Gears of War: E-Day Review: Grim Prequel Bogged Down by Collectibles

CNET reviewed Gears of War: E-Day, a prequel to the 2006 original set during Emergence Day. Its five-act campaign restores four-player co-op and the series' grimdark tone, but is packed with hundreds of collectibles and adds no new gameplay hooks.

• Five-act campaign with up to four-player co-op
• Hundreds of collectibles, including weapon and armor upgrades
• Linear set pieces and boss fights are the strongest parts
• Story is a prequel to the 2006 Gears of War, set on Emergence Day