Voxel Earth needs your help!
By Paul Hunter
Earth Defense Force 6 is one of my favourite games this year, so lucky me that D3Publisher has just released another game in the series, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. Developed by Yuke's, this game follows the quirky and action-packed legacy of its predecessor, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers, which was released three years ago.
In World Brothers 2, you return to a voxel-style world that feels reminiscent of popular games like Minecraft. This artistic choice adds a charming and playful aesthetic to the game, making it visually appealing for younger players and older ones like me. The game continues the light-hearted tone established in the first World Brothers, so it's an accessible entry point for newcomers while still catering to long-time fans of the series. If you're never played an Earth Defense Force game before, get ready to experience a unique blend of over-the-top action and humour as you battle against giant insects and other extraterrestrial threats.
In World Brothers 2, you are thrust into a vibrant and whimsical world where the fate of Earth hangs in the balance. The story picks up after the events of the first game, where you and your team successfully defeated the villainous Dark Tyrant. However, peace is short-lived as a new threat emerges: the colossal Gaiarch, a formidable enemy that poses an even greater danger to the planet.
The narrative is quirky and filled with humour, mainly revolving around rescuing heroes from past Earth Defense Force games to assemble a formidable army capable of taking down the fearsome Gaiarch. The characters you rescue are funny and memorable, each with unique abilities and personalities that add depth to the gameplay. The diverse cast includes soldiers, scientists, and even some unexpected allies, all working together to save the world.
One of the standout elements of the story is the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. As you progress through the game, you will need to switch between different characters to utilise their unique skills effectively. This mechanic not only enhances the gameplay but also reinforces the idea that working together is essential for overcoming challenges. The narrative encourages you to experiment with various character combinations, making each mission feel fresh and engaging. I played through the entire campaign with my child who adored the story, which was awesome to see.
The gameplay in World Brothers 2 is a delightful mix of action and strategy. Character classes from previous EDF games make their return including the Ranger, Fencer and for the first time in a World Brothers game, the Wing Divers are here. Even within each class you find characters with different weapon loadouts and special abilities, encouraging you to experiment with different play styles and strategies. When playing solo, the game encourages you to switch between four different characters during missions, which keeps the action fresh and engaging.
One of the standout features the colourful voxel environments that are filled with destructible elements, including buildings, trees, signs and more. You can blast through these obstacles and watch them crumble, creating chaos as you fight off giant insects and robots.
The combat mechanics are straightforward yet satisfying. You have a range of weapons at your disposal, from laser guns to explosive projectiles. Each character has their own set of weapons, allowing you to tailor your approach to each mission. Just like in Earth Defense Force 6, the controls are responsive, making it easy to aim and shoot at incoming enemies.
The game features over a hundred missions, providing plenty of content to explore. Each mission offers different challenges to mix things up and keep you engaged throughout your playthrough. The addition of two bonus difficulty levels adds replayability and lets you test your skills further.
The local co-op feature on PS5 is a major highlight. You can team up with friends locally, making it a perfect game to play with family or friends. I had a blast playing through the campaign with my child as we battled ants, spiders, giant robots and other silly-yet-deadly meanaces.
Another interesting gameplay aspect is the character progression system. As you complete missions, you earn points that can be used to unlock new abilities and weapons. This adds a significant layer of depth to the gameplay, as you can customise your characters to suit your play style. You can also upgrade your weapons, making them more effective against tougher enemies—and trust me, enemies can get hard in the later levels!
As mentioned, World Brothers 2 employs a charming voxel art style that kids (and kids at heart) will love. The colourful environments are filled with detail, from bustling cities to sprawling landscapes, all rendered in a blocky yet appealing manner.
One of the best parts of the EDF series are the destructible environments, and I can't stress enough how fun it is to blast through buildings and other structures in this game. Watching the world crumble around you as you unleash your arsenal is a thrilling experience and really fulfills a power fantasy.
The character designs are equally noteworthy. Each hero you rescue has their own look, including outfit and arsenal, and they all have unique personalities. Turning out attention to the animations, they're exceptionally smooth and fluid, making combat feel responsive and satisfying. Whether you are shooting, dodging, or using special abilities, the animations look excellent and add to the overall experience.
The sound effects in World Brother 2 are crisp and impactful, from the crack of gunfire to the explosive sounds of destruction. Each weapon has a distinct audio signature, making it easy to identify what you are using in the heat of battle. The sounds of giant insects screeching and robots clanking add to the atmosphere and excitement. It's worth also noting that the voice acting also really shines, and you can play with English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean voice options.
Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Developer: Yuke's
Publisher: D3Publisher
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.
By Paul Hunter
Earth Defense Force 6 is one of my favourite games this year, so lucky me that D3Publisher has just released another game in the series, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. Developed by Yuke's, this game follows the quirky and action-packed legacy of its predecessor, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers, which was released three years ago.
