Gears of War: E-Day Review – A Prequel With Heart and Guts

What if the end of the world started on the day you finally came home? That's the setup for Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set 14 years before the original game, on the day the Locust emerged from beneath Sera. We've spent 15-18 hours with the campaign, and while we can't talk multiplayer yet, the story alone is worth the trip.

You play as Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, just after the 79-year Pendulum Wars have ended. Marcus is ready to re-enlist; Dom just wants to get back to his wife Maria and their kids. Then the ground shakes, and hell literally comes up to meet them. The game nails the horror and uncertainty of that first day, even though you already know these two survive.

Along the way, Marcus and Dom team up with ex-Gear Mags Carter and rookie Lucas Reyes. In a prequel, side characters often feel like filler, but E-Day gives them real moments and makes you care. Bravo Squad forms organically, and the campaign dedicates entire sections to building them up.

The Locust invasion unfolds in five acts, and the enemy variety keeps you on edge. Early on, you'll blast Wretches and Hammerburst Drones with the Gnasher, Lancer, and even the prototype chainsaw gun (yes, you see its origin). Later, you face giant hopping acid-spitters and Heavies with a Gorehook that can down you in one hit. The action is top-notch, and the weapons are a blast.

But there's a snag: your AI buddies aren't always reliable. When you're downed, they might stand right next to you and do nothing, or run off and leave you to die. It's not constant, but it happened enough to frustrate. The fix? Play four-player online co-op (or two-player split-screen on one Xbox). A patch would be welcome.

Despite that, E-Day carries the emotional weight that makes Gears special. It's not just about chainsaw guns and gore—it's about brotherhood, sacrifice, and love. The campaign delivers that in spades, with a story that feels personal even when the world is ending.

We'll update this review with multiplayer impressions and a final score once we've tried Versus and Horde Siege. For now, the campaign is a strong return to form. Will you be picking up Gears of War: E-Day? Let us know in the comments!