EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: IRON RAIN

61%
Game Brain Score Based on 585 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • graphics
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: IRON RAIN Game Cover
Despite aggravating AI, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain's wealth of content, challenging difficulty, and empowering action make it the best EDF game to date. This is a tried-and-true EDF game for newcomers and veterans alike.
Starting at $4.05Buy now
Get on Steam

"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."

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Play​Station
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

61%
Audience ScoreBased on 585 reviews
story32 positive mentions
grinding44 negative mentions
  • The game features impressive graphics and character customization options, allowing players to create their own unique characters.
  • The new weapon unlock system, which allows players to purchase weapons and upgrades using in-game currency, is a refreshing change from the random loot system of previous EDF games.
  • The gameplay is fast-paced and action-packed, providing a fun experience, especially in co-op mode.
  • 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 and engaging experience.
  • Many weapons feel underwhelming and lack the satisfying impact that players expect from an EDF game, making combat feel less rewarding.
  • story456 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 and character-driven elements, but many players find it lacking depth and coherence. With only 52 missions, often short and repetitive, the campaign feels underwhelming, and the dialogue is criticized for being poorly executed and unengaging. While some appreciate the effort to create a more structured storyline, the overall execution leaves much to be desired, leading to a mixed reception regarding its narrative quality.

    • “The story is better, the NPCs have personalities and are more useful in battle all around, guns and health are universal among the classes.”
    • “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.”
    • “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 story is also weirdly made. The bigger emphasis on character, the fact that everyone is a barely hidden walking trope and the generally more serious tone clashes a ton with how the characters act in mission.”
  • gameplay110 mentions

    The gameplay of "EDF: Iron Rain" has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the new mechanics and class system, while others criticize the game for its lack of depth compared to previous titles in the series. Many enjoy the frenetic action and variety of enemies, but find the controls and certain mechanics frustrating, leading to a less satisfying experience overall. While the game introduces interesting features and improved graphics, it struggles with issues like microtransactions and a perceived loss of the charm and excitement that characterized earlier EDF games.

    • “I remember the Earth Defense Force community hating on this game during its reveal and early release, but since playing it myself both here and on PlayStation, I have come to really love this game and its mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay is overall solid and the classes are decent, though sadly the Air Raider is gone; however, its replacement is kind of fun (launching yourself across the landscape with cables has its own kind of charm and riding your own giant bug can be thrilling).”
    • “The upside is that there are some extremely fun mechanics to the game; the grapple gear feels great to use, and I hope it is brought into a main game.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics109 mentions

    The graphics in "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain" have received widespread praise for their significant improvement over previous titles in the series, showcasing modern visuals and detailed environments. 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 battles characteristic of earlier games. Overall, while the graphics are considered the best in the series, many reviewers feel that the gameplay experience suffers due to these changes.

    • “The graphics are better, particularly when compared to other titles in the series.”
    • “Iron Rain has better graphics and some very good and fresh changes to the EDF concept when compared to previous games in the series.”
    • “Best movement options in the series, best graphics in the series, no reused assets from other EDF entries, most modern controls, and less annoying filler missions than other EDF games.”
    • “While the graphics are a huge improvement, it does move away from the art style of the original EDF games and loses a lot of its charm.”
    • “Because of the 'better' looking graphics, the game does not have as many enemies on screen as the mainline titles.”
    • “This is one of the games that proves graphics are nothing if gameplay is bad; somehow the soul of the game is just lost.”
  • grinding46 mentions

    The grinding mechanics in the game have received mixed reviews, with many players finding the system tedious and overly reliant on currency farming rather than rewarding gameplay. While some appreciate the shift from random drops to a more structured currency system for purchasing weapons and upgrades, others criticize the necessity of grinding for credits and resources, which can feel like a "pay-to-win" model. Overall, the grinding experience is seen as a significant departure from previous titles, often detracting from the enjoyment of the game.

    • “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 resources 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.”
    • “Iron Rain fixes weapon and item unlocks to the completion of specific missions on specific difficulties, so there's no grinding to find a weapon (as in mainline EDF games). However, there is very intense grinding to get the resources necessary to buy the weapons you unlock, particularly credits.”
    • “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.”
    • “Having to pay to use items is an unnecessary grind in an already grindy game, like having to pick up stones or boxes on the ground; let us focus on the awesome combat.”
  • humor24 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 appreciate the funny dialogue and absurd weaponry, but some criticize the game for trying too hard to be funny or for losing its lighthearted arcade feel. Overall, while there are moments of humor, opinions vary on whether it successfully captures the essence of the series.