In World Brothers 2, you return to a voxel-style world that feels reminiscent of popular games like Minecraft. This artistic choice adds a charming and playful aesthetic to the game, making it visually appealing for younger players and older ones like me. The game continues the light-hearted tone established in the first World Brothers, so it's an accessible entry point for newcomers while still catering to long-time fans of the series. If you're never played an Earth Defense Force game before, get ready to experience a unique blend of over-the-top action and humour as you battle against giant insects and other extraterrestrial threats.
In World Brothers 2, you are thrust into a vibrant and whimsical world where the fate of Earth hangs in the balance. The story picks up after the events of the first game, where you and your team successfully defeated the villainous Dark Tyrant. However, peace is short-lived as a new threat emerges: the colossal Gaiarch, a formidable enemy that poses an even greater danger to the planet.
The narrative is quirky and filled with humour, mainly revolving around rescuing heroes from past Earth Defense Force games to assemble a formidable army capable of taking down the fearsome Gaiarch. The characters you rescue are funny and memorable, each with unique abilities and personalities that add depth to the gameplay. The diverse cast includes soldiers, scientists, and even some unexpected allies, all working together to save the world.
One of the standout elements of the story is the emphasis on teamwork and collaboration. As you progress through the game, you will need to switch between different characters to utilise their unique skills effectively. This mechanic not only enhances the gameplay but also reinforces the idea that working together is essential for overcoming challenges. The narrative encourages you to experiment with various character combinations, making each mission feel fresh and engaging. I played through the entire campaign with my child who adored the story, which was awesome to see.
The gameplay in World Brothers 2 is a delightful mix of action and strategy. Character classes from previous EDF games make their return including the Ranger, Fencer and for the first time in a World Brothers game, the Wing Divers are here. Even within each class you find characters with different weapon loadouts and special abilities, encouraging you to experiment with different play styles and strategies. When playing solo, the game encourages you to switch between four different characters during missions, which keeps the action fresh and engaging.
One of the standout features the colourful voxel environments that are filled with destructible elements, including buildings, trees, signs and more. You can blast through these obstacles and watch them crumble, creating chaos as you fight off giant insects and robots.
The combat mechanics are straightforward yet satisfying. You have a range of weapons at your disposal, from laser guns to explosive projectiles. Each character has their own set of weapons, allowing you to tailor your approach to each mission. Just like in Earth Defense Force 6, the controls are responsive, making it easy to aim and shoot at incoming enemies.
The game features over a hundred missions, providing plenty of content to explore. Each mission offers different challenges to mix things up and keep you engaged throughout your playthrough. The addition of two bonus difficulty levels adds replayability and lets you test your skills further.
The local co-op feature on PS5 is a major highlight. You can team up with friends locally, making it a perfect game to play with family or friends. I had a blast playing through the campaign with my child as we battled ants, spiders, giant robots and other silly-yet-deadly meanaces.
Another interesting gameplay aspect is the character progression system. As you complete missions, you earn points that can be used to unlock new abilities and weapons. This adds a significant layer of depth to the gameplay, as you can customise your characters to suit your play style. You can also upgrade your weapons, making them more effective against tougher enemies—and trust me, enemies can get hard in the later levels!
As mentioned, World Brothers 2 employs a charming voxel art style that kids (and kids at heart) will love. The colourful environments are filled with detail, from bustling cities to sprawling landscapes, all rendered in a blocky yet appealing manner.
One of the best parts of the EDF series are the destructible environments, and I can't stress enough how fun it is to blast through buildings and other structures in this game. Watching the world crumble around you as you unleash your arsenal is a thrilling experience and really fulfills a power fantasy.
The character designs are equally noteworthy. Each hero you rescue has their own look, including outfit and arsenal, and they all have unique personalities. Turning out attention to the animations, they're exceptionally smooth and fluid, making combat feel responsive and satisfying. Whether you are shooting, dodging, or using special abilities, the animations look excellent and add to the overall experience.
The sound effects in World Brother 2 are crisp and impactful, from the crack of gunfire to the explosive sounds of destruction. Each weapon has a distinct audio signature, making it easy to identify what you are using in the heat of battle. The sounds of giant insects screeching and robots clanking add to the atmosphere and excitement. It's worth also noting that the voice acting also really shines, and you can play with English, Japanese, Chinese, or Korean voice options.
The Verdict
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 offers a delightful blend of fun and nostalgia for fans of the series. The game successfully captures the essence of its hit predecessor while introducing new elements that keep the experience fresh. The vibrant voxel art style is visually appealing, and with nearly a hundred missions and various characters to unlock, there is plenty to keep you engaged. The addition of local co-op play on PS5 is another significant plus. If you are looking for a game that combines action, humour, and cooperative play, this title has it all.Final Score: 8.5/10 - Great
Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 details
Platform: PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PCDeveloper: Yuke's
Publisher: D3Publisher
Genre: Third-Person Shooter
Modes: Single-player, Multiplayer
ESRB Rating: T (Teen)
A key was provided by the publisher.