Gears of War: E-Day story, timeline and Kalona setting

Place the prequel fourteen years before the original game and follow Kalona’s fall across three days.

By Game Guide PortSource reviewed: Oct 12, 2026

Applies to: Campaign premise and setting · avoids ending spoilers

Quick answer

E-Day takes place fourteen years before the original Gears of War. The campaign follows Bravo Squad in Kalona over three days as the Locust first emerge, turning a post–Pendulum Wars armistice memorial into the opening of the Locust War.

Original editorial illustration showing a coastal industrial city collapsing over three stages — Original editorial illustration generated for Game Guide Port; not official game artwork

Where does E-Day sit in the timeline?

The official description places it fourteen years before the original Gears of War. Marcus and Dom have returned from the Pendulum Wars, and Sera has just entered an armistice when the Locust emerge.

One city across three days

The campaign follows the coastal industrial city of Kalona, including its stadium, waterfront, airfield, neighborhoods and refineries. This focus shows one connected place changing from ordinary life into a disaster.

How the crisis develops

The first night centers on confusion and fear. Day two follows regrouping and squad formation. By day three, the characters understand that the invasion is worldwide. Enemies escalate from Feral Wretches to armed, organized Locust, revealing that this is an army.

This overview avoids ending spoilers. Fandom can map older lore, but E-Day events should be checked against the game or current official material.