EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: IRON RAIN

56%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,175 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: IRON RAIN Game Cover
Buggy In Every Way
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"Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is a third-person shooter game where you play as an EDF soldier fighting against an alien invasion. With a wide variety of weapons and armor to choose from, players must strategize and adapt to overcome hordes of aggressive enemies. Experience a thrilling and immersive single-player campaign or team up with friends in multiplayer mode."

  • PC
  • Phone
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Steam Deck
  • Windows
  • Play​Station
  • Tablet
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

56%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,175 reviews
story64 positive mentions
grinding89 negative mentions
  • The game features impressive graphics and character customization options, allowing players to create unique characters.
  • The new weapon unlock system, which replaces random drops with a currency-based system, provides a sense of continuous progress.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, with a variety of weapons and classes that allow for different playstyles.
  • The AI companions are largely useless, often shooting in random directions and failing to engage enemies effectively.
  • The game has a significantly lower number of missions and enemies compared to previous EDF titles, leading to a less chaotic experience.
  • Many weapons feel underwhelming and lack the satisfying impact found in earlier EDF games, making combat less enjoyable.
  • story912 mentions

    The story in "Iron Rain" attempts to take a more serious tone compared to previous entries in the EDF series, featuring a darker narrative about humanity's struggle against alien invaders. However, many players find the plot lackluster and filled with clichés, often overshadowed by gameplay mechanics that detract from the overall experience. While some appreciate the character development and world-building efforts, the short missions and repetitive structure limit the story's impact, leaving it feeling underwhelming and disconnected from the action.

    • “Iron Rain also tries to have a more substantive storyline than is normally seen in the main series by adding more unique characters and developing the world through radio transmissions during and between missions.”
    • “It serves as a decent spin-off within the Earth Defense Force series, presenting a more serious approach to the franchise's story of alien invasion.”
    • “A much more serious story with a far more character-driven narrative (a change of pace from the 'gaggle of nameless mooks' that usually follow you in EDF games) with not only memorable characters... but actually believable ones, too.”
    • “The story is lackluster, movement controls leave a lot to be desired, allied AI is non-existent, missions are short and claustrophobic, a lot of weapons just aren't worth using, bullet speed is so slow that it feels more like lag, you have to pay in-game currency if you want to use vehicles, health packs, or even grenades, and the whole weapon system manages to feel far more grindy than even the original EDF series.”
    • “By EDF standards, the campaign is very, very short - 51 missions, few of which are really lengthy - so you can easily crack through the story, which is a rather cut down version of the standard EDF storyline, in an afternoon or two, and it lacks much of the sheer spectacle and bombasticness of 4.1 or 5.”
    • “The gameplay itself is lackluster and unfulfilling, the weapons are easily the weakest in the EDF series, and the story has lost its goofy charm.”
  • gameplay221 mentions

    The gameplay of "EDF: Iron Rain" has received mixed reviews, with some players enjoying the new mechanics and class system, while others feel it lacks the charm and excitement of previous titles in the series. Many appreciate the improved graphics and smoother controls, but criticize the grinding resource mechanics, poor AI, and underwhelming weapon variety. Overall, while some find the gameplay fun and engaging, others feel it is frustrating and lacks the depth of earlier "Earth Defense Force" games.

    • “The gameplay is overall solid and the classes are decent though sadly air raider is gone though its replacement is kind of fun (launching yourself across the landscape with cables AOT style has its own kind of charm and riding your own giant bug can be thrilling).”
    • “A breath of fresh air for the EDF series which works, controls are easier and responsive and gameplay is fun.”
    • “I highly recommend this game because it's got such fun and compelling gameplay.”
    • “They replaced the gacha mechanic with sterile grinding for resources, aren't you happy?”
    • “The gameplay itself is lackluster and unfulfilling, the weapons are easily the weakest in the EDF series, and the story has lost its goofy charm.”
    • “All the good elements of other EDF games, from the gear progression to the cheesy dialogue are all gone; instead you have a game that wants to take itself seriously but fails miserably at it; incredibly dull gameplay with some of the crappiest feeling guns in the entire series.”
  • graphics218 mentions

    The graphics in "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain" have received significant praise for their modern aesthetic and improved visual fidelity compared to previous titles in the series. However, this enhancement comes at the cost of reduced enemy numbers and smaller map areas, leading to mixed feelings among players who miss the chaotic scale of earlier games. Overall, while the graphics are considered the best in the series, many reviewers feel that gameplay and enemy variety suffer as a result.

