Gears of War: E-Day and Gears 5 serve different campaign tastes. E-Day goes back to the Locust emergence, centers on Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago, and supports up to four online campaign players. Gears 5 follows Kait Diaz and offers three-player campaign co-op, including split-screen. E-Day’s feature list adds Horde Siege and modernized traversal; Gears 5 lists Horde, Escape, and Versus. Neither game’s published performance figures establish which runs better on PC.
Campaign: an origin story or Kait Diaz’s journey?
Gears of War: E-Day
Set fourteen years before the original Gears of War, E-Day follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as the Locust emerge. Its premise makes it the choice for players who want a new story rooted in the series’ beginnings. Xbox’s E-Day page describes the campaign and its setting.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $69.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Gears of War E-Day | Premium Edition | XBOX Series X|S and Windows Digital | $99.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | Buy on Amazon | |
| 4 |
![Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51duB8cYpdL._SL160_.jpg)
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Xbox One - Gears Of War 5 - [PAL EU - NO NTSC] | $16.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Gears of War 3 | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Gears 5
Gears 5 follows Kait Diaz as she investigates her connection to the enemy. It is the clearer fit if you want Kait’s story rather than a prequel focused on Marcus and Dom. Xbox’s Gears 5 page describes its campaign.
Campaign co-op: player counts and split-screen
| Feature | Gears of War: E-Day | Gears 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Campaign group size | Solo or up to four players online | Three players online or split-screen |
| Split-screen campaign | Two-player split-screen on console; not listed for PC | Split-screen listed; the Xbox description does not specify a PC split-screen option |
E-Day’s listed maximum is one more online campaign player than Gears 5’s. That comparison is about online group size: E-Day’s split-screen option is specifically described for console, while Gears 5’s store listing does not establish PC split-screen support. Xbox’s E-Day listing and Gears 5 page distinguish these formats.
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#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
Xbox says E-Day online campaign co-op and other multiplayer features require a Game Pass subscription that includes online multiplayer; subscription is sold separately. Check the current E-Day listing for applicable terms.
Modes: Horde Siege, Horde, Escape, and Versus
E-Day: Horde Siege and Versus
E-Day’s listed multiplayer includes Horde Siege, described as an evolved PvE wave-survival mode, as well as refined competitive Versus modes. The official description identifies these offerings but does not establish a direct mode-for-mode balance against Gears 5.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
Gears 5: Horde, Escape, and Versus
Gears 5 lists Horde and Escape for PvE, alongside Versus PvP. Choose it if those named modes are the draw; choose E-Day if you are more interested in its Horde Siege framing. Both games include a mix of cooperative and competitive play, but the mode lists differ. See the respective E-Day and Gears 5 feature pages.
Combat and movement
E-Day describes cover-based combat with modernized movement and traversal, built on Unreal Engine 5. That is a stated design direction, not an independent assessment of how it feels in play. The available Gears 5 page does not provide a directly comparable movement specification, so the descriptions alone cannot show which game’s controls or combat are better.
Rank #3
- Disc only. Original case and manual not included. Will come packaged in a generic case.
- This renewed game has been cleaned, tested, and shows minimal wear.
PC availability, input, and performance claims
| Area | Gears of War: E-Day | Gears 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms listed | Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC | Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Windows PC |
| PC input detail | Not stated on the cited Xbox page | PC gamepad capability is listed in the Xbox store entry |
| Published performance detail | Xbox describes up to 4K/60 FPS across Campaign and Multiplayer, with compatible display caveats | Xbox lists 120 FPS in Versus on Xbox Series X|S and 4K HDR Ultra visuals on Series X |
These are different platform and mode claims: E-Day’s stated up-to-60-FPS figure covers Campaign and Multiplayer, while Gears 5’s 120-FPS figure is specifically for Versus on Xbox Series X|S. Gears 5’s 4K HDR Ultra statement is for Series X. They are not PC benchmarks and do not establish which game performs better on a particular computer. Xbox’s E-Day product page, Gears 5 page, and Gears 5 store listing specify these platform features.
Complete E-Day PC specifications were announced by The Coalition, and the Xbox Wire article was updated with a revised PC-specifications image on September 28, 2026. The article text does not reproduce the CPU, GPU, memory, or storage figures, so check the current Xbox Wire announcement and its specification image before comparing your PC with the requirements. Unreal Engine 5 alone is not enough to infer whether a system meets them.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you choose?
- Choose E-Day for the Marcus-and-Dom origin story, a stated four-player online campaign, console split-screen, Horde Siege, and its modernized movement direction.
- Choose Gears 5 for Kait Diaz’s campaign, three-player campaign co-op, or its listed Horde, Escape, and Versus modes.
- For PC hardware or performance decisions, compare E-Day’s current official requirements with your own PC; the listed Xbox performance figures are not a like-for-like PC comparison.
Xbox lists E-Day’s release date as October 6, 2026. In an Xbox Wire article dated September 17, 2026, The Coalition said Premium Edition early access begins October 1 and PC pre-install begins September 29; these are the published schedule details, not a claim about present patch state or hands-on performance.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This item does not work outside US. We cannot guarantee compatibility. You can contact the call center for more information on compatibility.
- Enthralling cinematic story. Experience the epic finale to the Gears of War trilogy
- Unparalleled gameplay
- One of the definitive multiplayer experiences on Xbox LIVE
- Gears of War 3 pushes the envelope for stunning visuals on Xbox 360
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
