EDF 2017
The game that broke EDF to Western audiences. Raw, brutal, and surprisingly deep, EDF 2017 on Xbox 360 established the series' cult reputation outside Japan.
Featured Games
From bargain-bin origins to Steam bestsellers — the EDF series has delivered uncompromising alien-annihilation fun across five console generations.
EDF 4.1: Shadow of New Despair
The definitive PS4 entry. An enhanced version of EDF 2025 with overhauled visuals and additional missions — still widely regarded as the best entry point for newcomers.
Earth Defense Force 5
The series at its commercial and critical peak. EDF 5 introduced new enemy factions, refined the four-class system, and delivered the best co-op experience in the franchise.
Earth Defense Force 6
The most ambitious EDF yet, with time-travel mechanics and a massive mission count. EDF 6 launched in Japan in 2022 and reached Western players in July 2024.
What is EDF?
Earth Defense Force is a third-person shooter series developed by Sandlot and published by D3 Publisher. The series began in 2003 as part of D3's budget-priced Simple Series in Japan, and has since grown into one of gaming's most beloved cult franchises, spanning PlayStation 2 through PlayStation 5 and PC.
Each entry casts the player as a soldier of the titular Earth Defense Force, tasked with repelling increasingly absurd alien invasions. Giant insects, UFOs, colossal mechs — EDF throws everything at you, and the game's gleeful disregard for polish is a core part of its charm.
The series is designed by Shirō Kuroda, who has directed every mainline Sandlot EDF entry since 2003. Its approachable, cathartic gameplay and enthusiastic co-op make it a perennial favourite among players who value fun over spectacle.