The Earth Defense Force series may have started as an offshoot of the Simple series, but it has developed a cult following all of its own. The latest title, Earth Defense Force 6, launched for PlayStation in Japan during August 2022. This March, the game was released in Asia (again for PlayStation) with English audio and text. The English version was the big hint that Earth Defense Force 6 would be hitting North America and Europe relatively soon – and that has now been confirmed! D3 Publisher is bringing the game to the West for PC and PlayStation in late July.
June of last year was the 20th anniversary of the Earth Defense Force series. It’s crazy to think that it has already been two decades of relentless alien invasions, valiant battles, and saving humanity! The series has grown into an iconic tale that captivates players worldwide with exhilarating gameplay, memorable gameplay, and a never-ending mission to defend Earth from extraterrestrial threats. DDnet editor-in-chief Matt really enjoys the series; when he reviewed Earth Defense Force 5 he concluded, “for all its nonsense, giant monsters, and ever-escalating explosions, there’s also a sense that this EDF, moreso than its predecessors, has also remembered that something can be B-grade, and still convey some kind of message of worth.” He also gave the game 4.5 stars. That will be hard to beat!
In the year 2025, peace has returned to Earth following a war against unknown invaders dubbed Primers. But the war was not without casualty: 90% of the population was destroyed and the remaining civilization is about to collapse. Fast forward to 2027, three years after what went down in Earth Defense Force 5. Survivors are trying to rebuild but threats to the world persist. Some Primers were left behind, becoming alien colonists, and there remains a consistent state of hostility between them and the humans. When the number of invasive species nesting in the depths of the planet continue to grow, the Earth Defense Force (EDF for short) is called to protect the planet from aggressive alien invaders and to solve the mystery of the giant ring-shaped object that recently appeared in the sky.
Earth Defense Force 6 is a direct sequel to Earth Defense Force 5 and is described by the publisher as “a perilous adventure” and “an exciting new story with the EDF series.” Ranger, Air Raider, Wing Diver, and Fencer classes are back with new abilities and a diverse arsenal. Use them effectively to defend earth against all threats, engaging in battles with deadly alien creatures and using cunning strategies to emerge victorious. “Content” is so important to players these days, so I can confirm there is lots of it in Earth Defense 6: hundreds of new missions, new weapons, and things to discover. Two-player couch co-op can be played split-screen and four-player co-op will be available online.
There are two versions of Earth Defense Force 6, Standard and Deluxe. The Standard Edition is the base game. The Deluxe Edition includes the base game and a Season Pass that includes 11 additional weapons and two additional missions. Air Raider boarding weapons are the Eros No. 6 and Naegling No. 6; the Ranger boarding weapon is the Free Bike No 6; Ranger weapons are the Broken MR98 Fang, A60 Binary Round, and Aerial Reverser M0; the Wing Diver independently operated equipment is the Handy Saber Type 0; Fencer weapons are the OneeChanbara ORIGIN-Illustrated “Disguised Body Pillow,” Power Blade Zero, and Proto Reflector; and the strengthening part for a Fencer is the Gunner’s Exoskeleton. Additional Mission Pack 1 is titled Lost Days, and Additional Mission Pack 2 is titled Visions of Malice.
Pre-orders for the game are now open via PlayStation, and will open via Steam next month. Pre-order rewards include the Reverse Core Type-N (a set of auxillary equipment for Wing Divers) and three recruiters (based on popular Vtubers Takanashi Kiara, Gawr Gura, and IRyS). Anyone who purchases via the PlayStation Store before end of day December 24 will receive a metal-coated version of the Nix combat frame (and those three decoys, even if you don’t pre-order) and pre-orders for the Deluxe Edition include a specially painted combat vehicle called the Blacker No. 6; both versions include 24-hour early access to the game.
Developed by Sandlot and published in the West by D3 Publisher, Earth Defense Force 6 will be released for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, and PlayStation 5 on July 25.
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