Gears of War: E-Day, the latest installment in the long-running franchise and a prequel to the original trilogy, is set to launch on October 6 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X. A recent two-hour preview of the campaign on Xbox Series X offered a glimpse into the game's core mechanics, narrative tone, and expanded gameplay structure, suggesting The Coalition is aiming to recapture the essence of the original Gears of War while introducing modern improvements. The game details the harrowing events of "Emergence Day," when the subterranean Locust Horde emerged to decimate humanity.
Players will step into the boots of a younger Marcus Fenix, accompanied by his close comrade Dominic Santiago. The preview focused on the second act of the campaign, with an introductory cutscene indicating that the game's opening act will feature Marcus and Dom in civilian attire before the full-scale invasion begins. The initial moments thrust players into action as the military mobilizes to counter the Locust threat, with characters demonstrating a characteristic gruffness that aligns with the series' established tone.
Gameplay mechanics in Gears of War: E-Day remain quintessentially Gears of War. Expect the familiar weighty movement, cover-based shooting, and the satisfying feedback of the chainsaw melee attack. The signature reload minigame also returns. The Coalition has seemingly refined these core elements, building upon their previous work in Gears of War 4 and Gears 5. One of the previewed missions, "Bravo Squad," involved Marcus and his squad advancing through a highway and across a bridge to reach a forward operating base. This segment featured standard combat encounters, utilizing various firearms against different Locust types, including larger variants armed with rocket launchers.
A notable improvement highlighted in the preview is the behavior of NPC teammates. During the "Bravo Squad" mission, AI companions were frequently observed reviving the player, effectively engaging enemies, and demonstrating a level of competence that significantly enhanced the solo experience. This felt more akin to playing with actual human teammates rather than mere background elements. This dynamic was further emphasized when Marcus's squad assisted another pinned-down unit on a bridge, with roles reversed later in the mission.
Kalona's Open Sandbox
The second previewed mission, "Hold the Line," introduced a more open-ended structure. Set in the city of Kalona, this segment presented players with a map and a variety of strategic objectives to push back the Locust invasion. The city itself acts as a miniature open world, offering opportunities to explore alleyways and abandoned buildings. Players can customize their weapons and discover upgrades throughout Kalona. Side objectives, such as defending a car dealership or rescuing trapped civilians, are present, rewarding players with weapon mods.
This expanded approach to level design in "Hold the Line" bears resemblance to the sandbox stages found in Gears 5, but is described as being significantly larger and denser with activities. These side quests provide context for the ongoing conflict, reinforcing the idea that the war is being fought to protect human lives. It was also within this mission that the origin of the iconic chainsaw lancer assault rifle was revealed, a piece of lore that the preview suggests might have been unnecessary but is nonetheless included.
While initially skeptical about a prequel to a well-documented event, the preview suggests that Gears of War: E-Day is shaping up to be a strong contender. The Coalition has demonstrated mastery of the franchise's core gameplay and tone, and the expanded structure of "Hold the Line" hints at a deeper, more engaging campaign experience. The success of the game may hinge on its narrative, but early impressions point towards a potentially one of the best entries in the Gears of War series.
