Earth Defense Force 5 is an electrifying third-person horde shooter that throws players into a world overrun with alien invaders. Read on for an in-depth introduction to a definitive Switch 2 port of a beloved entry in the Earth Defense Force franchise.
A New Classic Makes a Landing for the Nintendo Switch 2
Earth Defense Force 5 invades the realm of handheld gaming as the B-movie-esque horde shooter releases for the Nintendo Switch 2. The 2017 cult classic left its mark on the PlayStation and PC during its original release, but it’s now ready to hold an even wider audience captive with dangerously addictive arcade violence and a hair-raising yet outlandishly hilarious "Creature Feature" spectacle.
Earth Defense Force 5 is actually a reboot of the series, touted as the "perfect entry point" for newcomers to become familiar with the series' glory and alien gore.
This Switch 2 release also brandishes new features for the 2017 title, including improved performance, reworked controls, a split-screen co-op mode, and major QoL additions such as linked game progress between offline and online modes. Read on to learn why there's no better time to enlist into the fanbase.
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Steam |
 PS |
 Switch 2 |
|||
| $59.99 / $29.99 (Switch 2) | |||||
The Perfect Entry to Satisfy New and Old Fans Alike
Earth Defense Force 5 breaks the continuity of the previous EDF entry with a story reboot, ushering a new chapter for a franchise that’s known for its mix of Japanese kaiju film and American Creature Feature movie storylines. It reimagines the titular Earth Defense Force as a private military force enlisted by the world to fend off an alien invasion led by the Primers. The Primers are an entirely different alien civilization from the Ravagers or the Aggressors of past titles. This new threat plunges players into a deeper mystery and a much darker, JRPG-like storyline.
Unlike previous games, you start your journey as a rookie in an EDF base undergoing a routine orientation for an upcoming open house event. But the game refuses to waste your time with a slow start; chaos erupts when the base is suddenly overwhelmed by gigantic, acid-spewing ants crawling out from underground tunnels. Your superior officer meets an unceremonious and frankly depressing end, but this is where you, as a civilian, must pick up a gun and begin your story.
At this point, despite the EDF’s military intelligence, no one knows what’s going on. Not even the soldiers themselves could identify the strange creatures. This raises one of many important questions about biodiversity in this version of Earth, but one of the most charming things is how much of the B-movie madness remains delightfully unexplained.
You and your surviving comrades eventually escape the base, hoping to find answers and safety aboveground, bound together by newfound trauma and camaraderie. However, you discover that the situation is much, much worse up top. Aliens and monsters have waged war against all of humanity, and they will stop at nothing until they see to the extinction of mankind.
The narrative brilliantly balances the mounting hopelessness of an apocalypse with the EDF's steadfast, optimistically nervous march toward each new mission. This tension is heightened by every victory and defeat, expertly woven with that hilarious, cheesy charm of a B-movie classic.
A Horde Shooter Straight Out of a B-Movie Apocalypse
The beauty of Earth Defense Force lies in its deceptively simple yet insanely fun gameplay, which makes it so engaging that it’s nearly impossible to put down. Each play session easily glues you to the screen, leaving you astounded at how many hours slipped by as you blasted through alien hordes without a single break.
At the core of every mission is a simple objective: eliminate every hostile entity and destroy any invading warships on sight. It is the ultimate experience for players seeking an unadulterated, action-packed outlet where they can just let loose against massive hordes of aliens. There’s nothing quite like the curious mix of adrenaline, fear, and surrender as you watch a sea of gigantic creatures charge directly at you, only to have that followed by the profound satisfaction of clearing the area and leaving behind a battlefield littered with alien carapaces.
However, this isn’t a mindless button-masher. While it delivers fast-paced, arcade-style run-and-gun simplicity, Earth Defense Force 5 introduces smarter enemies and a deeper emphasis on tactics and teamwork in multiplayer. Combined with the diverse strategies required across different missions, the gameplay remains consistently fresh and engaging.
