Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain[a] is a third-person shooter video game developed by Yuke's and published by D3 Publisher for the PlayStation 4. It is a spin-off of the Earth Defense Force series and, like the previous 2011 spin-off Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon, is geared more toward Western audiences, with a more serious tone compared to the main series by Sandlot.[1] A Japanese release date was initially set for late 2018, but the game was delayed into 2019. It was released simultaneously worldwide on April 11, 2019,[2] to mixed but generally positive reviews.
| Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain | |
|---|---|
Japanese PlayStation 4 box art | |
| Developer(s) | Yuke's |
| Publisher(s) | D3 Publisher |
| Director(s) | Naoto Ueno |
| Producer(s) | Nobuyuki Okajima |
| Designer(s) | Tomohiro Shibuya |
| Programmer(s) | Shintaro Matsubara |
| Artist(s) | Masaaki Hashimoto Takashi Komiyama Kazuyuki Isayama |
| Composer(s) | Masanori Ōtsuka Yuichi Baba Shinya Chikamori Akari Kaida |
| Series | Earth Defense Force |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | PlayStation 4, Windows |
| Release |
|
| Genre(s) | Third-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Gameplay edit
Like previous entries in the series, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is a third-person action shooting game, where the player takes control of an Earth Defense Force (EDF) soldier and battles an onslaught of alien enemies. The game features four soldier classes, the Trooper, Jet Lifter, Heavy Striker, and Prowl Rider, all of which feature the option to play as a male or female soldier. The game uses the same type of ammo system as other EDF games, with most weapons having no ammunition limit and only limited by reloading times. Enemies drop Energy Gems, which can be picked up to power the player's Energy Core. Energy Gems also serve as the in-game currency, which the player collects during missions and can subsequently use to purchase new weapons or apparel for the playable character. On some missions, the enemy Kindred Rebellion faction may enter the combat area to try to loot Energy Gems dropped by fallen Aggressors. While the Rebellion will attack Aggressors, it is also hostile toward the EDF.
In addition to a campaign consisting of 52 total missions, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain includes multiple online game modes. Players can play the co-op campaign online with up to five other players, or engage in the PvP "Mercenary Mode," where two teams of four compete to collect the most Energy Gems. One team is the EDF, while the other is the Kindred Rebellion, and both battle against waves of Aggressors and the other team to collect all dropped Energy Gems. Two-player split-screen gameplay is also available for the offline campaign.
Reception edit
| Aggregator | Score |
|---|---|
| Metacritic | PS4: 69/100[3] PC: 65/100[4] |
| Publication | Score |
|---|---|
| Computer Games Magazine | 7/10[12] |
| Destructoid | 7.5/10[9] |
| Game Informer | 7/10[7] |
| GameRevolution | [11] |
| IGN | 7.2/10[5] |
| Push Square | [6] |
| Shacknews | 8/10[10] |
| USgamer | 3/5[8] |
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain has an aggregate score of 69 on Metacritic based on 49 reviews.[3]
Notes edit
References edit
- ^ McWhertor, Michael (September 19, 2017). "New Earth Defense Force looks like a more serious take on fighting giant ants". Polygon. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ Romano, Sal (January 25, 2019). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain launches April 11 worldwide". Gematsu. Retrieved April 12, 2019.
- ^ a b "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain for PlayStation 4 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain for PC Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved January 19, 2021.
- ^ Skrebels, Joe (16 September 2021). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Review". IGN. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Review (PS4) | Aces high". Push Square. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Reiner, Andrew (16 September 2021). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain - Buggy In Every Way". Game Informer. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Williams, Mike (16 September 2021). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Review". USgamer. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Carter, Chris (16 September 2021). "Review: Earth Defense Force (EDF): Iron Rain". Destructoid. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Morse, Blake (16 September 2021). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain review: Kills bugs dead". Shacknews. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ "Earth Defense Force Iron Rain Review | Losing schlock appeal | Aces high". GameRevolution. 16 September 2021. Retrieved 16 September 2021.
- ^ Carter, Chris (16 September 2021). "Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain (PS4) Review". Computer Games Magazine. Retrieved 16 September 2021.