Gears of War: E-Day review: best combat in series, repetitive missions

The Guardian reviewed Gears of War: E-Day from The Coalition for Xbox and PC. The review praises the combat as the best in the series' 20-year history but criticizes repetitive open levels, hundreds of collectibles and constant backtracking through the same locations.

• Combat called the best in 20 years: smoother movement, destructible environments, weighty weapons
• Story is a prequel set on Emergence Day, explaining Marcus's scar and the chainsaw rifle
• Open levels need a map, are packed with collectibles and side objectives
• Straying out of bounds while exploring triggers an instant mission failure