EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS 2
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS 2
Game
Game2019
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5
Developer SANDLOT
Earth Defense Force 5 is the fifth main installment, and the eighth game in the Earth Defense Force video game series. Developed by Sandlot and published by D3 Publisher, the game was released for the PlayStation 4 in Japan on December 7, 2017. The game was released simultaneously in the United States, Europe, China, and South Korea on December 11, 2018, as a digital exclusive for the PlayStation 4. Earth Defense… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)
321 reactions from 4 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Lemmy, Mastodon) · newest Nov 3, 2026 · last updated Nov 5, 2026 · How this works
Audience score
88
LovedLoved
184 positive · 24 negative
95% range 83–92%
| Source | + | − | = |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steam reviews | 184 | 24 | 0 |
| Bluesky * | 26 | 1 | 70 |
| Lemmy * | 2 | 0 | 9 |
| Mastodon * | 0 | 1 | 4 |
* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).
Steam's own rating
Overwhelmingly Positive
6,919 of 7,227 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)
What players are saying
89% recommend · 181 yes, 23 no
Counted from the reviewers’ own thumbs up/down on the 204 English Steam reviews we collected, not by the AI. Valve’s all-language rating: Very Positive (10,891 of 11,564 positive).
Players describe it as a chaotic, campy B-movie experience that is incredibly fun despite its flaws. [1][2][3] Many praise the epic battles, huge enemy counts, and addictive gameplay loop. [4][5][6] Some criticize the dated graphics, high price, and frustrating loot system. [7][8][9]
Liked
Representative posts
- [7]
"EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5" is a 9 year old Playstation 4 game that was dumped onto PC as nothing but a cash grab as far as I can see... okay, yes, there is a game here, but the developer is charging an insane, full AAA $60 price tag for a game that looks and plays worse than 2004's Half-Life 2. But wait, there's more... an eye watering, toxic $85 USD in content and cosmetic paywalled DLC you also have to buy if you …
- [1]
Come get the full experience of living in Australia without being robbed by meth heads! I blew up the city to stop the aliens from blowing up the city. You level cities to save cities from insects trying to level cities. XCOM be damned. This is how you repel alien invaders! The only game where it is acceptable to blow up your entire neighborhood because there was a spider on your wall. Pick 2 weapons, start a level, …
- [3]
One of the dumbest best games I've ever played. The camp is rampant, the jank is plenty. But name another game where you are a single soldier participating in a grand battle involving giant robots, bazillion of enemies, and every Sci-Fi trope in the book, while on a gorgeous beach at sunset. Set piece moments like this made EDF a unique experience that, faults and all, cannot be replicated - not even by Serious Sam.
- [6]
The game features truly epic battles and a great sense of progression throughout the campaign on NORMAL difficulty. There is a solid variety of enemies, and weapon types function fundamentally differently even within the same category. You have vehicles and four distinct classes that feel genuinely unique, plus co-op support. There are plenty of missions, and they are quite diverse. It is easily one of the best …
- [2]
Usually, I really like putting some thought into my reviews. Offer something actually helpful. But with EDF5? This game is genuinely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ amazing and that's all I have to say. This is like playing a cheap sci-fi B movie with a surprisingly deep sandbox and an insane difficulty curve to accompany its mechanics. It's mindless, charming fun on both solo and co-op.
Summarised from 34 of the 315 public posts collected about this game; every point cites the posts behind it ([n] opens the post) and the split is counted from the posts’ own ratings. Updated Oct 10, 2026. How summaries are made
RottenBot@rottenbot · automated account
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 sits at 88% positive across 208 opinionated reactions from 4 sources. Fresh or rotten — where do you land?
Critics, per Wikipedia
Earth Defense Force 5 has an aggregate score of 72/100 on Metacritic based on 44 reviews. IGN called the game a fun "energetic essay on action game design" despite the dated graphics and gave it a rating of 8.3/10. GameSpot also criticized the dated character models and textures but still gave the game a rating of 8 out of 10 citing the storytelling, variety of weapons and characters which leads to replayability and the co-op gameplay. Game Informer rated the game 7 out of 10. Eric Switzer, writing in The Gamer, stated, "Mitch Hedberg had a joke about how great rice is when you’re really hungry, and you want to eat 2000 of something, and I think the appeal of EDF is similar." By August…
From the “Reception” section of Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Critic context only — not part of the audience score.
