How have I never heard of this game? This game is awesome. #earthdefenseforce2025 @capacitymoon9053
0Earth Defense Force 2025 is a third-person shooter developed by Sandlot and published by D3 Publisher. Released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, it's a direct sequel to the 2007 game, Earth Defense Force 2017.
Here's a breakdown of what the game is about:
The Premise
The story is classic B-movie sci-fi. Eight years after the first alien invasion was seemingly defeated, a new threat emerges. Giant insects and other alien creatures, known as the Ravagers, have evolved and are discovered deep underground. The player, as a member of the Earth Defense Force (EDF), must once again fight to save humanity from these terrifying creatures. The game leans into its campy, over-the-top nature with ridiculous enemies, massive-scale destruction, and cheesy voice acting.
Gameplay
* Massive Action: The core gameplay involves shooting vast numbers of giant enemies, including ants, spiders, robots, and dragons. The game is all about large-scale combat and blowing up everything in sight.
* Character Classes: A key feature of EDF 2025 is the introduction of four distinct soldier classes:
* Ranger: The standard infantry soldier with a wide array of conventional weapons like assault rifles, rocket launchers, and grenades. They can also pilot vehicles.
* Wing Diver: A female soldier with a jetpack, allowing for high mobility and aerial combat. They use energy-based weapons.
* Fencer: A heavily armored soldier with a massive amount of health. They can equip four weapons at once and specialize in heavy firepower and close-quarters combat.
* Air Raider: A support class that can call in air strikes, vehicle drops, and other tactical support. Their effectiveness is often tied to online co-op.
* Arsenal: The game boasts a huge number of weapons, with over 700 available across the four classes. Players collect new weapons, health upgrades, and armor from crates dropped by defeated enemies. This creates a satisfying gameplay loop where you replay missions on higher difficulties to get better gear.
* Destructible Environments: The game's environments, including cities, are highly destructible. This adds to the chaotic feel of the combat, as buildings can crumble under the barrage of rockets and explosions.
* Co-op: Cooperative play is a major part of the EDF experience. EDF 2025 supports both online four-player co-op and local split-screen.
Reception and Legacy
EDF 2025 received mixed to average reviews from critics but has a strong cult following. Critics often pointed out its dated graphics and technical issues, such as a poor frame rate. However, fans praise the game for its fun, chaotic, and satisfying gameplay loop. The game's simple-but-addictive premise, paired with its campy B-movie tone, has made it a beloved entry in the series.
It's important to note that a direct upgrade to the game, Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair, was later released. This version is considered a significant improvement, offering better graphics, a more stable frame rate, reduced loading times, and some new content and balance changes.