I’ve watched the Gears of War: E-Day reveal trailer countless times since the Xbox Games Showcase. As a longtime fan of the series, the in-engine footage has me in awe of its detail. Turns out, my wide-eyed reaction wasn’t just because of the return of Marcus and Dom. According to the game’s developer, we can expect “over 100 times” the detail seen in the already stellar-looking Gears 5.
Gears of War: E-Day looks to continue the series’ penchant for high visual fidelity. Coming to Xbox Series consoles and PC, it’s the first entry to run on Unreal Engine 5. Naturally, it should give the best graphics cards room to stretch their muscles. While the game’s trailer is evidence enough for this, comments from its developer, The Coalition, cement this further.
“Our ambition is to, once again, set a new standard in technical excellence,” explains Kate Rayner, studio technical director at The Coalition. Speaking to Xbox Wire, Rayner highlights that Gears of War: E-Day includes “over 100 times more environment and character details than Gears 5.” This is in part due to the developer rebuilding practically every asset for Unreal Engine 5, hopefully using Nanite meshes.
In another first for the series, Gears of War: E-Day will feature an array of ray tracing options. Rayner confirms the game will feature ray traced lighting, reflections, and shadows. This is in addition to other improvements including “next generation destruction and gore, and cutting-edge animation.” Call me twisted, but I can’t wait to see the blade of my retro lancer reflecting in a pool of fresh Locust gibs (freshly made by my curb stomping boot, of course.)
With Gears of War: E-Day set to emerge in 2025, The Coalition still has plenty of time left to polish. I personally can’t wait to play the game. Though, in fairness, I’ll likely spend just as much time staring at it. The next era of graphics finally feels like it’s finally arriving, following the long overdue end of cross-generational releases.
If examples like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II are just the beginning, I can’t wait to see what the future holds for graphics. Now, if you’ll excuse me, in preparation for Gears of War: E-Day, I’m off to replay the series once again. Hurry up with those PC ports, Microsoft!