Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair Image
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

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  • Summary: We knew they were coming. We did all we could to prepare. But they still set the world on fire.

    Ravagers, we called them. The world's militaries fought them with everything they had, but in the end, only one force stood a chance: The EDF, a coalition of humanity's greatest soldiers and
    We knew they were coming. We did all we could to prepare. But they still set the world on fire.

    Ravagers, we called them. The world's militaries fought them with everything they had, but in the end, only one force stood a chance: The EDF, a coalition of humanity's greatest soldiers and scientists. Finally, we shot down their mothership and brought peace to the world...

    ...for about eight years. It's 2025 now, and our worst fears have come true: That was only the first wave.

    But this is not the end. This time, we ARE ready. The EDF has developed over 500 different weapons and vehicles. Our Rangers are crack shots with all kinds of weapons. Our Wing Divers rain down death from above. Our Fencers are walking, steel-clad arsenals. And our Air Raiders can seize control of the battlefield. If it takes four score and seven battles, if we have to fight in the streets, on the beaches, or alongside our allies in cyberspace, we'll fight and we'll win.

    Now and forever, we are the Earth Defense Force.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. Aug 8, 2016
    90
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 is a smoother, more polished version of the same cheesy, excellent product that Sandlot’s gotten so good at making.
  2. CD-Action
    Oct 14, 2016
    90
    Every level of EDF is like a mix of Omaha Beach, Pearl Harbor, Thermopylae and Helm’s Deep. Yes, the visuals might be laughable, but it’s the price for the enormous scale of battles. [10/2016, p.67]
  3. Jul 27, 2016
    80
    No polish or refinement, just lots of giant ants and plenty of ways to kill them. Ridiculously fun at its best, which it frequently is.
  4. Aug 1, 2016
    70
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 isn’t a game with an amazing story and the graphics are often less than impressive but the gameplay is addictive and easily accessible.
  5. Jul 26, 2016
    65
    PC users can finally put their hands on Earth Defense Force, with a fun, spectacular episode that unfortunately looks very dated graphics wise, it's full of glitches and a little over priced.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Jul 27, 2016
    10
    This is in response to SidAlpha's review in which he says, "I am not going to go along with the rank and file fan boys that are giving thisThis is in response to SidAlpha's review in which he says, "I am not going to go along with the rank and file fan boys that are giving this game rave reviews. " The fact that he had to mention that he is going against the grain makes it sound like everyone who plays this game and enjoys it is a fanboy...WRONG! I had never played the series before this game, and I had no idea what to expect. I say the game IS worth the price, especially since it was discounted 30% on release anyways.

    That being said, the game's graphics are from a previous age, but the content is there. There is really no reason not to love the game if your not absolutely obsessed with presentation. There are 4 unique classes, hundreds of weapons, over 80 missions, and great game play. I am the consumer and I say yes!!! EDF!!!

    Read the review by PC gamer, sums it up quite nicely, they gave it 80/100
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  2. May 15, 2017
    10
    EDF is a marvellous game, with tons and tons of content. You shoot millions of insects, robots, godzillas and dragons with a huge variety ofEDF is a marvellous game, with tons and tons of content. You shoot millions of insects, robots, godzillas and dragons with a huge variety of guns. What is there not to like.

    The graphics are last gen, but when you see the true amount of enemies on your screen, you'll understand why. The only real gripe I have is that the FOV is not adjustable and too narrow, which kills you more often than it should.
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  3. Feb 2, 2019
    10
    To save our precious earth from any alien attacks, from vicious giant insects who have once again come back, we send out all our forces andTo save our precious earth from any alien attacks, from vicious giant insects who have once again come back, we send out all our forces and won't cut them any slack, THE EDF DEPLOYS!

    It's not the most polished game out there, it does not have the best graphics, the game is quite frankly a bugfest (in more ways than one ), but it has tremendous personality, good re-playability and memorable quotes and shout outs, it's clear that the localisation team put in great effort to preserve the spirit of the game. It's a fun game to just play with your friends and mess around with.
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  4. Aug 12, 2016
    10
    The Pc version is how the game was supposed to be in first place. The framerate is finally decent and you can play smoothly one of the bestThe Pc version is how the game was supposed to be in first place. The framerate is finally decent and you can play smoothly one of the best shooter of all time. Don't consider this as a traditional FPS, this is a truly arcade experience, this is Space Invaders in 2016. Expand
  5. Mar 18, 2018
    9
    This is my game to let off steam. It is not a beautiful game, but it is like playing an 80s japanese monster movie .. so bad its good kinda.This is my game to let off steam. It is not a beautiful game, but it is like playing an 80s japanese monster movie .. so bad its good kinda.

    But seriously .. it is surprisingly funny, it has a HUGE amount of single and multiplayer content and is just simply fun!

    Also, there are not enough games where you shoot giant insects .. they deserve it!
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  6. Jul 29, 2016
    9
    Don't listen to the critics. Watch some of the gameplay on YouTube and then decide. If that interests you at all then I guarantee you're goingDon't listen to the critics. Watch some of the gameplay on YouTube and then decide. If that interests you at all then I guarantee you're going to love it.

    I've been waiting years for a version of this to come to the PC and I am not disappointed. The port is a faithful transition of an addictive game with diverse enemies, weapons that pack grunt, and completely destructible environments. Also, I actually like the graphics and think they're as good as they can be with such a huge amount of in-game action.

    I wish there were more games like this but it takes a company that thinks outside the square to make one. It's a shame that some people can't see the cleverness or appreciate the satire.

    One negative is that I have my PC connected to my TV and had problems changing the game's resolution and menu text size. Eventually I sorted these out with a patch by Natrox on the Steam forums. Hopefully an official patch is forthcoming.
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  7. Dec 29, 2020
    7
    Not just a guilty pleasure, EDF 4.1 is actually a good game in it's own right.

    Lots and lots of big alien insects, bugs, monsters, robots
    Not just a guilty pleasure, EDF 4.1 is actually a good game in it's own right.

    Lots and lots of big alien insects, bugs, monsters, robots and ships that need to be destroyed by any means necessery to save our mother Earth. EDF 4.1 is silly, over the top gaming fun at it's purest form, it knows what it is and revels in it, and i like it.

    The game has a modest selection of decently sized maps, and while they're repeated during the missions, the repetition doesnt really become an issue since the gameplay is captivating till the last fight. You're offered a nice selection of weapons and most of them feel pretty damn satisfying. All 4 soldier classes have their own unique play styles, but for solo play the Air Raider class is pretty useless, as it's clearly meant for support role in online play, and i also didnt like that some of Fencer's weapons cant be used on their own and require an Air Raider in your party to utilize them.
    One of the more annoying issues i found was the friendly AI, as they often tend to enter in your line of fire, forcing your hand to injur or kill them.

    While graphically the EDF 4.1 shows it's lower budget nature, it's more than compensated by the sheer amount of enemies and allies on screen, not many games are ready to make that sacrifice and it should be praised here. In actuality, i kinda dig the art style, as the environments feel natural, like they're modeled after real locations in Japan.

    It's the sort of a game that you can come back to at any moment and have enjoyable time with it, the replay value is strong with this one.
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