Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair

 PlayStation 4
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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  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 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 withWow 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.… Expand
  2. 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.

    Personally, I find it an addictive game with diverse enemies, weapons that pack grunt, and completely destructible environments. Playing it puts a smile on my face. Also, I actually like the graphics -- much improved over EDF 2025 --    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.

    Personally, I find it an addictive game with diverse enemies, weapons that pack grunt, and completely destructible environments. Playing it puts a smile on my face. Also, I actually like the graphics -- much improved over EDF 2025 -- 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.    … Expand
  3. megabear
    Aug 30, 2016
    10
    As far as coops go, it doesn't get better than this. I'm already looking forward to a sequel.

    I can't believe I never heard about this game until now. Are you kidding me? SHAME ON ME.
  4. Dzhalagash
    Aug 18, 2016
    10
    One of those games that don't get the hype they deserve. Forgotten, unknown except from a few selected, yet deserving much, much more.
    The 800+ weapons are not just "upgrade" of the previous version, they are almost always featuring particular behaviours that make them unique.
    The classes are very different from each other, each with its strength that makes it fun to play. I love this    One of those games that don't get the hype they deserve. Forgotten, unknown except from a few selected, yet deserving much, much more.
    The 800+ weapons are not just "upgrade" of the previous version, they are almost always featuring particular behaviours that make them unique.
    The classes are very different from each other, each with its strength that makes it fun to play.
    I love this game both solo and co-op.    … Expand
  5. Eekzoh
    Jan 30, 2017
    9
    This game was a complete surprise, it was ridiculously fun as I played through it with one buddy online. We did all 98 levels...and then started over each as a new class and did it again (much quicker 2nd time tho, we had the skillz after round 1). There were countless times we just took a moment to say 'God, I love this game'. It's just fun. Fun because its levels are varied, it'sThis game was a complete surprise, it was ridiculously fun as I played through it with one buddy online. We did all 98 levels...and then started over each as a new class and did it again (much quicker 2nd time tho, we had the skillz after round 1). There were countless times we just took a moment to say 'God, I love this game'. It's just fun. Fun because its levels are varied, it's weapons keep coming and coming and very often feel 'different' even tho it's your 7th shotgun, mindless but requiring you to always think, fun. We've stopped after our first 60 hours or so but there is no chance we're not going to go back later on in the year and play it all over again, each as a new class (there are 4). Oh yeah, the difficulties actually -work- for a game like this. Playing level 12 on Hard or Insane? Makes level 12 fun all over again. And you get a whole new range of weapons that you'll end up using on the later levels on Normal, that sorta thing. So all the sudden a Level 18 Rocket Launcher X will be unlocked as you're playing and it will rule. It always does.… Expand
  6. ZeroBorne
    Jan 12, 2017
    8
    This game isn't a ten, everyone, calm down please.

    Earth Defense force games are something I enjoy greatly and seeing a game in 60 fps after that wickedly 12 fps PS3 counterpart, I was stoked. I really want to like this game but.. it's such a chore and being a game critic and a college student, this game is too much of a time sink to get anything awesome. If you have a group of friends    This game isn't a ten, everyone, calm down please.

    Earth Defense force games are something I enjoy greatly and seeing a game in 60 fps after that wickedly 12 fps PS3 counterpart, I was stoked.
    I really want to like this game but.. it's such a chore and being a game critic and a college student, this game is too much of a time sink to get anything awesome. If you have a group of friends who can ignore story and logic and just shoot giant grey and red ants for like... 80 hours (I've poured 220 hours into the PS3 version), you'll like this game, I swear. But if that isn't your thing, this isn't your game.    … Expand
  7. RobJ665
    Apr 17, 2017
    9
    Super campy game. Crap graphics, terrible voice acting, frame rate drops (sometimes to almost zero), no storyline. And yet, completely addictive.

    There's not a ton to say about it. You play it and either you love it or you hate it. I think where it really shines is in splitscreen mode. There's nothing more fun than hanging with your buddies, killing giant insects and blowing up    Super campy game. Crap graphics, terrible voice acting, frame rate drops (sometimes to almost zero), no storyline. And yet, completely addictive.

