Review
Review · Xbox Series X · Premium Edition
Gears of War: E-Day shows how the nightmare on Sera began.
Fourteen years before the first Gears, the ground of Sera split open. And no one was ready.
Special thanks to B, a follower who kindly provided the Premium Edition code that made this review possible.
| Release | October 6, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Developer | The Coalition (with People Can Fly) |
| Publisher | Xbox Game Studios |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Platforms | Xbox Series X|S, PC (Xbox app and Steam), Xbox Game Pass |
| Genre | Third-person cover shooter |
| Modes | Campaign (solo, split-screen and online up to 4), 4v4 Versus, Horde Siege (up to 12) |
| Rating | ESRB M (17+) |
| Reviewed on | Xbox Series X — Premium Edition |
9 chapters · 7 min read
Going back in time with such a well-known franchise can be risky, especially when its characters already carry memorable stories. Fortunately, Gears of War: E-Day finds a good reason to revisit this universe.
Developed by The Coalition in collaboration with People Can Fly, the game takes us to the start of the Locust invasion, long before the events of the first Gears of War. The goal is to show how a civilization that had just endured years of conflict was caught off guard by a completely unknown threat.
On Xbox Series X, this journey pairs an impressive visual presentation with brutal combat and a much heavier atmosphere. The result is an adventure that respects the franchise's roots while still making room for new ideas.
No one was ready for what came out of the ground.
The campaign takes place 14 years before the first Gears of War and follows the events of Emergence Day, when creatures known as the Locust begin to rise from the depths of the planet Sera.
What makes this beginning interesting is the sense of being unprepared for the invasion. We are not following soldiers used to fighting these monsters, but people trying to understand what is happening while entire cities collapse. Civilians flee in desperation, buildings are torn apart, and the military has to react without truly knowing the enemy.
The narrative uses this situation to present a war that feels impossible to control. Instead of turning every moment into a show of heroism, the game also makes room to show the fear and vulnerability of those trying to survive.
Kalona burning on Emergence Day.
A war that feels impossible to control.
01 · Story
Before the legend, two friends.
The relationship between Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago is still one of the most important parts of the experience. Both appear younger, carrying the consequences of earlier conflicts and trying to find some meaning amid the destruction.
Anyone who knows the events of the original games will feel the weight of certain conversations, but the campaign does not rely on nostalgia alone to stir emotions. The story builds the protagonists' friendship convincingly, especially when their duties as soldiers clash with personal concerns.
Dom gets special attention, while Marcus shows traits that help us better understand the character we would meet later. The new squad members also add to the narrative, even if not all of them get the same depth. It is a more emotional approach than the franchise's aggressive look might suggest.
Dom and Marcus, before they became legends.
More emotional than the franchise's aggressive look might suggest.
02 · Characters
Bravo Squad, allies and the Locust Horde. Stats are this review's editorial assessment, not official in-game numbers.
COG soldier · Born leader
Younger, but already carrying the weight of earlier wars.
Son of Adam Fenix and a Pendulum Wars veteran. In E-Day he shows the traits that would shape the soldier we met later: stubborn, protective and hard to shake.
⌖ Lancer
COG soldier · The squad's heart
The campaign gives Dom the attention he always deserved.
Marcus's best friend and a Pendulum Wars veteran. Torn between his duty as a soldier and his family, he gives emotional weight to the story's most important conversations.
⌖ Lancer
COG #003Bravo Squad · Kalona veteran
Kalona is her home, and she fights for every street.
A Pendulum Wars veteran who worked at Kalona's Imulsion refinery when the invasion began.
COG #004Bravo Squad · Comms cadet
First day on the front line: the worst day possible.
A young cadet and communications officer with no combat experience before Emergence Day.
COG #005Captain · Bravo Squad commander
Orders from above, the squad's lives in her hands.
Commands Bravo Squad amid the chaos of the Kalona invasion.
COG #006Veteran warrior
Years before Gears of War 2, already a legend.
A fan favorite who crosses paths with Bravo Squad and never hesitates to use the chainsaw on the Locust.
LOCUST #007Locust leader · Hunter
He doesn't hunt ordinary soldiers.
A Locust leader who hunts high-ranking Gears and Kalona officials. The face of the invasion.
LOCUST #008Locust infantry · Standard threat
They advance, flank and never let you sit in cover.
The front line of the Horde rising from beneath Sera. In groups they pressure the player with suppressing fire and direct charges.
LOCUST #009Heavy Locust · Artillery
When it roars, find cover.
A brute with explosive weapons that marches forward fearlessly. Never stand still in front of it.
LOCUST #010Colossal Locust · Eight legs
It comes out of the ground, and the ground comes with it.
A giant eight-legged creature that bursts from below and turns whole streets into traps.
LOCUST #011New creature from the deep
When it charges, no cover is safe.
The Hollows bring creatures never seen before in the series. This one tears through streets and barricades and demands teamwork.
A city dying before your eyes.
