Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain PlayStation 4 Impression

10:36 AM February 21, 2019

Gaming Review [Category]
Action Game, Shooter Game, Arcade Game [Genres]
PlayStation Game [Gaming Elements]

We’re back and ready to kill some bugs! Kill em! Kill em all!

Hello Honey’s Anime, Family! We were delighted to be invited to a recent press event that showcased one of Japan’s beloved cult series with a dedicated following since its conception in 2003 on the PlayStation 2 console, Earth Defense Force! EDF is from D3 Publisher and they have worked with some great developers like Sandlot Games, ThinkArts, and Vicious Cycle Software but with this new version, we’ll be seeing the works of YUKE’S. Co., Ltd, the studio behind the WWE 2K games as well as others in the same vein.

Not many people overseas have heard of the EDF series but for those who have, we got something special for you today! We flew out to the heart of San Francisco as an invite from D3 Publisher to demo their newest entry which they catered to overseas fans for the first time. The original series is a particular one for a shooter but it’s the reason why there is a cult following in Japan—more for EDF: 2017 and Insect Armaggedon. It’s ridiculous, fun, exhilarating, and balls to walls as you kill GIANT creatures resembling aliens, insects, and kaiju monsters!

You play as military recruits joining the EDF to eliminate as many creatures from destroying a city, town, or military bases. These creatures were brought by the Aggressor’s, an alien race from outer space, and were discovered by scientists noticing a radio frequency proving there is extraterrestrial life beyond our solar system. The games in the series are basically the points when these aliens come to Earth to conquer and destroy and, in turn, players fight them off and save the world!

The Japan versions are very simple in gameplay and the story is pretty simple as well. The aspects that separate the new Western version vs. the Japan version are quite significant and conducted to make sure that EDF is something overseas fans can get into and enjoy. The biggest task they faced was figuring out what that was. With that, let’s dive into the new EDF game for Westerners, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain!

Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Trailer:

Right off the bat, we get a new story! Actually, we are going to have the return of a popular EDF character of the franchise, but first, let's start with the basics like “What Is the Same?” and “What Is Different?” shall we.

The Same Ole Good Stuff

The setup and delivery of EDF: Iron Rain is basically the same universe just 12 years later and in a different location—USA this time baby. The Aggressor’s return and bring bigger and more intense monsters, but of course, the military destroys them and saves the world, simple. You get the same ole B-Rated dialogue as if you’re watching a cheesy B movie about war life and fighting off Charlie or Gerry. This is seriously what we loved about EDF the most. The ridiculous monsters like giant Robots and Bugs, and the ridiculous dialogue. You still travel from area to area to clear out monsters and save the world and you can still destroy ANYTHING in the game from buildings, trees, small structures, and vehicles.

We have about 50 intense missions to clear in Iron Rain which we were told that some of the missions will be based on the lives of some of the soldiers fighting off the Aggressors and monsters. The story was almost non-existent as it is as simple as it can be but with Iron Rain, gamers will be able to receive some plot and movement within the story and from multiple character viewpoints.

Now, let’s move on and discuss what is new in the EDF: Iron Rain version for us Westerners.

The New Stuff

First, let’s start off by saying the graphics are enhanced and better in this Western version. Like much better! We still get to fight off monsters much like in the other iterations but with a lovely twist when encountering some of the monsters. As a segue, we will also be seeing some new monsters and let me tell you, D3 Publisher and YUKE’S has gone all out in this area by bringing some intense and challenging foes to destroy with amazing graphics. While I can’t tell you all of them because we didn’t get the chance to experience them, we did, however, get the chance to see some examples of how big and challenging these monsters can get!

To help with this, the team has introduced some new and exciting gear for us players to use and enjoy, as well as, some new technology to help us out along the way as a soldier for the stalwart EDF crew. In addition, D3 and YUKE’S. Have also introduced a brand-new separatist faction in the mix called, the Kindred Rebellion. This is so you have some help by joining forces in-game and destroying the Aggressor’s alien invasion of giant monsters, mechs, and insects in a continuous flow!

