Seven years after the last mainline entry, Gears of War: E-Day is set to re-establish the franchise with a multiplayer experience that feels both familiar and surprisingly fresh. A recent 10-hour preview session highlighted substantial changes to the series' traditional control scheme, alongside the introduction of a new Horde Siege mode designed to expand upon the PvE formula.
The most immediate and impactful change is the overhauled control system. The A button is now exclusively dedicated to cover actions and movement within cover. Sprinting, previously tied to context-sensitive presses, is now mapped to a left-stick click, while the Y button handles vaulting and a dedicated jump action. While this requires a period of adjustment for players accustomed to the series' long-standing control layout, the improved nimbleness and fluidity it offers become apparent quickly. This new system loosens the flow of combat without sacrificing the series' core identity, allowing for quicker transitions in and out of cover and a more responsive overall feel, especially in high-pressure firefights.
The addition of a dedicated jump and mantle action via the Y button also introduces a greater emphasis on verticality. This can fundamentally alter map design and player positioning, adding a new dimension to combat encounters that have historically relied on more horizontal engagements.
Versus multiplayer, featured in the beta with two modes, Team Deathmatch and Conquest, across two symmetrical maps, Market and Outpost, remains rooted in the series' DNA. These modes emphasize tactical use of cover, flanking maneuvers, and the classic shotgun-centric combat loop. While the core gameplay remains, the enhanced movement system makes players feel more agile, allowing for quicker dodges and repositioning.
Horde Siege emerges as the standout feature of the multiplayer component. Building on the foundation of the series' pioneering Horde mode from Gears of War 2, this new iteration expands the experience beyond confined levels. Horde Siege matches take place across larger, more open environments inspired by the campaign's setting of Kalona, integrating objectives and enemy waves into the ruined cityscape. This approach aims for thematic coherence between the single-player story and the multiplayer offering.
Matches support three teams of four players, each with their own starting locations and objectives. The primary goal typically involves defending a R.I.G. from successive waves of Locust. However, teams can opt to tackle optional side objectives, such as destroying specific Locust assets, which yield additional rewards and in-game currency for fortifications and gear. Once a main defense objective is initiated, teams are locked into holding the position until all waves are cleared.
Three mission types are available: Blitz, a shorter engagement with one main objective and three waves; normal Siege, featuring three objectives with three waves each; and standard Horde, which presents one objective against ten waves. A crucial element across all modes is the extraction phase following the final wave, where players must survive an additional, indefinite wave of enemies while a helicopter lands at a designated extraction point, significantly raising the stakes.
The mode adopts an almost open-world feel, with multiple teams operating concurrently in the same instance. While teams generally maintain separate objectives, their proximity can lead to emergent gameplay scenarios, where distant battles can be observed, or enemy hordes might inadvertently spill over into adjacent team areas. This parallel play can be both a strategic advantage, offering potential aid from nearby teams, and a tactical disruption if enemy forces are drawn into active combat zones.
The dynamic nature of objective placement and the expansive map design force players to adapt to their surroundings, offering a fresh experience even when repeating tasks. While the traditional, more confined Horde mode may appeal to some for its structured approach, Horde Siege offers a more fluid and adaptable combat encounter that leverages Gears' established strengths.
The moment-to-moment gameplay in Horde Siege retains the satisfying core of Gears combat, with the familiar effectiveness of weapons like the Gnasher and Longshot. The enhanced movement system proves particularly beneficial in PvE, allowing for smoother repositioning to counter the rapid onslaught of Locust. While standard enemies are manageable, encounters with multiple Berserkers and large tank-like foes present a significant challenge, requiring frantic repositioning and coordinated revivals.
Compared to Gears 5's highly intricate Horde mode, E-Day's current iteration is simpler, with less emphasis on elaborate base building and more on turret placement and supply caches. The beta is noted as an early build, with progression systems, unlocks, and rewards still subject to finalization. The class system currently features Assault, Breacher, Marksman, and Medic, each with a tactical cooldown ability. A weapon attachment and upgrade system is also anticipated.
Despite the extensive playtime in the beta, there remains a desire to explore further content, a sentiment that has not always been common for recent Gears entries. The extended gap between releases suggests a focus on delivering a robust multiplayer suite with long-term appeal. Gears of War: E-Day is slated for release on October 6 for Xbox Series X/S and PC.