    There's not a ton to say about it. You play it and either you love it or you hate it. I think where it really shines is in splitscreen mode. There's nothing more fun than hanging with your buddies, killing giant insects and blowing up buildings. We're ordering t-shirts for the release of the next release. EDF!!!    … Expand
  8. 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 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    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 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.    … Expand
  9. 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. 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    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.    … Expand
  10. pjh3000
    Feb 29, 2016
    10
    If you're a fan of protecting the earth from giant monsters and giant robots, this is your game.
    Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair is basically an HD remake of Earth Defense Force 2025 and continues where Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon left off.
  11. SArais
    Mar 5, 2016
    10
    Serious Sam Goes to Japan! People may be dissuaded by the graphical quality (meaningless) and the many visual and gameplay bugs; AI is hillariously terribad, and giant usually get caught up on everything. The controls are awful and unintuitive at first. The acting is terrible, and so many other flaws. The game never asks you to look past it's flaws; the fanbase has done so. And when youSerious Sam Goes to Japan! People may be dissuaded by the graphical quality (meaningless) and the many visual and gameplay bugs; AI is hillariously terribad, and giant usually get caught up on everything. The controls are awful and unintuitive at first. The acting is terrible, and so many other flaws. The game never asks you to look past it's flaws; the fanbase has done so. And when you decide to simply play the game, you'll find that the EDF series will reward players for this with an excellent game-play experience.… Expand
  12. bootysyrup
    Jul 18, 2016
    10
    great CO-OP franchise .... really cheesy fun , for fans of 1950-60's cheesy sci-fi films , if you like old sci-fi and co-op action mayhem ....in a fully destructible sand box city or other areas , than you will love this .
    this series is not to be taken completely serious ,you are battling giant ants, and spiders , and robots ,and so much more !!!, so many unique and powerful    great CO-OP franchise .... really cheesy fun , for fans of 1950-60's cheesy sci-fi films , if you like old sci-fi and co-op action mayhem ....in a fully destructible sand box city or other areas , than you will love this .
    this series is not to be taken completely serious ,you are battling giant ants, and spiders , and robots ,and so much more !!!, so many unique and powerful weapons and enemies , make this very re-playable ......EDF ,EDF !!!!!!!!!    … Expand
  13. GamingDrake
    Jul 22, 2016
    10
    The whole purpose of a game is to entertain and that's what this game does with flying colours and that's why this game is a 1010 for me. it was hard to rate because the game itself isn't oscar worthy.
    The pros: it is hugely addictive i mean obviously its not for everyone, some people will find this boring and repetitive. boring it isn't repetitive it is but in a good way it never gets    The whole purpose of a game is to entertain and that's what this game does with flying colours and that's why this game is a 1010 for me. it was hard to rate because the game itself isn't oscar worthy.
    The pros: it is hugely addictive i mean obviously its not for everyone, some people will find this boring and repetitive. boring it isn't repetitive it is but in a good way it never gets old. The gameplay is so much fun there is nearly a 1000 weapons to collect for the 4 classes (which the classes are all unique) most of the weapons feel different which is great and the enemy a.i isn't bad either especially on the harder difficulty's. most of the time they do go straight at you but sometimes they creep around your back which is cool. the edf soldiers are hilariously cheesy but great. I also get so hooked on collecting all of the item drop offs every mission to upgrade your armor and to get new weapons. in this game you never feel under powered in fact more often than not your over powered unless you play on the harder difficulty's which you gonna have to get way more armor and way better weapons than what you start off with( trust me you'll die a lot). Its so much fun going deep under ground in the dark and firing off a grenade launcher flamethrower at the enemies in tight tunnels or to be hiding under a small alcove in a bridge from dragons bombarding you with fire. Its simply exhilarating unlike other games in the genre like Alienation which was a snooze for me. This game on the other hand keeps you on your toes.

    The cons: well the frame rate does drop sometimes in intense battles which shouldn't happen with graphics like these. the graphics are acceptable, textures are not very good, its a very sharp looking game but it looks like an early ps3 game but if it was next gen the ps4 wouldn't handle. I'm not kidding the screen is literally covered sometimes to the point where you can't see which isn't a bad thing its just cool blowing your way out. The edf a.i isn't very good, they'll be shooting at a wall to kill aliens robots etc on the other side which is a bit of a pain. The soundtrack is alright it goes with the game but thankfully it doesn't drown out the gameplay. Some of the screaming does grate my ears, oh by the way this game is noisy. it sometimes gives me headache after about 2 hours.

