Earth Defense Force: World Brothers Reviews
It’s hard to say if Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is better or worse than Iron Rain. If you stick with tried and true EDF characters to play as, it’s probably better. If you try to use its weird gimmick characters, it’s probably worse. While some missions in an EDF game can be a bit frustrating, I definitely think they do their best to make each mission fun. Even at its worst, it still controls and plays well. In both of Yuke’s Earth Defense Force games, I feel like frustration is the status quo. Enemy placement seems less thoughtful and even when the enemy design isn’t something you have to struggle against, you’re still left with the controls not feeling very good. Between that and so few characters feeling good to use, the times in which I had fun in this game are few and far between.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers goes under a visual renovation and presents a new aesthetic that will help it becoming more popular with a wider audience. The gameplay experience remains the same compared to the previous EDF games, improved even, it can be said. At the same time, EDF's issues with performance have not made a lot of progress and the game's lack of a local co-op multiplayer that requires only one Nintendo Switch will make this a less attractive game for those looking for this kind of experience, especially given its relatively high price.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
The roster variety is hindered by the progression system which discourages changing party members before each mission. The color palette and art is very vibrant and colorful, but the game looks more blurred and choppy as more and more enemies are thrown at the player in the pursuit of a challenge which is the World Brothers' downfall. For EDF fans and newcomers alike, this call to action isn't worth answering.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers starts off on a pretty high note, with various characters and Easter Eggs of the older entries thrown in. Getting new guys and weapons is fun, but fairly rapidly some of the annoyances really start to come through and slow the experience down. From the very slow movement, to the largely repetitious maps, it doesn't take that long before it feels like players have seen most of what there is too see, and begin to feel the need to move on.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers took a big risk giving a whole new look and feel to the EDF series, but it’s a gamble that pays off well. The more cutesy stylings and arcadey gameplay will turn off some, but many others will find it to be a fresh twist on the EDF formula. With a gigantic cast of international characters to play as, there’s plenty of chaotic joy to be had.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a repetitive but at times fun and very charming third-person shooter that actually taught me a bit about the world I live in.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a great entry point for those looking to get into the long-running series, and one that’s more accessible than ever thanks to an aesthetic that makes it more suitable for younger players. Throw in new features like the character switching mechanic and you have a game that’s a blast to play in small doses when alone, but really shines when played with others. Ultimately though, repetition is still an issue, as the gameplay never really evolves as you move through the lengthy campaign.
The bugs are back, but this time you have friends. Lots of friends. This graphic overhaul of the classic shooter series aims at more casual players but still delivers plenty of action.
Worlds Brothers has good qualities and is worth picking up after it reaches a discount price sometime in the future. I feel I would have been a lot less harsh on the game if I didn’t have the series’ previous games to compare it to but for most players I would have to recommend playing 5 instead if you haven’t gotten the chance to experience the series yet.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is an incredible, silly, and addictive action game. It makes smart and satisfying changes to the core formula of the series that make it one of the most enjoyable entries in the EDF franchise to date, and it has the potential to be one of the most exciting co-op games you've ever played. It's only downside, though, is incredibly major -- the Nintendo Switch version is plagued with graphical issues that significantly impact the quality and fun factor of an otherwise amazing game.
Ultimately, World Brothers is a good introduction for newcomers that’ll appeal to long-time fans too. It’s not especially deep and solo play can feel slightly repetitive in longer stints, but if you gather a few friends, you’ll have a lot of fun with this colourful spinoff.
The family-friendly blasting of Earth Defence Force: World Brothers should tide over the franchise fans until the arrival of EDF 6 later in the year.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers may lack depth but it still offers a pure EDF experience with plenty of action in a setting that is lighter than ever before.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers offers enough zany action to shine through any flaws presented during the hectic missions. The story keeps itself in the absurdity of Tokusatsu that sells the overall experience. Still, the combat system can be frustrating, which shows up more given the enormous amount of playable missions, but it’s undeniable this content will keep you playing for hours to come.
That's really all there is to it. Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is simplified fun and even at its toughest running on normal, players shouldn't have an issue dispatching the newest set of does to attack Planet Earth. The only real issue is the pacing of the upgrades but once you're passed that there's nothing to worry about other than how many missions can be crammed into an evening.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a good third-person shooter that's a little on the light side in terms of graphical style and humour, but don't be fooled – there are many missions to conquer and plenty of characters to unlock as you seek your ultimate team. The fast-paced action should keep you busy for hours.
All in all, EDF World Brothers is good, but it is also just EDF with a new coat of paint and I don’t need one every year or two. I want these titles to be special and had I not had an EDF title in the last five years (let alone two) I think World Brothers would have been more exciting to play. However, as a fan of EDF it is just another EDF game and honestly had I not been reviewing it I would have likely skipped it because past the coat of paint and new mechanics, it is just shooting giant bugs and monsters. With that I will basically say that this game is on par with EDF 5. It is still fun but nothing special.
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers is a good spin-off for the series, thanks to a nice graphic style and a simple but fun gameplay. The lack of variety is the only important issue to keep in mind.
Review in Italian | Read full review
The franchise’s traditional layer of jank is still present here, but I won’t deny that I had a lot of fun playing Earth Defense Force: World Brothers, way more than I could have ever expected. It’s far more entertaining than it has any right to be. The adorable voxel visuals, coupled with an actually good framerate for the first time in the franchise’s history, result in a game that’s pleasant to look at as well as to play.
With so many enemies filling the screen, players get to utilize your best weapons and abilities to plow through the enemy forces. Once you keep destroying everything in your path, you’ll get to see the ending relatively easily. Once the first playthrough is done, you can continue to farm for items and level-up your character for more additional content, where some of the strategy elements will kick in while you’re trying to align the perfect shot through the mob of monsters. Some of the gross looking creatures are all expressed in blocky fashion so they aren’t as visually disgusting to some viewers.
Review in Korean | Read full review