E-Day has already proven to me that its multiplayer suite is going to be incredible. Versus mode needs more maps, but the gameplay mechanics and systems underneath are solid. Horde Siege is an absolute blast, evoking memories of surviving waves of Locust while reshaping itself into an experience akin to Helldivers 2. That said, there is a lot more riding on the campaign than some might think. As great as Gears is online, the real heart is in the story. I got a small sample of what that looks like last week, and after an hour with it, I’m itching to dive in deeper.
My preview began in Act 2, and covered two sections of that act. This gave me a chance to see both sides of The Coalition’s gameplay devices. There’s the classic linear experience, and new open-world segments that are sure to be fun to explore.
In a gorgeous cutscene, some of the story bits come through. Emergence Day is hitting hard, with the mayor addressing a character named Colonel Trench. She has no idea what’s going on, as does Trench. All they know is that these creatures (the Locust) are ripping the civilians of Kalona apart. There’s a bit of a power struggle here, but it's clear that the crisis requires a stronger hand against an unknown enemy, although Trench wonders if another nation could be at fault, mainly the UIR (Union of Independent Republics).
After this encounter, it’s straight to reporting for duty for our new Gears squad, who are being pressed into service in an official capacity. John DiMaggio really shines in his line deliveries here, with that signature snarl you know and love. A couple of loadouts and armor dressing later, it’s time for the freshly christened “Bravo Squad” to head towards a stadium which will be serving as a forward operating base. Unfortunately, there are plenty of Locust in between, as the Legacy Bridge connecting sections of the city is overrun with them. Good thing we’ve got plot armor to assist, right?
This first mission is 100% what you expect to play in Gears of War. A lot of long, closed-in spaces that open into kill rooms of chest-high walls. While it’s par for the course, the set dressing is superb, with the desolate city offering a dilapidated battleground. As the Gears made their way across the bridge, it was clear the team didn’t want you feeling completely cramped. There were a couple of ways the design was approached, with one being a familiar section where you roamed the high ground to provide cover fire. The other is the verticality available. Clambering up a car is a cool addition, but I felt like there were a lot of superior vantage points that let me rain down my wrath upon the Locust Horde. Whether or not that’s in the game everywhere will have to be determined down the line, but the focus out of the gate to not fully lock players in is appreciated.
Speaking of being locked in, the second part of this preview let Marcus and company go free. At least, as far as the confines of the demo allowed. Reminiscent of what Call of Duty recently accomplished in Black Ops 7, and how Horde Siege is set up, you get to explore the city of Kalona in greater capacity. Again, we’ll have to get into the full game to see exactly what the scale will be, but it’s not just padding to have you trudging further to your main objective.
Although the main objective is of utmost importance, there are still people who need your help along the way. These take the form of side missions, which reward you with unlockable weapon attachments for your trouble. They don’t take long; the two I did had you defending a space for a few minutes, and a similar task ensued when I tried to get people out of a building where they had been trapped. It’s only a few things, but it certainly makes going off the beaten path worth it.
Collectibles are also a part of the journey. Thankfully, the map tracks what you’re doing and even offers up help in both finding these things and marking them off when you’re done (as well as the side missions). There isn’t enough proper tracking around these days, so it’s good to see this included.
I’d be remiss to end without talking about Gears of War: E-Day’s gameplay, but I’m feeling exactly how I did during our multiplayer and Horde Siege preview. This might be the smoothest Gears of War has ever felt, from the gunplay to the movement, to the performance of the game in general. The Coalition has to be commended on how they’ve cleaned up everything about Gears, and if you’d like to know more about that, check out that preview in the bookmark below.
David Burdette
The only thing omitted in my preview was whatever narrative stakes are in play outside of the grander “Kalona collapsing” piece. Given my demo took place between the horrors of Act 1’s initial emergence and the meat of Act 2, it was hard to find the personal angle The Coalition is sure to have awaiting us. Considering all the previous trailers have shown, however, I have no doubt we're in for an emotional journey in E-Day. What that entails, though, we'll have to see in October.
Gears of War: E-Day emerges for everyone on October 6th, with a Premium Edition receiving five-day early access on October 1st. You can pre-order now on Xbox Series consoles and PC.