    • “Iron Rain is the best EDF as it's EDF without the annoying, time-wasting random weapon drops, but with the best graphics and most tactical options in the series.”
    • “One noticeable positive aspect is the improved graphics, particularly when compared to other titles in the series.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful and the customization of the characters is brilliant.”
    • “The graphics are better but the map areas are smaller and the amount of mobs spawning isn't the frame-shitting EDF standard.”
    • “While the graphics are a huge improvement, it does move away from the art style of the original EDF games and it loses a lot of its charm.”
    • “Because of the 'better' looking graphics, the game does not have as many enemies on screen like the mainline titles.”
  • grinding93 mentions

    The grinding mechanics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players finding the process tedious and less rewarding compared to previous titles in the series. While some appreciate the shift from random drops to a currency-based system for purchasing weapons and upgrades, others criticize the necessity of grinding for resources and the added complexity of in-game purchases, which can feel like a "pay-to-win" model. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant departure from the fun and engaging mechanics of earlier games, leading to a less enjoyable gameplay experience.

    • “Iron Rain fixes weapon and item unlocks to completion of specific missions on specific difficulties, so there's no grinding to find a weapon (as in mainline EDF games), but there is a very intense grinding to get the resources necessary to buy the weapons you unlock, credits in particular.”
    • “Weapons, armor, and health are unlocked by beating levels (no farming). However, you need orange, blue, and yellow resources to buy weapons, as well as gold. You can farm for the ones you want after you unlock them. Armor is the same; you buy how much HP you have, with a maximum needing around 3 million gold, which is gained by completing missions.”
    • “This feels like a western AAA company saying, "I'll make my own EDF, with cutscenes and microtransactions!" My understanding is that this game was made specifically to appeal to western audiences, but they didn't understand what gamers liked about EDF nor what they liked about AAA games, and so created a beast that takes the worst choice from either side, making something more grindy and less rewarding.”
    • “The story is lackluster, movement controls leave a lot to be desired, allied AI is non-existent, missions are short and claustrophobic, a lot of weapons just aren't worth using, bullet speed is so slow that it feels more like lag, you have to pay in-game currency if you want to use vehicles, health packs, or even grenades, and the whole weapon system manages to feel far more grindy than even the original EDF series.”
    • “Grinding gems and credits to buy things after you unlock them leaves a sour taste.”
  • humor48 mentions

    The humor in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players finding it hilarious and enjoyable, especially in multiplayer settings, while others feel it lacks the classic cheesy charm of previous EDF titles. Many note that the dialogue can be amusing, but some believe the game tries too hard to be funny, resulting in moments that fall flat. Overall, while there are funny moments and characters, the humor is seen as inconsistent compared to earlier entries in the series.

    • “Hilarious and fun to play with friends, as long as you got good humor and like to do friendly fire.”
    • “This is EDF as usual: giant insects, robots, hilarious weapons, cheesy dialogue, and just stupid good fun.”
    • “It's a balance very few games have been able to strike; hitting that oh-so fine line between screaming 'I'm gonna die!' at the top of your lungs, and laughing like a maniac as the bugs fall in droves before you.”
    • “The humor falls flat, making the experience feel shorter and more boring than it should be.”
    • “I found the jokes to be unoriginal and not funny, which made the game feel tedious.”
    • “The attempts at humor are weak and fail to engage, leaving the game feeling overpriced for what it offers.”
  • optimization38 mentions

    The game's optimization has received significant criticism, particularly regarding its multiplayer performance, which suffers from severe lag, input delays, and stuttering issues, even on high-end systems. While some players note improvements in graphics and overall polish compared to previous titles, many still experience persistent performance problems, including frame rate drops and unresponsive controls. Despite a recent patch that has slightly improved the situation, the game remains largely unplayable for many users due to these ongoing optimization issues.

