Gears of War: E-Day Reviews
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.
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.
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.
Review in German | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day is not simply the return of a historic franchise, but its definitive consecration in the modern gaming era. The Coalition has pulled off a courageous and surgical feat, stripping away the unnecessary bloat accumulated over the years to return the series to its purest, most ruthless, and visceral essence. The single-player campaign, clocking in at nearly twenty hours, stands as one of the finest narrative achievements in the action genre. It flawlessly blends intimate human drama with a cinematic spectacle of enormous proportions, all supported by an Unreal Engine 5 technical showcase that sets new standards for the entire industry. Coupling this majestic adventure with an incredibly fluid and entertaining multiplayer suite (despite the natural need for fresh content in the short term) and a Horde mode that is deeper and more customizable than ever, the result is an absolute masterpiece. In a 2026 already packed with outstanding releases, E-Day stands tall as one of the best games of the year, rightfully claiming the title of the best shooter of 2026 and finally giving fans back the true Gears of War they have been dreaming of for far too long. The war for survival on Sera has only just begun.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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.
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.
Review in Italian | Read full review
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
Review in Spanish | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
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.
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.
'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.
Review in Korean | Read full review
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.
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.
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.
This prequel once again raised the bar for the series and the genre, delivering one of the year's most brutal, jaw-dropping shooters.
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.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The Gears of War: E-Day campaign is a true blockbuster, but it doesn't necessarily come without a fight.
Review in Dutch | Read full review
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.
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.