The campaign-phase review of Gears of War: E-Day praised the city details and character development, while noting that frequent scene searches slowed progression. The Windows Central reviewer completed the campaign from start to finish; since the review build did not yet include the new Horde mode and competitive multiplayer, no final score for the full game was given.
Set more than a decade before the original Gears of War, the story begins with the Locust starting their assault on humanity. The reviewer believed that Calona, not yet fully overrun, along with its civilians and the protagonists' reactions to the attacks, heightened the story's sense of horror and loss; city details, lighting, and character development were also standout aspects of the campaign.
In terms of controls, the reviewer praised the faster sprinting, more flexible use of cover, and climbing and vaulting mechanics. Shooting retains the series' signature feel.
The review took a more reserved view on the campaign structure. The reviewer felt that the opening linear segments were impactful, but although later maps gave the impression of greater exploration space, mission progression remained fairly linear. Weapon mods and collectibles scattered throughout the levels led to frequent searches that disrupted pacing, and revisiting locations later on introduced a sense of repetition.
When facing larger enemies, the reviewer also felt that gunplay feedback was lacking, making combat feel more like a prolonged attrition of enemy health. These comments apply to the completed single-player campaign and do not cover Horde mode or competitive multiplayer.