Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 20 out of 40
  3. Negative: 6 out of 40
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  1. GameCritics
    Jan 19, 2016
    90
    Still the same incredible experience it was two years ago, only better. For new players it's a game full of twists and turns, daring level design and terrifying foes. For veterans it's the best version yet of an amazing formula, just as fresh and thrilling. It's a stunning experience from beginning to end, but I do hope the developers can fix the metagame elements and bump perfection up to the next level.
  2. Hardcore Gamer
    Dec 8, 2015
    90
    The action is huge, the enemies gigantic and the firepower overwhelming. Earth Defense Force 4.1 is finally the game the series has always tried to be.
  3. Gaming Nexus
    Dec 8, 2015
    85
    Killing giant insect scum was has never been as fun and addicting as it is now. The four different classes provide four different and fun ways to play the game and there is tons of replay value here to keep you killing incest for many months to come.
  5. GameCrate
    Dec 18, 2015
    83
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 isn't out to change the action genre, or win any technical awards for that matter. It simply provides a fun, over-the-top experience where you lay waste to aliens – and the city, oops. It's built pretty solidly, though, and is a sheer joy to play, whether alone or with friends. And when you hop into the helm of a mech, your heroic meter will definitely jump up a notch. Here's to you, EDF!
  6. Gamers' Temple
    Apr 28, 2016
    82
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 provides portable pick-up and play pleasure on your PlayStation.
  7. Forbes
    Jul 10, 2016
    80
    4.1 is a raucous and fun shooter with a different as well as more open ended approach compared to the more scripted movie wannabe type games out there. The dialogue is both silly and endearing and the combat is very satisfying.
  8. DarkZero
    Mar 7, 2016
    80
    Overall, despite scope for improvement in future installments, EDF 4.1 is an accessible, enjoyable and unique experience to any newcomer prepared to suspend triple-A gaming logic. For veterans, it’s the the best outing yet for this beloved oddity.
  9. Vandal
    Feb 16, 2016
    80
    EDF delivers more fun, as strange as it gets. You know is going to be weak on the technical side, but it's really strong when it comes to entertain. If you're ok with its weaknesses, it's a game you should try.
  10. Worth Playing
    Jan 5, 2016
    80
    There isn't much here for Earth Defense Force 2025 players, especially since it doesn't include the three previously released DLC packs, but new players will fall in love with this title almost immediately.
  11. Brash Games
    Jan 3, 2016
    80
    A fantastic game, one that’s criminally underrated and will go unnoticed or berated for its ‘awful’ visuals and gameplay. Whatever they may say, the game is a blast to play, and helped alleviate the tedium of the recent releases. Not every game has to have an amazing story, they just have to be a good and fun game.
  12. Destructoid
    Dec 8, 2015
    80
    If I were to stick with a single installment going forward, this would be the one. Some of the upgrades fall short of expectations, and a good deal of the content is overly familiar at this point, but The Shadow of New Despair still represents the series at its best.
  13. Hobby Consolas
    Feb 23, 2016
    79
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 is an improved version of Earth Defense Force 2025. A simple but fun shooter experience which is better if we share it with friends (local or online. But its improvements on PS4 don´t solve its poor graphics.
  14. Wccftech
    Mar 7, 2016
    78
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 is a strange game that will likely get judged harshly from the outside, simply because it doesn’t look good. But, my word, does it ever play magically. Not only do I recommend it, I fully endorse it. Earth Defense Force 4.1 is the perfect B-movie video game, and essential to play for all who may be interested in such a thing.
  15. GameGrin
    Feb 29, 2016
    75
    A great shooter that offers a surprising amount of variety and content. The mechanics may be simple but EDF 4.1 showcases spectacle above all else and it always proves to be thrilling.

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2015
62
#62 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2015

User Reviews

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User Score
7.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 49 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 76
  3. Negative: 14 out of 76
  1. OceanRiot17
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    Wow this game. You know its not often I have that same feeling I did when I was 10 and bringing home a new game. This game delivers andWow this game. You know its not often I have that same feeling I did when I was 10 and bringing home a new game. This game delivers and exceeds all expectations I had for it. Want content, how is 98 missions of the co op online campaign. Want variety, how about 4 classes and 150+ weapons per class all with different uses and functionality. What I will say is this game is best played with friends. Playing alone the game is very difficult and I found myself hitting a wall even on normal and I am a veteran of the series. You have to play up through about lvl 10 before you can really get a feel for the game and what it is. The environment is entirely destructible, though when destroying 8 skyscrapers at once the game does have a noticeable slowdown due to the physics calcs. Enemy types are also quite varied, ants, hornets, 2 very different spiders, giant robots, space ships, mother ships, Godzilla creatures, Dragons, ect. Played it about 15 hrs now, and I don't see myself stopping in the near future. Get this game, convince your friends to get this game, you wont regret it.… Full Review »
  2. EGH
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    Do you like blowing stuff up? do you hate bugs? If you don't care about fancy graphics and want to just have a blast this is the game for you.Do you like blowing stuff up? do you hate bugs? If you don't care about fancy graphics and want to just have a blast this is the game for you. Also as someone who doesn't have ridiculous amount of time to play games, this is easy to just play a few missions now and then.

    The game is just mindless fun. On easier difficulties, even my girlfriend who is terrible at anything that requires aiming was able to pick it up and play with me and we laughed as she accidenatly destroyed skyscrapers trying to kill giant spiders.

    Pure B movie cheese. Almost infinite replayability. Lots of difficulty settings to cater to casual and hardcore gamers. Tons of guns and vehicles to unlocks.    … Full Review »
  3. legnbass
    Dec 10, 2015
    10
    No other game does what this series does. The sheer weapon variety is outstanding alone, but what really makes it awesome is that each type ofNo other game does what this series does. The sheer weapon variety is outstanding alone, but what really makes it awesome is that each type of weapon is useful in some of the different scenarios that the game puts you in. Too many games end up with one class of weapon that outshines the others and ends up being used the whole time.

    The action is crazy, intense, and just pure FUN. The game doesn't focus on graphics, although it looks great on PS4 in my opinion, but it does focus on gamelplay that keeps me playing this game long after I have grown tired of the average "AAA" releases. I have been playing 2025 since it came out and now that 4.1 is out i'm ready to do it all over again in HD at 60fps.

    The atmosphere in EDF is also very endearing and it always puts a smile on my face when I hear the ridiculous scientist lamenting over the giant insects destructive abilities over the radio or when I stop mid battle to sing a song with my recruited troops and we all break out into dance.

    I will be buying EDF games on release day for as long as they make them as long as they stay as fun as this game.    … Full Review »
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