Gears of War: E-Day has been previewed, offering a first look at its campaign structure, evolved combat mechanics and technical performance on Xbox Series X. Here's what's confirmed and what remains to be seen
The Coalition has provided an early look at Gears of War: E-Day, the upcoming prequel in the long-running third-person shooter series. This preview, based on a hands-on session with the start of Act 2, highlights how E-Day aims to blend the franchise's established formula with new gameplay systems and a more focused campaign structure. While the preview covers only a limited section, it offers concrete evidence of both returning elements and meaningful changes.
Campaign Structure and Setting
Gears of War: E-Day is set during the early days of the Locust invasion, with Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago at the centre of the story. The campaign opens with the protagonists and their squad navigating the devastated city of Kolona, encountering both familiar and new faces. The previewed section begins in a makeshift command centre before moving through a cityscape marked by destruction and environmental hazards, echoing the "destroyed beauty" aesthetic of the original Gears of War.
Unlike the open-world approach of Gears 5, E-Day's campaign appears to favour a more controlled structure. The downtown area offers multiple paths, optional secondary objectives and hidden collectibles, but remains more contained than the sprawling hubs of its predecessor. This design choice is intended to balance player freedom with narrative pacing, allowing for replayability without overwhelming the core experience.
Combat and Weapon Systems
Core combat in E-Day remains rooted in the series' signature cover-based shooting, with classic weapons such as the Mark-1 Lancer, Gnasher shotgun and Snub pistol returning. However, the game introduces a weapon mod system, allowing players to unlock and equip up to four mods per firearm. These mods vary by weapon and can alter reload behaviour, damage output or utility. For example, the Gnasher's Auto Pouch mod automatically reloads the weapon when stowed, adding a layer of tactical flexibility.
Another addition is Tactical Gear, which provides short-duration buffs with cooldowns. Examples include the Adrenaline Injector, which instantly refills health and boosts damage, and the Sonic Disruptor, which stuns enemies in a cone. These abilities, along with their own mod slots, are designed to encourage customisation and varied playstyles. The preview build did not include all available mods or gear, leaving the full extent of these systems to be confirmed at launch.
Environmental Design and Objectives
The previewed mission features a mix of linear and open combat spaces. Early sections guide players across a suspension bridge, introducing verticality by allowing mantling over cover and vehicles. Later, the downtown area opens up, letting players clear city blocks in different orders and tackle optional objectives, such as rescuing civilians from enemy-infested buildings. Supply Caches are scattered throughout, enabling on-the-fly weapon and mod changes without relying on enemy drops.
Setpieces remain a focus, with encounters against classic enemy types like Boomers and the return of the Breechshot rifle. The campaign also includes narrative moments, such as the introduction of the prototype Mark-2 Lancer with its integrated chainsaw, providing both fan service and gameplay variety. The mission culminates in a multi-level train station combat arena, emphasising flanking and vertical movement.
Technical Performance and Remaining Questions
The preview was conducted on Xbox Series X, with two graphics modes available: Performance and Quality. The Performance mode targets higher frame rates, while the Quality mode aims for enhanced visuals at 30fps. However, the Quality mode in the preview build reportedly struggled to maintain a stable 30fps, with noticeable drops in demanding scenes. The Coalition is expected to address these issues before release, but the final performance remains unverified.
No release date has been announced for Gears of War: E-Day, and platform details beyond Xbox Series X have not been confirmed. The preview build did not provide access to the full campaign, multiplayer or endgame content, and it is unclear whether features such as New Game Plus will be available at launch. Pricing, edition structure and PC requirements are also yet to be detailed.
Gears of War: E-Day's preview demonstrates a deliberate return to the franchise's roots, with a focus on refined combat, tighter campaign structure and meaningful customisation. While the evidence so far is promising, the final verdict will depend on the full release and independent technical analysis.
When discussing console performance, it is important to distinguish between different graphics modes. Performance mode typically prioritises higher frame rates, resulting in smoother gameplay and reduced input latency, while Quality mode targets improved visual fidelity at a lower frame rate. However, a 30fps cap does not guarantee consistent smoothness if frame pacing is uneven or if the game drops below the target. Players should consider these factors when choosing their preferred mode, especially in action-heavy titles like Gears of War: E-Day.
