Key information
Gears of War E-Day transports players to the beginning of the Locust War, serving as a nostalgia trip for veterans and a new entry point. Developer The Coalition transitioned to Unreal Engine 5 after Gears 5, leading the team to explore the franchise's iconic pillars and choose this prequel story.
Sandbox Designer Pax Lyle states that the team ensured neither mouse and keyboard nor controller feels disadvantaged. Extensive customization options let players tweak camera speed, key bindings, and sprint modes, though newcomers from other shooters might need adjustments.
Creative Director Matt Searcy emphasizes that the action retains its signature weight and heaviness, with environmental details like dust and denting accompanying cover slides. Following two beta tests, minor movement adjustments were made to balance presentation and gameplay.
The prequel setting limits protagonist technology and familiarity, creating a terrifying monster story where characters start without armor. Enemies like the Brumak also feature more primitive attacks, while resource scarcity forces players to constantly rethink cover, positioning, and loadouts.
