Gears of War: E-Day still has a lot to show off, but The Coalition (its developer) has confirmed that the game will take place only in the city of Kalona. With a story that uses a city as its centerpiece, Gears of War: E-Day aims to ensure that players feel every moment of brutality that Marcus and Dom face in the fight against the Locust Horde. Long Gears of War fans know that E-Day is the most defining moment in the game's history, but this upcoming prequel is the first time players will get to experience an up-close-and-personal first-hand account of what happened on the worst day in Sera's history.
Gears of WarThe 20th anniversary is this year, and it's sometimes hard to believe that the franchise has lasted this long. The first game picks up 14 years after the events of E-Day, so the promise of finally getting a look into the series' most notable moments is both exciting and terrifying. Gears of War deals with a lot of heavy subjects when it comes to the toll that war takes on people, but the prequel is sure to dive even deeper into those themes. Keeping the story limited to Kalona makes sense, and it also implies that Gears of War: E-Day can have deeper horror tones.
Gears of War: E-Day's Kalona setting puts the horror of fighting the Locusts back and forth
E-Day was an event that affected all of Sera, but certain locations on the planet became important battlegrounds during the Locust invasion. One of the most notable was Kalona. As one of the first cities to fall to the unexpected invasion, Kalona will reveal the worst of the worst in terms of civilian death and pure terror. Of all Gears of War game, Gears of War: E-Day shaping up to be the darkest chapter yet. Many of the finer details are being kept under wraps, but The Coalition's creative director, Matt Searcy, recently offered some insight into what the game in Kalona will mean for players.
Kalona teasing claustrophobic immersion
Speaking to GamesRadar about choosing Kalona, Searcy said, “Our story unfolds over consecutive days so players can become intimate with the town. We want them to feel the loss of what was here: the history, the people and the lives they lived.” So, The Coalition works to make sure that players are as immersed in the city as possible to really feel the tragedy of the terrible things that are taking place. Gears of War: E-DayThe story follows Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, and Searcy's words make it clear that longtime fans will quickly understand how the two became so hardened. They were already tough soldiers to begin with, but E-Day and the long years that followed shaped them for the rest of their lives.
Between failing to save doomed civilians and Marcus and Dom realizing the sheer hopelessness of the situation, Gears of War: E-Day will tackle moments that feel like real horror. The Gears of War franchise may be set in a fictional sci-fi world, but the horrors of war and city-wide tragedy, akin to something like an uncontrollable natural disaster, are deeply rooted in reality.
Gears of War: E-Day's linear story will see Kalona deteriorate right before players' eyes
Searcy confirms that the story “taking place over consecutive days” is really fascinating because it means players will get to see Kalona fall in real time. With each passing day, the bodies will only pile up more, and the city will crumble further. The destruction will continue to unfold, and there is nothing Marcus and Dom can do to stop it. Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago's relationship is a cornerstone of the series, and seeing the tragic reasoning behind such an intensely strong bond will definitely put players through the emotional wringer.
Watching the city evolve from the beginning of the story to the end sets the prequel for some of the most harrowing and shocking moments in the franchise. Gears of War: E-Days setting can really bring out the emotional depth that the franchise has worked to achieve over the years. Every game has come closer to these deep emotional tones, but E-Day presents even more material to work with in that regard.
“We want them to feel the loss of what was here: the history, the people and the lives they lived.”
Voice actors John DiMaggio and Carlos Ferro will reprise their roles as Marcus and Dom.
The next Gears of War chapter hopefully remains on schedule for a 2026 release
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right now, Gears of War: E-Day has no official release date other than a 2026 window.
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Marcus Fenix will be the main, and potentially only, playable character.
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The length of the promotion is currently unknown.
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Multiplayer has yet to be officially confirmed by The Coalition.
There were hopes for that Gears of War: E-Day was supposed to be present at Xbox's first showcase of the year, but that wasn't the case. Instead games like Fable and Forza Horizon 6 was front and center. As exciting as a look inside Fables gameplay was, the absence of Gears of War: E-Day was a disappointment. As far as is known, the game is still on track for a 2026 release date. Hopefully it stays that way. With 2026 marking 20 years of Gears of Warwould be disappointing if its prequel was delayed to 2027.
Gears of War: E-Day may have been left out of the Xbox showcase, but there's still plenty of time this year for the prequel to make an appearance. Between Summer Game Fest and the anticipated Xbox Summer Showcase, more Gears of War: E-Day news is on the horizon. This year is already shaping up to be a big one for the gaming industry, and Gears of War: E-Day will be a great addition to the growing 2026 lineup.
