Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain

 PlayStation 4
User Score
5.2

Mixed or average reviews- based on 43 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 43
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 43
  3. Negative: 18 out of 43

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. SWERY_51
    Apr 15, 2019
    7
    Pros :
    + Visually the most beautiful EDF game so far
    + Technically better than previous PS4 entries (still few frame drops but no more screen tearing) + Modernized gameplay and mechanics + Still a lots of content (52 missions, 4+1 difficulty settings, 4 classes and a bunch of stuff to unlock) + You can choose between English or Japanese dubbing, with multiple language subtitles +    Pros :
    + Visually the most beautiful EDF game so far
    + Technically better than previous PS4 entries (still few frame drops but no more screen tearing)
    + Modernized gameplay and mechanics
    + Still a lots of content (52 missions, 4+1 difficulty settings, 4 classes and a bunch of stuff to unlock)
    + You can choose between English or Japanese dubbing, with multiple language subtitles
    + There are plenty of options (camera angle, sensitivity, blur, screen shaking, button mapping...)
    + You can play online co-op (up to 6 players) and offline split-screen (2 players)
    + You can unlock cool suits and gears to customize your character

    Cons :
    - Kitsch Japanese 60-'s Sci-fi design is no more :(
    - Maps are awfully small
    - It's sometimes difficult to see what is going on in the heat of the action (maybe the FOV is too narrow?)
    - Missions are shorter, and loading times longer than before
    - The character creation tool is very limited and only offers ugly faces and ugly haircuts (fortunately, you can cover it with an integral helmet)    … Expand
  2. OmeQuicksilver
    Nov 16, 2019
    6
    This game tries to overcome or do away with some of the series long standing flaws, namely hilariously dated graphics, frustratingly clunky controls, and sever imbalance between the classes utility. And for the most part it succeeds.

    However it has lost much of the charm, the classes themselves are now more homogenous and thus less unique, and the game is shorter then the other entries    This game tries to overcome or do away with some of the series long standing flaws, namely hilariously dated graphics, frustratingly clunky controls, and sever imbalance between the classes utility. And for the most part it succeeds.

    However it has lost much of the charm, the classes themselves are now more homogenous and thus less unique, and the game is shorter then the other entries in the series by a notable amount.    … Expand
  3. Pensketch
    Apr 12, 2019
    7
    I've played every console version of EDF that has come out in North America. After EDF 5 came out, my wife started playing with me, and we've spent 157 hours on it (44% complete) since launch. For my birthday, she gave me a gift card that I used to preorder this, after some hesitation based on the previews and what I'd read about it.

    Last night we played the first 5 levels of Iron    I've played every console version of EDF that has come out in North America. After EDF 5 came out, my wife started playing with me, and we've spent 157 hours on it (44% complete) since launch. For my birthday, she gave me a gift card that I used to preorder this, after some hesitation based on the previews and what I'd read about it.

    Last night we played the first 5 levels of Iron Rain...

    I had been awhile since I played Insect Armageddon, so I played it for about an hour a few weeks back to remind myself what it was like. Iron Rain is strikingly like that, so far. It's better, sure. But it really feels like EDF:IA was the starting template for this.

    My observations so far:

    • Nothing seems to have much weight to it – by that I mean everything so far seems to be somewhat floaty.

    • Your turning speed is really, really slow, and when you aren't running it feels like you're moving through molasses.

    • The weapon sounds lack oomph. The starting assault rifle feels like a popgun, and runs out of bullets crazy fast.

    • The "time the 'x' button press to reload quicker" from EDF:IA is back for at least one of the weapons; the starting rocket launcher.

    • I saw a ball of ants crawling around each other in midair.

    • "No weapon and armor pickups" is just not EDF. You have to buy everything, including armor upgrades, and the prices scale such that you have a _lot_ of grinding ahead of you, unless later levels give more credits. Even the things you unlock after completing a mission have to be bought before you can use them. Very capitalist, and feels like they were on the edge of allowing microtransactions to speed up the process.

