Should Gears of War Have Done a Sequel Instead of the E-Day Prequel?

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First launching 20 years ago, Gears of War quickly became a defining franchise for the Xbox 360, playing a significant role in the console’s success. The game followed Marcus Fenix and the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) in their battle against the Locust, offering intense third-person shooting alongside a surprisingly touching story and imaginative science fiction elements. Subsequent games have expanded on this foundation, featuring large time jumps and focusing on a new cast of characters.

Instead of continuing the story from Gears of War 5, the next game, Gears of War: E-Day, will actually be a prequel. It goes back to the very beginning – the events of Emergence Day, which started the war between humans and the Locust. This decision could be a problem, as it might diminish the progress the newer games have made and potentially harm a subtle but important part of the game’s backstory.

Why Gears Of War Is Going The Prequel Route

Scheduled to launch in 2026, Gears of War: E-Day is a prequel that takes place 14 years before the original game. It focuses on Emergence Day, the day the Locust Horde first emerged and attacked the world of Sera. A welcome addition for fans, the game brings back both Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago – even though Dom died in Gears of War 3. The story seems to center around the relationship between these two characters, which was a key emotional element throughout the original trilogy.

The developers felt they couldn’t ignore the opportunity to tell a story set in this era, especially with today’s improved console technology compared to what they had twenty years ago. For fans who found the series’ backstory and explanations about the Locus increasingly complicated, this new game’s simpler story could be a welcome addition. It also brings back the original two main characters, which will likely appeal to those who played the games when they first came out. However, revisiting the events of E-Day does have some significant downsides that could limit the series’ future potential.

Why Gears Of War Should Have Another Sequel Instead Of A Prequel

I’ve always loved how the Gears of War story really grew over time. The first three games felt like a complete saga – it was awesome that they actually ended, with some really impactful deaths and a final battle that felt earned. Then, the newer games jumped forward in time, and it was cool to see how the world had changed and meet a whole new cast of characters. While Marcus Fenix was still around, he took a backseat, letting people like his son, JD, and Kait Diaz really shine. That change allowed the story to explore some really interesting ideas, like the possibility of humans and Locusts being connected, and how the COG started becoming more controlling and oppressive.

Instead of continuing the story after the events of Gears of War 5, the new game revisits the very beginning of the timeline, essentially prioritizing nostalgia over moving the story forward. Showing the full scope of E-Day feels disappointing, especially when compared to games like Halo: Reach, which made its prequel story impactful by highlighting the sacrifices made. Because players already know Marcus and Dom survive, E-Day lacks the same sense of suspense. The game focuses on a day that was always presented as a terrifying, fragmented memory through flashbacks and survivor stories, and fully showing it risks diminishing its impact.

Honestly, the Emergence Day event always felt like something huge happening off-screen, a terrible disaster that really changed the world of Sera for years to come. But actually playing through it in the game just felt… disappointing. It took this incredibly impactful moment and turned it into just another set of missions to survive. I think the series was heading in a much more interesting direction, especially after Gears 5. They finally put Kait in the spotlight, gave her a strong personal reason to fight, and left JD’s fate uncertain. That felt like real progress! Moving the story forward was the right call – it gave Gears of War a sense of creativity it hadn’t had in a while. Going back to rehash Emergence Day just feels like a step backwards, and honestly, the series deserves better after all the momentum it’s built up over the last decade.

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2026-05-06 20:41