Gears of War: E-Day Is Out Now: Reviews, Editions, Game Pass and How to Catch Up

Gears of War: E-Day is out now on Xbox Series X|S and PC, and it is one of the most searched games of the week. The Coalition's prequel launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, with a single global unlock, day-one Game Pass access and some of the best review scores the series has seen since the original trilogy. Here is what critics are saying, which edition to buy, how Game Pass works for it, and the fastest way to catch up on the story before you jump in.

Gears of War: E-Day at a Glance

• Release date: October 6, 2026 (3 PM UTC global unlock).

• Platforms: Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam and the Xbox app). There is no PS5 version.

• Developer and publisher: The Coalition, with support from People Can Fly; published by Xbox Game Studios.

• Game Pass: Included on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.

• Price: $69.99 for the Standard Edition.

• Install size: Roughly 115–124 GB, with a modular installer so you can download only the modes you want.

E-Day Review Scores: Best-Reviewed Gears in Years

Critics reviewed the campaign before launch, with multiplayer locked during the review period. The campaign sits in the high 80s on Metacritic (87–88 in the first days after launch), the highest score for a new Gears game since Gears of War 3. You can follow the live score on the Metacritic E-Day page.

• Top scores: Pure Xbox 10/10, IGN 9/10, GamingBolt 9/10.

• Middle of the pack: Windows Central 8/10 (campaign, review in progress), VGC 4/5.

• Lowest major scores: GameSpot 7/10 and The Guardian 6/10.

Reviewers agree on the strengths: smoother movement, a darker horror tone, excellent visuals on Unreal Engine 5 and satisfying, gory gunplay. The common complaints are bullet-sponge large enemies, a semi-open city that still plays mostly linear, tedious collectibles and a story that leaves threads open for future games.

Story and Setting: The First Day of the Locust War

E-Day is a prequel set 14 years before the 2006 original. It covers Emergence Day, when the Locust Horde first burst out of the ground, and follows Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago across three in-game days in the city of Kalona. New Bravo Squad members Mags Carter and Lucas Reyes join them. If you want the full breakdown of the reveal, our earlier Gears of War: E-Day Direct recap covers the new movement, weapons and Kalona setting in detail.

Co-op and Multiplayer

• Campaign co-op: Up to four players online from the first mission, plus two-player split-screen on console.

• Horde Siege: A new 12-player mode with three squads of four and four classes (Assault, Breacher, Marksman and Medic).

• Versus: 4v4 PvP with five launch maps and modes including Team Deathmatch, Conquest and Demolition.

Because multiplayer was not part of the review builds, launch-week player feedback is the best guide to how Horde Siege and Versus are holding up.

Which Edition Should You Buy?

• Standard Edition ($69.99): The full game, campaign and multiplayer.

• Premium Edition ($99.99): Adds early access (up to five days before launch), the Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, 1,000 Iron and five seasonal customization packs.

• Collector's Edition ($299.99): Physical extras, including a statue, replica COG tags and a SteelBook.

• Game Pass: If you already pay for Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass, you can play the full game at no extra cost.

If you want to own it outright, third-party sellers often undercut the official store. You can compare Gears of War: E-Day key prices for Xbox and PC on CDKeyCompares, then check the activation platform and region on each offer before you buy.

How to Catch Up on the Gears Series Before E-Day

E-Day is designed as a starting point, so you do not need to play the older games first. If you want more context for Marcus and Dom, these are the best places to start:

• Gears of War: Reloaded (2025): The remastered first game, set 14 years after E-Day, on PC, PS5 and Xbox. It is the quickest way to see where Marcus and Dom end up. Compare Gears of War: Reloaded prices.

• Gears Tactics (2020): A turn-based spin-off set 12 years before the first game, telling the story of Gabe Diaz in the early Locust war. See Gears Tactics deals.

• Gears 5 (2019): The latest chapter of the main story before E-Day, with Kait Diaz in the lead. Compare Gears 5 key prices.

For the official edition breakdown and store links, see the official Gears of War: E-Day page on Xbox.com.

Is Gears of War: E-Day Worth Buying?

If you liked the original trilogy, the answer from most critics is yes. E-Day returns to the tense, horror-tinged tone of the first game while adding modern movement and full four-player co-op. If you are unsure, Game Pass is the cheapest way to try it. If you prefer to own it, a discounted key for the Standard Edition gives you the full campaign and multiplayer without the premium extras.

Quick Links

FAQ

When did Gears of War: E-Day come out?

Gears of War: E-Day launched worldwide on October 6, 2026, at 3 PM UTC. Premium Edition owners got up to five days of early access before that.

Is Gears of War: E-Day on Game Pass?

Yes. It is included on day one with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. It is not part of the lower Game Pass tiers at launch.

Is Gears of War: E-Day coming to PS5?

No. E-Day is available only on Xbox Series X|S and PC, even though recent Gears releases such as Gears of War: Reloaded did launch on PS5.

Can you play E-Day in co-op?

Yes. The full campaign supports four-player online co-op from the first mission and two-player split-screen on console. Horde Siege adds 12-player co-op.

Do I need to play the older Gears games first?

No. E-Day is a prequel set 14 years before the first game, so it works as a starting point. Gears of War: Reloaded is the best follow-up if you want to see what happens next.