Summary
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2is undoubtedly one of the biggest successes in 2024, as it managed to dominate the scene for a bit during a time when the list of playable options in gaming was arguably short. Building on the groundwork of its predecessor,Space Marine 2brings massive, bug-stomping action to the forefront, naturally drawing comparisons toThe Coalition’sGears of Warseries. Now, withGears of War: E-Daylooming on the horizon, there stands enough reason to suggest it might already have found a quick route to success, andSpace Marine 2may be holding the door open for it.
AlthoughGears of War: E-DayandWarhammer 40,000:Space Marine 2are from two entirely different franchises, their similarities are undeniable. As such, anyone looking for an experience akin toSpace Marine 2shouldn’t have to look any further thanGears of War: E-Day, especially in light of its potential to be a perfect new entry point for the series.
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Might Have Paved the Way for Gears of War: E-Day
Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Bears Some Similarities to Gears of War
AnyGears of Warfan who playsWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2for the first time should immediately feel at home, as the latter bears countless striking similarities to the former. Firstly, bothGears of WarandSpace Marine 2are played from a third-person perspective and feature intense, close-quarters, and often gruesome combat via a mixture of gunplay and melee attacks. Secondly,Space Marine 2andGears of Warboth put players in the shoes of very weighty characters with deliberate movement and visceral attacks, which ultimately emphasizes the power of the protagonist.
On the note of gruesome combat,Space Marine 2andGears of Warboth showcase brutal, gory action sequences, withSpace Marine 2’s chainswords and power weapons feeling like a unique spin on the Lancer’s chainsaw bayonet inGears of War(which can unabashedly sever the Locust Horde limb from limb).
Gears of Warhas long focused on a tight-knit squad, with many of its themes often coming down to camaraderie and cooperation. Additionally,Gears' multiplayer components have always been largely team-based, adding to that sense of fellowship.Space Marine 2is much the same way, leaning into that team-based gameplay in its multiplayer components and emphasizing personal relationships throughout its campaign. This sense of teamwork is necessary duringGears of Warcampaignsand that ofSpace Marine 2, as players face down large waves of enemies;Gears, pitting players against the Locust Horde, andSpace Marine 2, featuring massive numbers of Tyranids.
Finally, the gritty aesthetics and tone ofGears of WarandSpace Marine 2make them a match made in heaven, with both games presenting grim, dystopian worlds where humanity is fighting against extinction.Space Marine 2brings the gothic, war-torn aesthetic of theWarhammer 40kuniverse, whileGearsdelivers a post-apocalyptic sci-fi vibe. All in all, they are hugely similar experiences, soSpace Marine 2might have already paved the way forGears of War: E-Day.
Gears of War: E-Day Could Use Space Marine 2’s Success to Attract a New Audience
If anything,Gears of WarinfluencedSpace Marine 2and not the other way around. That being said, the arrival and success ofSpace Marine 2suggests the route forward might have already been paved forGears of War: E-Day, given their similarities.Space Marine 2parallelsGears of Warin a lot of ways, thereby opening the door even wider for potentialGears of Warnewcomers to be introduced to the series withE-Day. This couples well with the fact thatGears of War: E-Daymay be a perfect entry pointfor newcomers, since it takes the series back to the most important day in its history.
There’s certainly enough reason to suggest that any fan ofWarhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2should keep an eye onGears of War: E-Dayand consider giving it a try once it launches. Given the similarities thatSpace Marine 2shares withGears of War, as well asGears of War: E-Day’s promise to take the series back to its roots,E-Daymay find it easy to grab hold of current audiences and potentially broaden its demographic for a more successful release than theGearsfranchise has seen in quite some time.
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.
