Earth Defense Force 2017
{{Short description|2006 video game}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Earth Defense Force 2017
| image = Earth defense force 2017 box art.jpg
| caption = North American Xbox 360 box art
| developer = Sandlot
| publisher = D3 Publisher
| director = {{ubl|Toshio Noguchi|Takehiro Honma}}
| designer = Takehiro Honma
| artist =
| programmer =
| producer = {{ubl|Shiro Kuroda|Nobuyuki Okajima}}
| composer = {{ubl|Masafumi Takada|Jun Fukuda|Shinya Tanaka}}
| series = Earth Defense Force
| platforms = Xbox 360, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch
| released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|December 14, 2006}}|Xbox 360{{vgrelease|JP|December 14, 2006|NA|March 20, 2007|EU|March 30, 2007}}
PlayStation Vita{{vgrelease|JP|September 27, 2012|NA|January 8, 2013|PAL|January 16, 2013}}
Nintendo Switch{{vgrelease|JP|October 14, 2021}}}}
| genre = Third-person shooter
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
}}
Earth Defense Force 2017{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|Chikyū Bōeigun 3|地球防衛軍3||lead=yes|{{lit.}} Earth Defense Forces 3}}}} is a third-person shooter developed by Sandlot, and published by D3 Publisher, for the Xbox 360. It is the follow-up to Global Defence Force, and is the first game in the Earth Defense Force series (as well as the first game based on D3's Simple series of budget games) to be released in North America. Earth Defense Force 3 was the best selling Games on Demand game in Japan for 2009.{{cite web |last=Gilbert |first=Ben |date=January 6, 2010 |title=Japan's Xbox Live stats indicate proneness to Japanese-developed games |url=https://www.engadget.com/2010-01-06-japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed.html |website=Engadget (Joystiq) |publisher=Yahoo! Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100412164740/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/06/japans-xbox-live-stats-indicate-proneness-to-japanese-developed/ |archive-date=April 12, 2010 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} The game was released on the PlayStation Vita in Japan on 27 September 2012.{{cite web |last=Yip |first=Spencer |date=June 25, 2012 |title=Giant Ants Infesting PlayStation Vita In September With Earth Defense Force |url=https://www.siliconera.com/giant-ants-infesting-playstation-vita-in-september-with-earth-defense-force/ |website=Siliconera |publisher=Gamurs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111132941/http://www.siliconera.com/2012/06/25/giant-ants-infesting-playstation-vita-in-september-with-earth-defense-force/ |archive-date=November 11, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} It was released digital-only in North America on January 8, 2013{{cite web |last=Takahashi |first=Miki |date=December 20, 2012 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable Invades PS Vita January 8th |url=https://blog.playstation.com/2012/12/20/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-invades-ps-vita-january-8th/ |website=PlayStation Blog |publisher=Sony Interactive Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209072339/https://blog.playstation.com/2012/12/20/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-invades-ps-vita-january-8th/ |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} and in the PAL region on January 16, 2013.{{cite web |last=Cook |first=Dave |date=December 20, 2012 |title=Earth Defence Force 2017 Portable dated, new screens released |url=https://www.vg247.com/earth-defence-force-2017-portable-dated-new-screens-released |website=VG247 |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521201800/https://www.vg247.com/earth-defence-force-2017-portable-dated-new-screens-released |archive-date=May 21, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} A port of the game was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan on October 14, 2021.{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=April 26, 2021 |title=Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space and Earth Defense Force 2017 coming to Switch |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-and-earth-defense-force-2017-coming-to-switch |website=Gematsu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015000502/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-and-earth-defense-force-2017-coming-to-switch |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 for Switch launches October 14 in Japan |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/07/earth-defense-force-2017-for-switch-launches-october-14-in-japan |website=Gematsu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015000501/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/07/earth-defense-force-2017-for-switch-launches-october-14-in-japan |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
Gameplay
The player takes control of an Earth Defense Force (EDF) soldier who is part of the elite unit Storm 1. To fight the enemy forces, consisting of aliens and massive insects, the player can access over 150 weapons, ranging from assault rifles and sniper rifles to rocket launchers, grenades, and laser weapons. Only two weapons may be selected for each mission. Some levels also contain vehicles which can be commandeered; a tank, a helicopter, a hoverbike, and a bipedal mecha are available.
The game takes place across 53 levels featuring destructible environments, taking place in settings such as cities and caves.{{cite web |last=Navarro |first=Alex |date=March 22, 2007 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Review |url=https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/earth-defense-force-2017-review/1900-6167928/ |website=GameSpot |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404022515/https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/earth-defense-force-2017-review/1900-6167928/ |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} There is no penalty for collateral damage that is inflicted on the environment by the player, for instance buildings will crumble after sustaining a single hit from a rocket launcher or grenade. Other EDF soldiers can be recruited or followed, and will attack enemies on sight.
