Gears of War: E-Day Campaign Impressions

I recently had the opportunity to play two missions of the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day campaign, and my experience left me with mixed feelings. While the first mission was a thrilling, linear experience that showcased the series’ traditional strengths, the second mission’s open-world elements fell short of my expectations.

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The first mission, which picked up right after the intro sequence where Marcus and Dom are attacked by Locust in a bar, had me and Bravo Squad tasked with aiding in the evacuation of Kolona by lowering a bridge leading out of the city. The sequence was a classic example of a Gears of War level, with waves of drones and Locust advancing down a sea of abandoned cars, blowing up potential cover spots. I was able to tackle the level from a raised platform, where The Coalition had placed a pile of long-range Breechshots, or immediately jump down to get in the thick of it with lancers and shotguns.

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The Breechshot, a bolt-action, hard-hitting rifle that first appeared in Gears of War: Judgment, was a work of art. Its versatility and power made it a compelling choice over a Lancer, but it lacked the scope and headshot potential of a Longshot sniper rifle. The addition of an axe head attached to the stock was a clever touch, reminiscent of Locust R&D’s innovative approach to warfare.

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A later section of the mission had Marcus and Dom crossing a raised section that overlooked the other lanes of the bridge. They shimmed along the inside of train subway cars, flanking Locusts advancing on their squadmates from above. The Coalition’s intentional encounter design was evident, as they packed a lot of cool moments into a compact space. I thoroughly enjoyed this section and appreciated the attention to detail in the level design.

However, the second mission’s open-world elements failed to impress. After reaching the other side of the bridge, Marcus and his squadmates were given a waypoint, a map, and a somewhat large open chunk of Kolona to explore. Initially, it was neat to stretch my legs and appreciate the density of culture that The Coalition packed into the city streets. However, similar to when Gears 5 spent half of its campaign making me drive a dull sled from waypoint to waypoint, I don’t think Gears excels at quiet stretches. The encounters on the streets were ‘optional’ in the sense that I could technically walk past them, but there was no reason to ignore them, as there was nothing else to do besides beeline toward the end of the level.

The open-world section was its own fun, contained setpieces, with defending a gas station and saving trapped civilians. However, these moments were separated by a lot of jogging down streets, picking up collectibles with text I’m unlikely to read, and chatter between squadmates I wasn’t particularly invested in. It was a little like playing E-Day’s new Horde Siege mode with a story. My big question as I wait to play the full campaign in October is how much of E-Day is this open-world stuff. Perhaps the city serves as a persistent hub between more linear missions, but I hope it’s a rarer occurrence, because Gears is at its best when it’s on a track.

The demo showcased the game’s traditional strengths, but also hinted at The Coalition’s aspirations to do more with its meatheads. While the open-world elements were a letdown, I’m excited to see how the full campaign will play out and whether The Coalition can balance the series’ traditional strengths with its new aspirations. Gears of War: E-Day is shaping up to be an exciting addition to the series, but it remains to be seen whether it will live up to my expectations.

One thing is certain, however: the Gears of War series is at its best when it’s on a track, with a clear direction and a sense of purpose. The Coalition’s efforts to innovate and take risks are commendable, but they must be careful not to stray too far from what makes the series great in the first place. With the full campaign set to release in October, I’m eager to see how the game will shape up and whether it will deliver on its promise.

Only time will tell, but for now, I’m cautiously optimistic about the future of the Gears of War series. The Coalition has a lot to live up to, but with their passion and dedication, I have no doubt that they will deliver a game that will satisfy fans of the series and newcomers alike.