Gears of War: E-Day launched worldwide today, October 6, 2026. The action-horror, cover-based shooter is available now on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, Game Pass, and Steam. The release returns players to the opening hours of Emergence Day, when the Locust first invaded the world of Sera. It is the first time the story of that night has been told in full.
The game went gold in September, and pre-install began September 29 ahead of the October 6 launch. Premium Edition players and Game Pass subscribers with the Premium Upgrade entered early access on October 1.
A Story Set Across Three Nights in Kalona
Players are transported back to the opening hours of the Locust invasion, where monsters erupt from underground and plunge an unsuspecting world into chaos. Across three days and nights, Marcus Fenix, Dom Santiago, and their squad mates fight to survive the onslaught consuming the city of Kalona. The campaign follows their desperate push through the streets as they learn the true scale of the Locust invasion.
Weapons and Cover-Based Combat
Weapons include the Chainsaw Lancer, the Gnasher shotgun, and the Longshot Sniper. The Chainsaw Lancer has close-to-mid range firepower and an upgradeable magazine, while the Gnasher deals devastating point-blank damage and the Longshot Sniper fires a long-range slug. Melee combat and blind fire from behind cover are also options, so players can keep pressure on the Locust without fully exposing themselves. Even a handful of Drones can deal heavy damage while a player is exposed. Caches dotted around Kalona let players switch their loadout, so no one is locked into a single style of play.
Side Missions and Collectibles Across Kalona
Kalona has large open areas with multiple pathways and side paths that lead to optional side missions. In those missions, players can support other squads, help civilians, and otherwise contribute to saving the city, often earning a weapon mod. Collectibles such as COG armor and tags are hidden around the city, each with a lore entry, and a chime signals when one is nearby. Some of the lore entries are written by the squad members themselves. Xbox Play Anywhere lets players continue on both console and PC at no additional cost.