There are five difficulty levels. More effective weapons are dropped by enemies at the higher difficulty levels, encouraging players to repeat the missions. In addition to weapons, armor enhancements which function as permanent maximum health bonuses are dropped along with healing items.
Plot
In 2013, radio waves from deep space are received by scientists, revealing the existence of extraterrestrial life. Two years later, the Earth Defense Force, a unified multinational military organization, is established in case the aliens are hostile. In 2017, first contact is made when hundreds of unidentified flying objects suddenly arrive and hover over major cities across the globe, led by a massive mothership positioned over Tokyo. As the EDF is mobilized, giant acid-spitting insects resembling ants begin assaulting many civilians. The main character is an unnamed Captain in Storm 1, a Japanese unit regarded as the EDF's best. An air assault by the EDF is attempted on the mothership, but the plan is thwarted by alien UFO gunships. This operation is deemed a failure, resulting in the surviving EDF forces abandoning the cities to begin a guerrilla campaign in rural areas.
While patrolling the Japanese countryside, Storm 1 is informed by command that an extensive alien nest is being built underground. From this nest, the aliens will be able to spawn an infinite number of bugs and bypass EDF defenses. Intelligence provided by Scout Teams shows that a single alien Queen is at the center of the nest, and its destruction will stop the production of the rapidly multiplying bugs. Storm 1 assaults the nest with the help of all available Ranger Teams, and successfully kills the Queen. A few days later, Storm 1 assists a Scout Team with monitoring the mothership, which has landed on the Japanese coast and appears dormant, damaged, and defenseless. Oddly, it is observed sucking in huge amounts of air and releasing carbon dioxide, implying that the ship is more than a synthetic machine, and may be the hive intelligence controlling the aliens. Command orders the Teams to assault the mothership with heavy weapons, but the ship re-activates and wipes out the Scout Team.
Before the alien mothership retreats, it drops a massive four-legged mecha on the coast, which uses a powerful plasma cannon to assault EDF positions. Storm 1 destroys the mecha before it can cause too much harm, and later neutralizes several kaiju-like cyborg creatures. While the Japanese contingent of the EDF continues to hold out, the rest of the world is soon overrun and enslaved. Japan stands as the last unoccupied territory. All remaining insects and mechs on the ground make a beeline to the bombed-out ruins of Tokyo, where the mothership has stopped to repair and arm an enormous cannon, capable of destroying anything in its path. The remaining EDF forces move to block the alien advance so Storm 1 can destroy the mothership. Storm 1 focuses fire on the mothership and destroys it. The remaining alien forces become disorganized and flee.
PlayStation Vita port
A PlayStation Vita version of the game was announced on June 5, 2012 as Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=June 5, 2012 |title=Earth Defense Forces Set for PlayStation Vita |url=http://andriasang.com/con1bm/edf_vita/ |website=Andriasang |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712110608/http://andriasang.com/con1bm/edf_vita/ |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 16, 2012}} The new version includes both local and online co-operative play,{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=June 7, 2012 |title=First Look: Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable |url=http://andriasang.com/con1cv/edf_first_look/ |website=Andriasang |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712105344/http://andriasang.com/con1cv/edf_first_look/ |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 16, 2012}} as well as the return of Palewing from Earth Defense Force 2.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=July 5, 2012 |title=Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable Trailer Featuring Palewing |url=http://andriasang.com/con1t6/edf3_trailer/ |website=Andriasang |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120708233440/http://andriasang.com/con1t6/edf3_trailer/ |archive-date=July 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 16, 2012}} The game was released on September 27, 2012 in Japan.{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=June 29, 2012 |title=Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable Date Officially Announced |url=http://andriasang.com/con1ps/edf_vita_date/ |website=Andriasang |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702000746/http://andriasang.com/con1ps/edf_vita_date/ |archive-date=July 2, 2012 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 16, 2012}} It was released digital-only in North America on January 8, 2013 and in Europe and Australia on January 16, 2013 as Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable.
