Gears of War: E-Day Review Drops October 1 at 6 AM PT

The review embargo for Gears of War: E-Day lifts on October 1 at 6 AM PT, the same day Premium Edition owners can start playing. The game returns to horror roots with new gameplay changes.

Are you ready to go back to where it all began? Gears of War: E-Day is almost here, and if you're still on the fence about picking it up, we've got some news that might help you decide. The review embargo lifts on October 1st at 6 AM PT, so you'll have plenty of info before diving in.

For those who splurged on the Premium Edition, you can start playing on October 1st as well. That means you'll be experiencing the game alongside the first reviews. It's a bittersweet moment, especially with the franchise's 20th anniversary coming up in November. But hey, what better way to celebrate than with a brand-new entry?

Gears of War: E-Day takes us back to the very beginning, to Emergence Day, where it all started. You'll step into the boots of Marcus Fenix and Bravo Squad as they fight through Kalona against the Locust. The campaign lasts around 14 hours, and as you progress, the severity of the conflict becomes painfully clear. This isn't just another Gears game; it's a return to the series' horror roots, and it shows.

Gameplay-wise, E-Day is shaking things up in a big way. You can now slide and hop over gaps to flank opponents, and there are Weapon Mods and new Active Reload mechanics to master. But here's the kicker: the iconic wall-bouncing is gone. That's right, no more endless wall-bouncing battles. It's a bold move, but it might just be what the series needs to feel fresh again.

For you Versus fans, there are new modes like Demolition and Crucible to sink your teeth into. And if you're a Horde mode enthusiast, you'll want to check out the brand-new Siege mode, where 12 players team up on large maps to complete objectives. It's a whole new way to play, and it sounds like a blast.

Before you get too excited, though, there's a catch: only GPUs capable of hardware ray tracing will work. So if your rig is due for an upgrade, you might want to start shopping now. For all the latest details, be sure to check out our feature, and if you're curious about PC requirements, we've got you covered there too.

So, what do you think? Are you ready to return to Emergence Day and see where it all began? Will you be picking up Gears of War: E-Day on day one? Let us know in the comments below!