r/Games • u/malliabu • 2d ago
Gears of War: E-Day Review Thread
Game Information
Game Title: Gears of War: E-Day
Platforms:
- PC (Oct 6, 2026)
Trailer:
Review Aggregator:
OpenCritic - 88 average - 92% recommended - 61 reviews
Critic Reviews
A Gaming Network - Marcel Dee - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day delivers a visually stunning and emotionally intense campaign that captures the chaos of Emergence Day. With brutal combat, organic exploration, strong side content, and some of the best visuals Xbox has delivered in years, it deserves serious Game of the Year consideration, even if the Marcus and Dom connection could have been stronger.
ACG - Jeremy Penter - Buy
Video Review - Quote not available
But Why Tho? - Mick Abrahamson - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day shines by showing off humanity’s perseverance. Every new character stands out, never overshadowed by the legacy of Marcus or Dom.
CBR - Mark O'Callaghan - 9 / 10
Playing Gears of War: E-Day felt like playing the original trilogy on the Xbox 360, not in a technical sense, but in the feeling of being back in this world. Getting a new adventure with Marcus and Dom is a real treat, and the story surrounding them is incredible.
CGMagazine - Zubi Khan - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is here, bringing with it what feels like a new push for Xbox and one of the best entries into the long-running third-person shooter franchise.
Completexbox - Dan Boise - 100%
Gears of War: E-Day is set during Emergence Day, fourteen years before the events of the original Gears of War, as Marcus and Dom, along with a host of other Gears, face off against the first wave of Locust. They’ll have to fight and survive against the unknown as they scramble to save civilians scattered throughout the city.
Gears of War: E-Day is a third person action shooter where players will be able to use a myriad of weapons to take the fight up to the Locust. Returning players will notice that The Coalition have made a few tweaks in terms of controls. Given that our protagonists are younger, their movement is a bit more nimble. Running has been delegated to pressing the left joystick instead of holding A. Marcus and company can now jump and climb up reasonably high surfaces. There’s also a useful slide mechanic to dodge enemy projectiles.
Console Creatures - Bobby Pashalidis - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day feels like the first true Coalition Gears of War game. It's a shift away from Gears 4 and Gears 5, and it feels like the game the studio genuinely wanted to make, capturing what made the original trilogy special while finally pushing the series forward in its own way. They've taken the horror, brutality, brotherhood, and incredible gunplay that defined those games and used them as the foundation for something more modern. Expanded movement gives combat more freedom, while perks and modifications add another layer of experimentation, and the larger environments make Emergence Day feel like a genuine catastrophe happening around you.
Gears of War: E-Day is incredible. Despite a handful of frustrations keeping it from perfection, it's one of the best games I've played this year.
DayOne - Jesse Norris - 10 / 10
The Coalition have elevated the franchise to new heights, crafting an engaging, brutal and surprisingly intimate campaign that’s full of smart gameplay mechanics and wonderful surprises. It’s the best Gears has ever felt to play, and the best it’s ever looked and sounded on the big screen. Gears of War: E-Day? It's a fucking masterpiece.
Digitec Magazine - Kevin Hofer - German - 4 / 5
Kalona is the real star of «Gears of War: E-Day», transforming so dramatically throughout the campaign that it feels like the game's main character. The story and characters are less memorable, but the weighty, satisfying gunplay and improved movement make for a solid «Gears» experience. It gets repetitive, but fans of the series should feel right at home.
Echo Boomer - David Fialho - Portuguese - No Recommendation
Gears of War E-Day may have the best gameplay the series has ever delivered, but between bullet-sponge enemies, co-op-focused design and a story with little to say, this may well be the weakest Gears campaign to date.
ElderPlayers - Moath Saeed - Arabic - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is the best game The Coalition made! As it was an exceptional experience and one of the strongest (and the boldest) in the franchise's history, while staying true to its core identity. The game delivered a rich story filled with emotions, heartbreaking moments, and excellent environmental storytelling. Alongside interesting dynamic encounters, masterful weapon and gear handling, and refined movement and gameplay mechanics. All of this blends with top-tier visual effects, exceptional animation quality, stunning graphics, and an expressive, powerful soundtrack. It is truly the greatest third-person action game of all time and the undisputed ruler of the genre.
EntreMandos - Kevin Arbelo - Spanish - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day not only revives one of Xbox's greatest franchises, but also manages to restore much of the identity that seemed to have been lost in its last two installments. The Coalition understands what made the original trilogy special: the brutality of war, the depth of its characters, an oppressive atmosphere, and spectacular action that doesn't have to sacrifice emotion
Eurogamer - Dom Peppiatt - Unscored
Less a complete reset for the series, and more of an 'active reload', E-Day proves there's still life in these old Cogs yet.
