Gears of War: E-Day launches on Xbox Series X|S and PC

Gears of War: E-Day, developed by The Coalition, has officially launched on Xbox Series X|S and PC. The title serves as a prequel to the original series, set 14 years before the first game during the Locust invasion of Sera. The game is available via the Xbox App, Steam, and is included in Xbox Game Pass from day one.

Built on Unreal Engine 5, the game features high-fidelity graphics and modernizes the franchise's signature cover-based combat. It includes a single-player campaign, a four-player cooperative mode, and the Horde Siege survival mode. Critics have largely praised the title, with Metacritic scores reaching 87 and OpenCritic averages around 88.

Despite the positive reception, the launch has faced challenges. A digital security breach by the group RUNEquebroua resulted in leaked files shortly before the official release. Additionally, the game has faced some criticism on Steam regarding its inclusion of certain character dynamics and political themes. Amidst the launch, reports surfaced regarding Microsoft layoffs affecting staff at The Coalition, including a lead story writer.