Gears of War: E-Day reviews are flooding in — Here’s what the critics are saying
Gears of War: E-Day has launched into early access on Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC for players who pre-ordered the Premium Edition, with full public release arriving October 6, 2026. As a prequel to the iconic Gears of War franchise, the game is receiving overwhelmingly positive critical reception, earning strong aggregator scores of 88 on Metacritic and 87 on OpenCritic.
These high scores reflect widespread appreciation from gaming critics for this new entry in Xbox’s flagship third-person shooter series. Early reviews highlight critics’ particular enthusiasm for the single-player campaign experience, suggesting the prequel delivers compelling gameplay, narrative, and the signature action the franchise is known for. This strong critical launch positions the game well for its wider release to the general public later this week.
The release marks a significant moment for Xbox, adding a major exclusive title to its portfolio as 2026 progresses toward the holiday season.