Reactions
60 of 321 · most liked firstEarth Defense Force 5 & 6 are coming to Switch 2 (Oct 8 and Winter) www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV5u...
neutral · AI labelView post →Come get the full experience of living in Australia without being robbed by meth heads! I blew up the city to stop the aliens from blowing up the city. You level cities to save cities from insects trying to level cities. XCOM be damned. This is how you repel alien invaders! The only game where it is acceptable to blow up your entire neighborhood because there was a spider on your wall. Pick 2 weapons, start a level, blow sh*t up, collect more weapons and armor, end level. That's it. Game…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Here's a quick list of inexpensive games I think your kids could enjoy. All of these are shared screen games and I've played (almost) all of these with my kid who is around the same age. All of these run great on my Steam Deck. - [BattleBlock Theater](https://store.steampowered.com/app/238460/BattleBlock_Theater/) $15 on Steam - [Broforce](https://store.steampowered.com/app/274190/Broforce/) $15 on Steam - [Castle Crashers](https://store.steampowered.com/app/204360/Castle_Crashers/) $15 on…
neutral · AI labelView post →have you ever thought to yourself “this video game is good but I wish it felt more Video Game?” if so I highly recommend Earth Defense Force 5. it’s the Most Video Game™️
positive · AI labelView post →Earth Defense Force 5 and 6 are coming to Nintendo Switch 2 EDF5 - October 8 EDF6 - Winter 2026
neutral · AI labelView post →The `Legally Different Bethesda` Game Creation Game You are `!Todd_Howard` and have been tasked with making the best game ever. Allocate resources between the following points: Bug Fixing, Marketing, Writing, New Features, Re-re-re-releasing Skyrim, Shifting goals Can your next masterpiece be the most successful ~buggy~ feature-filled game ever? ------------ As for a game I'd actually love to make/collaborate in making, a FOSS variant of Earth Defense Force 5. EXPLOSIONS! GIANT MONSTERS!…
neutral · AI labelView post →No, you're wearing heels and space tights while playing Earth Defense Force 5 !
neutral · AI labelView post →My all time favorite co-op games are: Helldivers 2, Vermintide 2 and Deep Rock Galactic. They are very much online games tough. For offline local co-op my picks would be: the entire Trine series, Streets of Rage 4, Earth Defense Force 5 and Renegade Ops.
positive · AI labelView post →Good morning BlueSky ☕️ happy Thursday. Wishing you a beautiful day! Happy release day for Earth Defense Force 5 on the Nintendo Switch 2. Love the EDF games i am a huge fan 🥰 #EarthDefenseForce5 #NintendoSwitch2 #Nintendo #Switch2 #EDF5 #EDF
positive · AI labelView post →If helldivers 2 was focused around epic battles, insane amounts of enemies, customization, wild and crazy armament and supports, funny voice lines and player fun it would be a mid game in the EDF series.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Earth Defense Force 5 (2017, Sandlot) Merry Christmas!!
neutral · AI labelView post →Our list of Switch 2 Game-Key Card releases updated to include Earth Defense Force 5 and Wo Long: Fallen Dynasty Complete Edition (CERO confirmed for now): www.dekudeals.com/guides/about...
neutral · AI labelView post →My lovely Thorns and Roses~ I'll be live in 2 hours [2pm EDT] With Earth Defense Force 5 alongside @yukisnowflower.bsky.social and ElfiFae! I'm starting my Helicopter Pilot Arc? www.twitch.tv/annalisebloo... #Vtuber | #envtuber | #Vsky
neutral · AI labelView post →Usually, I really like putting some thought into my reviews. Offer something actually helpful. But with EDF5? This game is genuinely ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ amazing and that's all I have to say. This is like playing a cheap sci-fi B movie with a surprisingly deep sandbox and an insane difficulty curve to accompany its mechanics. It's mindless, charming fun on both solo and co-op.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Oh Steam summer sales. If you're looking for a recommendation, go get Earth Defense Force 5 & 6 if you have the funds to spare. You could probably play EDF 6 by itself but I think playing EDF 5 first really REALLY sets the mood for the insanity in EDF 6. Trust me on this. It's 15 US cents per level.
