Gears of War: E-Day is an exercise in relentless intensity. Set during Emergence Day, the cataclysmic moment the Locust Horde first invaded the planet Sera, this prequel plunges players into a desperate fight for survival. Across its 20-hour campaign, players are given scant moments to breathe, immersing them in the chaotic early days of the Locust War.
Players step into the boots of several members of Bravo squad, including iconic characters Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, alongside newcomers Cadet Lucas Reyes and Mags Carter. Their mission is to repel the overwhelming Locust invasion, rescue civilians, and salvage what remains of humanity's grip on Sera. The sheer number of enemies and the rapid pace of combat encounters contribute to a frantic, engaging experience that rarely lets up.
A Bold Structural Shift
Gears of War: E-Day introduces a significant structural change for the series with semi-open-world sections interspersed with its linear missions. Unlike the more barren environments in Gears 5's open areas, E-Day features dense urban settings filled with alleyways and streets that host dynamic encounters. These sections offer side objectives and collectibles, allowing players to explore at their own pace. However, this deviation from the series' traditional pacing proves to be a major drawback.
These open-world segments, particularly the first one encountered in the game's second act, significantly disrupt the campaign's urgency. While the narrative stresses the chaotic and immediate threat of the Locust, players are afforded considerable freedom to wander, engage in protracted battles with numerous enemies, and hunt for collectibles. This pacing issue is compounded by the fact that multiple such interludes are present throughout the game, leading to a noticeable slog.
Despite its structural missteps, E-Day excels in delivering the signature Gears of War set pieces and cinematic moments. Defending an airborne helicopter during a storm against Reavers, or landing a critical shot on a monstrous Spore Matron, provides exhilarating gameplay. The confrontation with a colossal spider-like creature called a Corpser aboard a moving train, culminating in a gory collision, showcases the series' penchant for epic and brutal encounters.
Visually, Gears of War: E-Day is a standout title. The character models and environments are rendered with astonishing detail, especially in close-up cutscenes that highlight the emotional performances of the cast. The visual fidelity is impressive, though it demands significant hardware, posing a challenge for PC players aiming for both high frame rates and satisfactory graphical settings. My PC, which met the recommended specifications, required constant tweaking to find an optimal balance.
Technical Hiccups and Co-op Focus
The review period was not without technical issues. Minor bugs, such as levitating characters, enemies with flawed pathfinding, and frustrating hitbox problems where shots failed to register, were encountered. A particularly jarring bug caused a cutscene to trigger prematurely, leading to a comedic, unintended juxtaposition of intense firefights and emotional dialogue.
Performance aside, the narrative and core combat mechanics of Gears of War: E-Day are arguably the best the series has ever offered. The exploration of Marcus and Dom's origins is compelling, and new characters like the Kiwi twins Mako and Manu add significant personality and memorable dialogue. The game is clearly designed with co-op play in mind. While the solo experience is functional, playing with friends elevates the enjoyment considerably. The AI companions, particularly on higher difficulties, struggle to match the demands of the combat, often failing to draw enemy attention effectively.
After a seven-year hiatus since the last mainline entry, Gears 5, the Gears of War franchise has a chance to reclaim its position as a flagship Xbox series. With Halo's future facing uncertainties, Gears of War: E-Day presents a strong contender for that crown. It's a game that, despite its flaws, recaptures the spirit of the series and offers a compelling reason for fans to return. The game is scheduled for release on October 6 for Windows PC and Xbox Series X. The review was conducted on a PC using a pre-release download, with Horde Siege and multiplayer modes unavailable during the evaluation period.