    Verdict: this game is brilliant an arcade one at that so don't expect triple a title (but when i think about its way more fun than most triple a games). I'm not a huge fan of Japanese games and if your not much of a fan either then i would definitely recommend this game. there is no other Japanese game like it, i would go as far to say there is no other game like it. it truly is a unique game    … Expand
  14. SWERY_51
    Jan 6, 2016
    7
    The game is really awesome, fun with high replay value. I just love this franchise. Kicking giant bugs and aliens asses is really enjoyable, in solo or in co-op with your friends. But let's be honest for a sec, this PS4 version has a major issue. If the game generally looks sharper and smoother than EDF2025 on Xbox 360, the screen tearing is absolutely awful and rip my eyes off. I reallyThe game is really awesome, fun with high replay value. I just love this franchise. Kicking giant bugs and aliens asses is really enjoyable, in solo or in co-op with your friends. But let's be honest for a sec, this PS4 version has a major issue. If the game generally looks sharper and smoother than EDF2025 on Xbox 360, the screen tearing is absolutely awful and rip my eyes off. I really hope they will patch this ASAP, and if they did, then you'll be able to add 2 more points to the actual score i give.… Expand
  15. ablaise82
    Apr 15, 2017
    0
    holy **** how did this get good reviews? I bought this game because most reviews said it was a good entry. Ive beaten 2 other earth defense games, they were amazing. I could not beat eve the second stage on this game. The weapons system? terrible. The classes? unbalanced as all hell. In fact most of them are useless. graphics are crap. controls haven't improved. reload system has changedholy **** how did this get good reviews? I bought this game because most reviews said it was a good entry. Ive beaten 2 other earth defense games, they were amazing. I could not beat eve the second stage on this game. The weapons system? terrible. The classes? unbalanced as all hell. In fact most of them are useless. graphics are crap. controls haven't improved. reload system has changed for the worse. gameplay features have actually been taken out? This is the worst video game sequel Iv'e ever played, nothing like insect arm. Worst 60$ game ive ever bought in my life.… Expand
  16. hammygas
    Dec 12, 2017
    7
    This game is fantastically terrible. This is what happens when Troma decides that they want to make a video game, and then they pump steroids into the guns.

    - It is crazy repetitive - Graphics are sub-par - Animations almost amature - Takes an incredible grind to make any progress on higher difficulties - Script is silly and nonsensical - Voice acting is laughable I wouldn't    This game is fantastically terrible. This is what happens when Troma decides that they want to make a video game, and then they pump steroids into the guns.

    - It is crazy repetitive
    - Graphics are sub-par
    - Animations almost amature
    - Takes an incredible grind to make any progress on higher difficulties
    - Script is silly and nonsensical
    - Voice acting is laughable

    I wouldn't change a thing.    … Expand
  17. lorddragonstar
    Jul 30, 2018
    9
    Incredibly fun game. 4 character classes, dozens of weapons for your load out. And it's really cool, like creepy looking.

    The game is challenging on higher difficulties, which also stress your gear and strength, but drop better loot as a reward. It's fun shooting giant bugs and stuff. Like a star ship troopers game or something. SO MANY LEVELS, it's way bigger than you think!    Incredibly fun game. 4 character classes, dozens of weapons for your load out. And it's really cool, like creepy looking.

    The game is challenging on higher difficulties, which also stress your gear and strength, but drop better loot as a reward.

    It's fun shooting giant bugs and stuff. Like a star ship troopers game or something.

    SO MANY LEVELS, it's way bigger than you think!

    Fun voice overs, it gets really hilarious!

    If you can find it for $20 or less it's a steal!    … Expand
  18. SIPPIO
    Sep 24, 2018
    10
    My Honest opinion
    ~This game is AWESOME.
    -Can't believe I never played it, or any EDG game until the month before Destiny 2 comes out.. -Destiny 2 has been out for a week and I have yet to play it once because I'm soooo sucked into this game.. ~ which makes No Sense cause it's to a popular game..... ~ here's why it's awesome ~ RANDOM WEAPON DROPS like all games.. Enemies can drop    My Honest opinion
    ~This game is AWESOME.
    -Can't believe I never played it, or any EDG game until the month before Destiny 2 comes out..
    -Destiny 2 has been out for a week and I have yet to play it once because I'm soooo sucked into this game..
    ~ which makes No Sense cause it's to a popular game.....

    ~ here's why it's awesome
    ~ RANDOM WEAPON DROPS like all games..
    Enemies can drop 1 of 3 boxes.
    Green-weapon
    white -health
    Red - permanent health boost.
    - it's random which they drop, or if they drop at all..
    At the end of a round you're boxes are unpacked and you find out if you found a NEW WEAPON.. and how much permanent health
    You increased..usually 30-60. And as you're health increases it's easier as you have more &a more hit points..
    --5 difficult settings. Easy -to-inferno
    -the higher the difficulty the faster and re advanced the enemies and the whooole reason for playing on harder or inferno. Is because the weapons you get from drops are higher level based on the difficulty..
    --THERES ONLY 1 LEVEL FOR EACH WEAPON..
    SO a flamethrower thermal is a level 65 and powerful. Ur can only be randomly unboxed from a weapon box on inferno difficulty and on the latter half of the games levels...
    And this is why the game has such amazing replay value..
    I/you can't always beat a mission/level on inferno or even harder,,so you play it on hard or normal until you figure out which weapon...

