The Coalition has returned to the roots of the Gears of War saga with Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel that revisits Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago. This latest entry aims to capture the pivotal event in the Gears of War universe: the emergence of the Locust horde. The campaign immerses players in the city of Kalona during its fall, establishing a strong horror-tinged atmosphere as civilians become victims of the brutal invasion. Even as a heavily armed soldier, the overwhelming sense of helplessness and the relentless nature of the Locust threat are palpable throughout the experience.
Intense Combat and Exploration
The game features impressive and frequent action set-pieces, with one particular airstrip sequence highlighted as a standout shootout. Between these intense combat arenas, players navigate the streets of Kalona, offering opportunities for minor exploration and sidequests. A favorite side activity involves uncovering hard cases, which reward players with weapon mods. This allows for a personalized approach to combat, letting players tinker with their arsenal to match their preferred playstyle.
Blasting through enemy hordes remains a core and enjoyable aspect of the gameplay. Players can engage enemies with familiar weapons like the Lancer and Hammerburst, or experiment with new additions such as the acid-blasting Incinerator. Gears of War: E-Day introduces a variety of special minibosses designed to disrupt player strategies, necessitating constant adaptation. To help level the playing field, players can utilize new tactical abilities, including a healing injection and an enemy-tagging drone, alongside new traversal and cover mechanics. While squadmates occasionally exhibit pathfinding issues or deliver uninspired dialogue, they provide crucial support, offering revives when the player is downed.
Compelling Characters and Narrative
The narrative focuses on the squadmates' personal struggles alongside the overarching conflict. Marcus and Dom grapple with the loss of Dom's brother and Marcus's best friend, Carlos. Mags, a strong-willed former soldier, is drawn into the fight against her will. Initially, Lucas, a new recruit who adheres strictly to the COG handbook, feels underdeveloped. However, a late-game storyline involving Lucas significantly elevates his character, allowing him to stand alongside Marcus, Dom, and Mags.
Gears of War: E-Day's campaign is shaping up to be a memorable experience, blending characters, action, and story effectively, partly due to the game's smart use of the Kalona setting. The multiplayer servers were not available at the time of this review's embargo, but the campaign alone has left a strong positive impression, with the potential for the full game to rank among the series' best.