There are many hoping that Gears of War: E-Day will be a return to form for the series, which has seen its cultural relevance wane since its Gears of War 2 heyday.
Gears of War 4 and 5, while still praised by many, aren't quite as beloved as Epic's original trilogy. These games took the series in a different direction, opting for a more expansive approach to level design. Tonally, the games were less bleak as the existential threat to Sera had been defeated in Gears of War 3, so the stakes felt smaller.
In an interview with GamesRadar+, E-Day creative director Matt Searcy says The Coalition aims to recreate the tone and vibe of the original games, which includes more linear level design.
"This is the story we were excited to tell and so the process has been super energising. There are touchpoints in the lore for us to build from, but enough room that we get to bring new elements and ideas in," Searcy explained. "Getting to go back to the tone and vibes of the original games, exploring the details of Emergence, and imagining what would happen to a city (and the soldiers protecting it)...
