Xbox Series X Critic Reviews

The Coalition has elevated the franchise to new heights, crafting an engaging, brutal, and surprisingly intimate campaign that’s full of smart gameplay mechanics and wonderful surprises. It’s the best Gears has ever felt to play, and the best it’s ever looked and sounded on the big screen. Gears of War: E-Day? It's a f.cking masterpiece.

Gears of War: E-Day is, for me, the best game in the series and The Coalition's finest work to date. Its campaign brings Marcus and Dom back without relying solely on nostalgia, delivering a darker and more brutal take on the origins of the Locust threat.

Gears of War: E-Day is a monumental triumph from a developer that irrefutably understands what’s important to fans: Gears isn’t just about tearing through Locust with a chainsaw, it’s about brotherhood, sacrifice, and grief. The Coalition has delivered an unforgettable campaign packed full of fresh ideas whilst staying true to what makes Gears so special. The Locust are back and more terrifying than ever, and blasting them to bits is incredibly satisfying. This is the best the combat has felt in twenty years, and fighting to survive the fall of Kalona will leave you speechless. Through its stunning locations, characters, and cinematics, E-Day is a visual powerhouse and one of the best-looking games I’ve ever seen on Xbox.

Weapons of all kinds, gadgets, and locations brimming with possibilities form the foundation of a story that excels in every aspect. Marcus and Dom return alongside old and new acquaintances in a prequel that feels fresh and invigorating. The story of Kalona’s downfall on E-Day serves as the starting point for a war-torn odyssey filled with unique situations, memorable scenes, and the feeling of experiencing an iconic moment in a saga that, for many, is a must-play. Gears of War: E-Day marks a turning point for the Xbox catalog with a console and PC exclusive that’s determined to raise the bar for Microsoft.

A campaign executed to perfection in terms of both technical aspects and gameplay. A brutal and intense war spectacle featuring the best Gears story to date.

I have to say that Gears of War: E-Day is an absolute triumph of a game. The maps in the multiplayer and the campaign are big, with things to find in unlikely corners. From there, exploration in the story mode should be seen as its own reward. This is a game full of content, and you’ll spend hours upon hours taking in everything it has to offer. Whether you’re here for the campaign, or prefer to get invested in the multiplayer, if you have the slightest interest in Gears, you have to play Gears of War: E-Day. It really is that simple.

Gears of War: E-Day delivers arguably the franchise's finest, most atmospheric campaign, brilliantly balancing pulse-pounding action with genuine horror roots. By pairing breathtaking Series X visuals and refined combat with a deeply emotional return to Marcus and Dom, The Coalition has delivered a masterclass prequel that restores complete faith in Xbox's future. A triumph from start to finish.

Gears of War: E-Day shines by showing off humanity's perseverance. Every new character stands out, never overshadowed by the legacy of Marcus or Dom. Even with the game taking place in one city over several days, the evolution of that city and its inhabitants has created fleshed-out characters that you're rooting for the success of every step of the way.

E-Day succeeds in telling the story of Emergence Day in a gripping, desperate, and most importantly, fun way. The culmination of 20 years as a franchise, refining everything the series is into a must-play XBOX title that takes you on a gloriously brutal, emotionally-satisfying, and epic, cinematic adventure.

Gears of War: E-Day delivers arguably the series’ strongest campaign, combining mature, restrained storytelling with the return of Marcus Fenix’s charismatic presence. Already among the franchise’s finest entries, it could become a serious Game of the Year contender if its content-rich multiplayer matches the campaign’s quality. Regardless, Xbox players should not miss this outstanding return to form.