Gears of War: E-Day, set 14 years before the original game during the Locust Horde's initial assault on humanity, shows promise in its setting but has yet to demonstrate the narrative depth expected of a prequel. Having played approximately two hours of the story campaign, the upcoming third-person shooter delivers the series' signature intense action, quippy dialogue, and copious amounts of gore, but its core premise of reframing the franchise's established lore appears underdeveloped in these early stages.
The game is set in the city of Kalona, featuring explorable areas between more linear mission segments. While this structure is not new to Gears, its sole focus on an urban environment offers potential for the city itself to become a character. The preview notes that streets and areas are revisited, becoming increasingly destroyed as the narrative progresses, suggesting an opportunity for an emotional connection to the crumbling locale. However, this aspect was not evident in the preview build, leaving it unclear whether this narrative potential is being realized or simply absent from the current playable portion.
Prequel Expectations Unmet
A successful prequel, according to the preview, should offer new insights that encourage players to revisit the original series with a transformed perspective. Examples like Halo: Reach, which imbued the original trilogy with a sense of human desperation and sacrifice, or Red Dead Redemption 2, which humanized antagonists from the first game, are cited as benchmarks. Assassin's Creed Origins is also noted for grounding the Assassin Brotherhood's complex motivations in personal tragedy. Thus far, E-Day has not achieved this recontextualization. The origin of the Lancer's chainsaw bayonet, for instance, is presented in a brief cutscene that feels understated, with the transition from concept to a functional weapon occurring rapidly and without significant impact.
Familiar Gameplay with New Mechanics
Mechanically, Gears of War: E-Day offers a competent, albeit familiar, experience. The core gameplay loop of cover-based shooting remains intact, with firearms and explosives delivering the series' trademark satisfying impact. Protagonist Marcus Fenix is more agile, incorporating mechanics such as sprint sliding and climbing, but these additions do not fundamentally alter the established feel of Gears gameplay. While not considered the pinnacle of the third-person shooter genre, the gameplay is described as solid and far from the worst available.
Multiplayer Focus
Where the game is expected to truly shine is in its multiplayer modes, specifically Horde and Versus. Senior video producer Jean-Luc highlighted these modes in a previous preview as a key source of fun, suggesting that the campaign may struggle to maintain pace. Players who enjoy the narrative of previous Gears titles will likely find E-Day's story satisfactory, but those who typically disengage from the campaigns are unlikely to be swayed by this installment. For now, Gears of War: E-Day remains a title to watch, with its success hinging on whether its setting and story can evolve beyond the initial preview's impressions, or if its multiplayer components will be its primary draw for players already facing a crowded release schedule in October.