Gears of War: E-Day Scores 87 on OpenCritic, Called Series' Best

The review embargo for Gears of War: E-Day has officially lifted, and the verdict is in: this might be the best Gears game yet. On OpenCritic, the game currently sits at an 87 average, with a whopping 90% of critics recommending it. Over on Metacritic, it's even higher at 89. Not too shabby for a franchise that's been around for nearly two decades.

TechRaptor's Austin Suther gave it a 9.5/10 and didn't hold back on the praise, calling it the "best in the series." According to him, the story puts you right in the middle of Emergence Day, delivering an experience packed with horror and pain. He also highlighted the improved movement system as a welcome change, and noted that combat feels more varied thanks to a rich arsenal of weapons and mods.

PPE.pl's Wojciech Gruszczyk echoed that sentiment, describing E-Day as a glorious return for one of Xbox's most iconic franchises. You get to experience Emergence Day from a fresh perspective, witnessing the origins of Marcus and Dom's story. The Coalition didn't completely reinvent the wheel here—instead, they built on the familiar formula, refining movement, shooting, and exploration while delivering a diverse campaign that shows off the power of Unreal Engine 5. As Gruszczyk put it, "It's a modern Gears game that never forgets its roots."

Over at Oyungezer Online, Engin Vural scored it an 8.5/10, calling it "absolutely a step in the right direction for the series." He praised the story, presentation, and gameplay, saying a solid Gears experience awaits players. "They kindly remind us again why we love this series," he wrote. "A few minor flaws are completely forgivable."

Sirus Gaming's Lexuzze Tablante awarded it a 9/10, saying it "exceeded expectations." He described it as a focused, tight, action-packed story filled with unforgettable characters and moments, delivering an emotional rollercoaster for those brave enough to witness the initial horrors of Emergence Day. "E-Day is exactly what a Gears of War game should be: endlessly fun, engaging from every angle, and best experienced with friends."

All in all, Gears of War: E-Day seems to have struck gold with its solid campaign, refined gameplay, and stellar audiovisual presentation. It's shaping up to be a new high point for the franchise. With scores like these, it's safe to say The Coalition has delivered a worthy return to form.

So, are you ready to jump back into the boots of Marcus Fenix and face the Locust Horde once again? Let us know in the comments!