    • “The game is good; it's more like EDF: Insect Armageddon than EDF 4.1 or EDF 5, though it still has fun gameplay, funny moments, and funny characters.”
    • “Hilarious and fun to play with friends, as long as you have a good sense of humor and enjoy friendly fire.”
    • “This is EDF as usual: giant insects, robots, hilarious weapons, cheesy dialogue, and just stupid good fun.”
    • “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 really detracted from the overall enjoyment.”
    • “The attempts at humor felt forced and didn't land, leaving the game feeling dull and overpriced.”
  • optimization19 mentions

    The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues such as lag, stuttering, and input delays, particularly in multiplayer modes. While some users noted improvements in graphics and animations compared to previous titles, the overall consensus is that the PC port is poorly optimized and still buggy, leading to an unplayable experience for many. A few players mentioned that capping the frame rate helped alleviate some issues, but the game still requires further optimization to meet player expectations.

    • “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.”
    • “You get credits on mission completion based on performance, time, damage taken, kills, difficulty, etc. In the mission itself, the only thing you concern yourself about picking up now are three colored gems: blue, red, and yellow, all of which are materials used in combination with credits to gain access to different weaponry and vehicles.”
    • “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, but as of now, their PC port was not optimized well and is still buggy.”
  • monetization13 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized for its reliance on annoying microtransactions, primarily for cosmetic items, which some players feel detracts from the overall experience and feels like a cash grab. While these microtransactions do not directly affect gameplay, they contribute to a perception of greed, especially given the game's $60 price point and additional DLC costs. Players express frustration over the grindy nature of the game, suggesting that the monetization model prioritizes profit over player satisfaction.

    • “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.”
    • “The game is also filled with cosmetic microtransactions and mobile game-like currencies, which shows the priorities of the game developers.”
    • “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 has the same approach to microtransactions as Ace Combat 7 and the Koei Tecmo games in that it sells gameplay-affecting items as DLC.”
    • “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.”
  • music11 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players finding it uninspired and lacking in variety, as there are no chants or songs and limited options to change the music until after the intro. However, others appreciate the decent voice acting and catchy soundtrack, noting that it fits well within the game's context. Overall, while the music has its strengths, it also has notable shortcomings that detract from the experience.

    • “Decent voice acting and music.”
    • “This game also has a good soundtrack as well.”
    • “Fitting, catchy soundtrack.”
    • “Also, there's no chants or songs and only 52 missions.”
    • “Another minor complaint is the music in this game personally feels uninspired.”
    • “No songs or chanting.”
  • stability11 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players reporting significant bugs and issues, particularly with vehicle controls and character glitches, while others have found it to run smoothly, especially on Linux. Overall, many users agree that the game is visually improved but still suffers from optimization problems and various bugs that detract from the experience.

    • “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?”
    • “It looks better than other EDF games, but the game is too damn buggy.”
    • “I'm torn on how to review the game; they did a lot improving the look, feel, and effects, but as of now their PC port was not optimized well and is still buggy.”
  • replayability8 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players appreciate the replayable missions and cooperative elements, others feel that certain modes lack significant replay value. The addition of score and time attack features offers some incentive for replay, but opinions vary on their effectiveness in enhancing long-term engagement.

    • “Replayable missions and co-op add a lot of fun to the experience.”
    • “Good length with tons of replay value.”
    • “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.”
  • emotional3 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 story lacking in spectacle and engagement, leading to mixed feelings about its overall 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.”
    • “The story was boring and lacked any real emotional depth or spectacle.”
    • “I found the emotional aspects to be underwhelming and unengaging.”
    • “There was little to no emotional impact; it felt flat and uninspired.”
  • atmosphere2 mentions

    The atmosphere is characterized by vibrant and life-like environments, creating a compelling post-apocalyptic setting. However, some users note that the map sizes are more linear and compact compared to previous versions, which may affect exploration.

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

Critic Reviews

68% average critic score

Buy EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: IRON RAIN

Play time

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

Videos

Similar Games