First details on Gears of War: E-Day's multiplayer have arrived, ahead of the prequel's October 6 launch on Xbox Series X/S and PC. According to Xbox Wire, the game delivers two core modes: Horde Siege, a 12-player PvE experience split into three four-player squads, and Versus, the franchise's classic 4v4 PvP.
Horde Siege expands on the original Horde mode with the largest multiplayer maps the series has ever seen. Each squad faces its own mission across the same battlefield, creating unpredictable encounters. The mode features optional objectives and a class system. Reviews from IGN and Polygon describe it as the most exciting multiplayer feature, offering depth while staying true to Gears' core appeal.
The Coalition's biggest announcement centers on the removal of live-service gimmicks. According to GamesRadar, virtually all cosmetics and unlocks will be earned entirely through gameplay, with no excessive grind or aggressive monetization. It's a deliberate throwback to early 2000s shooters before battle passes became standard.
Versus sticks to tradition with classic modes and COG-versus-Locust gameplay. IGN noted the refined control scheme works smoothly in both modes. Flow Games and Pure Xbox confirmed an overall positive reception, though some wonder whether the changes preserve Gears' core identity.
