Hardcore fans of the "Gears of War" franchise will have the chance to get an early peek at the upcoming fourth installment in the series, as the early access for the beta version of "Gears of War 4" commences.

Developer The Coalition released a hands-on, overview video that highlights the beta version, and even gives handy tips for both hardcore veteran and first-time "Gears of War" players. The video seems to be a series too, as the footage is entitled "Beta Tutorials Episode 1: The Basics." The Coalition has not laid out the schedule for succeeding video tutorials, but fans may expect the tips and guides to drop on the duration of the beta version.

The early access for "Gears of War 4" beta lasts until April 24. Meanwhile, the open beta for Xbox Live Gold members will start on April 25 and ends on May 1.

According to VentureBeat, while the beta serves as a testing and feedback ground for developers, early access also helps first-timers get their feet wet. The industry follower mentioned that previous "Gears of War" titles seem overwhelming for a newbie, and the upcoming "Gears of War 4" is no exception.

In the beta, one of the things that will be helpful for beginners is the training area. In here, players can check out the different weapons, movements, and strategy in combat. The most basic weapon is the Lancer, and it can be great for medium- and close-range combat, since it also has a chainsaw attachment.

Another important thing to remember in "Gears of War 4" is active reload, and the beta version is a good place to practice it. Active reloading helps players time their movements in combat, and in the new system, the active reload option gets better. In "Gears of War 4," players can reload their weapons even with a full clip, and the bonus damage power-up in the ammo will carry over to the weapon's clip.