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Gears Of War: E-Day Review | TheXboxHub
Gears of War: E-Day is an absolute triumph, taking players back to the harrowing Emergence Day 14 years before the original game. The Coalition delivers stunning visuals, compelling voice acting, and an engaging story that fills in key timeline gaps. New mechanics, including character jumping and weapon/armor mods, enhance the campaign, while the multiplayer offers familiar modes alongside a tweaked Horde Siege. The game is a must-play for any Gears of War fan.
15 New Games Launching in October 2026
October 2026 is set to be a massive month for game releases, featuring 15 new titles across various genres and platforms. Highlights include anticipated sequels like Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve and Gears of War: E-Day, alongside new entries in established franchises such as Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen and Final Fantasy Resonance. The month also offers a diverse range of experiences from puzzle adventures like Order of the Sinking Star to simulation titles like Planet Zoo 2 and action-packed shooters like Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2.
Hellblade Developer Ninja Theory Has Begun Layoffs
Ninja Theory, the developer behind Hellblade, has begun layoffs following the failure of two agreements with Xbox. Several developers have announced their departures on LinkedIn, with some expressing sadness over unfinished projects. This follows a pattern of recent layoffs within Xbox, impacting studios like Halo and Turn 10.
Gears of War E-Day wants you to enjoy the "terror in your face," no matter how you choose to play
The Coalition's Creative Director Matt Searcy and Sandbox Designer Pax Lyle discuss the development of Gears of War E-Day, emphasizing its return to the series' roots and the focus on "terror in your face." They detail the transition to Unreal Engine 5 and the efforts to ensure a consistent experience across PC and Xbox, while acknowledging the impact of recent layoffs on potential future stories.
The Sunday Papers
This week's gaming news roundup covers several distinct topics. Papers, Please is highlighted for its poignant exploration of identity and documentation, while the VR game Gunman Contracts is criticized for common VR foibles despite glimpses of potential. Concerns are raised about potential layoffs at The Coalition following Gears of War: E-Day, alongside broader industry layoffs driven by AI and economic pressures. The article also touches on Hollywood's history of fads leading to flops and features an interview with an artist creating humorous street art.
Gears of War: E-Day Team Says Series is “Part of Xbox’s DNA,” Proud to be One of Its “Main Titles”
The Coalition's creative director Matt Searcy stated that the Gears of War series is integral to Xbox's identity and that Gears of War: E-Day is a "main title" for the platform. The article also touches on the controversy surrounding the game's exclusivity, which The Coalition denies was a last-minute decision, and mentions its upcoming release on Xbox Series X/S and PC.
Gears of War: E-Day Devs 'Proud to Be One of Xbox's Main Titles' Amid Newfound Focus on Exclusivity
Developers at The Coalition, working on Gears of War: E-Day, expressed pride in being a primary title for Xbox amidst the company's renewed emphasis on exclusive content. This statement highlights the studio's commitment to delivering a key exclusive experience for the platform.
"We felt that fans were getting a bit desensitised to the violence" Gears of War: E-Day devs made a "big investment" in gore, and weirdly, it works
Developers at The Coalition discuss the significant investment in gore and realistic violence for Gears of War: E-Day, aiming to make combat more impactful and less desensitizing for players. They explain how detailed effects, dismemberment, and blood pooling contribute to the game's cathartic combat system, balancing grimdark storytelling with moments of levity.
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 has launched without iconic features like chainsaw duels and meat shields, with The Coalition stating they may be added post-launch or in a future title. The studio cited the need to rebuild the gameplay sandbox from scratch for a unified experience as the reason for these omissions at launch. This news comes amidst significant layoffs at Microsoft's Xbox division, including E-Day's story director.
Games Inbox: What Amiga games deserve a remake?
Readers discuss which classic Amiga games deserve modern remakes, with titles like Starglider 2, Midwinter, and Cybercon 3 being popular choices. The discussion also touches on the viability of remaking older titles, the current state of the Xbox console, and potential reimagining of Resident Evil games.
