One of the major reveals at the Xbox Games Showcase was the first official trailer for Gears of War: E-Day, which will serve as a complete prequel to the franchise. Many fans were expecting the first trailer for the sixth installment, but The Coalition surprised everyone with gameplay footage of what will be a return to the origins with the first two protagonists of the saga.
The studio has already provided several details about what this game will entail and where it fits in the timeline. This title promises to transport players to the war’s origins. Here are three reasons to be excited about this highly anticipated game.
Gears of War: E-Day Has Three Reasons Why This Game Will Return to the Franchise’s Origins and Is Just What Xbox Needs
Microsoft hasn’t always managed certain franchises well, such as Halo, which struggled to connect with fans after Bungie left and 343 Industries took over. On the other hand, The Coalition, the studio dedicated to the Gears of War saga, did a fantastic job, but the popularity of the saga wasn’t the same compared to the Xbox 360 era. Nevertheless, the studio achieved solid scores with the fourth and fifth installments of the franchise.
One of the characteristics of the fifth game was that it ended with a significant cliffhanger, and players were anticipating the sixth installment. However, the studio decided to go for a prequel, returning to the origins of the war against the Locust, where humans lived in peace until these creatures suddenly emerged from the ground to annihilate them. Here are three reasons why it was a wise decision to return to a more classic Gears of War.
1. Bringing back the Horror
Game director Matt Searcy confirmed several details about what this new prequel will include. First, the game will reintroduce the Locust as its main enemy, enhancing their imposing and terrifying nature. Gears of War: E-Day will depict the first appearance of these creatures, making them deadlier than ever. Another detail is that humans have never seen these creatures before, so they will be completely unprepared to face them.
Even though the franchise’s veteran players know how the Locust operates, the studio will do everything it can to throw our protagonists off. The game will show just how deadly these enemies are, as well as how their emergence from the ground will be something completely unexpected. The people of Sera, the planet where the game takes place, have no idea what to expect from these new enemies.
2. Bringing back Beloved Characters
Another aspect of this title will be the reintroduction of several well-known characters from the franchise. Many fans, despite enjoying the last two games, missed classic characters like Marcus Fenix and his best friend Dominic Santiago, who concluded their story in the third installment. This game will show how these two iconic characters in the IP became inseparable in the early days.
The game will also take place after the Pendulum Wars, introducing us to previously mentioned characters who never appeared in the saga. Dom’s brother will also appear during the game and will be the link between these two characters to strengthen their relationship.
3. Multiplayer Component
The multiplayer component will receive a complete overhaul, with the studio already confirming a return to its roots. One of the few criticisms fans had of the fourth and fifth installments was that the multiplayer lost the spirit of the franchise and became quite different. With Gears of War: E-Day, the studio promises to return to what the game did best in this aspect.
The game will use Unreal Engine 5 and could arrive sometime in 2025, according to revealed information. It will be exclusive to Xbox Series S/X as well as PC, and will be available day one on Game Pass, like any title of this nature.
What are your thoughts about this game? Let us know in the comments!
