E-Day Isn’t the Only Prequel Opportunity Left in the Chamber

Much of Gears of War: E-Day is still a big mystery, but the promise of getting to see Emergence Day through the eyes of Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago is incredibly compelling. Set 14 years before the first game, Gears of War: E-Day will immerse players in the franchise’s most important moment in its lore. This is the first time that longtime fans will get to see what Marcus and Dom experienced, which could set the stage for some harrowing, action-packed moments.

After Gears 5, it was unclear what the next chapter in the series would be. The natural assumption would be for a sixth mainline chapter, but Gears of War: E-Day being a prequel for the entire franchise is an exciting subversion of expectations. Of course, E-Day will have a high bar to meet, especially considering the significance of the event. Getting to witness the arrival of the Locust Horder is intriguing enough, but there is another war that could pave the way for more prequels in the future: the Pendulum Wars.

While Gears of War’s Next Step After Reloaded Seems Obvious, Going Off the Beaten Path May Be Best

The Coalition may have to make a difficult choice in deciding which Gears of War games should get remastered after Reloaded and E-Day

Gears of War: E-Day Could Leave the Door Wide Open for the Franchise to Continue Diving Deeper Into the Past

A Game Centered Around the Pendulum Wars Would Shake Up the Series in a Big Way

The Pendulum Wars were a major conflict on the planet of Sera that lasted from 79 B.E. to 0 B.E.
The conflict was against two major factions, the Coalition of Ordered Governments and the Union of Independent Republics.

While E-Day was the event that threw Sera into full-blown survival mode, the planet was embroiled in a massive decades-long conflict beforehand. There is nearly 80 years’ worth of storytelling potential that could show a different side to the Gears of War franchise. The outcome may already be known, since the Coalition of Ordered Governments clearly gained the upper hand at the end, but that doesn’t mean a story centered around the Pendulum Wars wouldn’t have plenty of compelling material to work with.

The series has already ventured this far into the past before. Between the prologue of Gears of Wars 4 and Gears of War: Aspho Fields, a novel spin-off detailing a turning point in the Pendulum Wars, the subject has been touched on a little bit, but not with a full-blown game.

The Gears of War movie has finally found a director in David Leitch, who is known for his work on Bullet Train, The Fall Guy, and Atomic Blonde.

The Biggest Issue With a Potential Pendulum Wars Prequel is Obvious

If the team at The Coalition ever wanted to make a spin-off that revolves around the Pendulum Wars, Gears of War‘s biggest threat would be missing: the Locust Horde. Since the first game, the Locusts have been the central villain in the story, and a Pendulum Wars game would pit Seran against Seran, which may be jarring for fans who prefer the fight against the franchise’s established enemies.

While it would be a bold change for the franchise, it could prove to be just the right kind of shake-up. The Gears of War franchise is filled with compelling lore beyond the threat of the Locust Horde, and spin-off chapters and prequels could be a great way to explore more of that world. Marcus and Dom have been the heart of the series, but a Pendulum Wars prequel could pave the way for a fresh duo, as well.

The Wait for Gears of War: E-Day Continues

The game has yet to receive a release date, but it’s expected to arrive in 2026.

Next year will be Gears of War‘s 20-year anniversary, making the arrival of E-Day extra exciting. As the year continues, The Coalition will hopefully reveal more about what to expect with the highly anticipated prequel. Until then, there is plenty of time to get a refresher on the Gears of War lore, Pendulum Wars included.