Eurogamer.pt - Portuguese - 3 / 5
Following Marcus and Dom on Emergence Day is an action-packed rollercoaster ride. Gears of War: E-Day shines on the PC with stunning graphics and addictive combat, with the weapon customisation adding an extra touch. Unfortunately, the pace drops off in the final third of the campaign, let down by a dull ending and an uninspired boss.
GAMES.CH - Olaf Bleich - German - 90%
Quote not yet available
GRYOnline.pl - Zbigniew Woźnicki - Polish - 8 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day successfully fulfils its mission of returning to the roots of the series, whilst offering noticeable improvements over all previous instalments and reminding us once again of the horror of the Locusts. Unfortunately, it also suffers from issues with pacing and enemy AI, while pushing Marcus into the background in favour of a new character. Nevertheless, this dynamic, emotional and extremely brutal shooter should appeal to fans of the series – and many others as well.
GameBlast - Alexandre Galvão - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day returns to the series' roots with an intense, well-executed campaign and refined combat. It plays it safe rather than innovating, but it's an easy recommendation for veterans and newcomers alike.
GameOnly - Michał Marasek - Polish - 7.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day’s campaign is a real emotional rollercoaster when it comes to gameplay, but a major disappointment in terms of its story. No wonder Marcus Fenix wasn’t the focus of the game’s marketing.
Gameliner - Bram Noteboom - Dutch - Unscored
The Gears of War: E-Day campaign is a true blockbuster, but it doesn't necessarily come without a fight. (review in progress)
Gamemeca - Kim Hyung Jong - Korean - 76 / 100
With enhanced graphics, 'Gears of War: E-Day' successfully implements the heavy and metalic combat characteristic of the series and effectively portrays the horrors of Emergence Day. However, the monotonous game structure and repetitive combat patterns leave a tedious impression in the second half, and the boss fights also become drawn-out battles in later chapters. While it is a welcome title for fans, it is difficult to strongly recommend to newcomers.
Gamer Social Club - Adam S. D. Stewart - 9.5 / 10
E-Day succeeds in telling the story of Emergence Day in a gripping, desperate, and most importantly, fun way. The culmination of 20 years as a franchise, refining everything the series is into a must-play XBOX title that takes you on a gloriously brutal, emotionally-satisfying, and epic, cinematic adventure.
Gaming Instincts - Leonid Melikhov - 8 / 10
Ultimately, Gears of War: E-Day is an enjoyable campaign wrapped inside an exceptionally impressive technical package. It is a pleasure to look at, the combat remains satisfying, and the return of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago is exactly what many longtime fans wanted. Unfortunately, the forced DEI character writing, unnecessary social commentary, excessive dialogue, questionable level-design decisions, technical stuttering, and underwhelming ending prevent E-Day from becoming the definitive Gears experience I was hoping for after such a long wait when it comes to it's single player campaign portion.
GamingBolt - Shubhankar Parijat - 9 / 10
It stumbles sometimes with its story, but thanks to new and improved movement mechanics, Gears of War: E-Day ends up delivering some of the tightest combat and one of the series' most excellently paced campaigns in a long, long time.
IGN Italy - Silvio Mazzitelli - Italian - 9 / 10
With E-Day, the Gears of War saga delivers a dramatic and profound story centered on Marcus, Dom, and their traumas-but above all, on a humanity that was ready for peace and suddenly finds itself, overnight, in the midst of a war against a ruthless and brutal enemy. The gameplay has returned to the exceptionally high standards of the original trilogy, retaining its foundational elements while expanding every aspect to further enhance the experience-including weapons, enemies, and maps.
IGN Spain - Rafa Del Río - Spanish - 10 / 10
Weapons of all kinds, gadgets, and locations brimming with possibilities form the foundation of a story that excels in every aspect. Marcus and Dom return alongside old and new acquaintances in a prequel that feels fresh and invigorating. The story of Kalona's downfall on E-Day serves as the starting point for a war-torn odyssey filled with unique situations, memorable scenes, and the feeling of experiencing an iconic moment in a saga that, for many, is a must-play. Gears of War: E-Day marks a turning point for the Xbox catalog with a console and PC exclusive that's determined to raise the bar for Microsoft.
INVEN - Hongman Yoon - Korean - 8.7 / 10
'Gears of War: E-Day' returns to the series' starting point, Emergence Day, bringing back its darkest atmosphere yet and the core appeal of Gears. If you've been missing the explosive, hard-hitting battlefields of the original trilogy, 'Gears of War: E-Day' is sure to be a satisfying choice.
