Earth Defense Force 6 Review – A Messy Horde of Arcade Fun

As a long-time fan of action games with a soft spot for mindless fun, I was drawn to Earth Defense Force 6 (EDF 6) like a moth to a flame. Having fond memories of playing its predecessor, EDF 5, I eagerly anticipated the latest installment in this quirky series.

For over ten years, Earth Defense Force (EDF) has carved out a unique space in gaming as the self-aware and campy “B-movie” series known for its humor. I’m thrilled to report that this tradition continues in EDF 6 with gusto! The core gameplay formula from EDF’s first Western release remains intact: you assume the role of a soldier in an international army, tasked with shielding Earth from alien invasion. There isn’t much depth in terms of narrative or character development, and the campiness is abundant throughout.

In its latest installment, titled Earth Defense Force 6, the popular series EDF makes significant strides, introducing a few firsts and milestones. EDF 6 is now accessible on current-gen consoles like PS5, PS4, and PC, marking the series’ entry into this generation. Players can enjoy the game in 4K resolution for the first time, and performance settings offer a noticeable improvement in frame rate. Additionally, the campaign in EDF 6 is the longest in the series, boasting over 130 missions and countless weapons to explore. This entry also serves as the first direct sequel, picking up from the cliffhanger left by its predecessor, Earth Defense Force 5. Although it maintains many elements similar to the previous game, such as identical menus and combat mechanics, a deeper dive into the gameplay and story is forthcoming.

I’ve had the pleasure of playing numerous video games throughout my life, and I must say that the simplicity of this game’s mission structure truly transports me back to the good old days of couch co-op gaming. It’s a refreshing change from the complex storylines and multiplayer modes that have become the norm these days. As someone who grew up playing games with friends on the same couch, I find myself deeply appreciating this game’s straightforward yet enjoyable design.

Due to the fact that EDF 6 follows directly after EDF 5, it’s hard to skip past spoilers from the earlier game. However, keep in mind that the EDF franchise has never placed a great emphasis on storyline depth. This becomes evident as soon as you begin playing EDF 6, starting with its opening mission set in a damaged bunker. A comically over-the-top drill sergeant greets you and your fellow recruits with demeaning remarks.

Despite a 10% decrease in global population following the disastrous occurrences in the last game, soldiers continue to exchange amusing banter, much of it unintentional. One particularly entertaining instance occurred when a sergeant was tossed about like a doll by massive fire ants, as he pleaded politely for their release. This scene, though seemingly harmless, underlined the absurdity and delightfully campy style of the writing throughout the game.

“Bringing up the chat box during cinematic moments can result in some funny moments”

The script in this game is filled with both deliberate and accidental sources of laughter. There are numerous flat voices and mistranslations that can be found throughout. Despite these flaws, the overall tone manages to feel like intentional B-movie campiness. Players even have the ability to add their own cheesy lines through the chat box, which includes affirmations, celebrations, and commands for teammates. Approximately half of these chat box messages are voice-acted, with distinct voices for each of the game’s four classes.

In simpler terms, some parts of the storytelling in this game feel awkwardly executed, not because of the intended campy style. The sequences don’t smoothly transition into one another, and the events following the crucial 13th mission are confusing, even for those familiar with the game. The plot lacks clear explanation and setup, making it hard to follow the narrative thread. Each mission seems disconnected from the others due to the absence of an overarching storyline. However, the English voice cast from EDF 5 reprises their roles in certain scenes, with Sarge standing out particularly. Additionally, the music in this game is excellent, from the improved intro to the powerful orchestral score and catchy menu themes. Your squad will cheerfully sing battle anthems as you advance, showcasing the strong musical foundation of EDF 6.

“Most of your time will be spent wildly shooting hordes of oversized insects and aliens.”

In this game, you’ll require inspiring anthems as you’ll be involved in extensive shooting sessions. The controls are generally user-friendly with an over-the-shoulder viewpoint. As the Ranger class, you can sprint and dodge. Some weapons offer a scope for accurate aiming, but most combat involves firing bullets at enemies indiscriminately. Although the shooting is more refined compared to other EDF games, it doesn’t reach the caliber of Gears or polished third-person games. Nevertheless, it serves its purpose adequately. Sprinting is problematic due to the camera – every time you sprint, the screen zooms in, filling it with your character. Unfortunately, there’s no option to adjust the sprint camera settings. I often clench my teeth whenever I have to sprint because of how disorienting and hindering it becomes amidst the chaos. Additionally, the chat box pops up each time you use the D-pad, which can be aggravating when attempting to access the pause menu or modify settings. This is a minor UI issue, but the cluttered menus still stand out as a careless design oversight.

Luckily, the missions in Earth Defense Force 6 are uncomplicated and enjoyable. You’ll stay engaged during battles with minimal tedious escort or protect tasks. Even if your entire squad is wiped out, you can still complete the mission as long as you survive yourself. This game is essentially a shooter adaptation of musou-style games like Dynasty Warriors, but instead of Chinese armies, hordes of bugs and aliens flood the streets. The thrill of being surrounded by massive ant swarms and firing nonstop to emerge victorious is hard to describe. However, this uncomplicated enjoyment can grow repetitive rather quickly, especially during extended gaming sessions. Although it’s great that there are fewer annoying mission types, there could be more overall mission variety. While each mission offers unique environments with the occasional new enemies and layouts, the objectives and strategies remain largely similar.

I prefer a more streamlined mission progression with intermediate checkpoints in Earth Defense Force 6, but unfortunately, each death compels you to restart the entire mission. The game doesn’t hold back, especially during its advanced levels, potentially forcing multiple repetitions even on normal difficulty settings. Although missions aren’t overly lengthy, ranging from 10 to 20 minutes in duration, the absence of checkpoints introduces unnecessary repetition and increased challenge. Nevertheless, EDF 6 is an excellent choice for a mindless gaming experience. You can effortlessly switch off your thoughts for brief intervals while obliterating colossal insects and reducing structures to rubble. The game’s environmental destruction aspect is genuinely enjoyable; every structure is susceptible to destruction, which is beneficial since enemies frequently swarm on top of buildings.

With the Air Raider class, you’ll gain access to drones and the power to request helicopter airstrikes. Every class is equipped with its own distinct arsenal.

In “Earth Defense Force 6,” each of the four distinct classes offers a rich selection of weapons and playstyles to counteract the monotonous mission design. When engaging in multiplayer cooperative mode, you can construct a harmonious team consisting of all four classes, resulting in an impressive offensive force. The versatile Ranger class is similar to an infantry soldier and can wield rifles, shotguns, rocket launchers, missile launchers, and multiple types of grenades. In addition, Rangers are the only class besides Air Raiders that can operate drivable vehicles in the game. Although the vehicles have rough handling controls, they are sufficient for the brief periods of use during gameplay.

In summary, “Earth Defense Force 6” delivers an enjoyable experience with a lighthearted tone. It’s an excellent choice for unwinding and engaging in some mindless destruction. This game shares many similarities with its predecessor, “EDF 5,” but offers more value with its extensive campaign and improved visuals and performance. For those seeking lengthy co-op action filled with simple and amusing entertainment, “Earth Defense Force 6” is a top pick.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

2024-07-26 17:12

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