It’s been a long wait, but Gears of War: E-Day is finally on its way!
The series is taking us back to where it all began. It’s set during Emergence Day (when the pesky Locust Horde burst from beneath the planet Sera) and tells the story of how it changed everything. We’ll be seeing younger versions of Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago, and a whole lot of Locusts.
Here’s everything we know so far about Gears of War: E-Day, including its release date, gameplay details and the latest news.
What platforms will Gears of War: E-Day be available on?
Gears of War: E-Day will be available on:
Steam
XBOX Cloud Gaming
PlayStation owners, look away now. Microsoft has confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day is an XBOX console exclusive, so there are no plans for a PlayStation release.
Gears of War: E-Day gameplay
Gears of War: E-Day is packed with the classic cover-shooting action fans know and love. You’ll be darting between cover, outflanking the enemy, and putting that legendary Lancer assault rifle to good use. And yes, the chainsaw bayonet is back - so prepare for some seriously satisfying melee moments.
Working together is key, whether you’re flying solo or teaming up with mates. E-Day throws you into chaotic firefights, tense last stands, and plenty of explosive set pieces.
The game’s settings are dark and moody, adding a real sense of dread as the Locust invasion kicks off. Every area is designed to keep you on your toes, making each encounter a real test of nerves.
Gears of War: E-Day story
The story takes place shortly after the end of the Pendulum Wars, with Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago trying to adjust to life away from the battlefield. But any chance of normality disappears when the Locust Horde launches a devastating surprise attack across Sera.
Marcus and Dom thrown back into the fight as they battle through the city of Kalona during the invasion’s opening days. Along the way, they team up with a mix of soldiers and civilians, rescuing survivors, organising resistance efforts, and facing the Locust for the very first time. It’s a more personal story than some previous Gears games. Dom is still dealing with the loss of his brother Carlos, which creates tension between the two friends at a time when they need each other most.
How many hours of gameplay will Gears of War: E-Day have?
There’s no official runtime yet, but Gears of War: E-Day will be a full-on Gears campaign. If you’ve played the older games, you’ll know the drill - the main story is usually a focused, action-heavy ride, but it can stretch out depending on how much time you spend exploring every firefight.
On top of that, there’s plenty more to dig into beyond the campaign. The overall time you spend in-game could climb well beyond the main story if you’re sticking around for online matches or replaying with friends.
Who are the main characters in Gears of War: E-Day?
Gears of War: E-Day takes us right back to the beginning of the Locust invasion. So we’re meeting familiar faces before they’ve become the battle-hardened soldiers we know from later games. Here are the key characters confirmed so far:
Marcus Fenix – A younger Marcus at the very start of the Locust outbreak. He’s not yet the legendary Delta Squad leader, but he’s already firmly in “don’t mess with me” territory.
Dominic “Dom” Santiago – Marcus’ closest friend and fellow COG soldier. Gears of War: E-Day shows Dom early in his story as everything begins to fall apart around them.
COG soldiers – You’ll also fight alongside other members of the COG forces as humanity scrambles to respond to the Locust emergence across Sera.
The Locust Horde – The real stars of the chaos. Gears of War: E-Day is all about their first emergence, with familiar enemy types appearing as the invasion unfolds.
What are the different Gears of War: E-Day game mode options?
The main focus of Gears of War: E-Day is its campaign, but it won’t be a solo-only experience. You’ll be able to play through the story in single-player or in two-player co-op, either online or split-screen on console. It’s built with co-op in mind, so tackling the Locust invasion with a friend is absolutely part of the plan.
Multiplayer also returns with classic Versus PvP modes, alongside Horde Siege. This is a new take on the series’ wave-based survival mode, designed for larger-scale battles and much more on-screen chaos.
Which Gears of War: E-Day features are player customisable?
Gears has always been more about how you play than how your character looks, and Gears of War: E-Day will be sticking to that approach.
You’ll be able to tailor your loadouts and combat style depending on how you like to approach fights. That might mean going in heavy with shotguns, or playing more carefully around cover and positioning.
There’s also a perk-style progression system mentioned, which adds extra abilities or bonuses to tweak how you approach combat. These are designed to give you small advantages or new options rather than completely changing how the game plays.
Gears of War: E-Day release date
Microsoft has confirmed that Gears of War: E-Day launches on 6th October 2026 for XBOX. PC and Steam. It’ll also be available through XBOX Game Pass on day one. So, if you’re a subscriber, you can jump straight in at launch.
Stay up to date with upcoming games
You can stay up to date with Gears of War: E-Day and other big releases on our upcoming games page. We’ve got all the latest info on what’s hitting Nintendo, PlayStation and XBOX consoles later this year. And there might even be some discounts codes for you too!