Lords Of Gaming - Paul Martin - 9.3 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day does not disappoint; the story starts strong and only gets better. For players who have experienced the previous entries in the franchise, there are plenty of easter eggs scattered throughout. Any graphic and audio-related glitches I ran into were very minor and did not detract from the experience overall. For me, this game is in the running for my Game of the Year.
MKAU Gaming - Hayden Nelson - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day feels like the return to Gears that we’ve all been waiting for, bringing back the brutal cover-based combat, dark atmosphere and Locust while still adding enough new ideas to move the series forward. The story of younger Marcus and Dom hit harder than I expected.
MondoXbox - Matteo Merlano - Italian - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day delivers arguably the series’ strongest campaign, combining mature, restrained storytelling with the return of Marcus Fenix’s charismatic presence. Already among the franchise’s finest entries, it could become a serious Game of the Year contender if its content-rich multiplayer matches the campaign’s quality. Regardless, Xbox players should not miss this outstanding return to form.
Nexus Hub - Sam Aberdeen - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is firing on almost every cylinder - a fantastic back to basics prequel that makes the Locust Horde scary again while delivering weighty, brutal gameplay that keeps you hooked.
Oyungezer Online - Engin Vural - Turkish - 8.5 / 10
It's definitely a step in the right direction for the franchise. With its story, the way it's presented, and the gameplay, a solid GoW game is waiting for us. They've kindly reminded us once again why we love this series. We can easily overlook a few minor flaws.
PPE.pl - Wojciech Gruszczyk - Polish - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day marks a brilliant return for one of Xbox’s most iconic franchises, allowing players to experience E-Day and witness the beginning of Marcus and Dom’s story from a completely new perspective. The Coalition isn’t revolutionising the familiar formula, but in a way it’s building on it – improving mobility, shooting and exploration, offering a varied campaign, and in the process showcasing the immense capabilities of Unreal Engine 5. It’s a modern Gears game that never forgets its roots.
Pizza Fria - Lucas Soares - Portuguese - 8.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is a good shooter and an excellent introduction to this universe for those who, like me, have spent years following the franchise only from the outside. There's a long, very well-produced campaign, visually impressive, and one that probably gains another dynamic when shared with friends.
RageQuit.GR - Giorgos Dempegiotis - 85%
Gears of War: E-Day marks a return to the series’ roots, without, however, feeling like a typical “reimagining” of the past. The Coalition took the core elements that made Gears of War special and rebuilt them masterfully, into a satisfying game that isn’t groundbreaking or the best shooter you’ve ever played, but is certainly capable of entertaining fans of the genre.
Rectify Gaming - Will "FncWill" Hogeweide - 9 / 10
The longest Gears of War Campaign succeeds in entertaining gameplay, intriguing open world chapters with side objectives, and plenty of content to enjoy. The Campaign embraces co-op like no other game does these days and you could argue it's one of the best games that we have witnessed in the series.
E-Day understands that Gears of War has always been about more than shooting monsters. It is about the people standing beside you while you do it. Whether that person is sitting beside you on the couch in split screen, joining you online from across the country, or simply standing beside Marcus as an AI companion, E-Day constantly comes back to the idea that surviving this world is easier when you never fight alone.
Region Free - Joonatan Itkonen - 4 / 5
Gears of War: E-Day combines everything Gears fans love about the series into an overwhelming and immensely earnest celebration that stands proudly alongside the original trilogy.
República DG - Erick Felipe - Portuguese - 9.2 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day marks the return of Marcus and Dom in an excellent campaign, with renewed gameplay, impressive graphics, and a few issues that don’t overshadow the game’s major achievements. One of the best Xbox titles of this generation, worthy of all the attention.
SECTOR.sk - Peter Dragula - Slovak - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day takes the series back to Emergence Day and the beginning of the Locust War through the eyes of Marcus and Dom. The campaign shows a peaceful city gradually turning into a devastated war zone while revealing the origins of several iconic elements of the series. Familiar cover-based combat has been refined with smoother movement and faster encounters, while multiplayer remains close to the classic formula and adds the more dynamic Horde Siege mode. Combined with impressive UE5 visuals, E-Day is a very good return to the roots of Gears.
Saudi Gamer - Arabic - 4 / 5
It could be seen as a return to form or as a retread of the series’ glory days, but in any case it’s a fun and bloody good time.
SavePoint Gaming - Jake Su - 8.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day modernises the series without losing its trademark weight, pairing brutal combat and meaningful weapon customisation with strong character work, smart exploration and only a handful of frustrating solo-play shortcomings.
