Gears of War: E-Day Looks Seriously Brutal in New Campaign Hands-On Showed at Gamescom 2026

Gears of War: E-Day is starting to look seriously promising after a new hands-on campaign preview. The first gameplay glimpse brings Marcus and Dom back to the beginning of the Locust war. The preview covers Kalona, where Bravo Squad faces an unexpected Locust assault. It also highlights smarter enemies, modernized combat, and a much younger Marcus.

Gears of War: E-Day brings classic Gears energy back

The campaign begins shortly after the Locust emerge from beneath Sera. Marcus and Dom join Lucas Reyes and Mags Carter as Bravo Squad takes shape. Marcus feels noticeably different here. He is younger, less battle-worn, and still follows orders during the chaos surrounding Kalona.

The shooting reportedly feels familiar, but more responsive. Cover movement, powerful weapons, and Perfect Reload all return for the campaign.

That familiarity could be one of E-Day’s biggest strengths. The Coalition appears focused on recreating what made the original game special.

Image credit: The Coalition | Microsoft

The Locust are no longer easy targets

The new Locust Drones sound considerably more dangerous than their older counterparts. They can retreat, flank players, use smoke, and attack from unexpected positions. The preview also introduces Wretches and Boomers during the campaign. Their behavior reportedly forces players to react instead of simply mowing through enemies.

AI teammates also appear surprisingly capable in single player. They can respond to flanking enemies and rush toward Marcus when he is downed. The full Bravo Squad can also be played cooperatively. All four characters are available through the multiplayer setup described in the preview.

Beyond shooting, Kalona appears to play a bigger role than a simple backdrop. Other COG squads continue fighting nearby, while optional missions can pull Bravo away from its main objective.

Supply caches also let players refill ammunition, change loadouts, and equip weapon modifications. Tactical Gear adds rechargeable abilities, including healing items and enemy-stunning equipment.