Oct 2, 2026 · 1h 42m
Three new games make a case for blockbuster variety
‘Star Wars: Galactic Racer,’ ‘Ace Combat 8,’ and ‘Gears of War: E-Day’ Reactions | Button Mash
The episode tests whether three very different releases can sustain their ambition through campaign design, difficulty, multiplayer, and replayability.
- 1Star Wars Galactic Racer turns repeated failure into a fast, demanding roguelite racing loop with substantial vehicle variety.
- 2Ace Combat 8 pairs a lengthy, eccentric campaign with mission design that rewards adaptation from newcomers and veterans alike.
- 3Gears of War: E-Day delivers polished cover combat, flexible encounters, and especially strong online and split-screen cooperation.
Don't miss
The hosts explain why Gears of War: E-Day feels like an exceptionally strong, faithful campaign rather than a reinvention of the series.
The brief
Ben Lindbergh, Peter Ahlstrom, and Matt James frame the episode as a celebration of three new science-fiction-leaning releases, then test what makes each one worth sustained attention.
Star Wars Galactic Racer channels Burnout through a roguelite structure: speed, upgrades, failures, and repeated attempts gradually turn a steep learning curve into mastery.
Ace Combat 8 stands out for its substantial campaign, eccentric near-future drama, varied missions, and systems that force newcomers to rethink battlefield priorities on the fly.
Gears of War: E-Day does not reinvent its series, but its polished cover combat, enemy behavior, set pieces, and flexible five-act campaign make familiarity feel like strength.
The hosts rank the games differently while agreeing that all three are excellent, turning the episode into a snapshot of an unusually strong release stretch.