Earth Defense Force 2025
- February 18, 2014
- Sandlot
"Earth Defense Force 2025" is a Science Fiction Shooter game that offers both single-player and multiplayer/co-op modes for up to 2 players. Eight years after the first alien invasion, the Ravagers have returned, stronger than ever, forcing the EDF to once again save humanity. The game offers a wide range of weapons and character classes, providing an action-packed shooting experience against menacing giant aliens and insects.
Reviews
- The game is incredibly fun, especially in multiplayer mode, providing a campy, B-movie experience that leads to lots of laughter.
- There is a vast array of weapons and character classes, allowing for diverse gameplay and replayability.
- The destructible environments and satisfying physics create a thrilling experience as players blow up buildings and defeat giant insects.
- The graphics are subpar and reminiscent of older games, which may disappoint players looking for modern visuals.
- The gameplay can feel repetitive and simplistic, with some missions lacking depth and variety.
- Technical issues such as frame rate drops and imprecise controls can detract from the overall experience.
- story31 mentions
- 16 % positive mentions
- 71 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The story in "Earth Defense Force 2025" is often described as cheesy and lacking depth, serving primarily as a backdrop for the game's over-the-top action and gameplay. While the narrative revolves around a campy 50's alien invasion theme, it is considered simplistic and uninspired, with players noting that the focus is more on the fun and chaotic gameplay rather than a compelling story. Despite its shortcomings in storytelling, the game offers a wealth of missions and replayability, making it a guilty pleasure for fans of mindless fun.
“Essentially, you are the star of a campy 50's alien invasion story.”
“Great gameplay, ease of control, fun storyline, and many options for each class.”
“I best describe the Earth Defense Force series as a 'guilty pleasure.' It has lame graphics, hilariously brutal voice-overs, super simplistic and unimaginative gameplay mechanics, and an overdone, cliched story-- giant bugs and robots invading Earth.”
“The story is really nothing special, but the gameplay is fun, which is what really matters.”
“The plot is bad, the storytelling is awful, and the gameplay is clunky.”
“It's cheesy...it's lame...but it does keep the story moving forward.”
- graphics27 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 59 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received mixed reviews, with many players noting that they are substandard and reminiscent of older titles, lacking the polish expected from a current-generation game. While some appreciate the upgraded character models and environments, others criticize the simplistic visuals and frequent framerate issues. Overall, the graphics may not be cutting-edge, but they do not detract significantly from the fun and chaotic gameplay experience that fans enjoy.
“The latest and greatest 'version' is EDF 2025 and Sandlot has upgraded almost everything from the graphics to the class system.”
“Pros: 1) Upgraded graphics on character models and environments 2) Split screen co-op 3) More funny EDF dialog!”
“This is the perfect balance between graphics and totally fun gameplay.”
“Let me be clear, the rating does not represent the graphics (barely better than games that came out 10 years ago), or the depth (your starting weapons are better than 90% of what you unlock), or anything about the actual programming/game.”
“The graphics are so-so, especially for an end-generation title.”
“The graphics are dated, the dialogue is terrible, the story is paper thin, and when you're surrounded by explosions and bugs and falling buildings, the frame rates drop to near zero, but none of that matters due to the over the top action.”
- humor12 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is characterized by its intentionally bad dialogue, absurd scenarios, and over-the-top voice acting, which often leads to laughter rather than frustration. Players find joy in the disjointed conversations of AI squad mates, the ridiculous ragdoll physics, and the overall campiness that turns simplistic gameplay into a "guilty pleasure." The combination of hilarious moments, from explosive mishaps to absurd weaponry, contributes to a fun and entertaining experience, despite the game's flaws.
“Your AI squad mates talk, often having hilarious disjointed conversations like 'Why did you get married?' 'For justice!' or breaking into battle chants while hell is breaking loose on the field.”
“It has hilariously stupid ragdoll physics.”
“Hours upon hours of absolute alien-murdering joy, coupled with hilariously awful dialogue.”
- gameplay8 mentions
- 38 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by its simplistic mechanics and unpolished presentation, reminiscent of a cheesy B-movie, which contributes to its charm and overall fun factor. Players appreciate the mindless, cooperative experience, making it accessible for casual gamers while still entertaining for hardcore fans. Despite its flaws, the game offers a humorous and enjoyable experience, especially in multiplayer modes.
“The gameplay is fun, which is what really matters.”
“My girlfriend, who doesn't play many action games, was able to instantly pick this game up and play split-screen with us, which is a testament to the fact that this game has the gameplay and fun factor for the average gamer, not just hardcore gamers like myself.”
“This overall simplicity in its presentation and gameplay is its charm, and now that you can play with 4 players through online co-op, the mindlessness gets even better.”
“It represents how much we were laughing at the bad dialogue, simplistic gameplay, and crazy levels in the game.”
“To be sure, we had a blast playing because it was almost like being inside of a B-movie, and as bad as all the gameplay elements were in and of themselves, as a whole the entire experience was fun.”
“While the graphic quality and, in many cases, the programming and gameplay reflect the same level of unpolished, small studio quality, trying to complain about this game is like trying to complain that Starship Troopers is a cheesy movie.”
- replayability3 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it lacking compared to other titles, the variety of classes and unlockable weapons encourages replaying missions on higher difficulties. Additionally, engaging content beyond the main theme keeps players interested, contributing to its replay value.
“The bug thing was a little overdone but held my interest, and the non-bug stuff was pretty spectacular and had a lot of replay value.”
“Replay value is meh... with all the other games coming out, but I definitely don't regret the purchase.”
“Each of the four classes also has a slew of weapons to choose from, which you unlock as you progress through the game and replay missions on harder difficulties, giving this game a lot of replay value.”
- music2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The music in the series is described as functional but lacking excitement, serving its purpose without standing out. Despite its shortcomings in various aspects, players still find enjoyment in the overall experience.
- stability2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game's stability is characterized by numerous glitches that some players find entertaining, akin to the experience in Skate 3. While these issues may detract from the overall polish, they can also enhance enjoyment for those who embrace the chaos.
“If you go into it expecting to be entertained by glitches (like Skate 3, for example), and don’t really give yourself much to expect beyond that, you’ll have a great time.”
“I loved it, cheese, graphical glitches and all.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is significantly enhanced by its engaging sound effects and dynamic NPC dialogue, which provides continuous updates on the ongoing war and encounters with monsters, creating an immersive and lively environment.
“The sound effects are incredible and really enhance the atmosphere of the game. NPCs constantly discuss the ongoing war, providing minute-by-minute updates about encounters with new monsters and interesting battles happening in the world.”
“The immersive atmosphere draws you in, making you feel like you're part of a living, breathing world filled with dynamic events and rich storytelling.”
“Every element of the environment contributes to a captivating atmosphere, from the haunting music to the detailed visuals that create a sense of place and urgency.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Players have mixed feelings about the grinding aspect related to armor and weapon level restrictions in online multiplayer games; while some find it tedious, others appreciate it for promoting balanced team dynamics and preventing one player from dominating the game.
“The grinding in this game feels endless and repetitive, making it hard to stay engaged.”
“I find the level restrictions on armor and weapons to be tedious, which detracts from the overall enjoyment of the multiplayer experience.”
“The amount of time required to grind for upgrades is frustrating and takes away from the fun of the game.”
- character development1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The character development in the game has been criticized for its sexist portrayal of the all-women jet fighters, which detracts from the overall experience for some players.
“The character design of the all-women jet fighters is unnecessarily sexist, which took me out of the game.”