‘Gears of War: E-Day’: Metallica-Scored Multiplayer Reveal Trailer Is A Relentless Return To Form

Xbox finally pulled back the curtain on its Gears of War: E-Day multiplayer, and it’s shaping up to be a return to everything longtime fans loved about the legendary third-person action franchise. Now there’s a new trailer and extended look to show off all the incoming mayhem. 

Focusing on skill, teamwork and relentless firefights instead of battle passes and endless live-service grinds, this is the kind of classic online multiplayer that’s a hallmark of the series. That means the traditional multiplayer Gears was known for returns alongside the all-new Horde Siege mode, a massive 12-player cooperative experience that pits squads against overwhelming waves of Locust in sprawling urban battlefields complete with objectives, boss encounters and chaotic large-scale combat.

Competitive players can expect a back-to-basics approach with balanced loadouts, classic arena-style gameplay and unlocks earned simply by playing the game. The Coalition says nearly every cosmetic item can be unlocked through gameplay, with no battle pass or “tour of duty” progression getting in the way. Free post-launch maps, modes and characters are also planned, making it clear that E-Day is aiming to reward players for sticking around because the game is seriously fun, and not a mere money grab.

You won’t have to wait long to jump in. The Gears of War: E-Day Open Beta begins August 6 for Game Pass members and anyone who pre-orders the game, offering an early taste of the brutal multiplayer before the full release on October 6. If the beta delivers on its promise of old-school intensity with modern production values, Gears of War: E-Day could be one of this year’s biggest multiplayer shooters.

Check out the video below to watch the official multiplayer trailer—complete with Metallica‘s classic “For Whom The Bell Tolls” scoring the action—for an extended look of what Gears of War: E-Day is set to deliver when it launches on October 6.