Gears of War: E-Day takes place fourteen years before the original Gears of War. It tells the story of the Locust’s first emergence on Sera, with younger Marcus Fenix and Dominic “Dom” Santiago facing the invasion’s opening days.
When does E-Day happen?
The Coalition and Xbox place E-Day fourteen years before the events of the original Gears of War. That relative gap is the confirmed timeline anchor; it means E-Day is earlier, not fourteen years after the original. The Coalition’s 2024 Xbox Wire interview and the official Xbox game page give the same interval.
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The story begins with the Locust emerging on Sera and follows the first days of the invasion. A 2026 Xbox Wire feature identifies Kalona as the city where the game takes place, but that detail does not establish that every event in the game or the wider conflict is confined to the city.
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Marcus and Dom are younger than the versions familiar from the original game, but they are not novices. They are veterans of the Pendulum Wars, the human conflict that came before the Locust War. In E-Day, they face the Locust for the first time.
#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.
The Coalition describes the game as a new mainline entry set earlier in the saga, not as a detached side story. Creative Director Matt Searcy calls it an origin story for the pair’s relationship: “We’re telling the origin story of Marcus and Dom and their bond… this is the bond that defines the franchise,” he said in the 2024 interview.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is E-Day a complete series timeline guide?
No. The official material establishes where E-Day sits in relation to the original game, but it does not by itself establish a comprehensive chronological order for every numbered game, spin-off, novel, or other story. The reliable takeaway is the specific connection: E-Day covers the Locust invasion’s beginning, fourteen years before the original Gears of War.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Listen up, soldier. The world is in ruin. The Locust Horde has risen. It’s Human vs Horde, and here’s your mission: Pick a side, build a powerful deck, and win the war. The fate of the world is in your hands!
- Experience the gritty gunplay of the video game in this official two-player card game. Take command of the COG forces or the Locust horde and seize control of the battlefield, one chapter at a time.
- Strategise your way through each chapter, bolstering your forces with classic characters like Marcus Fenix, General Raam, August “Cole Train” Cole, Dominic Santiago, and Damon Baird.
- Every battle counts. Whatever happens in each chapter will change what comes next, so you’d better be ready to dominate. The deck you build and decisions you make will change the way you play each campaign, making this a game you can reload time and time again.
- Whether you're a hardened vet or a grass-green rookie, get ready to take cover and lay down suppressive fire. Your enemies are trying to take the line, soldier. You’d better shove back hard.
Rank #4
- 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.
Rank #3
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.
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