Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair Critic Reviews

The action is huge, the enemies gigantic and the firepower overwhelming. Earth Defense Force 4.1 is finally the game the series has always tried to be.

Still the same incredible experience it was two years ago, only better. For new players it's a game full of twists and turns, daring level design and terrifying foes. For veterans it's the best version yet of an amazing formula, just as fresh and thrilling. It's a stunning experience from beginning to end, but I do hope the developers can fix the metagame elements and bump perfection up to the next level.

Killing giant insect scum was has never been as fun and addicting as it is now. The four different classes provide four different and fun ways to play the game and there is tons of replay value here to keep you killing incest for many months to come.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 isn't out to change the action genre, or win any technical awards for that matter. It simply provides a fun, over-the-top experience where you lay waste to aliens – and the city, oops. It's built pretty solidly, though, and is a sheer joy to play, whether alone or with friends. And when you hop into the helm of a mech, your heroic meter will definitely jump up a notch. Here's to you, EDF!

Earth Defense Force 4.1 provides portable pick-up and play pleasure on your PlayStation.

If I were to stick with a single installment going forward, this would be the one. Some of the upgrades fall short of expectations, and a good deal of the content is overly familiar at this point, but The Shadow of New Despair still represents the series at its best.

A fantastic game, one that’s criminally underrated and will go unnoticed or berated for its ‘awful’ visuals and gameplay. Whatever they may say, the game is a blast to play, and helped alleviate the tedium of the recent releases. Not every game has to have an amazing story, they just have to be a good and fun game.

There isn't much here for Earth Defense Force 2025 players, especially since it doesn't include the three previously released DLC packs, but new players will fall in love with this title almost immediately.

EDF delivers more fun, as strange as it gets. You know is going to be weak on the technical side, but it's really strong when it comes to entertain. If you're ok with its weaknesses, it's a game you should try.

Overall, despite scope for improvement in future installments, EDF 4.1 is an accessible, enjoyable and unique experience to any newcomer prepared to suspend triple-A gaming logic. For veterans, it’s the the best outing yet for this beloved oddity.

4.1 is a raucous and fun shooter with a different as well as more open ended approach compared to the more scripted movie wannabe type games out there. The dialogue is both silly and endearing and the combat is very satisfying.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 is an improved version of Earth Defense Force 2025. A simple but fun shooter experience which is better if we share it with friends (local or online. But its improvements on PS4 don´t solve its poor graphics.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 is a strange game that will likely get judged harshly from the outside, simply because it doesn’t look good. But, my word, does it ever play magically. Not only do I recommend it, I fully endorse it. Earth Defense Force 4.1 is the perfect B-movie video game, and essential to play for all who may be interested in such a thing.

A great shooter that offers a surprising amount of variety and content. The mechanics may be simple but EDF 4.1 showcases spectacle above all else and it always proves to be thrilling.

Just like Koei's musou games you’ll either love it or hate. I love it with all its shortcomings.

Varied and fun to play, Shadow of New Despair captures the intensity and feel of 70's and 80's monster/sci-fi movies, though its difficulty curve is sometimes hard to swallow.

From each individual line of dialogue to every jagged texture, Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair is so bad that it's actually pretty bloody good.

There is a lot to EDF 4.1, but nothing about it is going to change players’ minds if they never enjoyed the series. The same rinse and repeat game play exists, the performance is still questionable, and the repetition is real.

A strange game that has the ability to engage the player despite its weaknesses.

Earth Defense Force 4.1 is quite a disappointment given it's a remaster. A full-price release is far from ideal for this game and things like the mediocre framerate and graphics don't work in its favour either. But if you make the step to play Earth Defense Force 4.1 co-op with your friends, it makes for a fun-level not many games have been able to reach.