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Gears of War: E-Day takes the long-running Xbox franchise back to one of its defining moments: the Locusts’ first attack on humanity. Set years before the original game, this prequel follows Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as they face the invasion in Kalona. The Coalition says the project is designed to reconnect with the series’ roots while telling the events of Emergence Day from a new perspective.
Gears of War: E-Day returns to the franchise’s origins
After Gears 5 continued the story of a younger generation of COGs in 2019, the next mainline entry shifts the focus to an earlier era. The game takes place 14 years before the first Gears of War and explores the Locusts’ emergence on Sera, an event that previous games largely referenced rather than showed in detail.
The story unfolds over three days, as the city of Kalona descends into chaos. Built with Unreal Engine 5, the city is modeled beyond the immediate combat areas, allowing players to see distant parts of the environment and witness the destruction spread as events progress. Although the setting is large, the game is not open world.
A linear campaign shaped around Kalona
Creative director Matt Searcy describes the structure as a return to classic Gears level design. The campaign moves through linear streets and combat arenas, with some sections opening into a wider stretch of city blocks. Players follow a main objective rather than choosing missions or freely revisiting every area.
This approach lets the team guide the action while giving players a stronger sense of place. As the invasion escalates, familiar routes and city views change, helping the three-day timeline feel increasingly dangerous. Players who enjoy focused, story-led campaigns can expect a directed progression rather than open-world exploration.
Marcus and Dom are joined by a new squad
Marcus and Dom arrive in Kalona after the Pendulum Wars, a conflict that lasted nearly 80 years. They are there for a military ceremony and share a connection through Dom’s late brother, Carlos Santiago. Soon after, Locusts erupt from openings across the city and attack its population. Marcus and Dom respond alongside Lucas Reyes and Mags Carter, forming a group brought together by circumstance and a shared sense of duty.
Brand director Nicole Fawcette explains that Lucas and Mags have local ties to Kalona, unlike Marcus and Dom, who are visiting for the event. Mags is a former Gear who was dishonorably discharged and now works at an Imulsion refinery. Lucas and Mags help orient the squad as the city falls into turmoil. Their different backgrounds give the group varied connections to the unfolding emergency.
Co-op options and gameplay changes
Gears of War: E-Day supports four-player online co-op across all modes, as well as two-player split-screen co-op. Players can choose any character from the start, making it easier for friends to join with their preferred option.
Movement also expands with jumping, sliding, and high mantles that let characters climb taller walls. Several adjustments aim to improve combat awareness: the camera pulls back while sprinting instead of moving closer, and the active-reload interface appears in the center of the screen. These changes may be useful for players who want a clearer view of nearby threats and reload timing.
What comes next for the Gears timeline?
Asked whether the years between E-Day and the original game could support a larger prequel series, Searcy did not confirm plans for another entry. He said the studio chose to focus on telling this story as its next mainline game, while noting that the franchise’s many characters and eras offer other storytelling possibilities. For now, the team’s attention is on completing E-Day.
Gears of War: E-Day release details
The Coalition’s return to the Locust invasion brings together a directed campaign, a detailed version of Kalona, cooperative play, and a story centered on Marcus and Dom. The game is scheduled to arrive on Xbox Series X/S and PC on October 6. For fans following the franchise, Gears of War: E-Day offers a chance to experience the series’ pivotal beginning firsthand, while its focused level design and co-op features may also appeal to players looking for a story-driven action game.
