Players can't get enough of the chaotic, explosive action—more than 7 out of 10 have already spent over 25 hours battling giant insects and aliens. The series' signature humor and over-the-top destruction keep the fun alive, even as technical hiccups occasionally throw a wrench in the experience.
What it's about: Stand and fight for humanity. This arcade shooter takes place in the year 2022, as the Earth Defense Force fends off an all-out attack by unknown life forms. Become an EDF soldier, battle against endless hordes of immense enemies, and restore peace to the earth.
In-game
« What a game. Even old farts like me can still have fun with this in-depth arcade blaster. »👍 anonymous review · Aug 2025 · 64 h played1« OH, WE ARE THE VALIANT INFANTRY. WE ARE THE ALPHA TEAM WITH PASSION AND CAMARADERIE. HEAR US AS WE SHOUT AT THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS, BE CALM, BE BOLD AND RAISE YOUR GUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS »👍 anonymous review · Sep 2026 · 58 h played1« I can't tell if the story and characters are secretly masterful, or if I've become unwell from 100%ing this game. All I know is that God is dead, hell is real, and Ranger sucks. »👍 anonymous review · Dec 2025 · 557 h played1« HOnoribly the best game ever in my life of creation , 82 hour in game still barely 25% completion »👍 anonymous review · Jul 2026 · 140 h played1« this game has changed my life. do you ever wakes up in the middle of the night and think "hey, i have to take a piss!" this game does not do that to me. it makes me me feel like a super hero. »👍 anonymous review · Sep 2026 · 2 h played1« EDF !!! BIG THINGS EVERYWHERE BIG WEAPON BIG ENNEMIES BIG THING FLYING BIG BUILDING BIG MECHA BIG ALIENS BIG DIALOGUE BIG MISSIONS AND THE BEST YOU CAN DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT'S BIG ! EDF ! EDF ! »👍 anonymous review · Mar 2022 · 82 h played
« Could not get past first 15 minutes. I could cope with awful introduction (it is a snoozefest), but this game running so poorly with the way it looks is an instant refund. Don't get the appeal, likely never will. »👎 anonymous review · Aug 2025 · 0 h played1« Pas de multijoueur, du moins pas de room sans mot de passe disponible, les missions du début son horriblement longues et chiantes, aucun plaisir. »👎 anonymous review · Oct 2021 · 0 h played« En 2020 il y a encore des jeux qui vous empêchent de choisir les 4 touches fléchées du clavier pour se déplacer ? »👎 anonymous review · Sep 2020 · 0 h played« Crashes most of the time when clicking on "online play". Also terrible keyboard support. Fun game but it's a shame it's made by such incompetent people. »👎 anonymous review · Jul 2024 · 21 h played« worst game i've ever played, don't buy this crap »👎 anonymous review · Mar 2020 · 51 h played« Défouloir parfait. Certains gros défauts d'earth defense 4.1 corrigés : persos plus équilibrables, leveling et stuff vaut pour tous les personnages, avec même la possibilité de conserver une partie des loots quand on perd la mission. »👍 anonymous review · Dec 2020 · 56 h played
In players' words
« What a game. Even old farts like me can still have fun with this in-depth arcade blaster. »👍 anonymous review · Aug 2025 · 64 h played1« Could not get past first 15 minutes. I could cope with awful introduction (it is a snoozefest), but this game running so poorly with the way it looks is an instant refund. Don't get the appeal, likely never will. »👎 anonymous review · Aug 2025 · 0 h played1« OH, WE ARE THE VALIANT INFANTRY. WE ARE THE ALPHA TEAM WITH PASSION AND CAMARADERIE. HEAR US AS WE SHOUT AT THE TOP OF OUR LUNGS, BE CALM, BE BOLD AND RAISE YOUR GUNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNS »👍 anonymous review · Sep 2026 · 58 h played1« Pas de multijoueur, du moins pas de room sans mot de passe disponible, les missions du début son horriblement longues et chiantes, aucun plaisir. »👎 anonymous review · Oct 2021 · 0 h played« I can't tell if the story and characters are secretly masterful, or if I've become unwell from 100%ing this game. All I know is that God is dead, hell is real, and Ranger sucks. »👍 anonymous review · Dec 2025 · 557 h played1« En 2020 il y a encore des jeux qui vous empêchent de choisir les 4 touches fléchées du clavier