For the past two decades, every installment of the Gears of War franchise has paid homage to Emergence Day, the day when alien beings emerged from the ground with brutal intent. On E-Day, players experience the chaos firsthand: police sirens, overturned vehicles, tremors, civilians fleeing, and aliens erupting from the earth to wreak havoc. You step into the role of a squad comprising four soldiers known as Gears: Marcus Fenix, the squad leader; Dom, who yearns for retirement; Lucas, a rookie with a buzzcut; and Mags, who has been dishonorably discharged. This ragtag group is tasked with turning the tide of battle, armed to the teeth.
Rather than delving into the unresolved questions from 2019’s Gears 5, this latest entry revisits the origins of the series, shedding light on the reasons behind Marcus’s lip scar and the decision to attach chainsaws to their rifles. The game offers clarity on various elements that players may have speculated about, allowing them to say, “I recognize that reference; I have seen this.”
The series has somewhat lost its direction over the years, but the initial hours of E-Day will rekindle your enthusiasm for the iconic shoulder pads and the thrill of combating grotesque enemies with chainsaw weaponry. The game evokes the horror and intensity of the earlier Gears titles as players navigate urban combat zones filled with numerous routes for flanking and debris for cover. However, the experience stretches on, extending beyond the point where it feels fresh, as the gameplay continues without introducing new concepts.
Set during and immediately after E-Day, the squad finds themselves in a cycle of destruction, traversing the same devastated city landscapes repeatedly. Players may cross the same bridge multiple times before the conclusion, with the game switching between day and night as they navigate these areas again. The attempts to vary gameplay consist mainly of taking control of a helicopter or engaging in slow-paced conversations, making the environment feel like a constraint for the developers.
E-Day shines brightest when it embraces its horror elements, plunging players into dimly lit, confined spaces. Unfortunately, these instances are few and far between, with most gameplay occurring in expansive areas filled with collectibles. Players can discover hundreds of items, accompanied by an audio cue indicating their proximity. A particularly moving cutscene features a character confronting their emotions, but just as the moment reaches its peak, the sound of nearby collectibles interrupts, detracting from the character’s experience.
The open-world levels are vast enough to require a map, often including side objectives that involve defending against waves of enemies. While Gears 5 allowed players to traverse the map in vehicles, in E-Day, players must navigate on foot, trying to explore without inadvertently triggering the next cutscene. Straying into mission areas can lead to a “mission failed” notification, penalizing players for exploring in a game that encourages it.
Despite these frustrations, there are aspects worth celebrating. The combat mechanics in E-Day are the most refined the series has ever seen. Characters move more fluidly, diving into cover, sliding under debris, and performing agile maneuvers that the older Marcus would envy.
During combat, environments react dynamically, with glass shattering and cars shaking under fire, while explosions and destruction unfold in a visually striking manner. The aftermath of battles leaves behind a visceral scene, with blood and remnants scattered across the battlefield.
The cover mechanics feel intuitive, and the blend between combat arenas and exploration is seamless, enhancing the overall gameplay experience. The weapons are impactful, with the shotgun delivering an acid-spitting attack. The active reload feature remains a clever design element, requiring players to time their button presses for faster reloads and enhanced firepower, maintaining engagement during battles.
The Gears of War franchise has endured long enough to warrant a prequel due to its distinct style of bloody, tactical, cover-based combat, which remains unparalleled. However, E-Day falters in its surrounding gameplay elements, leading to a monotonous experience that reveals its ideas early on without further development.
Gears of War: E-Day is set for release on October 6, priced at £59.99.
