Earth Defence Force 4 - 360 / PS3 review

[Colin]

Yeah, the main problem was I kept pushing the D-pad instead of the stick to get through the menus, and it kept bringing up the messaging menu.

[Briareos]

I might be on-line tonight, what time were you thinking of? I also need to find my headset that I have lost...

In single player news I've played up to level 10 on soldier then did the first three with Wing Diver, not too keen to be honest, the asset management between shooting and flying isn't something that tickles me at the moment, might try Fencer next.

Side question, the last column of weapons for the soldier I have unlocked two guns that look like pesticide cans and one that looks like a flame thrower, though when I fire the flame thrower the ammo goes down but nothing comes out, are these the injection weapons I've heard about?

[vanpeebles]

Probably on from around 9

[Briareos]

Probably on from around 9

Probably won't be on tonight after all, kill some ants for me eh?

[vanpeebles]

Boo no ikobo either and I can't get this usb headset to work

[Briareos]

That reminds me I need to dig mine out, now where did I leave it?

[Yakumo]

I might be on-line tonight, what time were you thinking of? I also need to find my headset that I have lost...

In single player news I've played up to level 10 on soldier then did the first three with Wing Diver, not too keen to be honest, the asset management between shooting and flying isn't something that tickles me at the moment, might try Fencer next.

Side question, the last column of weapons for the soldier I have unlocked two guns that look like pesticide cans and one that looks like a flame thrower, though when I fire the flame thrower the ammo goes down but nothing comes out, are these the injection weapons I've heard about?

I've completed the game on easy and normal and halfway through hard with the Ranger (Soldier) so he's well powered up. So much so that he's never going to die unless I play of the inferno setting.

So now I'm up to stage 56 with the Wing Diver and loving it. In fact the Ranger now seems so slow!. The Wing Diver is really weak at first so I suggest playing the first few levels in multiplayer to build up armor. then play a few of the earlier levels on normal or hard to get some kick ass weapons. then go back to easy to build up amour before taking on the Normal challenge. Yep, Wing Diver is really cool to use once you get used to the control system. Taking out the big ships in the air is easy. Just fly on top of them then shoot the **** out of them when they open up

[Briareos]

The Wing Diver is really weak at first so I suggest playing the first few levels in multiplayer to build up armor. then play a few of the earlier levels on normal or hard to get some kick ass weapons. then go back to easy to build up amour before taking on the Normal challenge

Does armour increase your energy tank capacity or is that set from the outset? I keep finding myself falling out of the sky after shooting too much, though it's probably just my poor asset management!

Has anyone been playing mush with the Fencer?

[prinnysquad]

Thanks to the charitable nature of Vanpeebles, I had the pleasure of playing levels 1-33 of this today. I played as a standard soldier and tackled the hordes in co-op.

So far, this is easily my second favourite EDF after EDF2. It's an improvement on EDF3 in practically every way. The levels and enemies are more polished and varied - I love the mall levels in particular. The detail is far more impressive than before, and I just love the way the buildings collapse in little stages, with a huge hole previewing the impending collapse, and bits flying off everywhere.

The enemies also break up nicely. I was a bit sceptical about the ability of enemies to have limbs blown off them, due in part to framerate issues, but mostly because I thought it might be a bit of a stylistic frivolity. However, I was soon won over, and laughing my bollocks off over ant heads bouncing down the street and spider legs disappearing into the distance. I also like the 3D pickups, and the way they bounce off when they're dropped.

The enemies are great - old classics with the newbieness of those web things. They're real azz kikrs, and skanked me more than I dare admit. I can't wait to see what comes next. The shield generators are ok - a bit of an oddity which slows the pace down if truth be told, but sometimes you need that as a breather before you get wagoned up by hyper raggings. The weapons seem quite familiar so far, and easy to distinguish for a grizzled EDF veteran through the numerical readouts on the selection screen. Love the lock-on missile launcher.

What I will strongly argue is this - EDF Insect Armageddon has been a blessing for the series. Sandlot have clearly taken on board things that worked in IA and incorporated them into the core series. Revivals are a great idea in co-op, and were very successful in IA. The armour classes are a welcome addition. They change the gameplay neatly. The reload button - thank God! I've yet to try the vehicles, but the turrets and tanks in IA were very useful, so here's hoping. Even the accumulation of stats on a records screen - finally!

Fundamentally, IA also refreshed the palette somewhat. A different take on EDF, and this game now buzzes with familiar warmth and exciting new stuff. The ants are just so goddamn big, and the mission duration punchy and high-impact. The Japanese dialogue beng impenetrable, but full of 'EDFs' and songs. Awesome.

Just ... Awesome. Pure Fun!

[Yakumo]

Does armour increase your energy tank capacity or is that set from the outset? I keep finding myself falling out of the sky after shooting too much, though it's probably just my poor asset management!

Has anyone been playing mush with the Fencer?

You don't get more battery power but better weapons take less power meaning you can fly more. 98% complete with wing diver on normal now.

[Colin]

Got up to level 61 today after not having time to play for a couple of days. Level 53 stuck out as an utter pain in the arse as I failed at it a few times, twice when I only had a couple of enemies to kill only for a flying ship to drop in front of me as I fired a rocket, instantly killing me. On something like attempt five I ended up taking on a bazillion enemies using only my machine gun to stop it happening again! Then on level 54 the fecking computer controlled wing divers kept doing the same, jumping in front of me just as I fired rockets. So I made the choice and shot them all before taking on the bug horde single handedly. I was just falling in to a bit of a lull with the game when it perked up again with the introduction of the dragons. Might try and complete it before the weekend is out.

In regards to the vehicles, I don't use them at all, don't like 'em. I enjoy being a one man army.

[prinnysquad]

I know what you mean. First thing I did yesterday was select the standard soldier. The new stuff can come later - I just wanted a classic EDF experience. Although, being co-op, 'twas a Two Man Army.

Could someone who has completed the game confirm whether or not the game has the variety of enemies of EDF2, or is there less?

[Colin]

Last level i played today was a nightmare. Must've been going on that one stage for about 40 minutes trying to complete before getting killed. Just couldn't face a second attempt at it, will try a fresh start tomorrow.

[prinnysquad]

Sap. Play in co-op with some of these skanky ps3 owners. It's a game that must be played in co-op to get the best results and experience. Maybe pebbles could saddle up?

[BaronSqwelch]

I am in Yosemite at the moment swatting real life giant bugs! I got up to level 70 before I left tho so will be back to help out online in a week or so!