Gears of War: E-Day is missing iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, but The Coalition says we shouldn’t worry - they’re “not gone from the franchise”
Gears of War: E-Day launched for early adopters yesterday, available exclusively to players who purchased the Premium Edition, Premium Upgrade Edition, or Collector’s Edition versions of the game. However, the launch has revealed that several iconic franchise features are notably absent from this latest installment.
The Coalition confirmed that legacy features including Meat Shields, Chainsaw Duels, select weapons from previous Gears titles, Private Lobbies, and leaderboards are not available at launch. In a statement accompanying the launch, the developer addressed player concerns, stating that these missing features are “not gone from the franchise” and may return either as post-launch updates or potentially in future Gears of War titles.
The absence of these longstanding franchise mechanics has prompted discussion among players familiar with the series’ history. Chainsaw Duels and Meat Shields represent some of Gears of War’s most distinctive multiplayer and gameplay features that have defined the franchise since its inception. The lack of private lobbies and leaderboards at launch may also frustrate competitive players and those seeking to play with friends in customized matches.
The Coalition’s approach suggests a possibility that these features will be added through post-launch support, which has become increasingly common in modern game launches. Whether players will see these features restored soon or only in the next entry remains unclear, as the studio’s statement leaves the timeline vague.