The city of Kalona deserves attention because its transformation directly follows the events of the campaign. At first, we find a district of imposing buildings, busy streets and places that still carry signs of an organized society.
As the invasion advances, that look disappears and gives way to wrecked buildings, fires, rubble and areas taken by the Locust. This shift conveys the scale of the tragedy without relying only on dialogue. The architecture also supports mission variety, taking the player through streets, buildings, underground passages and spaces that call for different approaches in combat.
At times it is worth studying the scenery before moving on, because small details help tell what happened there. The art direction turns Kalona into an important part of the story itself.
Kalona's streets overrun by the Locust.
Small details tell what happened in that place.
03 · World
Lancer in hand, active reload on time.
Gears of War has always found its identity in third-person combat, and E-Day shows the formula still works very well. Weapons have a convincing sense of impact, and fights demand attention to enemy positions and the use of available cover.
The iconic Lancer remains one of the standout tools, joined by shotguns, rifles and other options that support different play styles. The satisfaction comes from nailing an active reload at the right moment, switching positions quickly and finding the opening to surprise the Locust.
Movement has also been improved, letting you vault obstacles and make better use of vertical space. These changes make fights more dynamic without losing the trademark weight of the franchise's soldiers.
Close-quarters combat: as brutal as ever.
The formula still works very well.
04 · Gameplay
The Locust never let you sit still.
One key strength is how the Locust pressure the player in combat. Some charge straight in, while others use long-range weapons or try to force soldiers out of their positions. This variety keeps fights from being solved simply by staying behind the same cover.
However, companion AI does not always match the quality of the enemies. There are moments when allies could help more, especially in long fights or against tougher foes. Some boss battles also have poorly balanced difficulty spikes, where frustration replaces part of the intended tension.
Despite these issues, combat remains extremely fun, especially when the environment leaves room for movement and different strategies.
The Locust push hard and force you to move.
Sometimes frustration takes the place of tension.
05 · Enemies & AI
More space, not always more pace.
One of E-Day's most debatable choices is its larger areas, where the player can briefly leave the main path to look for resources, upgrades and side objectives. The idea has potential, mainly because it lets you get to know Kalona better and offers small rewards for exploring.
However, these activities do not always match the quality of the main missions. Some objectives repeat similar situations, and certain detours slow down a campaign that works best when it keeps the pressure on its characters. Weapon upgrades add interesting options, but not enough to make every area essential.
It is a choice that will likely split opinions. Players who love exploring will find reasons to search every district, while those mainly interested in the story may miss a more direct structure.
Larger areas bring resources and side objectives.
A choice that will split opinions.
06 · Exploration
Unreal Engine 5 pushing Series X.
Visually, Gears of War: E-Day is among the standouts of the current generation. Unreal Engine 5 delivers detailed characters, complex environments and lighting effects that reinforce the atmosphere of destruction. Explosions, smoke and fights in half-lit areas show special care for presentation.
On Xbox Series X, there are options focused on visual quality and on performance, letting you prioritize a richer image at 30 FPS or smoother play in the 60 FPS mode. Naturally, this choice changes how the image looks, but it is good to have options for different preferences.
Some especially intense moments can still show small dips, but the technical package adds a lot to immersion and does justice to the importance of this return.
Unreal Engine 5: skin, armor and lighting detail.
Among the standouts of this generation.
07 · Graphics
You hear the Locust before you see them.
The audio work also deserves praise. Gunfire has punch, explosions take over the space, and the sounds of the Locust make certain areas especially unsettling. In tight spaces, hearing a creature without immediately knowing where it is raises the tension and brings the experience closer to the franchise's horror roots.
The soundtrack follows the same idea, alternating intense pieces during battles with quieter moments that let dialogue and atmosphere breathe. The performances also convey the gravity of events, especially in scenes with Marcus and Dom.
With a good sound system or headphones, these elements matter even more. It is not just about volume, but about using sound to make you feel inside a city surrounded by the enemy.
Use headphones: you hear the Locust before you see them.
Sound makes you feel surrounded by the enemy.
08 · Sound
Up to 12 players against the Horde.
Beyond the campaign, E-Day offers options for those who prefer to face the Locust with friends. On Xbox Series X, you can play split-screen co-op with two people or join the online campaign with up to four players. Competitive multiplayer also returns with Versus, keeping the team battles that are part of the franchise's history.
One of the most interesting additions, though, is Horde Siege, which expands the classic idea of surviving waves of enemies. The mode brings together up to 12 players split into three squads, who must complete objectives and cooperate in battles across larger maps.
The Premium Edition also includes extra customization content and cosmetic gear, although these extras are not the main reason to recommend the bundle. The range of modes offers plenty of fun after the campaign ends.
Horde Siege: up to 12 players in three squads.
Plenty of fun after the credits roll.
09 · Co-op & multiplayer
Video modes on consoles and official PC requirements. Console data checked against published technical analyses (Digital Foundry); resolution is dynamic in every mode.
