Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 (PS5) Review

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 (PS5) Review , Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is the latest installment in the long-running Earth Defense Force series. Released on September 20, 2024, for the PlayStation 5, this game offers a colorful and quirky take on the action-packed franchise.

Fans of the series have come to expect exciting combat, crazy weaponry, and an engaging multiplayer experience, and World Brothers 2 delivers on all those fronts. In this review, we’ll explore all aspects of the game to help you decide if it’s worth your time and money.

What is Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2?

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is a third-person shooter that belongs to the EDF series, known for its over-the-top action and chaotic battles against hordes of alien invaders. This time, however, the game takes a more lighthearted approach with voxel-based graphics, giving the game a retro, blocky aesthetic.

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While the EDF series is typically known for its realism (in terms of destruction and combat scale), World Brothers 2 adopts a different artistic style without losing the essence of large-scale battles.

The game’s storyline centers around an Earth that has been fragmented into pieces, and players must unite heroes from different regions of the world to defend humanity against alien invaders. The mission is simple: fight off waves of aliens, defend humanity, and rebuild the fractured planet.

Graphics and Visual Design

The most immediately noticeable aspect of Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is its voxel-based visual design. The voxel style gives the game a distinct appearance, reminiscent of block-based games like Minecraft.

While this is a departure from the usual realistic graphics seen in previous EDF titles, it suits the game’s playful tone. The bright colors, exaggerated explosions, and blocky characters create a visual style that feels fun and accessible, even in the midst of intense combat.

When comparing it to other games in the genre, World Brothers 2 stands out for its unique art style. Unlike most modern shooters that aim for gritty realism, this game embraces a cartoonish and humorous look. While the blocky graphics may not appeal to everyone, they certainly give the game its own personality.

Gameplay Overview

The core gameplay in Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 remains true to the franchise’s roots. Players are thrown into massive battles where they must fend off waves of alien creatures, robots, and other monstrous invaders.

The missions are varied, with some requiring players to protect key locations while others focus on defeating certain enemy types.

The mission structure is simple but engaging. Each level has clear objectives, such as eliminating specific enemies or surviving a set number of waves. While this formula can become repetitive, the sheer variety of enemies and weapons keeps things interesting.

Additionally, the sense of scale is impressive, with huge monsters towering over the player and vast environments that offer plenty of opportunities for destruction.

Combat Mechanics

Combat in Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is fast-paced and chaotic. Players have access to a wide range of weapons, from standard assault rifles to futuristic energy cannons. Each weapon feels distinct, and players can switch between them based on the type of enemies they are facing.

The game also introduces a weapon customization system, allowing players to modify their equipment for maximum effectiveness.

The enemy AI, while not groundbreaking, is serviceable. Most enemies rely on swarming tactics, forcing the player to stay on their toes and prioritize targets. The boss battles, in particular, are highlights, with massive alien creatures that require strategy and teamwork to defeat.

Character Classes and Customization

One of the key features in World Brothers 2 is its character class system. Players can recruit heroes from different regions of the world, each with their own unique abilities and weapons. For example, some characters specialize in heavy weaponry, while others are better suited for close-quarters combat.

This diversity in character abilities encourages players to experiment with different playstyles and strategies.

Customization is another big part of the game. Players can equip their characters with different weapons, armor, and gadgets, allowing for a high degree of personalization. Whether you prefer to play as a sniper or a heavy gunner, there’s a character and loadout to suit your preferences.

Multiplayer Features

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 offers both local and online co-op modes. Multiplayer is where the game truly shines, as teamwork is essential to surviving the larger battles. The game allows for up to four players to team up and tackle missions together, which adds an extra layer of strategy to the gameplay.

Online co-op is smooth and relatively lag-free, making it a great option for players who want to experience the game with friends. Local multiplayer is equally fun, and the split-screen mode works well for casual couch gaming sessions.

Level Design

The levels in World Brothers 2 are large, open, and filled with destructible environments. Buildings, vehicles, and other structures can be destroyed in the chaos of battle, which adds a satisfying element to the gameplay.

The environments are varied, with urban areas, deserts, forests, and more. Each level feels distinct and offers its own challenges, keeping the gameplay fresh throughout the campaign.

Sound and Music

The game’s sound design is solid, with satisfying explosions, gunfire, and alien roars that add to the intensity of the action. The voice acting is deliberately cheesy, which fits the game’s overall tone. The music is energetic, with a mix of upbeat tracks that keep the player engaged during battle.

Difficulty and Replay Value

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 offers several difficulty levels, catering to both casual and hardcore players. The higher difficulties are particularly challenging, requiring precise teamwork and careful resource management.

Replay value is high, thanks to the variety of characters, weapons, and missions. Players can revisit old missions with new characters and loadouts, experimenting with different strategies. The game also features unlockable content, which provides an incentive for players to keep coming back.

Performance on PS5

The game runs smoothly on the PlayStation 5, with consistent frame rates and fast loading times. The PS5’s hardware allows for better graphical fidelity, even with the voxel art style. The game also takes advantage of the DualSense controller’s haptic feedback, enhancing the immersion during intense battles.

Comparison to Previous Earth Defense Force Games

Compared to previous EDF titles, World Brothers 2 offers a more lighthearted and visually distinct experience. The core gameplay remains the same, but the voxel graphics and new character classes provide a fresh take on the franchise.

Long-time fans may miss the more serious tone of earlier games, but the changes make World Brothers 2 more accessible to new players.

Strengths of the Game

• Unique voxel-based graphics
• Fun and chaotic combat
• Great multiplayer options
• High replay value

Weaknesses of the Game

• Repetitive mission structure
• Simplistic enemy AI
• The art style may not appeal to everyone

Conclusion

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is a fun and engaging game that offers a fresh take on the EDF franchise. The voxel graphics, diverse character classes, and chaotic combat make it an enjoyable experience, especially in multiplayer mode. While the game has its flaws, it’s a solid entry in the series and a great choice for fans of action-packed shooters.

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