The Koop shooter Helltivers 2 was a great success on Steam in 2024. Countless players fought against umpteen alien insects. But there were already a series that became known for the fight against vermin, and one of the best parts is on offer. Meinmmo editor Nikolas explains why the game is worthwhile.
Which game is it about? Earth Defense Force is a traditional game series from Japan. In the different titles, you focus on combating countless insect alien in the co-op or solo.
This is done with different classes and countless weapons. One of the best parts of the series is Earth Defense Force 5, which was published in 2019. There you can unlock over 1000 weapons with 4 classes and plunge into increasingly absurd missions.
And honestly, even though Helldivers 2 is the much prettier game, I had more fun with Earth Defense Force 5.
You can see a trailer for Earth Defense Force 5 here:
Earth Defense Force 5-Trailer for absurd co-op shooter from Japan
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Earth Defense Force 5 is absurd, chaotic and incredibly fun
What makes Earth Defense Force so special? With the first clips or pictures you can see directly, Earth Defense Force 5 is not a particularly pretty game. Admittedly, that has never been the series. Nevertheless, it fits perfectly with the B-movie setting.
As in Helldivers 2, there is satirical patriotism, an absurd setting and countless insects that you have to fight. In different missions you can defend the earth with up to 4 players.
While the missions are still very leisurely and you fight against huge ants at the beginning, the game, the further it progresses, becomes more and more absurd and chaotic. At some point you fight for flying UFOs and huge frogs with weapons.
In combination with the humorous atmosphere, this is the perfect mix for me to turn off my head at the end of the day and to ball through me.
Shoot until the FPS suffer
How is the gameplay? You can choose from 4 classes for each mission, which also differ greatly. As a ranger, you are a normal foot soldier, a large tank and a flying threat as a Wing Diver.
The different classes have countless weapons that you have to unlock. According to the Wiki for the game, there are over 1,000 weapons. You randomly unlock them in missions, but you cannot highly farm in the first missions. If you want the better weapons, then you have to accept more difficult challenges.
The weapons are not just normal rifles or laser weapons. You can also unlock mechs, tanks, exoskeletons or grenades that transform the almost completely destructible arenas into rubble and ash.
The chaos, especially in the multiplayer, like to ensure that in later missions, but that’s exactly what you want to achieve as a fan of the series. The game is said to break in the flood of countless opponents and exaggerated weapons effects.
But you shouldn’t take every level of difficulty on the shoulder. If you want to really challenge yourself, you have to plan which weapons you take with you and how to position yourself correctly. You don’t want to be overrun.
Every EDF part makes me nostalgic
Why is the game so fascinating? Earth Defense Force always puts me back into my childhood and the games of the PS2 period. EDF does not matter modern conventions. You have a concept and have been going through it for over 20 years and I respect and enjoy that, because despite the poor presentation and moderate technology, it is a title full of fun, especially in the co -op.
How does Earth Defense Force 5 arrive on Steam? Of over 8,600 reviews on Steam, 94 % are positive. Here, too, the shooting, the B-movie atmosphere and the co-op are particularly praised. The possibility is also highly emphasized to jump in for one or two missions without investing a lot of time.
You can currently grab Earth Defense Force 5 on Steam for € 12.49. The offer goes by March 4, 2025. Earth Defense Force 4.1 costs only € 6.71. In my opinion, EDF 5 plays a little better. Another game on Steam is particularly exciting for fans of mythology: One of my favorite games from 2024 will be even better this year