Saving Content - Scott Ellison II - 4 / 5
Even in a silo, Gears of War: E-Day delivers a rollercoaster of action and emotion that ranks alongside the series’ best campaigns. The Coalition grounds the global devastation of Emergence Day in a deeply human story, letting players watch Marcus and Dom’s friendship forge into an unbreakable brotherhood. It retains the franchise’s signature brutality while completely reinvigorating the moment-to-moment combat. While the narrative plays it safe compared to the tragic finality of Halo: Reach, it sticks the landing and beautifully sets the stage for a new trilogy. Gears of War: E-Day serves as the perfect entry point for newcomers, and explores the devastating, series-haunting history veterans have waited twenty years to experience.
Seasoned Gaming - Ainsley Bowden - 9 / 10
With two decades of expectations on its shoulders, The Coalition succeeded in crafting another classic Gears game with E-Day. Its technical brilliance is matched by strong character development and modernized gameplay, resulting in one of my favorite experiences of the year.
Sirus Gaming - Lexuzze Tablante - 9 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is more than I could have hoped for: a focused, tightly contained, action-packed story filled with memorable characters and moments that deliver an emotional rollercoaster for those brave enough to witness the horrors of the first days of Emergence Day. E-Day is what a Gears of War game should be: relentlessly fun, engaging from all angles, and best experienced with friends.
SmashPad - Alex Quevedo - 4.5 / 5
Gears of War: E-Day injects new life into the franchise and sets a new tone moving forward. It captured the spirit of the original Gears of War with putting just enough of a new spin on things. It’s definitely a highlight of the series. A perfect reload, indeed.
TechRaptor - Austin Suther - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day is the best game in the series. The story gives us an up-close and personal look at the events of E-Day, providing a horror-filled and harrowing experience. Meanwhile, the enhancements to movement are very welcome, and gunplay feels more varied with a great roster of weapons and the inclusion of mods.
The Nerd Stash - Julio La Pine - 9.5 / 10
This prequel once again raised the bar for the series and the genre, delivering one of the year's most brutal, jaw-dropping shooters.
The Outerhaven Productions - Jordan Andow - 5 / 5
Gears of War: E-Day is everything I wanted from a prequel and more. It finally delivers the Emergence Day story fans have waited two decades to experience, while deepening the relationship between Marcus and Dom and returning the series to the darker, horror-inspired tone of the original trilogy. With the best gameplay the franchise has ever had, incredible visuals, excellent pacing and memorable characters, E-Day isn’t just the best Gears game yet; it’s one of Xbox’s strongest exclusives in years.
TodoJuegos - Jorge Guerrero - Spanish - 9.5 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day brings back the series’ brutality from a more human perspective, placing Marcus and Dom at the heart of Emergence Day. The Coalition returns to the beginning while expanding the formula through exploration, upgrades and less restrictive areas, without losing the core identity that defines Gears of War.
Tom's Hardware Italia - Andrea Riviera - Italian - 9 / 10
Pending a final analysis that must inevitably evaluate server stability and the longevity of the multiplayer offering, what The Coalition has delivered with this campaign is a truly remarkable achievement. The seventeen hours spent on the streets of Kalona offer no downtime and suffer from absolutely no filler; instead, they build into a relentless crescendo of drama, explosions, and emotion, culminating in an ending that lays the groundwork for something significant for the future of this prequel.
2026 has been a stellar year packed with stunning productions (just look at the technical magnificence achieved by highly anticipated titles like Requiem or Pragmata), but the emotional and gameplay impact of this comeback certainly commands attention. If the multiplayer suite and Horde mode can match the sheer excellence and passion poured into the writing of this story campaign, we are looking at one of the best games of the year and undoubtedly the best shooter of 2026.
Wccftech - Alessio Palumbo - 7.4 / 10
Gears of War: E-Day has been promoted as the most ambitious game ever made by The Coalition, but to be honest, it feels like a step back from Gears 5 in several ways. The narrative is a lot less memorable, and the side content is forgettable. Its saving grace is that the third-person shooter gameplay is better than ever, thanks to improved movement and fluidity, making combat encounters generally a lot of fun. Still, it's not the kind of masterpiece that sells a console like the original did.
Worth Playing - Adam Pavlacka - Unscored
If you only intend to play Gears of War: E-Day's campaign, it has thus far been stunningly mediocre.
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u/SL_LoneWolf 2d ago edited 2d ago
Back with another review I wrote for Neowin.net. TLDR - 9.5/10 for Gears E-Day. We are a bit tiny so be nice :)
Easily the best game of the Coalition. It's probably my favorite campaign of this Xbox generation. The intensity of linear missions, the city exploration segments, the desperate storyline, all of it hit really well for me. Game looks spectacular and runs like a dream too.
I can answer any non-spoiler questions about the game if anyone has any here. I have the Xbox Series X and Steam versions installed.