    • The addition of support items is nice : the cost charged against you for using them is not. I don't recall the exact amounts, but it seems like tossing one of the starting grenades costs 300, and using a health kit costs 500. When a level only gives you around 2,000 credits, that's absurd and a huge disincentive toward using them.

    • The camera can get caught in the scenery and in other objects. Seriously? Yes. Seriously.

    • Whatever crystals you are carrying are ejected when you have to respawn, like Sonic's rings, but at least you can pick them back up. Also, you can respawn a few times without needing to be revived, which is nice. But if you run out, and the other player isn't carrying the item that can be used to revive you (at a cost deducted from the credits you earn for the level), you'll have to restart the level.

    • The graphics look like crap when playing in split-screen. Jagged. Not great.

    • The interface in character customization is just dumb. Don't make me scroll through 15 identical (excluding color) pairs of pants to get to the next clothing type. Subcategorize those things. Sure, having a long list looks impressive, but it's a lie and tedious to navigate.

    • The strength of your enemies ramps up fast, and they quickly become bullet sponges, at least on Normal.

    • Weapons aren't upgradable. That's one addition introduced in EDF 5 that we've really enjoyed, and it feels oddly missing from this. As crappy as it is when you buy it, is as crappy as it stays until you buy something else.

    ---

    I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but I've written enough. My conclusion is that this game _isn't_ EDF, except in name only. It's, at best, EDF-ish. I'm not giving up though, and I hope it grows on us over time. But I expect we will be going back to EDF 5 before long. For now I give it 5 out of 10. Very "meh".

    ---

    We spent a few more hours with it tonight, and it's slowly growing on us. However the last mission we completed, where you are first able to take down the giant spider-like walker is _rough_ if you don't have long range, hard-hitting weapons equipped. The hatch only stays open for what felt like 15 seconds at a time, and it's several minutes between each time it opens. That was a grind.    … Expand
  4. Arcerdo
    Jun 25, 2020
    6
    I enjoyed my time with this game, but it is technically flawed and many design choices are rather baffling.
    I loved the advances it made in many areas, but it feels like they also make the clunkiness even more apparent.
    Often it feels like the game is just flat out cheating to make you lose, and PvP is barren and clearly half-baked with no real thought put into it. PvE is excellent,    I enjoyed my time with this game, but it is technically flawed and many design choices are rather baffling.
    I loved the advances it made in many areas, but it feels like they also make the clunkiness even more apparent.

    Often it feels like the game is just flat out cheating to make you lose, and PvP is barren and clearly half-baked with no real thought put into it.
    PvE is excellent, though netcode feels clunky.

    I still enjoyed it, but it has severe technical difficulties.    … Expand
  5. soahknam
    Dec 28, 2020
    6
    This game is too short. and it feels incomplete, the story ends abruptly.

    Story: 6
    Game play: 8
    Music: 6
    Visuals : 8

    Personal score: 6

Awards & Rankings

98
#98 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2019
25
#25 Most Shared PS4 Game of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
69

Mixed or average reviews - based on 49 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 49
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 49
  3. Negative: 1 out of 49
  1. GameGrin
    Oct 25, 2019
    50
    If you're a fan of the previous titles, go ahead and buy Iron Rain, you're not going to be disappointed by this one. If you're not a rabid fan of giant bugs, give it a miss or pick it up in a sale. It's a giggle after all if a little frustrating.
    Read full review
  2. Worth Playing
    Aug 14, 2019
    60
    When compared to the other entries in the series, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is a major low point. The various changes that improve on the formula are outweighed by other design choices that actively hurt the title's overall appeal. The actual combat still has some of the magic the series is known for, and even if online co-op is barely there unless you coordinate with others beforehand, the game is still fun to play with friends. If you're new to the series, playing Iron Rain won't be so bad, but if you've already killed bugs several times before, this title won't be able to scratch that itch again.
    Read full review
  3. TheSixthAxis
    Jun 25, 2019
    80
    EDF: Iron Rain is big, it's dumb and it's also a ton of fun thanks to fantastic split-screen and online multiplayer. Pack your biggest auto-cannon, switch your brain off and you'll be chanting 'EDF! EDF! EDF!' in no time.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »