Summary
Gears of War: E-Dayundoubtedly has a lot of potential to breathe fresh life into theGears of Warseries. While many were expectingGears 6to be the next game,Gears of War: E-Dayhas confidently stepped up to the plate with the promise of bringing horror back to the series as it takes players back in time to the most important event inGearshistory — Emergence Day. Now, more than ever before, theGearsseries has a prime opportunity withGears of War: E-Dayto shine a new light on the war between Sera and the Locust Horde by including a playable Locust campaign in the game, simply due to its status as a world-defining prequel.
TheGears of Warseries has always done an excellent job at portraying the human side of the ongoing war, but the internal depths of theLocust Horde’s story remains largely untold. IfGears of War: E-Daywere to include a playable Locust campaign in the game, perhaps one that unlocks after players have completed the main story, it would be a great way for the series to finally show the rich history and unique motivations of the Locust Horde from a more personal perspective, and there is arguably no better time to include something like that than during the game that focuses on the most significant event inGears' overarching narrative.
Why Gears of War: E-Day Should Feature a Playable Locust Campaign
A Playable Locust Campaign Would Provide More Insight Into the Locusts' Perspective
Allowing players to experience the events ofEmergence Day, as well as the events leading up to it, from the perspective of the Locust Horde would not only deepen the series' narrative but also add unprecedented emotional weight to the story. Up to this point, the Locust Horde has largely been portrayed as purely antagonists, but the background lore of the series shows another side of the Locusts that has yet to be explored firsthand. If players were able to step into the shoes of the Locust Horde for a period during a playable Locust campaign, it would likely add a layer of emotional complexity to the war, all while offering players a fresh gameplay experience.
Those who have kept up withGears of Warlore since the series' origins likely know that there is more to the Locust Horde than meets the eye, but knowing that much means not only taking into account every line of dialogue spoken throughout the games but exploring the franchise’s narrative in other media as well. A playable Locust campaign would make this lore more accessible to players, especially newcomers, and sinceGears of War: E-Dayis primed to be a new entry point, that makes even more sense.
There are aspects of the Locust Horde’s motivations, struggles, and internal dynamics that a playable Locust campaign would potentially shine a bright light on, thereby making them more than just a faceless enemy.
Ultimately, the emergence of the Locusts on Sera is the result of the desperation and survival instincts that drive them, and a playable Locust campaign would potentially make them more relatable in that regard. This would simultaneously begin blurring the line even more between hero and villain, especially if things were presented in a way that was much different than what players might expect after reaching the credits ofGears of War: E-Day’s main story. Finally, characters like Queen Myrrah are some of the series' most prominent figures, and the opportunity a playable Locust campaign would provide players to see things from her perspective might even change the viewpoint of longtimeGearsfans.
A Playable Locust Campaign Could Potentially Increase Gears of War: E-Day’s Replay Value
Apart from the narrative weight that a playable Locust campaign inGears of War: E-Daywould likely add, it would also increase the game’s replay value. WhileGears of War: E-Daymultiplayerhas been confirmed, that may not be enough to maintain the long-term engagement of some players who may desire a replayable single-player experience more than anything else. What a playable Locust campaign could do forGears of War: E-Dayis it would add an entirely new campaign for players to experience once they’ve played through the main story. Then, there’s even more potential for them to play through the main campaign again with a renewed perspective on the Locust Horde.
Allowing players to experience the events of Emergence Day, as well as the events leading up to it, from the perspective of the Locust Horde would not only deepen the series' narrative but also add unprecedented emotional weight to the story.
In short,Gears of War: E-Dayhas a unique opportunityto achieve the full potential of the franchise by embracing the untold story of the Locust Horde alongside its already promising focus on Emergence Day. A playable Locust campaign wouldn’t just expand the narrative — it would challenge players to see the war from an entirely new perspective, blurring the line between hero and villain and fostering a deeper understanding of the motivations driving both sides of the conflict. By doing so,Gears of War:E-Daycould deliver an experience that is as emotionally gripping as it is engaging, while also increasing replayability and lore accessibility for longtime fans and newcomers alike.
