Gears of War E-Day campaign review - turns out you can teach old Cogs new tricks

Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, launched into early access on October 1, 2026, with its full release scheduled for October 6. The game will be available on Game Pass (Ultimate and PC) alongside a $100 Premium Edition. As a prequel to the original 2006 Gears of War, E-Day returns players to the franchise’s cover-based shooting roots with Marcus Fenix as a younger protagonist equipped with a new mechanic—a jump button—absent from the main series.

Early campaign reviews are mixed. Critics consistently praise the game’s visceral action, well-executed setpieces, and tight cover-based combat mechanics, which remain distinct in the gaming landscape two decades after the original’s release. The Verge notes it’s “a great game,” while Eurogamer highlights the series’ skill with pacing and enemy variety. However, several reviewers criticize the campaign’s execution, with GameSpot arguing that unlike successful prequels such as Red Dead Redemption 2 or Halo: Reach, E-Day fails to recontextualize the original game’s narrative or provide meaningful emotional weight. PC Gamer describes the campaign as “a slog” despite solid gunplay, and VGC observes the game prioritizes “commotion over emotion.”

Multiple outlets, including Windows Central, are publishing in-progress reviews since multiplayer and siege mode were unavailable during the pre-release period. The game launches during a transitional period for Xbox, carrying significance as part of Microsoft’s renewed focus on exclusive franchises. Despite strong gameplay fundamentals, the prequel’s narrative and pacing remain contentious points among the reviewing community.

Gears of War E-Day campaign review - turns out you can teach old Cogs new tricks

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