Gears of War: E-Day review praises emotional prequel story and top action
IGN has reviewed the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel set 14 years before the original game. According to the outlet, the title successfully carries its own emotional weight, focusing on the backstory of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago on the day the Locust invasion begins.
Per the review, the campaign explores the two heroes after a long war, with Marcus eager to re-enlist while Dom wants to return to his family. The chaos of the invasion quickly interrupts their plans. IGN reports that the game does a good job of conveying the horror and uncertainty of the event for the characters.
The action was described as top-notch, with a mix of familiar and new Locust enemies to fight. Players will use classic weapons like the Lancer and Gnasher shotgun, including a prototype chainsaw version. New weapons and enemy types, like acid-spitting frog-like creatures and hook-wielding Heavies, are introduced as the invasion escalates.
IGN's review did note one complaint about inconsistent AI behavior when a player is downed, suggesting teammates sometimes fail to revive them. The outlet suggests playing in four-player online co-op as an immediate workaround, while hoping for a future patch.
The campaign reportedly runs 15 to 18 hours and features a full multiplayer suite including Versus, Horde, and Escape modes.
