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For a first playthrough, play Gears of War, Gears of War 2, Gears of War 3, Gears of War 4, and Gears 5 in release order, then play Gears of War: E-Day. Although E-Day’s story comes first, it is a prequel set fourteen years before the original, so starting with the original game gives newcomers the series’ initial context before they see its origins. If you prefer strict main-story chronology, start with E-Day instead.
What order should you play the Gears of War games before E-Day?
For a first run through the series, use release order for the five main saga games, then play E-Day. This is an editorial recommendation, not an official required order; it lets you encounter the original setup before learning how the conflict began.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Gears of War: E-Day | Standard Edition | XBOX Series X | $67.84 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Gears of War 2 - Xbox 360 (Renewed) | $18.72 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Gears of War 3 (Renewed) | $20.48 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Gears 5: Standard Edition – Xbox One | $45.55 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Gears of War: Ultimate Edition - Xbox One (Renewed) | $18.74 | Buy on Amazon |
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| First-playthrough order | Game | Why it belongs here |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gears of War (or Gears of War: Reloaded) | Begins the original story. Xbox describes Reloaded as a faithful remaster of the original. Xbox’s Reloaded page. |
| 2 | Gears of War 2 | Continues the original trilogy. |
| 3 | Gears of War 3 | Completes the original trilogy before the later-generation story. |
| 4 | Gears of War 4 | Starts the next generation of the story, with JD Fenix, Kait, and Del as central characters. Xbox’s Gears of War franchise page. |
| 5 | Gears 5 | Continues the later story and focuses on Kait’s connection to the enemy. Xbox’s Gears of War franchise page. |
| After the main saga | Gears of War: E-Day | Play here for the prequel after the context of the main saga; play it first if you want story chronology. |
Why E-Day comes first in story chronology
Xbox Wire describes Gears of War: E-Day as an origin-story campaign set fourteen years before the original Gears of War. It follows Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago as the Locust Horde first emerges and the invasion begins. Xbox Wire’s E-Day announcement.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThat makes the concise main-story chronology E-Day → Gears of War → Gears of War 2 → Gears of War 3 → Gears of War 4 → Gears 5. The two recommended routes differ only in where you place the prequel: first for chronological events, or after the main saga for release-order context.
#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.
Where Judgment fits
Gears of War: Judgment is an optional prequel spin-off. Its exact placement relative to E-Day is not established by the official material cited here, so it is best kept outside a definitive chronology. If you are following release order and want another campaign, consider it after the original trilogy; it is not required for the main path above.
Which version of the first game should you play?
Play the original Gears of War if that is the version you can access, or choose Gears of War: Reloaded for a remastered version of the same original-story entry. Xbox lists Reloaded for Xbox Series X|S and PC. Check Xbox’s Reloaded listing for current platform and availability details.
Rank #2
- 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.
E-Day release timing and platforms
As of October 4, 2026, Xbox Wire said Premium Edition early access had started October 1, with global launch scheduled for October 6, 2026. It listed Xbox Series X|S, Xbox on PC, and Steam, and said the game was included at launch with Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass. These are date-specific launch details; check the current storefront and Game Pass catalog for availability. Xbox Wire’s launch details.
Optional collector’s edition and companion book
The E-Day Collector’s Edition is for fans who want physical collectibles, not a requirement for understanding the story. Xbox’s page describes an Xbox Series X physical-disc version and notes that availability varies by region and quantities are limited. See the official E-Day page.
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.
Xbox Wire also identifies The Art and Making of Gears of War: E-Day from Insight Editions as an official companion book. It is an optional extra rather than part of the game sequence. Xbox Wire’s E-Day announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- This Certified Refurbished product is tested and certified to look and work like new. The refurbishing process includes functionality testing, basic cleaning, inspection, and repackaging. The product ships with all relevant accessories, a minimum 90-day warranty, and may arrive in a generic box. Only select sellers who maintain a high performance bar may offer Certified Refurbished products on Amazon.com
- Includes full game of the original Gears of War remastered in 1080p.
- Play five campaign chapters never released on console.
- Experience competitive multiplayer in 60FPS with 19 maps and six game modes.
Rank #4
- From one of the most acclaimed game franchises in history, Gears 5 delivers an epic campaign and brutal action across five thrilling modes
- Campaign: With all out war descending, Kait Diaz breaks away to uncover her connection to the enemy and discovers the true danger to Sera herself
- Escape: A new, aggressive, high stakes co op mode featuring a three player suicide squad that must work together to take out enemy hives from within
- Versus: May the best team win with 10+ other game types plus new and classic maps. Versus rewards every competitive style, from casual to pro
- Horde: Endure 50 waves of ever tougher enemies using new hero abilities, building defenses, collecting power, leveling up your skills and working as a team
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.
