The Earth Defense Force 2017 (Xbox 360, 2007)

Hooray for cheesy science fiction action! Earth Defense Force 2017 deserves to be experienced, thanks to its B-movie inspired scenarios.


In the game, players control an Earth Defense Force (EDF) soldier, called upon to put a stop to an invading alien armada. A huge sphere that looks like a combination between the Death Star and a disco ball looms over the city, dropping multiple threats on humanity. Gigantic bugs emerge from sink-holes in the ground, metallic spaceships fly around and large robots, looking like something from a 50's sci-fi film, stomp about. The soldier fights back using unadulterated firepower.


EDF allows the soldier to carry two weapons at once. Small weapons with more ammunition, such as the assault rifle and shotgun, are options. However, those eager to detonate the alien forces in a quicker fashion can stock up with grenades or a missile launcher. Throughout the game, new weapons can be picked up after defeating enemies. They come in handy for later levels, when more complicated enemies (like an enormous land walker that spews lasers) arrive on the scene.


Earth Defense Force lacks complication and works more effectively as a result. Players don't have to worry about restocking their ammunition, only reloading their weapon and keeping their health and armor on an acceptable level. Anything and everything in the game can be blown to bits. See a tower in the distance? Send a missile its way and watch it crumble into a pile of dust. Does a building stand in the way of a grenade's trajectory? Shake it to its very foundation with a well-timed shot. The game asks players to save the city without punishing them for leveling it, and this adds to its overall appeal.


Players won't be limited to on-foot combat. Throughout the game, they find EDF vehicles. These include a fast-moving tank with a powerful firing range and a zippy speeder bike with mounted guns. These come in handy, as huge groups of enemies pop up out of nowhere. For example, one particular level requires the wiping-out of some nasty overgrown termites. After defeating them, however, several hundred ships arrive on the scene -- in less than a minute's time, no less. Rookie players can start out on Easy difficulty, but playing the game on Inferno becomes downright INSANE. On that difficulty level, these suckers mean business.