Reception
{{Video game reviews
| VITA = true
| X360 = true
| na = true
| MC_VITA = 68/100{{cite web |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable |url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/ |website=Metacritic |publisher=Fandom |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230928011527/https://www.metacritic.com/game/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/ |archive-date=September 28, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| EGM_X360 = 7.5/10{{cite magazine |last1=Sharkey |first1=Scott |last2=Parish |first2=Jeremy |last3=Mielke |first3=James "Milkman" |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 |url=https://archive.org/details/electronic-gaming-monthly-issue-215-may-2007/page/84/mode/2up |magazine=Electronic Gaming Monthly |publisher=Ziff Davis |issue=215 |date=May 2007 |page=84 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}{{efn|Three critics of Electronic Gaming Monthly gave the Xbox 360 version each a score of 8/10, 7/10, and 7.5/10.}}
| EuroG_VITA = 8/10{{cite web |last=Robinson |first=Martin |date=January 24, 2013 |title=Earth Defence Force 2017 Portable review |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/earth-defence-force-2017-review-1 |website=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704211147/https://www.eurogamer.net/earth-defence-force-2017-review-1 |archive-date=July 4, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| GI_X360 = 8/10{{cite magazine |last=Reiner |first=Andrew |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 |url=https://archive.org/details/game-informer-issue-169-may-2007/page/90/mode/2up |magazine=Game Informer |publisher=GameStop |issue=169 |date=May 2007 |page=91 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080124121025/http://www.gameinformer.com/NR/exeres/23BAA962-C337-437B-9DB7-D8DD4B061A55.htm |archive-date=January 24, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| GameRev_VITA = 4/10{{cite web |last=Bischoff |first=Daniel R. |date=February 6, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable Review |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/58930-earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |website=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209064105/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/58930-earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |archive-date=December 9, 2024 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| GSpy_X360 = {{Rating|4|5}}{{cite web |last=Turner |first=Benjamin |date=March 20, 2007 |title=GameSpy: Earth Defense Force 2017 |url=http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/e-d-fx/774064p1.html |website=GameSpy |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070609142728/http://xbox360.gamespy.com/xbox-360/e-d-fx/774064p1.html |archive-date=June 9, 2007 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| GT_X360 = 7.3/10{{cite web |url=http://www.gametrailers.com/game/earth-defense-force-2017/3243?id=3243 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 |website=GameTrailers |publisher=Viacom |date=March 29, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231012436/http://www.gametrailers.com/game/earth-defense-force-2017/3243?id=3243 |archive-date=December 31, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 4, 2017}}
| HCG_X360 = 2.25/5{{cite magazine |last1=Ashby |first1=Alicia "Lynxara" |last2=Hulegaard |first2=Dave "Shoegazer" |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 |url=https://archive.org/details/hardcore-gamer-magazine-v2i11/page/n29/mode/2up |magazine=Hardcore Gamer |publisher=Prima Games |volume=2 |issue=11 |date=May 2007 |page=61 |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| IGN_VITA = 7.5/10{{cite web |last=Gallegos |first=Anthony |date=January 14, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable Review |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/15/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230209064549/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/01/15/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |archive-date=February 9, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2024}}
| OPMUK_VITA = 7/10{{cite magazine |title=Earth Defence Force 2017 Portable |magazine=PlayStation Official Magazine – UK |publisher=Future plc |date=March 2013 |page=115}}
| OXM_X360 = 6/10{{cite magazine |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 |magazine=Official Xbox Magazine |publisher=Future US |date=May 2007 |page=78}}
| PG_VITA = {{Rating|3|5}}{{cite web |last=Reed |first=Kristan |date=January 29, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/ |website=Pocket Gamer |publisher=Steel Media Ltd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523172619/https://www.pocketgamer.com/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/ |archive-date=May 23, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| Poly_VITA = 7/10{{cite web |last=Plante |first=Chris |date=January 24, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable review: the good, the bad and the buggy |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/24/3912960/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |website=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925190523/https://www.polygon.com/2013/1/24/3912960/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| VB_VITA = 72/100{{cite web |last=Minotti |first=Mike |date=January 15, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable brings B-movie fun to the Vita (review) |url=https://venturebeat.com/games/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review/ |website=VentureBeat |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231001073006/https://venturebeat.com/games/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review/ |archive-date=October 1, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
| rev1 = The Digital Fix
| rev2 = Metro
| rev2_VITA = 6/10{{cite web |author=GameCentral |date=January 18, 2013 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable review – bug hunt |url=https://metro.co.uk/2013/01/18/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review-bug-hunt-3356782/ |newspaper=Metro |publisher=DMG Media |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217092126/https://metro.co.uk/2013/01/18/earth-defense-force-2017-portable-review-bug-hunt-3356782/ |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
}}
The game received "average" reviews on both platforms according to the review aggregation website Metacritic. In Japan, Famitsu gave it a score of two sevens and two eights for the Xbox 360 version,{{cite web |last=Gantayat |first=Anoop |date=February 8, 2007 |title=Gaming Life in Japan |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/08/gaming-life-in-japan-73 |website=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230416171729/https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/02/08/gaming-life-in-japan-73 |archive-date=April 16, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} and three eights and one seven for the Vita version;{{cite web |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=September 18, 2012 |title=Famitsu Review Scores: Issue 1241 |url=https://www.gematsu.com/2012/09/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1241 |website=Gematsu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202012421/https://www.gematsu.com/2012/09/famitsu-review-scores-issue-1241 |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |url-status=live |access-date=April 5, 2025}} while Famitsu X360 gave the former console version a score of one seven, two eights, and one nine.
