Earth Defense Force 5

 PlayStation 4
User Score
7.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 39 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 39
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 39
  3. Negative: 7 out of 39
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  1. OmeQuicksilver
    Nov 16, 2019
    7
    The game doesn't really stray far from it's predecessors, fully embracing the schlock that has defined the series since it's inception. But now the technical shortcomings have started to truly grate and show their age. Getting stuck on the geometry, enemy bodies lasting forever and blocking your shots (always fun to kill yourself cuz a corpse falls on your rocket), some truly TERRIBLE RNGThe game doesn't really stray far from it's predecessors, fully embracing the schlock that has defined the series since it's inception. But now the technical shortcomings have started to truly grate and show their age. Getting stuck on the geometry, enemy bodies lasting forever and blocking your shots (always fun to kill yourself cuz a corpse falls on your rocket), some truly TERRIBLE RNG needed upgrade weapons make this game more of a drag to play solo then the others. But with some friends it's still good fun.… Expand
  2. SWERY_51
    Dec 19, 2018
    7
    I really love the series, and it is still a lots of fun fighting aliens and giant insects.

    The RPG elements are more present than ever, weapons can now level up, you can still choose between 4 classes and replay the missions at higher difficulties to loot new weapons and upgrade your armor. Some things have been improved, like the loadings between missions which are very short now, or    I really love the series, and it is still a lots of fun fighting aliens and giant insects.

    The RPG elements are more present than ever, weapons can now level up, you can still choose between 4 classes and replay the missions at higher difficulties to loot new weapons and upgrade your armor. Some things have been improved, like the loadings between missions which are very short now, or enemies that are leaving huge blood splatters and now have visual damage effects and dismemberment. Graphics are close to EDF 4.1, so it stills looking dated, but that's not a problem with this kind of game IMO. There are plenty of missions and the game seems to be very, very long. There is an on-line mode (you will have to redo missions from scratch as its separated from solo mode, but you will keep the upgrades and weapons you already have from solo or the ones you will earn on-line and vice versa) and you can also do split-screen 2 players coop.

    It is easily one of the best entry in the series, HOWEVER, i am very disappointed with the technical part. The screen tearing is very annoying (no V-Sync) on any outside mission, and the frame-rate is not flawless. For an episode exclusive to the PS4, this aspect is kind of a let down, be warned. I'm not even hoping for an update here, since the game is available in Japan since a few months, i doubt it will ever be improved with a patch in a near future.

    In short, if you enjoyed previous games, and if the technical issues mentioned are not a problem for you, you can pick this one without hesitation.    … Expand
  3. DesNukem
    Feb 23, 2019
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I’m a big fan of the EDF series but feel that in many ways 5 is a backwards step from the excellent 4.1. The game’s faults include the following:

    • Clunky non-intuitive menus with grammatical errors.

    • A camera which automatically diverts to cut scenes and leaves you staring at the ground when it returns – disastrous in combat.

    • Ugly and unrealistic projectile damage (decals) which is basically the same for every environmental surface.

    • White deposits and other distracting textures on damaged insects that just look ugly and messy.

    • A permanent circle around your character and an occasional line of arrows leading to unseen comrades looks cheap and breaks the immersion.

    • Some of the NPC dialogue makes you feel less heroic as a character because for the first twelve missions (as a security guard) you are referred to as a “civilian” and for the next twenty-eight (after you join the EDF) as a “newbie”.

    • NPC dialogue related to the Security Guard character of the first twelve missions doesn’t change even when you play those missions as a different class.

    • You can’t shoot down alien spaceships from the beginning of the game – only from Mission 7 – which is totally incongruous.

    • Instead of emerging from visible nests as in previous games, insects now just rise out of the ground.

    • You can now earn rewards for FAILING a mission. Personally, I don’t like the concept of getting something for nothing which reduces the sense of reward when you earn it legitimately.

    • You can also earn weapons for classes not being played. This is an unwelcome crossover which again reduces the sense of achievement.

    • Having some missions finish before all enemies are killed robs further player satisfaction. The developers are breaking their own rules in these instances.

    • Additional frustration is generated by the inclusion of missions where you a fighting the Godzilla monster known as Archales but it is impervious to your attacks. After wasting considerable time on it, you are then told by the narrator to retreat or let it go, and the mission ends.

    • The giant frog and Primer entities are a poor substitute for the impressive robot enemies of previous games. Because the new foes are portrayed as organic creatures, you would expect them to move and die fluidly. Instead, they are stiff as a board with unblinking eyes. Also, their spurting blood looks amateurish.

    • At times the frame rate is appalling. This is a game for a high-end PC – not a console.

    • Following the popular trend, occasional swearing has been incorporated into the dialogue. Was it really necessary to sully an otherwise family-suitable game?

    Many of these weaknesses seem to be the result of lazy programming. It feels like a different team worked on this latest iteration of the series and didn’t take as much pride in their work. The only improvements are the weather effects (rain, snow, sandstorms) and the colourful enemy blood splats. Otherwise, EDF 5 simply lacks the finesse of its predecessor. Still a great game – but could have been better.    … Expand
  4. Electricspares
    Dec 13, 2020
    7
    A great game and update from 4.1. Some of the new monsters are awesome, while others have cool new looks. The new weapon collection and upgrade system is a thing of beauty. Only complaint is the NPC's who yell very stupid comments (often repeating the same stuff) Also the new "naming" system for the monsters is both tediouse and painful.

Awards & Rankings

58
#58 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2018

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
72

Mixed or average reviews - based on 44 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 44
  2. Mixed: 22 out of 44
  3. Negative: 1 out of 44
  1. Gaming Age
    Dec 15, 2020
    75
    If you’re looking for anything like logic in an Earth Defense Force game, you’re missing the point. These games are designed to allow you to blow up as much of the world around you as possible with a minimum of fuss, and, like I said, you get a rocket launcher in the very first level. Earth Defense Force 5 won’t win any awards, but if you want more of the same from this now-venerable series, it’ll deliver everything you could possibly be looking for.
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  2. GameGrin
    Jan 31, 2019
    65
    If you like watching B-movie’s with friends, but would rather play them instead, then yes, Earth Defense Force 5 is the game for you. If you just want to blow shit up, then there are more entertaining games out there.
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  3. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    Jan 27, 2019
    60
    Familiar thrills from this no-frills series. [Issue#158, p.85]
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