Gears of War: E-Day May Have to ‘Nerf’ Its Protagonist

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Gears of War: E-Day May Have to 'Nerf' Its Protagonist

Highlights

  • As a prequel, Gears of War: E-Day features a younger, less experienced Marcus Fenix.
  • Although he has served in the Pendulum Wars, E-Day’s Marcus doesn’t have nearly as much experience as he does in the first Gears of War game.
  • This may lead to a variety of mechanical changes to depict a “weaker” version of Marcus Fenix in his youth during E-Day.

As a seasoned veteran of the Gears of War franchise, I must say that the upcoming prequel, E-Day, has got me intrigued. While I’ve grown accustomed to the battle-hardened Marcus Fenix we’ve come to know and love, it’s refreshing to see a younger, greener version of him.

As a devoted fan, I’ve eagerly waited nearly five years for a new Gears of War title on Xbox, and my patience is about to be rewarded! During the June Xbox Showcase, they unveiled “Gears of War: E-Day,” which will transport us back to the pivotal Emergence Day event that precedes every Gears of War game we’ve known so far.

The day known as Emergence Day signifies the initial appearance of the Locust Horde, an event that is arguably the most significant in the chronology of the Gears of War series, marking the beginning of the Human-Locust War which spans the entire franchise. As a prequel to all previous installments, Gears of War: E-Day might present some variations in terms of characters, plot, and gameplay, possibly including a toned-down version of main character Marcus Fenix.

Gears of War: E-Day Might Need to Feature a Weaker Marcus Fenix

Marcus Fenix Has Seen a Lot By The Time of Gears of War: E-Day

17-year-old Marcus Fenix disregards his father’s disapproval and enlists with the Coalition of Ordered Governments (COG). His longtime friend, Carlos Santiago, also joins him. As they fight together, they are infantrymen in the Pendulum Wars, a conflict that spans nearly 80 years between COG and the Union of Independent Republics. The objective is to control the world’s scarce supply of Imulsion.

During the Pendulum Wars, Marcus Fenix encounters numerous events, such as his initial intense firefight on Acastu’s Imulsion Fields and the Battle of Irohma Island where, after witnessing the UIR annihilating Tai Kaliso’s village, he enlists his help. One significant battle that Marcus participates in near the end of the Pendulum Wars is the battle at Aspho Fields. During this battle, Carlos Santiago sustains fatal injuries, and to keep Marcus from attempting a dangerous rescue, Carlos detonates a grenade, thereby destroying a bridge being used by the UIR for troop extraction. Marcus is deeply affected by Carlos’ demise but finds comfort in taking care of Carlos’ brother, Dom.

Gears of War: E-Day’s Marcus Fenix is Still a Greenhorn Compared to His Future Appearances

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at Marcus Fenix’s experiences during the Pendulum Wars, where he witnessed unimaginable brutality and spilled blood, earning him the rank of Sergeant for his exceptional bravery. Yet, despite these harrowing events, by the time Emergence Day arrived, this young warrior was merely 21 years old. The atrocities I faced during the Pendulum Wars pale in comparison to the nightmares that unfolded post-Emergence Day.

In the initial installment of “Gears of War”, the action unfolds 14 years post Emergence Day, immersing players into the battle-hardened footsteps of a 35-year-old Marcus Fenix. By this stage in the “Gears of War” chronology, Marcus Fenix has endured unspeakable horrors and fought against fearsome adversaries. The Marcus Fenix character players encounter in “Gears of War” is seasoned and powerful. Contrastingly, the Marcus Fenix portrayed in “Gears of War: E-Day” lacks the same level of experience and expertise.

From the preview trailer for “Gears of War: E-Day,” it appears that The Coalition is planning to emphasize Marcus’ initial struggles, as he finds it challenging to eliminate even a single Locust solider. If the gameplay follows suit, it might be intriguing to explore how Marcus and the COG grapple with their inexperience against this fresh threat, potentially leading to the Locust appearing more ferocious than they have been in previous installments of the series.

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2024-08-11 03:04