Earth Defense Force 2017 is a bug shooter dressed up as a military shooter. That description is not meant as an insult. The game takes the giant insect invasion formula that made the original Earth Defense Force a cult hit in Japan and pushes it to its logical extreme, turning the player into a walking weapon platform that can mow down swarms of alien arthropods with a shotgun, a rocket launcher, and a chainsaw. It is loud, chaotic, and often ridiculous, but it knows exactly what it is doing.
The game drops you into a near-future Japan overrun by hordes of giant insects. You play as a member of the Earth Defense Force, a paramilitary organization tasked with wiping out the threat. The premise is simple: bugs are everywhere, and you have to kill them. The execution is anything but simple.
Trailer, via IGN.
The Numbers Behind the Swarm
Earth Defense Force 2017 runs on a frame rate that holds steady during the chaos. The game supports up to four players online, though the solo campaign remains the main draw. The story is thin, a series of missions strung together with brief cutscenes that mostly serve to establish why you are fighting. The bugs are not particularly clever, but they come in overwhelming numbers, and that is the point.
The weapons are the star of the show. You start with a standard rifle, but as you progress, you unlock heavier gear. Shotguns tear through crowds. Rocket launchers clear out groups of larger enemies. Grenades and mines add depth to your arsenal. The chainsaw is a particular highlight, letting you hack through enemies while moving forward. Each weapon feels distinct, and the game encourages experimentation by letting you switch freely between them.
The Difficulty Curve
The difficulty curve is steep. Early missions are manageable, but as the game progresses, the enemy count increases exponentially. Bosses are large, armored, and accompanied by endless waves of smaller enemies. This is where the game earns its reputation for being brutally difficult. You will die, often, and you will learn to love the checkpoint system that lets you respawn at the nearest base.
The game also includes a rank system. As you complete missions, you earn experience points, which unlock new weapons and upgrades. This progression loop is satisfying, even if the grind can feel punishing. The game rewards patience and practice, and the sense of accomplishment after a difficult boss fight is genuine.
The Look of the Game
Visually, Earth Defense Force 2017 is competent but unremarkable. The character models are serviceable, and the environments are detailed enough to sell the scale of the invasion. The bugs themselves are varied and grotesque, ranging from massive scorpions to towering mantises. The game runs at a smooth frame rate, which is crucial given the amount of action on screen.
The sound design is where the game excels. Gunfire, explosions, and the shrieks of the bugs create a relentless wall of noise. The soundtrack is minimal, consisting of a few tracks that shift between tense and triumphant. The audio is not subtle, but it fits the tone of the game perfectly.
The Multiplayer Experience
The online co-op mode is a highlight. Playing with friends adds a layer of strategy that the solo campaign lacks. You can coordinate attacks, cover each other, and share the load of enemies. The game handles multiplayer smoothly, with minimal lag, though the matchmaking system is basic.
The solo campaign is the stronger mode, but the multiplayer is where the game shines brightest. It is a joy to watch a friend hack away at a boss while you rain down rockets from above. The game’s difficulty means that even a full team can struggle, which makes victories feel earned.
The Weak Points
The game is not without flaws. The story is thin, and the characters are forgettable. There is no real narrative arc beyond the general threat of the bugs. The game also suffers from occasional slowdown during the busiest fights, though this is less frequent than in earlier entries in the series.
The difficulty can also be off-putting. Some missions require precise timing and positioning that feels unfair. The game does not always explain its mechanics clearly, leaving some players confused about how best to approach a fight. These issues are minor compared to the overall package, but they are present nonetheless.
The Chainsaw and the Shotgun
The chainsaw deserves special mention. It is a melee weapon that lets you hack through enemies while moving forward, and it is incredibly satisfying to use. The shotgun is another standout. Both weapons feel distinct from the rifles and rocket launchers, giving the arsenal a real variety.
The game also features a range of enemy types, from small grunts to massive bosses. Each type requires a different approach, and learning how to handle each one is part of the fun. The game is not a puzzle box, but it does reward observation and adaptation.
The Final Word
Earth Defense Force 2017 is a game for players who want pure, unadulterated action. It is not trying to be a deep tactical shooter, nor is it trying to be a cinematic epic. It is a game about killing bugs, and it does that exceptionally well. The weapons are varied, the enemies are numerous, and the challenge is real.
The game is a product of its time, and it shows. It is a relic of a period when games were judged on their raw energy rather than their technical polish. That energy still carries over today. The game is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy a relentless assault on hordes of giant insects, it is a masterclass.
“Bugs are everywhere, and you have to kill them.”
That is the core of Earth Defense Force 2017, and it is a mission statement that the game delivers on with gusto.
Earth Defense Force 2017 is a solid, if flawed, entry in the bug shooter genre. Its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, and it remains a worthy addition to any collection of action games. The game is a product of its time, but it has aged better than most. It is a game about killing bugs, and it does that exceptionally well.
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