Key information
The 20-year-old third-person shooter franchise is receiving a prequel titled Gears of War: E-Day, scheduled for release on October 7. Set 14 years before the 2006 original game, the story explores Emergence Day, the moment when the subterranean Locust forces declare war on humanity. Developed as a 20th-anniversary title to celebrate the series' history in 2026, the game is built using Unreal Engine 5 to deliver realistic character models, gritty gore effects, and grand destroyed cityscapes.
Campaign combat retains the signature cover-based shooting style while introducing deadlier enemy behaviors, such as Locust units utilizing smoke grenades to close distances. Players can also utilize new gameplay mechanics, including automatic posture adjustments based on cover height, straight-line sprinting controls, sliding, and series-first jumping capabilities to improve battlefield mobility and tactical options.
In addition to a linear campaign featuring minor open-field exploration and sub-quests, the game introduces weapon and equipment customization via MODs and tactical gear. The release also includes traditional multiplayer options, featuring the 12-player PvE mode Horde Siege split into three platoons, and a 4v4 Versus mode containing bomb missions.
