You Should Play Earth Defence Force 5

EDF! EDF! EDF! 

At its core, Earth Defence Force 5 is all about escalation. You play as a civilian who just so happens to be visiting an army base at a time when giant mutated insects start breaking in through the walls. Thankfully, you happen to have a gun in your hand. Well, it actually depends on your class. You might have a jetpack on too, or be covered in armour, it really all depends. I won’t spoil the story, because not only is there one, but it goes to some surprisingly dark places if you’re willing to pay attention. It’s also very funny because it’s intensely campy and over-the-top.

Anyway, escalation. My favourite class is the Air Raider, one that essentially plays a support role most of the time. However, while the weapons you have aren’t all that powerful, you do get the ability to call in airstrikes and vehicles. Initially, it might just be some cannon fire on a small area, but you eventually unlock orbital lasers. If you’re a big fan of the heavy metal instead, then your first APC might be a little underwhelming, but your flame-thrower covered mech suit won’t be. At this point, you really should have bought the game already.

That’s what EDF is all about as a series, and the game has never been better than it is in Earth Defence Force 5. Not only is it currently on sale on Steam, but it’s also a gargantuan game. There are over 100 missions to complete across multiple difficulties and four different classes — each of these plays in a completely different way too. On top of that, you can do the whole thing in co-op, with up to four people. It is, quite simply, some of the most fun you can have, and you should definitely start playing it.