positive · AI labelView post →This is basically Japanese Starship Troopers, LOL, Except all battles are on Earth, and its 100X better. After 18 hours of playing, I must say....WOW, this game is addicting. You can't stop playing once you get further into the game. Just shoot everything in sight : insects, frogs, aliens, A SH1T LOAD OF ENEMES at a time, its VERY chaotic. Time flies when playing this game, you keep on wanting more. When one level done, you get one upgrade or two, and sometimes you got some new weapons, which…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →July: Earth Defense Force 5 (PS4) August: Exile (BBC Micro) September: Dragon Slayer (GB) October: Rondo of Blood (PCE) November: Dark Souls II (PS4) December: Gentoo Rescue (PC) * I probably won't actually play these on a monthly schedule but I thought it would be cute to assign them to months
neutral · AI labelView post →OH, WE ARE THE VALIANT INFANTRY. WE ARE THE ALPHA TEAM WITH PASSION AND CAMARADERIE. HEAR US AS WE SHOUT AT THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS, BE CALM, BE BOLD AND RAISE YOUR GUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Things to enjoy in this game: NEVER letting off the trigger ALWAYS causing civilian casualties NEVER caring about the property damage Toppling mountains worth of insects Making mountain size craters in the earth Learning first-hand the results of an infinitely large military budget Going partially deaf from the amount of bombs you're letting off
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →2nd playthrough done; and that's Seance Of Blake Manor 100% completed (full disclosure: I did look up 2 straggling achievements Back to Earth Defense Force 5...
neutral · AI labelView post →If you see this, quote 10 games to get to know you by -Dirt Rally 2 -DCS: World -Helldivers 2 -Monster Hunter -Noita -Serious Sam -Earth Defense Force 5 😳 -Arma 2 DayZ mod/DayZ -Dwarf Fortress -Metro 2033/34/Exodus the most generic ass "grew up with a pc" list ever and I LOVE all of them
neutral · AI labelView post →"EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5" is a 9 year old Playstation 4 game that was dumped onto PC as nothing but a cash grab as far as I can see... okay, yes, there is a game here, but the developer is charging an insane, full AAA $60 price tag for a game that looks and plays worse than 2004's Half-Life 2. But wait, there's more... an eye watering, toxic $85 USD in content and cosmetic paywalled DLC you also have to buy if you want the complete game, bringing the price of this up to a completely insulting…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →One of the dumbest best games I've ever played. The camp is rampant, the jank is plenty. But name another game where you are a single soldier participating in a grand battle involving giant robots, bazillion of enemies, and every Sci-Fi trope in the book, while on a gorgeous beach at sunset. Set piece moments like this made EDF a unique experience that, faults and all, cannot be replicated - not even by Serious Sam.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Most aspects of the game are bad..... HOWEVER, big explosions, absurdity, and the will of humanity to fight bugs make it a joy.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A definite upgrade from its older relative, EDF 4.1. More content and and it's clear there was a lot more care put into this. Also it mogs EDF 6 by a mile. helldivers if helldivers wasnt full of fat chuds who say 'face the wall' when you try and discuss lore. (and also a lot more bugs, the good kind)
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Might finally be getting sick of Enter the Gungeon, so I picked up Earth Defense Force 5. 4.1 was fun forever ago and I heard 5 is even better, wanted something kinda grindy so giving it a shot
positive · AI labelView post →It's plain just dumb fun in co-op. Listening in on NPC's proximity chats when you're running among them yields more cheese than the Princess Bride. And you can sing with them too! (brilliant move, Sandlot) You will need help, if this is your first EDF. There's a learning curve and the game's not great in teaching you much. "They look just like us! 2 feet, 2 eyes.."
