EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 4.1 WINGDIVER THE SHOOTER
- April 25, 2018
- Clouds
- 1h median play time
Get on SteamTraining Mode, free downloadable content including 60 short, action-packed missions, What's Training Mode? Take on Pale Team's training simulations in the form of quick missions! Blaze through fast-paced stages with a wide variety of objectives, from rescuing civilians like you couldn't in the main game and fighting alongside the Rangers! Spawned from the war for existence itself between the R…
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Feels like an EDF game through and through, especially with its B movie vibe.
- Experimenting with weapons is fun, and there are lots of unlockables to discover.
- The game captures the essence of a rail shooter and offers a unique take on the EDF universe.
- Shoot 'em up gameplay is mostly sloppy and unsatisfying.
- Only features 6 short core stages, making it feel incomplete.
- Could use multiplayer and extra modes to enhance replayability.
- story58 mentions
- 5 % positive mentions
- 88 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The story in the game is largely considered unimportant and follows a familiar formula typical of the EDF series, with minimal narrative depth and reliance on still images for cutscenes. Players noted that the game features only six missions, which can be completed quickly, and while there are various difficulties and a decent variety of weapons, the overall content feels lacking. Many reviewers expressed a desire for a "no story" mode, emphasizing that the gameplay experience is prioritized over narrative elements.
“The story is amusing, and basically the same as every other EDF, but doesn't really matter.”
“It is worth mentioning that free DLC was released for this game, a 'training mode' which adds several unique short missions for the player to complete like fighting bosses with a fixed weapon loadout, ring checkpoint courses, rescuing civilians and fellow EDF soldiers, and more.”
“Playing through these unlocks some weapons as well and the missions are noticeably tougher than the main game.”
“It's a game you don't care about story, music, character design, or even graphics.”
“There's no singing, there are long unskippable boring cut scenes, and the intro story was done entirely with still images.”
“Unfortunately, the game ends long before you get to even the 1/3 or 1/2 point of that structure... worse even when you consider you have maybe 10 or so missions total.”
- gameplay27 mentions
- 26 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The gameplay is characterized by a mix of bullet-hell mechanics and energy management, reminiscent of the EDF wing diver, with a notable dodge-boost mechanic that helps mitigate hitbox issues. However, players report frustrations with a disproportionately large hitbox and the challenge of overheating, which can lead to unavoidable damage. While the weapon variety is praised, the overall experience is described as difficult and somewhat lacking in depth, with calls for additional modes and multiplayer options.
“Fantastic gameplay but too difficult.”
“The weapon variety is great; I really like some of the weapons such as the Lazr and Geist, and you can mix them up a lot for different gameplay.”
“The basic idea of the game (a bullet-hell shooter with the weapons and energy-management mechanics of a wing diver; and the enemies from EDF) works well.”
“There's a lot of cheap hits even with the boost dodge mechanic, and sometimes you have to choose between overheating (practically immobile and unable to fire, which is a death sentence in most situations) or taking a hit or two.”
“Your hitbox is way bigger than it has any right to be (even bigger than your model!), making a lot of patterns overly precise to avoid without abusing the boost mechanic.”
“It's basically a rails shooter from a top-down perspective, using the mechanics of the EDF Wing Diver.”
- grinding22 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The game features a significant grinding element, primarily focused on farming armor and weapons to progress through increasing difficulty levels. While it retains the core grind of the EDF series, players note that it is less tedious than previous entries, with manageable drop rates and shorter mission lengths. Overall, the grinding is seen as enjoyable, providing replayability and a fun experience despite some frustrations with hit-boxes.
“It's a bit grindy, so start out on easy mode and work your way up.”
“This looks cool as all heck, but the experience I had (insanely unfair hit-boxes) basically communicated to me that this game is all about grinding for permanent upgrades.”
“Well, the charm is there since the dialogue got even cheesier and like the main series of EDF games, it's built around grinding to beat the harder difficulties.”
- graphics12 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 42 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are described as a mix of modern and outdated styles, with some users noting a range from PS1 to PS2 era visuals. While the game features 3D graphics suitable for a shooter, it lacks customization options, which can lead to performance issues on older hardware. Overall, the graphics are not a primary focus for players who prioritize gameplay over visual fidelity.
“Fast game with modern day graphics and easy controls that moves from location A to B to C and so on.”
“A good shooting game with 3D graphics.”
“You like shooters, you like EDF, you don't mind archaic graphics, and the game is on deep sale.”
“There aren't really any graphics options at all, which means playing this on my older laptop was painful in some areas.”
“It's a game you don't care about story, music, character design, or even graphics.”
“You like shooters, you like EDF, you don't mind archaic graphics, and the game is on deep sale?”
- music10 mentions
- 60 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
The music in the game is generally praised for being surprisingly good, with an epic soundtrack that enhances the chaotic action. Players appreciate the dramatic voice lines and cheesy yet enjoyable dubbing, contributing to an overall solid presentation. While some feel the game lacks depth in other areas, the music stands out as a highlight.
“I love this game, the music and dramatic voice lines are epic.”
“You get to shoot a metric ton of gigantic ants and other creatures, listen to bad and by bad I mean very, very good voice acting and listen to a fantastic soundtrack while all the crazy action takes place on the screen.”
“The presentation overall is solid, it looks like 4.1, the music is surprisingly good for an EDF game and the dub feels different but it's still cheesy and fun.”
“It's a game you don't care about story, music, character design, or even graphics.”
“This may apply to most arcade-styled shoot 'em ups out there, but those are usually better crafted with more enemies, music tracks, thought-out weapons, enemy patterns, and bullet patterns.”
“It's a game you don't care about story, music, character design, or even graphics.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
The game offers significant replayability through its difficulty scaling, armor and weapon grinding, and remixed level challenges that alter enemy waves. However, some players noted that the ability to become overly powerful can diminish the challenge and, consequently, the replay value. Overall, while the game provides ample opportunities for repeated play, balance issues may affect long-term engagement.
“It adds a great deal of replayability to this game.”
“Its replayability comes from clearing the higher difficulty stages and acquiring a stronger arsenal, similar to the mainline EDF games, and unlocking a remixed version of the original 6 levels which change the enemy waves.”
“During the end of my playthroughs, I had way too much health and could just stand still during bosses and still win, which is an issue and hurts replayability.”
“Plenty of replayability through climbing the difficulties and grinding for armor and weapons.”
- character development2 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
Character development in this game is largely overlooked, with players expressing indifference towards the story, character design, and overall narrative depth. The focus appears to be on gameplay mechanics rather than on developing engaging characters or a compelling storyline.
“It's a game you don't care about story, music, character design, or even graphics.”
- optimization2 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The game is praised for its exceptional optimization, with multiple users highlighting its outstanding performance.
“Ungodly optimized.”
- emotional2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game appears to be negatively impacted by frustrating mechanics, as players express dissatisfaction with the experience of being hit without direct interaction, leading to a desire to exit full screen mode. This suggests that the game's design may evoke feelings of annoyance rather than engagement.
- humor2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is seen as a quirky highlight, though many reviewers feel it ultimately serves as a missed opportunity within an otherwise intriguing blend of gameplay elements. Overall, while it offers some amusing moments, it may not be enough to warrant a sequel.