Furthermore, we are also being introduced to new and updated character classes to choose from called the New EDF Ground Trooper Unit, and they are as follows:

Trooper (E-Dodge)
Jet Lifter (E-Flight)
Heavy Striker (E-Shield)
Prowl Rider (E-Needle)

The latest update is to the Prowl Rider which includes a pretty sweet PA-Gear (Physical Augmentation Gear) akin to Attack on Titan’s 3D Maneuver Gear but with some limitations. THe PA-Gear has you grappling trees, buildings, and even enemies to quickly zip right to them or around them. This new PA-Gear (the E-Needle) can also shock insects with a neutral pulse wave which after latching on, transforms the enemy insect into a living tank for maximum damage that you can ride like a bull!

The classes are all equipped with a specific type of exoskeleton so make sure to try them all out and decide from there which is more suitable to your play-style. The exo-suits can be customized to fit weapons, armaments, and an item loadout combination with the other four classes. In addition, each suit has a special power known as an Overdrive ability, that allows the player to turn the tide in a battle!

EDF: Iron Rain will have both Online multiplayer and Local multiplayer split-screen modes to choose from. From what we saw, online supports up to 6 player co-op in a single match, and as for local, the normal 2 players, of course. One thing to add to the online multiplayer is the new mode known as Mercenary.

This is a brand-new mode from D3 that every Western loves! Oh, yeah. In the Mercenary mode, teams compete to collect Energy Gems to accumulate points with the highest being the winner. This mode supports up to 8 players for a full-on, action-packed match you’ll never forget because, well, there are still monsters and such you’ll need to destroy along with the other team! In this mode, we actually fought with a giant kaiju akin to Godzilla, but with some funny moves to kill you with like a giant belly-flop and wiggling around the ground!

Last, we want to talk about the characters. Returning to the EDF franchise is the beloved character, Closer, who has awoken from a 7-year coma to find himself back in the mess and defending all that is great on Earth. Closer played a crucial role on the Hivecraft in the year 2033. In addition to Closer, we’ll be experiencing some additional characters as well. For example, let’s meet Faiza, Captain of the Kindred Rebellion's Resource Collection team, and is a former EDF member which we’ll experience more in Iron Rain.

As a segue to the new character(s), we are also getting Customization for the first time ever in EDF: Iron Rain! You can customize Closer to look however you feel with an extensive selection of attributes to compile the ultimate soldier to fight in battle. Or you can customize some sexy girls to go into battle?! The skies the limit! Such attributes include gender, body composition, voice, facial features, hair style, and costume.

Final Thoughts

With that, we have to say that Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is exactly what we wanted! Online multiplayer, customization, new and intense monsters to fight while still keeping it true to the original. D3 Publisher packed everything in Iron Rain that represents EDF and they definitely worked hard to bring us one ridiculous and fantastic game.

The Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Standard Edition ($59.99 USD) and Ultimate Edition ($89.99 USD) are available today on the PlayStation Store for new recruits ready to enlist. Pre-order perks for both editions include exclusive customized costumes, enhanced weapons, and much more. In addition, the Ultimate Edition includes a critical weapon and an additional mission scheduled to release shortly after launch.

Are you excited about this new title? Are you a fan of the EDF franchise? If so, sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think or what game in the series is your favorite.

Editor in Chief

Author: Alfonso "Fonzy" Ortiz

I'm a Geek, Nerd, Writer, and lover of all video games, anime, science, technology and the internet. I previously worked for STFUandPlay.com, a contributing writer as the Japanese Corespondent at TheKoalition.com and founded a website called Transcend-Gaming.com! I currently live in Japan as Editor in Chief of Honey's Anime and its very talented writers! I'm down for anything! What do you want to do?