Gears of War: E-Day review — terrific shooting buoys a sluggish campaign

E-Day is a prequel to the classic third-person cover shooter Gears of War, set to release on October 6, 2026. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game is reviewed on an Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 and a Steam Deck. The most striking revelation in this prequel is that Marcus Fenix used to have a jump button, a change that represents a literal leap forward for the franchise.

However, the campaign suffers from sluggish pacing and repetitive gameplay. Despite this, the shooting mechanics have been significantly improved, with slightly more acrobatic characters and smarter button remapping. The game's biggest haters may criticize the cover-shooting as dull, but hardcore players will find it engaging, as staying in one spot of cover is punished, encouraging players to constantly weigh risks and opportunities.

E-Day introduces new weaponry that makes cowering in cover even more challenging, with acid blasts and the Goreshot grappling hook. While the gunplay is a treat, the core campaign lacks the variety and innovation of Gears 5, resulting in repetitive combat encounters. The story, which begins with Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, falls short as Marcus is essentially the same cynical, traumatised combat veteran as in the original game.