Gears of War: E-Day Set to Revamp Wall Bouncing Mechanics

If you’ve ever jumped into the online battles of previous Gears of War titles, you’ve likely encountered players zipping around levels with shotguns, thanks to the infamous wall-bouncing technique. This has been a staple of the Gears multiplayer scene for years, but that’s set to change with the upcoming Gears of War: E-Day, as revealed by the developers behind this prequel shooter.

During the recent Summer Game Fest, Xbox showcased Gears of War: E-Day, which is set to launch on October 6 for Xbox and PC (but not on PS5). While it retains the classic Gears aesthetic, the Coalition has been hard at work revamping the entire experience using Unreal Engine 5, complete with new code and assets. This overhaul introduces several changes, including the ability to jump and a more traditional sprint mechanic that allows players to slide into cover.

One of the most significant shifts that long-time Gears multiplayer enthusiasts will notice is the drastic alteration of wall bouncing, which is nearly eliminated in E-Day.

“We have forms of wall canceling in there, but you won’t be able to do [wall bouncing] the way you’ve done it in the past,” creative director Matt Searcy explained in a group interview.

“There are plenty of other mechanics to explore. It’s not completely gone, but we believe we’ve struck a balance in how it feels. Remember, this is a new game. If you come back expecting it to play exactly like previous Gears titles, you might be in for a surprise. It will likely require some adjustment, but it’s still built around familiar mechanics.”

The response to this news has been largely positive, with many players—some of whom have relied on wall bouncing—expressing gratitude for the changes. For those unfamiliar with wall bouncing, it’s a technique that can be both powerful and frustrating, as demonstrated in clips from Gears 5.

“I’ve been playing Gears for 20 years and have mastered wall bouncing,” one player shared on Reddit. “That said, this change is necessary. The game is a third-person cover shooter, and wall bouncing out of danger contradicts its core philosophy.”

“I feel the same way,” another player chimed in. “I’ve been with Gears since the beginning and used wall bouncing to survive, but the game will be much better without it.”

“Fingers crossed the new system works well, and we can finally put an end to wall bouncing. It ruined Gears,” added another.

Some players noted that this change could make Gears of War streams more enjoyable to watch, as it eliminates the chaotic camera spins during fights. However, a few players lamented the shift, arguing that others should simply improve their skills instead of complaining. To that, I say: Nah.

I enjoyed my time playing Gears online, but wall bouncing definitely drove some players away, leading to a scenario where seasoned wall-bouncers dominated matches. While some players thrived, it often left others feeling frustrated. The gameplay became predictable, as wall bouncing became the go-to strategy for engaging enemies, and even attempts to nerf it didn’t stop players from using it.

So, I’m fully supportive of the Coalition’s decision to either eliminate or significantly alter wall bouncing. I’m looking for a tense cover shooter experience filled with chaotic moments and strategic gameplay, and I hope E-Day delivers that when it launches in October on Xbox and PC.