Gears of War: E-Day is a return to form for Gears, with a linear campaign that takes you through dense, sprawling, and most complex city environments in the series’ history. Multiplayer also returns, but unlike many similar titles, it features a classic multiplayer model rather than the industry’s most sought-after live-service trend.
According to Xbox, “Gears has always been a multiplayer franchise too, and The Coalition is not leaving that behind.” Gears of War: E-Day will feature several multiplayer modes at launch as well as a four-player online co-op mode. 4v4s are back, but there are also new additions that should excite any returning Gears multiplayer fan.
Below, we break down every Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer mode available at launch.
Quick Summary
- Gears of War: E-Day features two multiplayer modes: Horde Siege and Versus.
- Horde Siege is a 12-player (3 teams) PvE mode.
- Three Horde Siege maps at launch.
- Versus is an asymmetrical 4v4 game mode.
- Versus features four game modes: Team Deathmatch, Conquest, Demolition, and Crucible.
- Six brand-new Versus maps at launch.
Table of contents
Every Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer mode at launch
So far, The Coalition has revealed two prominent multiplayer modes for Gears of War: E-Day. These are: Horde Siege and Versus.
Horde Siege (12-player PvE)
Horde Siege is an ambitious take on the fan-favourite Horde mode, featuring 12-player PvE action, in which three teams fight together to defend Kalona from waves of Locust, complete various objectives, and extract after one final boss encounter. Expect larger city maps with more interconnected and intense PvE fights.
Gears of War: E-Day includes four Horde Siege classes, each with its own unique starting loadout, combat bonuses, and tactical gear. Each also has a unique progression system. These classes are: Assault, Breacher, Marksman, and Medic.
Every squad starts on its own and may encounter others during the session. They may choose to help each other and fight the locus together or ignore them to move ahead. Once a squad makes the extraction, they may leave behind equipment or fortifications that benefit the next team.
These have the potential to create random and dynamic collaborations (or non-collaboration) across teams in their fight against the never-ending waves of Locusts.
As for missions themselves, they are of three types. These are: Blitz, Seize, and Horde.
- Blitz : Short, intense missions with 1-2 objectives. They usually take 15-20 minutes to clear.
- Siege : Standard missions with multiple objectives. They usually take 20-40 minutes to clear.
- Horde : Toughest encounters in which squads need to hold ground against 10 grueling waves of Locusts. They usually take 60 minutes to beat.
Gears of War: E-Day will launch with three Horde Siege maps, spread across different districts of Kalona. One of these is called the “Golden Quarter”, which is also available in Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer beta.
Versus (4v4)
Classic, sweat-inducing 4v4 game mode, Versus, makes a return, featuring classic Gears symmetric map designs. Despite taking a familiar approach, Versus should feel vastly different to play, thanks to a multitude of fundamental changes to gameplay. From new sprint movement and sliding mechanics to seamless cover transitions, as well as jump additions, Gears of War: E-Day changes how traversal feels, and it should change multiplayer gameplay.
In Versus, each player starts with the same loadout. Moreover, there are no weapon mods in this mode, so matches feel fair. The side with better skills and teamwork has a higher chance of winning. That said, players can pick power weapons in the field to gain an upper hand.
At launch, Versus features four core game modes. These are:
- Team Deathmatch
- Conquest
- Demolition
- Crucible
Team Deathmatch is the classic Gears PvP with a few tweaks and changes. For instance, the dynamic spawn system allows players to spawn where the fight is unfolding.
Conquest is a new spin on King of the Hill. The primary objective remains the same: Occupy and defend specific zones on the map. However, zones in Conquest don’t rotate. Instead, they remain active until one team accrues enough time spent in the zone to score.
According to The Coalition, this new spin on King of the Hill should allow teams to turn the tide and snatch victory at the last possible moment.
Demolition is about two teams fighting over control of a bomb and planting it at one of the two enemy bomb sites. Once the bomb is planted, the planting team must defend it until it detonates, without respawning. The side with three successful detonations wins the match.
Crucible is a brand new Versus mode in Gears of War: E-Day. It’s all about picking, carrying, and holding a Power Core, a heavy piece of COG equipment, in the zone to accumulate score. However, the zone will move and shrink with time, making it tougher to defend the Power Core.
Interestingly, the Power Core accumulates electric charge, which the defending team can use to blast enemies as a last resort.
At launch, Versus features six brand new maps. These are: Outpost, Battleship, Park, Precinct, Market, and Skyward. All these maps are structurally asymmetrical and emphasize cover-based shooting.
Although Gears of War: E-Day isn’t a live-service title, it will feature a seasonal roadmap with a slew of “killer content,” most of which you will be able to earn by playing the game, completing in-game challenges, events, and achievements.
That’s everything we know about Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer modes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Gears of War: E-Day include multiplayer achievements?
Yes, Gears of War: E-Day will have multiplayer achievements, like past titles.
Will Gears of War: E-Day include a battle pass?
No, Gears of War: E-Day won’t include a seasonal battle pass.
Will Gears of War: E-Day include microtransactions?
Yes, Gears of War: E-Day should include microtransactions, based on The Coalition’s statement about earnable content in the game. That said, past Gears games have included cosmetic items that could be purchased with real money, so it’s likely that trend will continue in the upcoming entry.
