The Gears of War franchise is one of the flagbearers of linear gaming experiences, and always has been since its inception, though with 2019’s Gears 5, it started experimenting with semi-open world gameplay. Most assumed that the series would continue building on those newly laid foundations, something that developer The Coalition also suggested shortly after Gears 5 came out. Last year, in fact, leaks claimed that the series’ next instalment was going to be even more open-ended.
It turns out, however, that that’s not going to be the case. Speaking with Game File, franchise director Nicole Fawcette revealed that the recently-revealed Gears of War: E-Day is going to be an entirely linear game, which means it won’t be building on Gears 5’s semi-open world experiments. A few more details were also revealed, such as the fact that the game is going to be set in the city of Kalona- which, interestingly enough, The Coalition intends to “rip apart” using Unreal Engine 5 tech.
Fawcette also added that E-Day will emphasize the series’ trademark “brutality” and “melancholy vibe”, while also delivering the kind of “over the top” action that the series has always been known for.
Fawcette also echoed that sentiment while speaking with Xbox Wire, stating that Gears of War: E-Day is going to be “a really modern take” on its familiar protagonists, who’re going to be “a lot more vulnerable” than they’ve been previously portrayed as.
“They are a lot more vulnerable, and I think that’s a really modern take on those two characters,” Fawcette said. “There’s a weight they carry between them, and that creates a really interesting tension as they navigate their own relationship.
“You have this intimate story set amid this wider backdrop of what’s happening on this apocalyptic day. I think, for fans, it’ll be really compelling to dig deep and explore their bond and how it changes over time.”
The Coalition has also provided details on Gears of War: E-Day’s technical and graphical leaps, including hardware raytracing, next-gen destruction and gore, and more.
Gears of War: E-Day is in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC.