Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair

 PC
User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 33 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 33
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 33
  3. Negative: 4 out of 33

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  1. ThePilgrim
    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 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 toThis 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    … Expand
  2. fabio77
    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 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.
  3. DesNukem
    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 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.    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 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.    … Expand
  4. Sjalka
    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.

    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!
  5. JackKasket
    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 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    EDF 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.    … Expand
  6. Rmar
    Dec 4, 2016
    10
    It's like Serioussam, Gundam, and Starship Troopers had an orgy. It's crazy, ridiculous, and if your fingers don't hurt after playing this. Then you're doin it wrong.
  7. Cyroy
    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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  8. Mahe0
    Mar 4, 2019
    10
    Writing this review after wrote review for Anthem. While anthem is more polished but failed in execution, EDF is less polished but far more succesful in the execution.

    Overview: Not-so-serious but very action heavy shooter. (Can pass as game in Nintendo console, if you know what i mean) Graphic aside, the gameplay feels solid, the battles are satisfying, lots of explosion (which is    Writing this review after wrote review for Anthem. While anthem is more polished but failed in execution, EDF is less polished but far more succesful in the execution.

    Overview:
    Not-so-serious but very action heavy shooter. (Can pass as game in Nintendo console, if you know what i mean)
    Graphic aside, the gameplay feels solid, the battles are satisfying, lots of explosion (which is good in this case), and is surprisingly entertaining and funny at times.
    This game deserve much more attention.

    Music:
    Not music with stellar rating or genius author, but fits the game and the tension of the game perfectly.

    Story:
    Love it.
    While the story might be just good at it's best, the narration and voice actor is well-fit for the game.
    I often find myself paying attention to the story for the LOL of it. Player with more open-minded perspective for gaming will surely be able to appreciate the script and the story.

    Gameplay:
    Game offer many tactical depth especially at higher difficulties and
    despite it's simple playable character game-play design, the skillcap over each character is very2 high such that the same stage can seem far different when played by beginner or by expert player.
    It's a great satisfaction by itself when you managed to pull a victory in what seems to be almost impossible mission itself.

    The coop in this game is fantastic especially if each player know what they are doing, and they do really change your approach on how to finish a mission. Even if your teammate are beginners/so-so, you don't have to think hard, just Mission-Start and enjoy the laugh.
    FYI, if you don't like the coop the game can be cleared solo just fine.

    The minus:
    1. The armor grind, however this is not really a big minus, as you can clear Hardest with just 1k~1.5k armor or so.
    2. Bugs and Glitches, it happens sometimes, but not to the point to be stressed about.
    3. Some weapon hitting yourself by just-firing it. This can turn tides of the battle against you. Does not happen often and only few weapon have this glitches, can be laughed off as funny moment.    … Expand
  9. dandalis
    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 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    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.    … Expand
  10. PsychoJoona
    May 8, 2021
    8
    Giant enemies? I mean REALLY huge enenmies! COUNT ME IN! This game is mindblowing when I first played it.. seeing the mothership the first time.. man! Awesome! But there are over 70 missions so be prepared to play this game a lot! And yeah I have to admit it gets boring sometimes and there aren't that many weapons as I have hoped but you can play this game online! With other people! WOO!
  11. GentlemanHunter
    Jul 16, 2023
    8
    Things I like:
    - So-bad-that-its-good voice acting
    -Absolutely Insane Weapons
    -Fun to play classes
    -Fair amount of replayability
    Things I Dislike:
    -Absurd Difficulty Spikes
    -AI allies that are practically useless

    Conclusion: although the game can be frustrating, It's an absolute hidden gem.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 5 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 5
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 5
  3. Negative: 0 out of 5
  1. 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]
  2. CGMagazine
    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.
    Read full review
  3. Brash Games
    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.
    Read full review
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