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To complete Emergence, follow Dom from the bar through Downtown Kalona, fight the Wretches, pass through the maintenance tunnels when the road is blocked, free the trapped civilians, then take the alley and ladder to Police HQ. Clear the ambush and interact with the station door to finish Act 1, Chapter 1 and begin Survival of the Fittest.
Emergence walkthrough: follow the route to Police HQ
This route follows the chapter’s main path from the bar in Downtown Kalona to Police HQ. The chapter walkthrough describes the chapter as the first playable Act 1 chapter after the Prologue.
- Follow Dom out of the bar. Head toward the gunfire on the main road. Continue to Jackson’s Discount Furniture and the Mini Mart.
- Fight the first Wretches. A cutscene leads into this encounter. You begin with only a melee weapon, so use it to deal with the creatures before moving onward.
- Pick up the handgun by the crashed police car. Continue along the road, collect the handgun, and fight the creatures that emerge from the ground.
- Use the maintenance tunnels when the road is blocked. Enter the door on the left, follow the tunnels down and back up, and return to street level.
- Free the civilians. Continue to the next emergence hole and take the opening on the right. Interact with the rubble pinning the civilians to release them.
- Check the bakery before leaving the area. Enter the Cafe & Bakery beside the hole, go through the door to the left of the counter, and check the kitchen counter for the Front Page of the Kalona Times.
- Take the alley toward Police HQ. Return to the road, enter the alley on the right, climb the ladder, and cross the wall.
- Clear the entrance ambush and open the station. Fight the enemies outside Police HQ, then interact with the station door. This ends Emergence and leads directly to Survival of the Fittest.
Collectible locations in Emergence
The chapter walkthrough identifies three collectibles along or immediately beside the main route. The bakery page is easiest to miss because the path to Police HQ takes you away from it.
| Collectible | Where to look |
|---|---|
| Monster Jaw | On the curb by the newsstand next to the Mini Mart, after the first emergence-hole encounter. |
| Bloody Transit Worker’s Helmet | Near the end of the maintenance tunnels, on the floor beside a corpse with a lit flashlight. |
| Front Page of the Kalona Times | After freeing the civilians, enter the Cafe & Bakery beside the hole. Go through the door left of the counter and check the kitchen counter. |
Collecting every campaign collectible is relevant to the achievement “Memories From E-Day.” In a September 9, 2026 Xbox Wire article, The Coalition’s Studio Brand Director Nicole Fawcette said completing all 54 achievements earns a Mythic Achievement; the list includes “Emergence Begins” for Act 1.
#1 Best Overall
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
- CO‑OP YOUR WAY — Play online with up to four players across Campaign, Horde Siege, and Versus, or team up locally with 2‑player split‑screen co‑op on console.
What happens after Emergence
Interacting with the Police HQ door completes this chapter and starts Act 1, Chapter 2: Survival of the Fittest. Xbox describes the campaign as primarily linear, with larger pockets of space, multiple paths, and optional side missions; its specific side-mission example is in Chapter 2, not this chapter. See Xbox’s launch guide for that broader campaign context.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Game and platform context
As of October 7, 2026, Xbox lists Gears of War: E-Day for Xbox Series X|S and Windows PC. The game released October 6, 2026, and Xbox’s launch materials also name Steam and Game Pass availability. Xbox says the campaign can be played solo, in two-player split-screen co-op on console, or with up to four players online; see the Xbox game listing for platform details.
Rank #2
- PREMIUM EDITION — Includes Bravo Squad Signature Weapon Pack, five Seasonal Customization Packs starting with the Emergence Pack, plus 1,000 Iron to unlock additional in‑game content.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
- CLASSIC COMBAT, MODERNIZED — Experience signature cover‑based gameplay enhanced with updated movement, traversal, and controls that feel like Gears while playing like something new.
The Collector’s Edition announcement confirms that its Xbox Series X version includes a physical disc, but that does not establish a general standalone disc SKU or current retailer stock. Its physical collectibles and availability vary by region. Check Xbox’s Collector’s Edition announcement for the edition details.
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Rank #4
Rank #3
- Digital product will be released early for pre-download. PLAYABLE ON 10/6/2026.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- AN ORIGIN STORY BEGINS — Fight alongside Marcus Fenix and Dom Santiago in the gripping origin story of Emergence Day, as the Locust Horde erupts from below.
- A DARKER, GRITTIER THREAT — Face reimagined enemies and a terrifying underground invasion that restores the fear, dread, and intensity at the heart of the Gears of War series.
- MULTIPLAYER EVOLVED — Battle in Horde Siege for large‑scale PvE action or prove your skill in refined Versus PvP with greater precision and competitive depth.
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