The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day delivers a roughly 15-hour campaign that returns the franchise to its gritty, horror-infused roots, even if new open sections do little to change the core formula. Set 14 years before the original game, the prequel follows a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they first encounter the Locust threat beneath the city of Kalona.
A return to form for the franchise
The decision to create a prequel initially seemed odd, given the series was not in need of a reset. However, the appeal of returning the game that popularised cover-based shooting some 20 years ago to its original raw and horror-infused style is clear. E-Day's campaign makes the most of portraying the events when Marcus and Dom first met the Locust, though gunplay and game design fundamentals remain largely unchanged.
Set entirely within the city of Kalona, the campaign offers plenty of opportunity to familiarise players with characters and events previously only referenced in books and comics. The jump from Unreal Engine 4 to 5 makes the war against the Locust feel fresh and destructive, placing players on the ground as part of a four-person squad during the invasion itself.
Horror and gameplay evolution
The opening act plays almost like a horror movie, with Dom, Marcus, and new squad mates Mags and Lucas encountering new and familiar enemies for the first time. The ground cracks and civilians flee in the streets, laying the groundwork for why the squad continues to fight. While the horror peaks in Act 1, the game still finds ways to intimidate and terrify throughout.
Gameplay feels familiar yet refined, with cover slamming remaining punchy and satisfying. The active reload bar now sits behind the character, sprinting has moved to the left stick click, and a raft of accessibility options allow players to tailor the experience. The most substantial change is a built-in weapon modification system, where hard cases discovered alongside collectibles provide passive buffs to preferred loadouts.
Open sections and verdict
The inclusion of certain missions outside the franchise's typical linear design allows players to revisit locations through side missions and emergent opportunities. These micro-stories, such as aiding a determined sniper or escorting civilians, effectively convey the emotion of a city fighting back. However, they do not appear as often as desired and do little to change the flow of gunplay.
By returning to grittier roots, Gears of War: E-Day successfully places one of Xbox's most important franchises back on steadier ground. The campaign is a thrilling setpiece-driven experience, proving there are plenty of gears left to grease in Marcus and Dom's younger years. Gears of War: E-Day is set to release on Xbox Series X, S, and PC on October 6, 2026.