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Played some Earth Defense Force 5 with @mralarm.bsky.social and what a fun time that was. Of course the company was good, but the game itself? Chef's kiss. Beautiful.
positive · AI labelView post →What if I don't like long, complicated, immersive games anymore? My life is a challenging, complex, and rewarding place to be now. Maybe I only like fun, straightforward games now. Last thing I seriously played was so, so much Earth Defense Force 5, which is all big gun shoot bug fun run gun
positive · AI labelView post →> At time of writing, the 24-hour Steam player peak for *EDF 6 *was 17,690, over twice that achieved by *Earth Defense Force 5 *(which stands at 8,416). Other *Earth Defense Force *games can't hold a candle to those numbers.
neutral · AI labelView post →The gameplay itself is incredible but gathering armor and weapons, especially during harder missions and with npcs, is infuriating because you'll miss out on 90% of the things that will make it possible to progress further through harder missions. If you could stay after clearing a mission to be able to pick up everything you couldn't while playing the mission it wouldn't be so insufferable.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →By far the best of the EDF series, the spin-off game EDF World Brothers 2 is another game that is worth checking out
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Earth Defense Force 5 and Aggelos PS4 are on sale as part of VGP's Black Friday Sales. Only $14.99 / 10.50 USD each 👉 tinyurl.com/2v2d2kv3 All Sales: tinyurl.com/4uuauhu8 - Sale Ends Dec 1, 2025 / While qty's last - 2X Plus Points Weekend - Enjoy Free Shipping when you spend $75 / 55 USD
neutral · AI labelView post →Helldivers 2 improved on the formula in pretty much every way but it's still a joy to play this janky a** alien invasion game. I recommend using the mouse jitter fix mod and borderless fullscreen mod to be able to use Lossless scaling's X2 frame generation for 120 fps. The 60 fps experience isn't great.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →So I've been playing Earth Defense Force 5 with Kit lately. Have a clip where I got killed rather quickly, and then ragdoll physics said howdy. I'm still not sure what launched me.
neutral · AI labelView post →this game has changed my life. do you ever wakes up in the middle of the night and think "hey, i have to take a piss!" this game does not do that to me. it makes me me feel like a super hero.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →this is not just a videogame but also an experience unlike anything else on this planet
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🌊[KAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE]🌊 Are yall ready?? Cause it's hecking- 🐛 Earth Defense Force 5 🐛 Who lives in an Edmontosaurus under da sea? E! D! F! E! D! F! Join us now @ www.twitch.tv/kaptain_kira/ #vtuber | #vsky | #golive
neutral · AI labelView post →Helldivers 2 isn't the only game to have butt clenching near-misses. Game: Earth Defense Force 5
neutral · AI labelView post →My lovely Thorns and Roses~ I'll be live in 2 hours [2pm EDT] With Earth Defense Force 5 alongside @yukisnowflower.bsky.social and ElfiFae! We enter the last stages of Humanity's Survival! www.twitch.tv/annalisebloo... #Vtuber | #envtuber | #Vsky
neutral · AI labelView post →If you see this quote 10 games to get to know you by: 🔹Rimworld 🔸XCOM 2 🔹Civ VI 🔸Outer Wilds 🔹Tunic 🔸Minecraft 🔹Helldivers II 🔸Tabletop Simulator 🔹Earth Defense Force 5 🔸Ready Or Not
neutral · AI labelView post →Playing Earth Defense Force 5 and I've never had a game state to me that I WILL play on a mouse and keyboard 😂
neutral · AI labelView post →**Sometimes you just need to shoot a ridiculous number of giant bugs** I've been playing EDF 5 cooperatively with my son, and we've been having an absolute blast. This is a game that knows exactly what it wants to be. It's over-the-top, ridiculous, and unapologetically focused on letting you blow up enormous waves of enemies with increasingly absurd weapons. The presentation isn't particularly polished, but somehow that's part of the charm. It's refreshing to play something that prioritizes…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Ah, I see that Earth Defense Force 5 has come out for Switch 2! Cool, but at a ~20 GB download I'd prefer a physical release for it. I wonder if Japan has a physical release.... *sees that it's a Game Key Card* Man, it'd be really nice if EDF5 for Switch 2 had a physical release.
