Gears of War: E-Day Review – Strong Combat Undermined by a Disappointing Package

Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition for Xbox and PC, has been reviewed as offering the best combat the series has seen in 20 years, even as the broader package surrounding that combat disappoints.

The game is set during Emergence Day, the pivotal moment referenced throughout the Gears franchise when alien creatures first emerged from the earth. E-Day places players directly into that moment, depicting scenes of chaos including police lights, overturned vehicles, ground tremors and civilians fleeing as aliens pour out of fissures in the earth.

Players take control of a four-person squad of soldiers known as Gears, led by series protagonist Marcus Fenix, as they confront the initial invasion. The review credits the title's combat systems as a genuine highlight, representing a high point for the franchise's gunplay and tactical encounters.

Despite the strength of its combat, the review describes the elements surrounding that core gameplay as falling short of expectations, leaving an overall impression that the title does not fully capitalize on its strongest asset.