are missing from the other platform versions.
Community Reaction
The gaming community in Japan and beyond has reacted with confusion and frustration. On social media, users are questioning why only the PS5 edition was blocked when the same content is deemed acceptable for Xbox and PC platforms within the country.
While Japanese gamers can still enjoy Gears of War: Reloaded on Xbox and PC, the PS5 cancellation continues the franchise’s rocky history with the region. Whether Microsoft or Sony will work toward a late resolution remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for more updates as the August 27 launch approaches.