Game*Spark Review: "Gears of War: E-Day"—"Gears" Really Is an Irreplaceable Game

The *Gears of War* series, whose first installment was released in 2006, defined an era as a landmark in the cover-based shooter genre. *Gears of War: E-Day* (hereinafter *E-Day*), the first all-new entry in the series in a long time, has finally been released.

As the title suggests, this game is a prequel depicting “Emergence Day” (E-Day), the day when the “Locust”—the series’ iconic subterranean invaders—suddenly launched an assault on humanity.Since *Gears of War 4*, the series has entered its second generation and developed into an epic saga, which may have made it difficult for newcomers to follow. This title appears to be intended as a reboot—aiming to reset the series’ current state and broaden its appeal once again.

So, has this endeavor been a resounding success? In this review, based on my own gameplay experience, I’ll take a detailed look at this title, which was released in the milestone year marking the 20th anniversary of the original game’s launch.

1: The Campaign Mode, Depicted as a Grand Spectacle

As mentioned earlier, this game’s campaign mode depicts the “first day” of the Locust invasion. It takes place right after the war has ended, just as everyone is finally catching their breath and preparing to rest. The scene suddenly descends into utter chaos, unfolding at a breakneck pace like a roller coaster ride—it’s a grand spectacle straight out of a Hollywood movie.In particular, the “disaster movie” atmosphere of the opening sequence right from the start is superb; combined with the gruesome depictions, it almost feels like a horror game. I felt that the early stages were crafted in a way that would make anyone playing think, “This looks like it’s going to be fun.”

One of the game’s strengths is that the story is very accessible to new players, requiring no complex prior knowledge (come to think of it, it’s a bit strange that the original *Gears* started from such a place, isn’t it?).At the same time, since it depicts the “younger days” of characters familiar to series fans—like Marcus and Dom—it’s guaranteed to make longtime players smile.The game fully supports Japanese dubbing, and even during intense combat, the immersive voice acting explains the situation clearly, making it easy to follow the story—which is a nice touch. It also makes it easier to empathize with new characters like the recruit Lucas and Magus.

Throughout the story, mini-sections are occasionally inserted where you can freely explore semi-open areas. In particular, the section early on where you can explore “Carona,” with its beautiful cityscapes, was a truly fascinating experience.The graphics in this game are simply stunning and rendered with an almost eerie level of detail. That’s precisely why the horror of the “destruction” and devastation wrought by the Locust hits you even harder. However, the collection elements required during the exploration segments—such as “searching for hard cases”—might feel like a slight disruption to the pace for players who want to plow through the story at breakneck speed. Since these elements are also a welcome part of the game’s depth, opinions on this will likely vary depending on personal preference.

The campaign is quite substantial, but precisely because of that, there were parts that felt a bit drawn out.While this is unavoidable given the premise of operating as a mobile strike force during a crisis, the back-and-forth nature of the missions—which often feel like errands—gives the story a somewhat drawn-out impression. Additionally, for series veterans who already have a general idea of the ending, there were moments when the story’s slow progression felt frustratingly stagnant.

Personally, I would have preferred a structure that moved through the story a bit more briskly, but on the flip side, that also means there’s plenty to explore, so I’m extremely satisfied with the sheer volume of content. This is largely a matter of personal preference, I suppose.

2: Thrilling Action and Online Mode

The hard-hitting, blood-soaked action unique to the *Gears* series—like slicing enemies in half with a chainsaw—remains the game’s biggest draw. Familiar systems, such as “Active Reload,” which speeds up and enhances reloading when you press buttons at the right moment, have also been carried over, ensuring combat is always filled with tension and excitement.

In addition to the action we’ve come to expect from *Gears*, this installment introduces the ability to “jump” for the first time. While it isn’t something you’ll use very often, adding jumping to the series’ signature, weighty cover mechanics allows for more dynamic and intuitive combat.At the same time, the series’ signature weighty, solid feel remains completely intact, and classic tactics—like dodging enemy attacks with a forward roll while unleashing a shotgun blast—still work perfectly.

The game’s player-versus-player (PvP) mode was also a lot of fun.It has that classic “Gears” feel, both in terms of gameplay and visuals, and playing it brought back memories of my college days (about 20 years ago) when I was obsessed with the multiplayer battles in the original *Gears of War* and would stay home all day just to play. Compared to modern, polished multiplayer FPS/TPS games, some aspects might feel a bit retro,that aside, the adrenaline rush you get from trading fire with a Nashers shotgun at close range or charging in with a chainsaw for that one big chance is simply amazing—it has an addictive thrill you can only experience in this game.

The new “Horde Siege” mode (though I haven’t played it that many times yet) is pretty fun from what I’ve briefly tried.In previous games, the wave-based defense mode “Horde” tended to drag on, but I really liked that this installment’s “Horde Siege” offers playlists designed for quick sessions, such as “Blitz” (which lasts about 15–20 minutes) and “Siege” (about 20–40 minutes).On the other hand, there’s also a “Horde” playlist that’s closer to the traditional format, where you have to hold out for 10 waves.

Relentless, brutal violence, high tension, and the catharsis and overwhelming sense of exhilaration when you land a kill. Even now, 20 years after the original, I was reminded once again that the *Gears* gaming experience is truly one-of-a-kind and “irreplaceable.”Personally, I was a bit bothered by the fact that online outfits and other items are microtransactions, but I suppose that’s just an unavoidable part of modern gaming.

3: Overall Impression

This title, *Gears of War: E-Day*, is a solid game thanks to its beautiful graphics, a well-rounded campaign, and the signature, irreplaceable blend of intense and exhilarating action that the series is known for. Since it’s been a while since the last *Gears* game, I feel it’s turned out to be just as fun and engaging as the original trilogy.While there were parts—such as the middle of the campaign—where the progression felt a bit tedious, that’s ultimately a matter of personal preference.

The despair-filled world rendered in stunning graphics and the storyline woven by its compelling characters are superb. Not only will series fans be satisfied, but this game will also serve as an excellent introduction for new players entering the *Gears* universe. Even after completing the campaign, there’s plenty of content to keep you hooked, including intense PvP battles and “Horde Siege,” which offers long-term replayability. If you’re not put off by depictions of violence or gore and can handle harrowing storylines, I highly recommend picking up this game and diving into the *Gears* universe.

Above all, this game holds immeasurable value for bringing the incredibly entertaining *Gears of War* series back to life in the modern era. The *Gears of War* concept of the “cover shooter” remains thoroughly engaging today, and this title has reminded us that *Gears* still has the power to thrill us.