pour se déplacer ? »👎 anonymous review · Sep 2020 · 0 h played« HOnoribly the best game ever in my life of creation , 82 hour in game still barely 25% completion »👍 anonymous review · Jul 2026 · 140 h played1« Crashes most of the time when clicking on "online play". Also terrible keyboard support. Fun game but it's a shame it's made by such incompetent people. »👎 anonymous review · Jul 2024 · 21 h played« this game has changed my life. do you ever wakes up in the middle of the night and think "hey, i have to take a piss!" this game does not do that to me. it makes me me feel like a super hero. »👍 anonymous review · Sep 2026 · 2 h played1« worst game i've ever played, don't buy this crap »👎 anonymous review · Mar 2020 · 51 h played« EDF !!! BIG THINGS EVERYWHERE BIG WEAPON BIG ENNEMIES BIG THING FLYING BIG BUILDING BIG MECHA BIG ALIENS BIG DIALOGUE BIG MISSIONS AND THE BEST YOU CAN DESTROY EVERYTHING THAT'S BIG ! EDF ! EDF ! »👍 anonymous review · Mar 2022 · 82 h played« Défouloir parfait. Certains gros défauts d'earth defense 4.1 corrigés : persos plus équilibrables, leveling et stuff vaut pour tous les personnages, avec même la possibilité de conserver une partie des loots quand on perd la mission. »👍 anonymous review · Dec 2020 · 56 h played
Anonymized excerpts from public Steam reviews — picked among those most voted "helpful" by the community.
What players say, by aspect
PositiveMixedNegative
Gameplay
88 % pos · n=145
Content / longevity
74 % pos · n=31
Multiplayer
75 % pos · n=24
Story / writing
94 % pos · n=17
Graphics / art
47 % pos · n=17
Audio / music
85 % pos · n=13
Interface / UX
8 % pos · n=13
Stability / bugs
10 % pos · n=10
Performance
40 % pos · n=5
Value for money
60 % pos · n=5
Detailed data (table)
Aspect
Mentions
Positive
Mixed
Negative
Gameplay
145
128
4
13
Content / longevity
31
23
0
8
Multiplayer
24
18
2
4
Story / writing
17
16
1
0
Graphics / art
17
8
0
9
Audio / music
13
11
0
2
Interface / UX
13
1
0
12
Stability / bugs
10
1
0
9
Performance
5
2
0
3
Value for money
5
3
0
2
Positive reviews by playtime
🎮 Players who like it have spent 49 h on median; those who dislike it: 18 h.
<2h
38 % (n=16)
2-10h
79 % (n=53)
10-25h
84 % (n=75)
>25h
94 % (n=354)
Fixed or still broken? Sentiment over time
➡️ Stable reception over time
% of positive reviews per month (months with ≥ 15 sample reviews).
of players have unlocked the rarest achievement — the upper bound of those who "100%'d" it. 39 achievements in total; the median achievement is unlocked by 2,9 % of players.
Explosive, over-the-top destruction and high-octane action dominate the praise: 128 positive mentions out of 145 for gameplay.
The series' signature humor shines through, with 37 mentions and overwhelmingly positive feedback.
Cooperative play earns strong approval, with 18 positive mentions out of 24.
Long-term engagement is exceptional, with 94% positive reviews among players who played over 25 hours.
Weaknesses
Technical performance frustrates a vocal minority, with 9 negative mentions out of 10 for bugs.
The user interface draws criticism, with 12 negative mentions out of 13.
Graphics polarize players, with 9 negative mentions out of 17.
Newcomers with short playtimes are the most critical, with only 38% positive reviews in the under-2-hour bucket.
Who is it for?
Fans of the EDF series will feel right at home, as will anyone craving mindless, large-scale destruction with friends. The chaotic, arcade-style combat rewards persistence over polish.
Is EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 worth it in 2026?
Yes, without reservation for most players: 94% of 11,474 Steam reviews are positive (player score 89/100). Most-praised strength: Explosive, over-the-top destruction and high-octane action dominate the praise. Current price: 20,49€ (59% off).
Verdict
Earth Defense Force 5 delivers exactly what its audience expects: relentless, silly, and satisfying destruction on a grand scale. While technical stumbles and minor flaws hold it back from perfection, the sheer volume of fun overshadows them—for those willing to look past the rough edges.
Is this synthesis accurate?
Display this score
This game's player score, as a badge you can embed on your site or page.
💬 Discussion
A thought, a tip, a question? Drop a note (no account needed).