Earth Defense Force 2025

Earth Defense Force 2025
PS3 Japanese game cover
Developer(s)	Sandlot
Publisher(s)	D3 Publisher
Director(s)	Toshio Noguchi Takehiro Homma
Composer(s)	Masafumi Takada Jun Fukuda
Platform(s)	Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4
Release date(s)	Earth Defense Force 2025 JP July 4, 2013[1] NA February 18, 2014[2] EU February 21, 2014[3] Earth Defense Force 4.1 JP April 2, 2015
Genre(s)	Third-person shooter
Mode(s)	Single-player, multiplayer

Earth Defense Force 2025, known in Japan as Chikyû Boueigun 4 (地球防衛軍４, lit. "Earth Defense Forces 4") is a third-person shooter developed by Sandlot, and published by D3 Publisher, for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. It is the follow-up to Earth Defense Force 2017.^[4][5]

Gameplay

The player takes control of an EDF soldier from one of four soldier classes. To fight these alien forces the player can access several weapons in the game, ranging from assault rifles and sniper rifles to rocket launchers, grenades, and laser weapons. Only two weapons may be selected for each mission with the exception of the Fencer, who can have four weapons, and the Air Raider, which can have three. The game has more than seven hundred weapons; roughly 175 weapons per soldier class. This the highest weapon count of any EDF. Some levels also contain vehicles which can be operated.^[6][7] The game takes place across levels featuring destructible environments, taking place in settings such as cities, beaches, hills, underground tunnels and more. There is no penalty for collateral damage that is inflicted on the environment by the player, for instance when buildings crumble after sustaining a few hits from a rocket launcher or grenade. Other EDF soldiers can be recruited or followed, and attack enemies on sight, as well as provide radio chatter. You can also customize the color of your soldier.

There are several difficulty levels. More effective weapons are dropped by the enemies in the game at the higher difficulty levels, encouraging players to repeat the missions. In addition to weapons, armor enhancements which function as permanent maximum health bonuses are dropped along with healing items.

Story

The Earth Defense Force, a unified multinational military sponsored by nearly every country, is founded after detecting an impending alien visit in case the aliens prove to be hostile. In the year 2017, that proved to be true and the EDF fought against the Ravagers, an alien race that attacked Earth with giant insect-like creatures, UFOs, robots, and gigantic, 120 foot tall lizard-like creatures. Eight years after defeating the last Ravager in Arizona, they attack again with new creatures, evolved from their underground nest. Among them is the Retiarius, a spider-like creature which makes gigantic spider-webs, and giant bees. In the year 2025, the EDF must protect the Earth again from the alien invaders.^[8]

Downloadable content

On March 29, 2013, D3 Publisher announced DLC bonuses for pre-orders of the Japanese version, including exclusive content for purchasing the game at some web retailers:^[9]

• Vegalta Gold Coat (for Air Raiders): Available in Japan (only) – A gold mecha with short flight capability and a revolver cannon.
• Reflection Laser (for Wing Divers): GEO (PS3) and Amazon (360) exclusive – A special laser cannon that can be reflected many times, creating a zigzag.
• Mian Pure Decoy Launcher (for Air Raiders): D3P Web Shop (PS3, 360) exclusive – A special launcher with Dream Club character-themed balloons that act as decoys. They can attract enemy attention and self-destruct.
• Setsu Pure Decoy Launcher (for Rangers) – D3P Web Shop (PS3, 360) exclusive – A special launcher with Dream Club character-themed balloons that act as decoys. They can attract enemy attention and self-destruct.

D3 has also announced three supplemental DLC mission packs. The mission packs are:

• "Special Ops," will be available on launch day for $3.00 and features five additional missions.
• "Mutant Rampage," available on February 25 for $9.00, will add 20 new missions.
• "Beyond Despair," which drops on March 11 for $9.00, will incorporate an additional 20 missions.

Reception

James Cunningham of Hardcore Gamer gave the game a 4.5/5, calling it "a fantastic example of everything that makes pure action gaming so much fun, packed with replay value and over the top set pieces, and a more than worthy sequel that tops its predecessor in every way."^[10]

References

External links

• Earth Defense Forces 4 website (Japanese)
• Earth Defense Forces 4 website (English)