Summary
The Coalition developers hinted at plotlines and characters that could appear inGears of War: E-Dayin a recentWindows Centralarticle. Creative Director Matt Searcy and Brand Director Nicole Fawcette weren’t able to reveal explicit details about what players will see inE-Day’s campaign, but noted that players will bear witness to the origins of many series icons, tropes, and relationships. Some of these include hints towards the creation of the signature chainsaw lancer and an appearance from Locust High General RAAM. Both of these figures could provide immense story and gameplay potential inGears of War: E-Day, alongside an appearance of another classic character: Tai Kaliso.
The Origins of the Chainsaw Lancer
For most of Sera’s wars, especially the Pendulum Wars between the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG) and the Union of Independent Republics (UIR), combat was fought with what would come to be known as the retro lancer. Unlike the chainsaw lancer, the retro lancer is equipped with a large, knife-sized bayonet designed to impale enemies after charging toward them. However, due to the Locusts' thick skin and bones,the retro lancer proved inefficient in fighting the Locusts, especially in close quarter combat. Oftentimes, the retro lancer’s blades would bounce off of Locusts’ thick skin or snap off the rifle entirely. Despite these flaws, the retro lancer was used by many soldiers, civilians, and Locusts throughout the Locust War and beyond.
In the 2009 bookGears of War: Jacinto’s Remnant, the in-universe origins of the chainsaw lancer were first revealed. During the secondbattle of the COG city Jannermont, set one year after Emergence Day, Marcus Fenix, Dominic Santaigo, and Tai Kaliso attempted to rescue civilians from a Locust attack. A Locust tried to kill Fenix after his retro lancer jammed up but was quickly torn apart by Kaliso utilizing a nearby power saw. Inspired by the saw’s effectiveness against the Locust, Fenix would suggest upgrading the lancer to his father, Adam Fenix, and this would lead to the development of the lancer mark two, otherwise known as the chainsaw lancer. The chainsaw lancer would become the standard weapon for COG soldiers from then on.
A Tai Kaliso Cameo in E-Day
While Kaliso’s chainsaw lancer-inspiring act took place a year after Emergence Day, he could still make a brief appearance inGears of War: E-Day.Kaliso, Fenix, and Santiago all fought togetherduring the Pendulum Wars, so Kaliso could help bolster Fenix and Santiago’s developing friendship inE-Day. Fawcette did confirm that players would see how the chainsaw lancer was made inE-Day, so
The Coalition could retcon Kaliso’s rescue of Fenix with the power saw to occur inE-Day. Power saws could then become unique melee weapons seen only inE-Day. Furthermore, they could have the last battle of the game featuring the chainsaw lancer as an epic conclusion.
Despite canonically appearing over a year into the Locust War, chainsaw lancers can be seen inGears of War: Judgment, which is set only two months after Emergence Day.
RAAM’s E-Day Carnage
General RAAM took part in the Locust invasionof the surface on Emergence Day, directly leading the First Battle of Jannermont. While he led the battle of Jannermont on the ground, he helped coordinate the entire invasion of COG and UIR nations worldwide. It’s estimated that 25% of all humans on Sera were killed onE-Dayalone. Players may recognize RAAm for his use of flying kryll creatures to destroy his foes, but canonically RAAM didn’t begin using kryll this way till many years into the war. Instead, RAAM utilized his giant serrated sword to impale and lift COG soldiers into the air or his handheld troika heavy machine gun to instantaneously shred foes into pieces.
While it’s still unknown which city serves as the setting ofE-Day, RAAM could appear in the game if it’s set in Jannermont. Seacry and Fawcette didn’t confirm RAAM’s appearance in the game, but they did exchange smirks when RAAM was brought up, so it’s possible he may make a cameo appearance at the very least. If RAAM only appears as a cameo, he could appear in the beginning of the game leading the Locust invasion force. However, ifRAAM has a more active roleinGears of War: E-Day, he could serve as the final boss, while the first introduction of the lancer chainsaw could demonstrate that the Locust can be defeated and aren’t the unstoppable force they’ll appear to be early on.
Gears of War: E-Day
WHERE TO PLAY
The Story of E-DayFourteen years before Gears of War, war heroes Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago return home to face a new nightmare: the Locust Horde. These subterranean monsters, grotesque and relentless, erupt from below, laying siege on humanity itself. New FoundationsBuilt from the ground up with Unreal Engine 5, Gears of War: E-Day delivers unprecedented graphical fidelity.
