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

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  1. Malooga
    Apr 11, 2019
    8
    I want to give EDF a perfect score, it always makes me smile and I've been playing since the SHMUP entry on SNES. The thing is, EDF is like an anti-game in a lot of ways, just with a "normal" game skin. Sure there is shooting, and leveling and all the stuff you come to expect from a gaming experience - but it feels purposefully campy.

    There's no reason why this should be the first entry    I want to give EDF a perfect score, it always makes me smile and I've been playing since the SHMUP entry on SNES. The thing is, EDF is like an anti-game in a lot of ways, just with a "normal" game skin. Sure there is shooting, and leveling and all the stuff you come to expect from a gaming experience - but it feels purposefully campy.

    There's no reason why this should be the first entry on the newest version of Unreal, but it is - and it STILL looks dated. If that's not intentional, not sure what's going on. The voice work, tone of the game, everything oozes that B-movie feeling (Starship Troopers: The Game) you have come to expect.

    The changes in this entry really set off the gameplay, and for the first time ever I found myself actually pleasantly surprised by the pacing of the game. Don't get me wrong, the changes aren't drastic - but ramping up the party size online, removing class restrictions and generally making each class smoother and more fun to play were all good moves.

    The trade in of a 90+ level campaign for a more modest 50 levels at first did not strike me positively. However seeing how quickly the missions ramped up to be multi-tiered and interesting I see why they opted for a tighter experience overall.

    One thing I'll say in the negative, there is not a great use of level space. The areas look different (not the same muddy greens and browns I'm use to seeing), but there is a LOT of wasted space.

    That's also normal for an EDF title - its just something I would expect to be fixed in this entry. A tighter space would have allowed for more detail and variation, but what's there is still a step above the last few entries.

    This isn't the game with the best story, the best graphics or the best gameplay - but its still the best game that's not best in anything.

    The EDF deploys again! 8/10    … Expand
  2. Diabetic_Llama
    Apr 11, 2019
    9
    As a longtime fan of the EDF series, I love this game. I like the way the new mechanics and enemies mix up the classic formula, while retaining the core elements that make it so fun. The graphics are very good, especially compared to the main series entries.

    Overall, this is a very solid action shooter and a great new EDF entry.
  3. OKE27
    Apr 11, 2019
    9
    If you want to compare to the mainstream EDF series like EDF4.1 EDF5. Of course it cannot beat them. However it is still same additive online coop game, I have been playing since day 1 release, I haven't switched to play other game since then. The only thing I want to complain is the price.
  4. SIPPIO
    Apr 12, 2019
    10
    Long overdue..
    The game is addicting for sure..
    Sucks that it isn't on Xbox & PC/steam.
    Exclusives benefit nobody!!!
    Yeah I own a PS4, but no I don't own stock in the company nor do I work there.
    So why would I pretend as much..This exclusivity hurts all.
    And esp most kids who only have 1 console..

    Aside from that rant, EDF is fun.. im still sucked into the amazing EDF 5...
  5. RedDash16
    Apr 12, 2019
    9
    Really fun twist on EDF, a bit westernized. If you're going in expecting EDF 6 you will be very dissapointed. The game is still a good time however and does keep some of that classic EDF corniness and silly gameplay we all love.

    The character customization is awesome and one of the things i'd love to see in the mainline series. If you are an EDF die hard then i totally suggest you    Really fun twist on EDF, a bit westernized. If you're going in expecting EDF 6 you will be very dissapointed. The game is still a good time however and does keep some of that classic EDF corniness and silly gameplay we all love.

    The character customization is awesome and one of the things i'd love to see in the mainline series.

    If you are an EDF die hard then i totally suggest you play this game.    … Expand
  6. cogdotnet
    Apr 20, 2019
    8
    And that is really what it all comes down to. You may make nitpicks that previous entries did this or that differently or that the graphics aren’t perfect. Heck, you could even choose to focus on how insurmountable everything can feel at times. But Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is just a joy to play. Sure, there are things to become annoyed about. I had too good of a time to put muchAnd that is really what it all comes down to. You may make nitpicks that previous entries did this or that differently or that the graphics aren’t perfect. Heck, you could even choose to focus on how insurmountable everything can feel at times. But Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is just a joy to play. Sure, there are things to become annoyed about. I had too good of a time to put much stock in it. And if you let yourself have fun with EDF, you will.… Expand
  7. ZeroNova
    Apr 25, 2019
    8
    A different but ultimately very enjoyable entry in the EDF series. I guess you could say that Iron Rain is to EDF what Monster Hunter World is to the MH series. It basically has more fancy graphics and a bunch of changes to the game mechanics, but I still think it retains many of the core aspects of what makes EDF what it is.

    It has a bit more focus on the story elements and cutscenes,    A different but ultimately very enjoyable entry in the EDF series. I guess you could say that Iron Rain is to EDF what Monster Hunter World is to the MH series. It basically has more fancy graphics and a bunch of changes to the game mechanics, but I still think it retains many of the core aspects of what makes EDF what it is.

    It has a bit more focus on the story elements and cutscenes, and the enemy count isn't as impressive as what you might expect of an EDF game, but there's still a ton of weapons, items and vehicles to unlock, and missions that are very challenging on the higher difficulty settings.

    Overall, I think Yukes did a great job. Just don't expect Iron Rain to be like EDF 4.1 or 5.    … Expand
  8. HappyGamer_019
    Apr 12, 2019
    9
    Hello everyone, I want to give my opinion about this game. I’m going to be honest when I saw the trailer for this game and gameplay footage I was not impressed. I said to myself I would never play a game like this in my life. As the days went by i decided to give this game a try, Guys let me tell you I don’t regret buying this game at all, i was having a blast and truly enjoying the game.Hello everyone, I want to give my opinion about this game. I’m going to be honest when I saw the trailer for this game and gameplay footage I was not impressed. I said to myself I would never play a game like this in my life. As the days went by i decided to give this game a try, Guys let me tell you I don’t regret buying this game at all, i was having a blast and truly enjoying the game. I recommend everyone to give it a try, don’t judge a book by it’s cover.… Expand
  9. DinoRidiniGod
    Apr 14, 2019
    8
    as my first edf game i like it. though there are some thing that are bad like how the co op online does a auto fail it you team runs out of lives. which sucks if you have gung ho or new player rushing ahead and dying alot.

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

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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.
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  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.
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  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.
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