Reviewers pointed out that the Xbox 360 version suffered from relatively poor graphics, a lack of many standard features and characteristically poor voice acting. However, said console version still received solid reviews from western critics, whose general consensus was that it is "inexplicably fun".{{cite web |last=Ahearn |first=Nate |date=March 21, 2007 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 Review (Xbox 360) |url=http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1305/Earth-Defense-Force-2017/p1/ |website=TeamXbox |publisher=IGN Entertainment |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101208214003/http://reviews.teamxbox.com/xbox-360/1305/Earth-Defense-Force-2017/p1/ |archive-date=December 8, 2010 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 4, 2017}} Some advocate it as a "gamers' game" with nothing in the way of the pure game, like Kieron Gillen in his Eurogamer review; the console version's strong emphasis on arcade-style gameplay, with massively destructive weapons and hordes of enemies, suggests that this may have been the driving philosophy behind its design. Some outlets, however, claimed that said console version paled in comparison to its predecessor, which had a larger range of enemies, missions, weapons and a second playable character. Edge, for example, gave it six out of ten and said, "The illusion of epic-scale warfare remains a powerful and entertaining one, broken most significantly by the player's need to avoid overexposing themselves to its fundamentally tedious nature."{{cite magazine |author=Edge staff |title=Chikyū Bōeigun 3 |magazine=Edge |publisher=Future Publishing |issue=172 |date=February 2007 |page=85}} GameZone gave it 6.9 out of 10, saying, "Players will be able to tell that this game had a low budget, because almost every area of the game needs improvement. Even though this is the case, this is an extremely fun game to play with your friends just because you want to kill everything in sight and protect humanity from extenuation."{{cite web |last=Knutson |first=Michael |date=March 22, 2007 |title=Earth Defense Force 2017 - 360 - Review |url=https://gamezone.com/reviews/earth_defense_force_2017_360_review/ |website=GameZone |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007040505/http://xbox360.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r31305.htm |archive-date=October 7, 2008 |url-status=live |access-date=July 4, 2017}} GamePro, however, said of the game, "As fun as hurling dozens of rockets at a time into a swarm of giant alien ants is, it will get boring after a few hours. If you're up for a shallow yet addictive and gratuitously violent shooter, you can't go wrong with Earth Defense Force. Just take a break every few hours and read a book to rebuild some of the higher brain function you just lost."{{cite magazine |author=Hamster 4 Sale |title=Review: Earth Defense Force 2017 |url=http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/108410.shtml |magazine=GamePro |publisher=IDG |issue=225 |date=June 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080112200427/http://www.gamepro.com/microsoft/xbox360/games/reviews/108410.shtml |archive-date=January 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |access-date=July 4, 2017}}{{efn|GamePro gave the Xbox 360 version 3.5/5 for graphics, 3/5 for sound, 4/5 for control and 3.75/5 for fun factor.}} GameDaily gave it eight out of ten, saying, "Even with the frame rate hiccups and the lack of online support, Earth Defense Force 2017 succeeds tremendously, thanks to its devastation and non-stop action. This piece of sci-fi cheesy goodness fits right in with Microsoft's meatier games -- very appetizing."{{cite web |last=Workman |first=Robert |date=March 28, 2007 |title=Earth Defense Force Review |url=http://www.gamedaily.com/games/earth-defense-force-2017/xbox-360/game-reviews/review/5778/1586/ |website=GameDaily |publisher=AOL |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071129215703/http://www.gamedaily.com/games/earth-defense-force-2017/xbox-360/game-reviews/review/5778/1586/ |archive-date=November 29, 2007 |url-status=dead |access-date=April 5, 2025}}
{{clear}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.d3p.co.jp/edf_portal/}} {{in lang|ja}}
- {{moby game|id=/27388/earth-defense-force-2017/}}
- {{moby game|id=/216023/earth-defense-force-2017-portable/|name=Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable}}
{{Earth Defense Force}}
{{Sandlot}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Earth Defense Force 3}}
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games
Category:Nintendo Switch games
Category:PlayStation Vita games
Category:Third-person shooters
Category:Video games about alien invasions
Category:Video games about ants
Category:Video games developed in Japan
Category:Video games scored by Masafumi Takada