Press Coverage & Scores
A retrospective look at how critics received the Earth Defense Force series.
Earth Defense Force 2017 (Xbox 360, 2007)
| Outlet | Score | Reviewer | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGN | 7.0 / 10 | Nate Ahearn | March 7, 2007 |
| GameSpot | 7.0 / 10 | — | 2007 |
| Eurogamer | 8 / 10 | — | 2007 |
| Famitsu (JP) | 29 / 40 | — | December 2006 |
"Earth Defense Force 2017 is pure, unapologetic, and wonderfully low-tech fun … the thrill of watching skyscrapers crumble never gets old."
— IGN, March 2007
"There are no story highlights, no cut-scenes to speak of — just you, waves of giant insects, and the city of Tokyo."
— Eurogamer, 2007
See also: flagship editorial on EDF 2017 • full catalogue entry
EDF 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair (PS4 / PC, 2015–2016)
| Outlet | Score | Reviewer | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGN | 7.8 / 10 | — | August 2015 |
| GameSpot | 7 / 10 | — | 2015 |
| Eurogamer | Recommended | — | 2015 |
| Metacritic (PS4) | ~72 / 100 | aggregate | 2015 |
"The absurd joy of mowing down alien hordes has never been better realised … a gleeful celebration of B-movie excess."
— Eurogamer, 2015
See also: flagship editorial on EDF 4.1 • full catalogue entry • how to play EDF 4.1 today
Earth Defense Force 5 (PS4 / PC, 2017–2019)
| Outlet | Score | Reviewer | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGN | 8.5 / 10 | — | December 2018 |
| GameSpot | 8 / 10 | — | 2018 |
| Eurogamer | Recommended | — | 2019 (PC) |
| Metacritic (PS4) | ~78 / 100 | aggregate | 2018 |
| Famitsu (JP) | 31 / 40 | — | December 2017 |
"EDF 5 is the series at its most polished and funniest — the co-op remains as riotous as ever."
— IGN, December 2018
"Five is the best EDF yet … if you've ever wanted to know what it feels like to punch through a city block while being swarmed by frogs, here's your answer."
— Eurogamer
See also: flagship editorial on EDF 5 • full catalogue entry • how to play EDF 5 today
Earth Defense Force 6 (PS4 / PS5 / PC, 2022–2024)
| Outlet | Score | Reviewer | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| IGN | 8 / 10 | — | July 2024 |
| Metacritic (PS5) | ~80 / 100 | aggregate | 2024 |
| Famitsu (JP) | 32 / 40 | — | August 2022 |
"EDF 6 doubles down on the series' strengths … bigger, louder, and even more gleefully chaotic."
— IGN, July 2024
See also: full catalogue entry • how to play EDF 6 today
Notes on Press Coverage
Edge (UK): Covered EDF 2017 in Spring 2007 and EDF 5 in early 2019. Edge typically reviewed EDF titles briefly but positively, noting the series' cult appeal.
Famitsu (JP): All mainline Sandlot EDF titles received Famitsu reviews; scores range from 28–32/40 across the series. The Famitsu database at famitsu.com is the authoritative source for JP scores and publication dates.
Retrospective coverage: Following EDF 5's positive reception, several outlets revisited earlier entries. Eurogamer's retrospective discussions of EDF 2017 and EDF 4.1 helped introduce the series to readers who had missed its earlier chapters.