Reviewed version
30FPS
Sharper, steadier image; the most consistent mode.
40FPS
Requires a 120 Hz display. A middle ground between clarity and smoothness.
60FPS
Smoother play, with small dips in very intense scenes.
Same modes, with cuts
30FPS
Less detailed textures and shadows than on Series X.
40FPS
Requires a 120 Hz display.
60FPS
Simplified shadows, less foliage and screen-space reflections instead of ray tracing; the least stable mode.
| Target | GPU | CPU | RAM | OS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 1080p · Medium · 60 FPS | RTX 2060 / RTX 5050 / RX 6600 / RX 9060 (6 GB) | Ryzen 5 2600X / i5-10400 | 12 GB | Windows 10 64-bit · SSD |
| Recommended | 1440p · High · 60+ FPS | RTX 3060 Ti / RTX 5060 / RX 6700 XT / RX 9060 XT (8 GB) | Ryzen 5 5600 / i5-11600K | 16 GB | Windows 11 · SSD |
| Ultra | 4K · 60+ FPS | RTX 5070 Ti / RX 7900 XT (12 GB) | Ryzen 7 7800X3D / i7-14700K | 16 GB | Windows 11 · SSD |
Storage: about 115 GB on SSD (some sources list 130 GB).
All 54 achievements (1,000 G) with description, Gamerscore and quick tips. Secret ones are blurred to avoid spoilers: tap to reveal.
Spend 150,000 Energy at the Supply Cache in Horde Siege (any difficulty).
💡 Builds over time: always spend Energy between waves.
Successfully complete 25 Invasion Events in Horde Siege (any difficulty).
Kill 50,000 Enemies in Horde Siege (any difficulty).
💡 The mode's longest grind: comes with regular Horde play.
Get 100 Revives.
Complete all Acts of the Campaign on Co-Op (any difficulty).
💡 Can stack with the Insane run if played in co-op.
Complete all Acts of the Campaign (any difficulty).
💡 Comes with the story: unmissable.
Complete all Acts of the Campaign on Insane difficulty.
💡 Insane in co-op splits the pressure; do it once you know the levels.
Beat the Campaign on Insane difficulty, achieve 100% completion (Any difficulty).
💡 Combine Insane + all collectibles, Hard Cases and side objectives.
Discover all Hard Cases in the Campaign.
💡 Explore Kalona's open areas before moving on.
Unlock all Supply Cache items in the Campaign.
Find all Collectibles in the Campaign (any difficulty).
💡 Use chapter select to grab what you missed.
Complete all Secondary Objectives in the Campaign (any difficulty).
Complete Boot Camp.
💡 The tutorial: an easy first unlock.
Maintain 30 seconds of Adrenaline with the Injector in Horde Siege.
Execute 50 enemies Stunned by the Sonic Disruptor in Horde Siege.
Revive 250 squadmates from DBNO with the Stim Vaporizer in Horde Siege.
💡 Play Medic to speed it up.
Pulse 1,000 enemies with the Pulse Drone in Horde Siege.
Kill 10 enemies in a row using a single detached turret.
Extract from Horde Siege with all squadmates alive on Allfather difficulty.
💡 Needs a coordinated group: team up with friends.
Receive the max reward from a Perk Cache in Horde Siege (any difficulty).
Reach Player Level 100 and Re-Up for the first time.
Re-up for the final time and claim your wings.
💡 One of the rarest: long-term progression.
Reach max level with the Assault, Breacher, Marksman, and Medic classes in Horde Siege.
Unlock all Weapon Mods in Horde Siege.
100% Campaign on Insane, 25,000 kills in Versus, max Player Level, and max 4 classes.
💡 The final boss of achievements: after all the big ones.
Complete and Survive 50 Horde Siege Missions (Infantry difficulty or higher).
Complete any 100 Secondary Objectives in Horde Siege.
Revive 20 players from other squads in Horde Siege.
Save another player from a struggle with a Locust.
Get 25,000 kills in Versus.
Plant the bomb in Demolition and have it explode without the enemy defusing it.
Win a game of Conquest without the enemy team scoring.
List: TrueAchievements.
Excellent
Gears of War: E-Day brings back the qualities that made the franchise so important during the Xbox 360 generation. The campaign tells an engaging story, values the bond between Marcus and Dom and shows the Locust invasion from a perspective closer to the human cost of war. Combat is more refined, movement has received important improvements and the technical presentation on Xbox Series X is impressive.
However, not every new idea works equally well. The exploration areas could be more interesting, ally AI needs tuning, and some fights lose part of their impact due to difficulty choices.
Even so, these issues do not compromise the result. E-Day is a great chance for veterans to learn more about the franchise's origins, and it also works as a good entry point for new players.
Score 9.0Gears of War: E-Day is an excellent return to the franchise's roots. The Coalition delivers a gripping campaign, satisfying combat and a visual presentation that makes great use of Xbox Series X. Despite some debatable exploration choices and small problems in combat, the adventure shows that Gears of War still has a lot to offer.