neutral · AI labelView post →Didn't realize the Earth Defense Force 5 Switch 2 version wasn't a direct port but it has some new features and QOL.
neutral · AI labelView post →Feels like a trashy version of helldivers but in the best possible way! very fun and goofy. Will have you laughing and eye rolling the whole time while enjoying the carnage unfold in front of you. At first I was a little put off by the idea of the aliens being so basic looking but it works in the games favor. Almost seems like they were going for a “what if starship troopers was made in the 50s” sort of vibe. Buy it and join the fight today soldier!
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →i hope i get dementia so i can forget this experience.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Games now try to do so many things they tell you about the visuals in the game or we have 1 billion weapons in our game or the best story but they forget the most important aspect fun and this game captures it perfectly
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →If this is your first EDF game I'm sure you would enjoy this game but I played EDF 4.1 first and this game feels like a copy and paste of EDF 4.1 but with a couple of new mobs. Can't say I really enjoyed this game as much as I did with EDF 4.1.
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →The game features truly epic battles and a great sense of progression throughout the campaign on NORMAL difficulty. There is a solid variety of enemies, and weapon types function fundamentally differently even within the same category. You have vehicles and four distinct classes that feel genuinely unique, plus co-op support. There are plenty of missions, and they are quite diverse. It is easily one of the best horde-shooters I’ve ever played. However, not everything is executed perfectly.…
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →🌊[KAPTAIN ON THE BRIDGE]🌊 Are yall ready?? Cause it's hecking- 🐛Earth Defense Force 5 🐛 DO YOU WANT TO EDF FOREVER?! Yes actually :> Join us now @ www.twitch.tv/kaptain_kira/ #vtuber | #vsky | #golive
neutral · AI labelView post →I would say it becomes repetitive but the dopamine hit I receive every time I vanquish another horde of bugs has long since wiped away any semblance of thought in my brain.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →I can't tell if the story and characters are secretly masterful, or if I've become unwell from 100%ing this game. All I know is that God is dead, hell is real, and Ranger sucks.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Best Voice Actor of the Year goes to the crazy lady who fires the satellite beam weapons in Earth Defense Force 5
neutral · AI labelView post →Japanese grind slop game like the previous ones Unplayable without the auto pick up mod On solo EDF 5 is the most boring open field experience you've seen (any class besides the wing diver will spend 60% of the time just walking) , or you're in a mission that has nothing but flying enemies and you can't even see anything as they do 360 degree drive by's The AI at times might kill something but they get in your way more than anything, in later levels they are basically useless I got to…
negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →Earth Defense Force 5 it's EDF you kinda know what you're getting into. There are some great improvements over 4.1 like sprinting and vehicles for the Ranger and I love the new enemies like the frogs and greys
positive · AI labelView post →6. Earth Defense Force 5 For something completely different, I started playing a 7 year old absurdist alien bug war game and could not have fallen harder for how deeply committed it ended up being to the horrors of war amidst it's own nonsensical world building also you can have a jetpack
positive · AI labelView post →www.twitch.tv/crystallinef... Will we finish Earth Defense Force 5 tonight? Does this mean we're saving the world? Only one way to find out! #streamer #vtuber #twitchstreaming #twitch
neutral · AI labelView post →This game shouldn't be as good as it is. It's messy, really yanky at times, feels born out of asset flips, looks terrible, feels uninspired, FU game design, no ultrawide support, hard framecap, and yet I can't seem to put my mouse and keyboard down and play one more mission. I'm having that much fun within all the mayhem. No BS, just pick a class and go. Honestly though, devs really lucked out with this one. Probably why they keep remaking it with some slight changes here and there.
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →A great reboot of the EDF series. Only problem is the 110 levels, it outstayed its welcome after level 70ish
positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
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