    • “I didn't play EDF5, but as far as I can see, this one has better graphics, it's extremely well optimized, and it's way more polished overall.”
    • “Note, I run smoothly on i7 7700 RTX 2070; I think a performance GPU card is preferred.”
    • “Not sure why the game is getting so much hate, performance is fine, although a little blurry. This isn't supposed to be a sequel to the main series, so why people are comparing it is just silly.”
    • “Further, the multiplayer is so poorly optimized that my game was lagging horribly even while in the lobby while playing on my gaming computer.”
    • “Just simply because the optimizations are terrible, input lags everywhere (mouse stutter and makes your left mouse button and right mouse button unresponsive most of the time), and crashes.”
    • “I'm torn on how to review the game; in all honesty, they did a lot to improve the look, feel, and effects. Everything is much better animated and fitted together compared to previous titles, and I enjoy it for the time I can play it, but as of now, their PC port was not optimized well and is still buggy.”
  • monetization26 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its reliance on annoying microtransactions, which are primarily cosmetic but also include gameplay-affecting items sold as DLC. Many reviewers feel that this approach, combined with a $60 price tag, makes the game feel like a cash grab, detracting from its overall value and enjoyment. Players are advised to be cautious and consider avoiding the game due to its monetization practices.

    • “This game has the same approach to microtransactions as 'Ace Combat 7' and the Koei Tecmo games in that it sells gameplay-affecting items as DLC.”
    • “Microtransactions do allow you to buy the currency instead of grinding it, so be aware of that.”
    • “Frankly, it feels like a cash grab.”
    • “This game lost its value not because of the gameplay itself but because of awful issues, a $60 price point, and seemingly developers that just want your money since they have the nerve to charge for so much microtransactions and DLC on top of the $60 price point and plagued issues.”
    • “The game is also filled with cosmetic microtransactions and mobile game-like currencies, which shows the priorities of the game developers.”
  • stability24 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs and glitches, particularly in the PC port, which has been criticized for poor optimization. While some users have experienced smooth performance and no issues, others have encountered game-breaking freezes and problematic controls. Overall, the consensus leans towards the game being quite buggy, especially for a port from a console version.

    • “Looks great, runs great.”
    • “Runs great on Linux under Proton.”
    • “There were reviews saying it was buggy; it wasn't buggy at all, unless you count the dumb team AI, which I don't need anything from, other than to be a distraction.”
    • “It is a very buggy game, but what did you expect for a PS port?”
    • “I'm torn on how to review the game; in all honesty, they did a lot to improve the look, feel, and effects. Everything is much better animated and fitted together compared to previous titles, and I enjoy it for the time I can play it, but as of now, their PC port was not optimized well and is still buggy.”
    • “There's also a freeze that just straight up freezes you in place, which is usually death since you can't act for a good 5-8 seconds and still take full damage while frozen.”
  • music22 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding the soundtrack fitting and catchy, while others describe it as uninspired and lacking in variety, particularly noting the absence of chants or songs during gameplay. Additionally, players expressed frustration over the inability to change music settings until after the intro video. Overall, while there are decent elements of voice acting and some positive remarks about the soundtrack, the music aspect seems to fall short for many.

    • “This game also has a good soundtrack as well.”
    • “- fitting, catchy soundtrack.”
    • “- decent voice acting and music.”
    • “Also there's no chants or songs and only 52 missions.”
    • “1st red flag: unable to change the music/graphics until you finish watching the intro video.”
    • “Another minor complaint is the music in this game personally feels uninspired.”
  • replayability16 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the replayable missions and cooperative modes, others feel that certain aspects, like score and time attack challenges, lack long-term engagement. A few users noted that the game offers good length and potential for replay value, but it may not be enough to keep everyone coming back.

    • “Good length with tons of replay value.”
    • “Replayable missions and co-op.”
    • “Not sure why this one is so unknown, but it was just as fun as 4.1 in my opinion, with maybe a little less replayability.”
    • “I found that it is okay and interesting; however, I do not think that this mode has much replay value for me.”
    • “Score/time attack modes do not add much to the replay value.”
  • emotional6 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by a deeply moving and heartbreaking plot that challenges players' fundamental beliefs about life and society. However, some users find the storytelling lacking in spectacle, leading to mixed feelings about the overall emotional impact.

    • “The plot is absolutely moving and heartbreaking, playing with an incredible depth of narrative tropes that draw you in while questioning your most fundamental assumptions about life and society.”
  • atmosphere4 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by vibrant and life-like environments, set against a post-apocalyptic backdrop. However, some players note that the map sizes are more linear and compact compared to previous versions, which may affect the overall sense of exploration.

    • “The environments are more vibrant, atmospheric, and life-like, even though the map sizes are considerably more linear and compact compared to previous versions.”
    • “The game features an atmospheric, post-apocalyptic setting.”
    • “The game features an atmospheric, post-apocalyptic setting.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

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Play time

5hMedian play time
5hAverage play time
2-8hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 10 analyzed playthroughs

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