    ---best part of this game is the weapons!!!
    There's firecrackers- 5 different kinds..each its own weapon..
    Firecrackers are light grenades. But the uber highest version of the firecrackers are amazing. Like 30 mini grenades that u can throw wicked fast one after another...
    --there's 8 categories of weapons.
    Assault rifles,,,snipers,,shotguns,,rocketLaunchers,,misses,,grenades,
    Specials, specials are where flamethrower, all kinds of full heal guns..their guns that fire health at u & teammates or vehicles and it heals em..only way AI teammates get health..
    Oh yeah, u can only bring two weapons into a round/level and can only use those two the whoooole Round..

    -so the rockets pretty much fly straight and fats and umph..
    Misses tend to fire many at one time to area attack or highlight 20 insects and off goes the misses. Lighter power but easy way to
    Cheese-snipe. Fire a 2nd time and most are dead..
    Snipers are powerful ur slow reload. Same with shotguns..

    I haven't played Multiplayer..which is PVE or coop..
    I will though, PS4 name is Mcsipp

    Guess the addictive part is the grind for new weapons sinc they are soooo unique.. I never know how the new weapon will work..
    -the weapons do such unique,weird stuff. Like shoot double shots that go out in a V,,or bouncing shots off walls,,

    And the environment is fully destructible..
    In a fun way..it means you can now walk through a area where the building made you go around,,and it means if a box drops on the roof= you can blow up building and get it on the ground...
    Also means the insects can't walk onto the building and sneak attack or snipe u...

    --I haven't had any glitches and bugs that effected immersion..
    -- they announced a NEW eDf game coming out soon..
    To my surprise :)

    If you like LOOT hunting games,,or games with simple rules and basic controls,,and high quality control schemes then this is it..
    Probably why I like it so much...and I never do many xboxOne or PS4 reviews anymore.. If you click my name you'll see all my reviews are to help someone decide.. Not just a blind 10 or ZERO... So worth it!!!    … Expand
  19. Tornado130
    Sep 10, 2020
    10
    Art in it’s truest form.

    I cried at how beautiful this lovely game is to play.
  20. CoreGamer1408
    May 18, 2019
    7
    This is basically old EDF 2025 with better FPS and some graphical tweaks. Oh and some extra added content. Intentionally cheesy hoaky B movie science fiction fest. Facing off against huge insects and robots to combat the mother of all alien invasions in destructible environments. Four diverse classes with loads of weapons to unlock and weapon/health upgrades to grind. Very repetitive, butThis is basically old EDF 2025 with better FPS and some graphical tweaks. Oh and some extra added content. Intentionally cheesy hoaky B movie science fiction fest. Facing off against huge insects and robots to combat the mother of all alien invasions in destructible environments. Four diverse classes with loads of weapons to unlock and weapon/health upgrades to grind. Very repetitive, but it never really gets old grinding for loot/health and 85 missions just like wow. Intense fun alone and loads of fun in local co-op with IRL people.… Expand
  21. SoloWolf12
    Jun 21, 2019
    8
    Soy un fan absoluto de la saga, lo que me hace no ser objetivo del todo, pero cuando un juego te dio mas de 2000 horas y te sigue gustando algo hace MUY bien.
  22. Volarin1221
    Jul 18, 2022
    2
    new person to the Earth Defense force series. been playing with a friend he is a nut for this game series. for the last few weeks we play this every now and again. the game itself was pretty fun all the way til you reach at level 26 it is the prelude for when the game starts to become unfair. then 27 was fun but then 28 is when it becomes hell on earth. the game beyond that point becomesnew person to the Earth Defense force series. been playing with a friend he is a nut for this game series. for the last few weeks we play this every now and again. the game itself was pretty fun all the way til you reach at level 26 it is the prelude for when the game starts to become unfair. then 27 was fun but then 28 is when it becomes hell on earth. the game beyond that point becomes unfair and you have to start playing classes and using weapons that will carry you through it. level 31 becomes unplayable and unbeatable on hard difficulty even normal was unfair in a lot of ways. i was told this is a release/remaster of 2025. this game is **** so much to the point i have to warn those who think its a good starting point. DONT!! this game will chew you up and make you hate the game series.

    ive been told and what i saw from other reviews that other games like EDF insect Armageddon and Iron rain is far better if you wanna try the series. hell looks like EDF 5 looks better as a starting point. but this game the devs should feel ashamed for what they did to EDF 4.1 just a waste of a remaster.    … Expand

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. NZGamer
    May 26, 2016
    50
    EDF4.1 won’t win any awards but, if you can look past its failures, it’s a pretty fun game.
    Read full review
  3. Gamers' Temple
    Apr 28, 2016
    82
    Earth Defense Force 4.1 provides portable pick-up and play pleasure on your PlayStation.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »