Gears of War: E-Day Reviews
Great cover-based shooting with terrific multiplayer. Shame the main campaign is an exhausting, endless firefight that outstays its welcome.
Gears of War: E-Day is a reminder of just how bloody good this series can be. After twenty years, perhaps Gears didn't need another revolution, it just needed another Emergence Day.
The Coalition modernizes movement and cover mechanics without sacrificing the series' hallmarks-such as its sense of weight and brutality-delivering a spectacular campaign, a Versus mode that intelligently revives old-school multiplayer, and Horde Siege, an ambitious and compelling evolution of the classic Horde mode. Add a top-tier technical presentation to the mix, and the score speaks for itself.
Review in Italian | Read full review
As a complete package, Gears of War: E-Day is very good. The campaign may not be all that exciting, but it works fine and is elevated by the solid gunplay, especially if you play with real people rather than AI teammates. The adversarial multiplayer is fine if you can adapt to sticking with the one accepted play style. It is the PvE that really breathes life into the game and makes it a solid multiplier contender for a good while. While the game can be brutal for newcomers, it fits fan expectations well enough that they'd be happy to see this title in their libraries.
Gears of War: E-Day understands perfectly that going back to the past doesn't mean living on nostalgia alone. The Coalition uses characters, enemies and elements that any fan recognizes right away, but places them in a completely different moment. One where the Locust are still terrifying and where Marcus Fenix is not yet the practically indestructible soldier we all know.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day is an excellent-feeling third-person shooter. It's gorgeous, runs well (even in split-screen), and is a ton of fun when it focuses on firefights. It lacks an interesting take on being both a prequel and an invasion day story mechanically, slipping back into classic Gears a little too quickly. The open zone levels are dull, checklist-filled areas that create unnecessary downtime. Multiplayer is sharp and well executed, but also doesn't rise above being more Gears. Horde Siege takes on the faults of the open campaign levels and becomes too focused on meta upgrades, losing sight of having fun in the current match, not the next one. It's well-crafted, but ultimately feels at its best when it's trying the least.
Gears of War: E-Day is, as expected, a real treat, both in single-player and in co-op mode for 2 to 4 players.
Review in Greek | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day is arguably one of the best Gears games in the decorated franchise, portraying Emergence Day as both terrifying and spectacular, capturing humanity's darkest moment through unforgettable set pieces, emotional stakes, and a renewed focus on Marcus and Dom's brotherhood. While the narrative occasionally treads predictable ground, the game's exceptional presentation, stunning visuals, and atmospheric depiction make for a compelling campaign from start to finish.
E‑Day is the good old Gears we know, but pushed to its peak. With the best gameplay in the series, an atmospheric story, and an excellent Horde Siege mode, this is the return to form the franchise has been waiting for.
Review in Unknown | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day pulls off a feat that seemed impossible: looking back without missing a beat, delivering a prequel of the highest quality.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day doesn’t try to be anything else. It’s the same old formula, but executed with confidence and solidity. The campaign is intense from start to finish, finds room for moments of terror that remind us just how frightening the Locust can be, and provides more context for the relationship between Marcus and Dom. New features, such as the open-world sections and the customisation of weapons, armour and abilities, add to the experience without detracting from its essence. And with Horde, Multiplayer and co-op campaign with open lobbies, the package guarantees hours of gameplay long after the final credits roll. Those looking for a revolution in the genre won’t find it here. But for those seeking Gears of War at its best, look no further.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Gears of War: E-Day is just fun comfort food to go back to shooter-wise; like a village hometown dish you grew up with back again in your mouth after years of abstaining. The best kind of beef rendang and hearty rice combo if we're talking literal Malaysian comfort food.
Gears of War: E-Day is a brutal and confident return to the series' roots, with satisfying combat, strong atmosphere and welcome weapon customization. Its story plays things too safely and the open areas lack focus, but this is still Gears at its most enjoyable.
Review in Italian | Read full review
"The series returns to its darkest day" Gears of War: E-Day successfully returns the franchise to its roots, preserving its signature combat style while introducing more fluid movement and deeper weapon customization. The story and the bond between Marcus and Dom lend a powerful human element to the experience, while Kalona offers one of the best environments in the series' history. Despite some pacing issues and repetition, E-Day stands as a strong comeback, proving that the classic Gears formula can still deliver a modern, standout experience.
Review in Arabic | Read full review
Less a complete reset for the series, and more of an 'active reload', E-Day proves there's still life in these old Cogs yet.
Gears of War: E-Day has an opportunity to step up and take the Xbox franchise crown from atop Master Chief's helmet. It's just about good enough to. Long live Marcus Fenix.
For better or worse, E-Day is distinctly Gears, and I had a good time with it, even if the story is disappointing and the open areas are fairly dull.
Gears of War: E-Day brings the series back to its literal roots, delivering all the blood-soaked action and characters that made it a hit. Filled with expansive maps, tons of thrilling enemy encounters, a slew of weapon modifications, and a truly gripping action-movie narrative, it's the must-own Xbox exclusive of 2026.
Gears of War: E-Day features an action-packed co-op campaign, intense PvP multiplayer, and an endlessly replayable Horde Siege mode.
Gears of War: E-Day hits all the right notes for veteran Gears and newcomers alike. Witnessing the fall of Kalona is terrifying, but it's filled with the level of action you'd want from a Gears title.