Gears of War: Reloaded vs Gears of War: E-Day – Which Should You Play First?

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With Gears of War: Reloaded out now (August 2025) and Gears of War: E-Day officially landing in 2026, a lot of players — especially newcomers on PS5 — are asking the big question:

Should I dive into Reloaded right now, or wait for E-Day to arrive next year?

Let’s break down how the two games compare, what each offers, and which makes the better starting point depending on your playstyle and patience.

The Case for Gears of War: Reloaded

Reloaded is a ground-up remake of the original 2006 classic, rebuilt in Unreal Engine 5 with modern enhancements:

  • Full campaign overhaul – Sharper visuals, smoother animations, and better AI give the story a modern feel while keeping the emotional beats intact.

  • Multiplayer tuned for 2025 – Supports 120 FPS on Xbox Series X|S and PS5, cross-play across all platforms, and a revamped ranking system.

  • Perfect onboarding for new fans – Since it’s the first story chronologically (Marcus, Dom, and the Locust’s introduction), Reloaded lays the foundation for all future Gears titles.

  • Available now – If you’re eager to experience Gears immediately, you can jump in today without waiting another year.

Reloaded is essentially the definitive way to start the franchise — and that alone is a strong argument in its favor.

Gears of War: Reloaded vs Gears of War: E-Day
The Case for Gears of War: E-Day

E-Day is not just a new entry — it’s a prequel. Set during Emergence Day, it focuses on a younger Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago as the Locust Horde first bursts onto the surface.

Here’s why some players might want to hold out for E-Day:

  • Fresh entry point – Designed to be accessible for brand-new players, without needing knowledge of past Gears games.

  • Cutting-edge tech – Built with the latest Unreal Engine 5 updates, it will likely surpass Reloaded visually and mechanically.

  • Standalone story – Since it’s a prequel, you won’t miss out by starting here. In fact, you might even get a more dramatic introduction to the Locust threat before diving into Reloaded.

  • Community hype – Multiplayer in E-Day will launch with full cross-play and next-gen competitive features, meaning day-one player numbers will be massive.

If you can wait, E-Day will be the biggest Gears release in years — and arguably the most cinematic one yet.

Which One Should You Play First?

This really depends on your priorities:

  • If you want to play now: Reloaded is here, polished, and faithful to the roots. Great for learning the lore and getting a feel for Gears’ cover-shooter combat.

  • If you want the newest tech and hype: Waiting for E-Day means you’ll experience the story chronologically (E-Day → Reloaded), but it also means sitting out the Gears community for a full year.

  • If you want the complete experience: Start with Reloaded now, then roll right into E-Day when it drops in 2026. You’ll get both perspectives — the foundation (Reloaded) and the explosive prequel (E-Day).

In short:

  • Casual newcomers → Wait for E-Day.

  • Players curious about the full Gears saga → Play Reloaded now, then E-Day later.

  • Diehard fans → You’re already playing Reloaded and pre-ordering E-Day anyway.

Final Verdict

There’s no wrong answer here. Reloaded is the definitive way to experience the original story today, while E-Day will deliver a blockbuster reimagining next year.

If you’re itching to chainsaw Locust right now, grab Reloaded. If you’re okay waiting, E-Day might be your perfect entry point. The best path? Honestly, play both — Reloaded now and E-Day later. That way, you’ll be fully geared up for the franchise’s future.

Community Links

Want to see what other Gears fans are saying? Check out the discussions here:

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