The campaign offers the longest and most robust storyline in the franchise's history, featuring a dizzying 110 missions on solo and 111 missions for online co-op. You can tailor the challenge by selecting from Easy, Normal, and Hard difficulties right from the start, while Hardest and Inferno difficulties await those who conquer the campaign. Whether playing solo or teaming up with friends, the mission design accommodates all skill levels, ensuring an exhilarating experience without unnecessary frustration.
Four Classes That Suit Different Strategies
Continuing a tradition established in Earth Defense Force 4, Earth Defense Force 5 lets you choose from four distinct classes: the Ranger, Wing Diver, Air Raider, and Fencer. Each class comes with specialized strengths and weaknesses that can spell victory or defeat depending on the terrain and enemy composition.
Mastering multiple classes is key to success. While personal preferences (my personal favorite is the raw firepower of the Fencer) are great, the game's diverse mission design ensures that sticking to a single class will often put you at a distinct disadvantage.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Ranger | • Ever-reliable, all-rounder infantry units that are experts at using small arms, explosives, and even missile launchers. |
| Wing Diver | • Wing Divers are an all-women aerial combat-focused group that specializes in clearing high volumes of aliens, navigating elevated land, and crossing great distances thanks to their jetpacks and ranged weapons. |
| Air Raider | • Highly intelligent team players who support their comrades by coordinating strikes from artillery units, gunships, satellites, and more. |
| Fencer | • Juggernauts equipped with superpowered exoskeletons that augment their physical prowess and defense and enable them to carry shields and heavy weaponry. |
Over a Thousand Weapons to Choose From
Your starting arsenal is limited, but early weapons are more than capable of handling initial missions. As you defeat enemies, fallen foes will drop vital crates containing armor, health, or weaponry. Armor increases your survivability, health kits provide instant healing, and weapon crates grant a randomized selection of gear at the end of a battle.
Half the fun of decimating alien hordes is discovering and testing weapons that maximize destruction or finding counters to specific threats. With an expansive selection of assault rifles, sniper rifles, grenades, cannons, mines, missile launchers, mortars, and top-secret EDF superweapons, the tactical variety is staggering.
Beaming up New Fans With the Switch 2
| Earth Defense Force 5 Nintendo Switch 2 Features |
|---|
|
● Game completion progress linked across all game modes ● 4-player wireless local co-op ● 2-player split-screen co-op ● Gyro aiming support ● Improved control layouts ● Reworked dash mechanics ● Includes 2 "Mission Pack" DLCs ● Purchasable cosmetics for all classes ● Full subtitle support (Japanese, English, Korean, Traditional Chinese) |
Playing Earth Defense Force 5 on the Nintendo Switch 2 is a revelation. Whether in handheld mode, docked, or diving into the new split-screen co-op mode, the game runs remarkably smoothly. Even when total chaos unfolds, with aliens swarming your position, explosions filling the screen, and NPCs scrambling for safety, the performance never misses a beat.
The controls are intuitive and responsive, complemented by optional gyro aiming that significantly improves precision. Above all, the standout feature for the Switch 2 version is linked game progress across offline and online modes. This long-awaited quality-of-life update eliminates the need to restart progress when switching play modes, making the Switch 2 edition an exceptional way to experience the game.
An Insanely Addictive and Otherworldly Experience
It’s no small wonder this franchise has endured for decades. With refined gameplay, incredible depth, and the stellar optimization of the Switch 2 version, Earth Defense Force 5 is an absolute must-play.
Whether you love classic B-movies, over-the-top action, or simply want an unforgettable co-op shooter experience, it’s time to enlist in the EDF. Pick up Earth Defense Force 5 today on PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC via Steam, or the Nintendo Switch 2!
| Digital Storefronts | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam |
PS |
Switch 2 |
|||
| $59.99 / $29.99 (Switch 2) | |||||
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