Gears of War: E-Day Graphics Analysis – Xbox Series X vs PC Graphics Compared
Gears of War: E-Day showcases significant visual upgrades on both Xbox Series X and PC, with the PC version offering superior detailing and lighting. The Xbox Series X provides versatile performance modes (Quality, Balanced, Performance) that balance frame rates and fidelity, while the PC version, though demanding, delivers the definitive graphical experience with extensive customization options. Despite minor performance dips on PC during intense combat, the game is lauded as a technical showcase and a clear evolution for the franchise.
Gears Of War: E-Day’s Campaign Is Buried In The Past – Review
The Coalition's Gears of War: E-Day review indicates the game is a prequel that largely sticks to the series' established formula. The article suggests that despite exploring the past, the gameplay offers little innovation.
Gears Of War: E-Day Has A Clever Solution To One Of PC Gaming’s Biggest Annoyances
Gears of War: E-Day introduces Advanced Shader Delivery (ASD) on PC, a feature that significantly reduces the traditional shader compilation wait times. This technology pre-translates shader files, allowing players to jump into the game much faster, as demonstrated on the ASUS ROG Ally X. While the campaign is noted as distinctly Gears, with some criticism for its story and open areas, the innovative ASD feature is highlighted as a major improvement for PC players.
Gears Of War: E-Day review - the original third person shooter embraces co-op
Gears Of War: E-Day is a prequel that returns to the story of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, but offers little new compared to the original game. While the action is solid and co-op gameplay is enjoyable, the game feels old-fashioned and overfamiliar, especially in single-player. The Coalition's lack of vision and ambition is highlighted as a key issue.
Gears of War: E-Day Metacritic score places it as The Coalition's best take on the series amid layoffs and reported…
Gears of War: E-Day has achieved a Metacritic score of 88, making it the best-reviewed game in the series since Epic Games' involvement and The Coalition's highest-rated title. Despite critical acclaim for its gameplay, the studio faces internal turmoil with reports of layoffs and withheld bonuses, including the game's story director.
Emergence Day Begins – Gears Of War: E-Day Arrives On Xbox And PC
Gears of War: E-Day has launched for Xbox Series X|S and PC, taking players back to the pivotal Emergence Day fourteen years before the original game. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the third-person shooter features a rebuilt Unreal Engine 5, modernized combat, and enhanced Horde Siege and competitive multiplayer modes. The Premium Edition is available now for £89.99, with the Standard Edition releasing on October 6th for £59.99, and both are available through Game Pass.
Gears of War: E-Day is Available in Early Access Today, Watch the Launch Gameplay Trailer
Gears of War: E-Day has launched its early access for Premium Edition players and Game Pass subscribers today, October 1, with the full worldwide release scheduled for October 6. Developed by The Coalition and published by Xbox Game Studios, the game is available on Xbox Series X|S, Windows PC, and Steam, featuring cloud gaming via Game Pass Ultimate and GeForce NOW. The article highlights various tie-in merchandise and media, including apparel, a special pizza, a companion art book, and the official soundtrack.
Gears of War: E-Day (Campaign) Review – Back in It
Gears of War: E-Day is a strong prequel that successfully recaptures the grounded tone and classic duo of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago. While the narrative and character arcs are inconsistent, the game excels with its detailed urban setting, improved movement mechanics, and superb combat encounter design. It stands as one of the series' best outings in years, offering a visually impressive and technically sound experience on Xbox Series X.
Gears of War: E-Day studio reportedly fears post-launch layoffs, "wouldn't put it past" Microsoft to…
Staff at The Coalition, the developer of Gears of War: E-Day, are reportedly fearing post-launch layoffs amid ongoing restructuring and job cuts across Microsoft's gaming division. Employees are concerned about missing out on potential bonuses tied to the game's performance and express a lack of trust in Microsoft leadership.
Recension – Gears of War: E-Day
Gears of War: E-Day marks a return to the series' roots, with The Coalition delivering a prequel that blends survival horror elements with classic third-person shooter action. The game's early hours, focusing on Marcus and Dom's initial encounters with the Locust horde, are particularly strong, creating a fresh yet familiar experience. While the campaign offers some non-linear paths and promises robust multiplayer modes without battle passes, minor issues with sniper accuracy are noted.
