Earth Defense Force 5
Stand and fight for humanity. This arcade shooter takes place in the year 2022, as the Earth Defense Force fends off an all-out attack by unknown life forms. Become an EDF soldier, battle against endless hordes of immense enemies, and restore peace to the earth.
What it feels like
The arcade tone emphasizes heroic momentum and the exhilaration of mowing down endless alien hordes. Kinetic rush of rapid gunfire, explosions, and frantic combat creates thrilling moment-to-moment play.
What it's about
The near-future 2022 setting with alien invasion is the core premise and thematic anchor. Playing as EDF soldiers fending off extraterrestrial invasion frames the military context.
How it plays
Core interaction is aiming and firing ranged weapons against waves of alien enemies with tactile arcade feedback. Fast melee combat against many enemies with arcade-style flashy attacks and visible gore is a significant component. Multiple soldier classes with distinct loadouts and abilities provide different playstyles and roles.
How it looks and sounds
The camera follows the player character from behind or above the shoulder throughout gameplay. Character design and visual style lean toward anime aesthetics, noted in user tags.
How it's structured
Campaign missions are structured around surviving successive escalating waves of alien enemies before completion. The full campaign can be played cooperatively with up to four players online or split-screen locally. The game features a complete single-player campaign as the primary mode, though multiplayer is also supported.
Kindred games
Shares Gunplay, Science Fiction, Online Co-op, Wave Defense.
Both lean into Gunplay, Science Fiction, Online Co-op, Wave Defense.
Shares Gunplay, Third-Person, Science Fiction, Co-op Campaign.
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Shares Hack-and-Slash, Co-op Campaign, Third-Person, Gunplay.
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Closest hidden gems
A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, Co-op Campaign, Local Co-op, Third-Person. 91% positive across 4,757 Steam reviews.
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A lesser-known kindred — Gunplay, Third-Person, Wave Defense, Military & War. 96% positive across 4,671 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Gunplay, Third-Person, Single-Player, Wave Defense.
A lesser-known kindred — Wave Defense, Gunplay, Co-op Campaign, Third-Person. 90% positive across 4,382 Steam reviews.
Both lean into Wave Defense, Gunplay, Co-op Campaign, Third-Person.