Earth Defense Force 5 is finally making its way to PC after landing on consoles late last year. It will be available for purchase through Steam on Thursday, July 11th.
Many people may not be familiar with the title, as it isn't exactly the most popular series around. The first game in the series launched way back in 2003, titled Monster Attack, and was available on Playstation 2. Since then, there have been five more games released in the main series. There have also been several spin-offs, such as Global Defense Force Tactics, a strategy game released in Europe.
The game itself is a thoroughly "B-movie" affair. The graphics are outdated, many of the interfaces and menus are clunky, and the missions are to simply exterminate as many aliens as you can. It's never going to win any awards, but if you're looking for a mindless title that offers plenty of customization, this arcade shooter might be the game for you.
Earth Defense Force 5 revolves around a story-line that deviates from it's predecessors, so there is no need to have played previous titles. That being said, plot was never the game's strong suit. Each title's story usually boiled down to an alien invader coming down to Earth and wrecking havoc, while the player tries to stop them. This time around, players will face-off against the series first ever, "humanoid aliens."
Enemies in previous installments were typically of the insect variety; think giant wasps and ants. These foes still make an appearance across the 100+ level campaign, but the addition of a new enemy type is something fans of the series were glad to see added, as it helped break up the sometimes monotonous gameplay.
As players eradicate these insect invaders, they can level up their weapons, classes, and abilities. For added chaos, they can take the fight online and play cooperatively with up to four friends, or even play split-screen.
Although the game may not be the most popular, it does have a dedicated fan-base who have supported the developers for years. It's great to see them making the title available for PC so they can reach as many players as possible.
Here's hoping that those pesky aliens never stop invading our planet, and that we always have a need for the Earth Defense Force.