Gears of War: E-Day makes a strong case for a feature that too many games leave behind: campaign co-op on one screen. The campaign can be played solo, in two-player split-screen on console, or online with up to four players. Selected reviews praise the game’s co-op, cover shooting, and Emergence Day atmosphere, though they are less unanimous about its campaign structure and larger enemies. That supports a narrower argument than the original headline: E-Day shows the value of split-screen, but it does not prove that Xbox as a whole avoids the feature.
Why split-screen is the standout feature
The clearest point of agreement in the reviews is not that E-Day reinvents the series. It is that its core combat and co-op are compelling together. Windows Central calls it “a fantastic co-op shooter” and says it is especially fun with a partner. That assessment carries extra weight for players who want to share a campaign in the same room rather than coordinate over voice chat from separate systems.
| # | 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] | $54.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gears of War 3 | $9.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Xbox lists three campaign formats: solo, two-player split-screen on console, and online co-op for up to four players. Split-screen is therefore a concrete feature, not a general promise of multiplayer. It lets two people play the campaign on one console and one display, while the online option supports a larger group.
The word “proves” in the original claim needs care. This game demonstrates that split-screen can still be a meaningful part of a major release. The official information available here establishes E-Day’s support for it; it does not establish a broad pattern across Xbox’s games. The more defensible criticism is that this is a feature worth noticing precisely because it is not guaranteed in every new release.
#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.
What reviewers praise—and where they disagree
Reviews sampled for this article broadly respond well to E-Day’s cover shooting, atmosphere, and co-op appeal. They do not amount to a formal review-aggregate analysis, and their judgments about the campaign are not identical.
| Publication | What it says | Important qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Windows Central | Praises the weapons, familiar Gears feel, horror atmosphere, and co-op; calls it a “fantastic co-op shooter.” | Review was in progress. It criticizes the campaign’s “open-but-not-actually-open” structure and says some large enemies feel unresponsive or like bullet sponges. |
| GamesRadar+ | Andy Brown praises the cover-shooter combat and the campaign’s portrayal of Kalona’s destruction and civilian experience. | At the time accessed, the review was still in progress; the publication said it would return to multiplayer and score the game as a whole. |
| Tom’s Guide | Calls it the franchise’s best game since Gears of War 3 and praises cover shooting, environments, and weapon and equipment loadouts. | This is one publication’s assessment, not a universal verdict. |
| Creative Bloq | Highlights weapon mods, explorable mini-sandboxes, and additional movement and combat options; finds the game strongest when it focuses on Emergence Day and the city’s collapse. | The review covered solo campaign play, while also noting online co-op, Horde, and Versus. |
Together, these reviews support a measured verdict: the series’ cover combat and setting remain effective, and co-op is a particular draw. The main reservation in the material reviewed is not about the existence of co-op, but about how consistently the campaign uses its spaces and makes larger enemies feel responsive.
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.
What kind of campaign is E-Day?
Gears of War: E-Day is an origin-story prequel set fourteen years before the original Gears of War. It follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago during Emergence Day, when the Locust threat erupts into the human world. Xbox presents the campaign as a story of invasion and survival; reviews also emphasize horror, desperation, and the destruction of Kalona.
That premise gives the game a different entry point from a sequel centered on the later conflict. Creative Bloq highlights the collapse of the city and its effect on civilians, while GamesRadar+ also praises the setting’s human perspective. For returning players, the prequel setting supplies a familiar world at an earlier, more vulnerable moment. For newcomers, it offers an origin-story frame, although the reviews do not establish that prior series knowledge is unnecessary.
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.
How to choose a way to play
The most useful choice is between access method, platform, and play format. Xbox’s product page lists the game for Xbox Series X|S and Windows 10/11, and Xbox Wire also identifies Steam as a PC release. Xbox says the game is included with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass; subscription catalogs and terms can change.
| What you want | Option established by official listings | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Play on one console with another person | Two-player split-screen campaign on Xbox Series X|S | Xbox specifies two-player local split-screen. |
| Play online with friends | Campaign co-op for up to four players | Xbox lists online campaign co-op; check the platform’s current multiplayer and subscription requirements. |
| Play alone | Solo campaign | Solo is an officially listed campaign option. |
| Use a subscription | Game Pass Ultimate or PC Game Pass | Xbox lists inclusion in these plans; verify current regional availability and plan terms. |
| Buy a copy | Digital purchase or physical Xbox Series X disc | The official Xbox page lists Standard and Premium editions. The Collector’s Edition listing describes an Xbox Series X disc, but showed out of stock when accessed. |
At the time of the official Xbox page’s access, it listed the Standard Edition at $69.99, the Premium Edition at $99.99, and a $30 Premium upgrade. Prices and edition details can change, so use the live Xbox product page for current purchase information. Xbox also describes Xbox Play Anywhere and shared progression across Xbox and PC.
The official Collector’s Edition listing describes a 15-inch Marcus and Dom diorama, replica COG tags, a lithograph, a SteelBook case, and an Xbox Series X disc, among other items. It showed a price of $299.99 and “OUT OF STOCK” when accessed; stock and shipping restrictions may change.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the reviews do not establish
The reviews available at the time of access should not be flattened into a final consensus. Windows Central and GamesRadar+ explicitly labeled their coverage as in progress, and GamesRadar+ had not yet covered multiplayer or assigned an overall score. Tom’s Guide’s strong comparison to Gears of War 3 is a single reviewer’s judgment. No reliable aggregate score is established by these sources.
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
There is also a gap between E-Day’s confirmed feature and the headline’s broader implication. The official Xbox listing verifies split-screen campaign play for this game; it does not document Xbox’s entire release slate. The sound conclusion is about the feature itself: a same-screen campaign remains a practical, distinctive way to play together, and E-Day makes room for it.
Quick Recap
Sources and current details
- Xbox: Gears of War: E-Day — platforms, release information, campaign modes, Game Pass inclusion, editions, and Xbox Play Anywhere details.
- Xbox Wire: Gears of War: E-Day Is Available Today, Watch the Launch Gameplay Trailer — launch platforms and official tie-ins.
- Gears of War: Emergence Begins – Tomorrow — an official team statement on launch features.
- Xbox Game Studios Shop: Collector’s Edition — listed contents and stock status at the time accessed.
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.
