Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is the cult PS4 shooter that wants you to battle an insect overlord called Basil
Amidst the carnage, we see a giant lizard standing 60 meters above, between the giant ant legs floating around and the burning insect pushing towards us. He is so high that his head is lost in the smoke of the raging war. It’s intimidating, kinda creepy, and his name is Basil. This is no ordinary shooter. The Earth Defense Forces (EDF) series has always demystified its cult status. What started out as a budget series, created out of necessity rather than artistic vision, these giant ants (they were cheap, scaled-up pre-made models) have grown into a truly beloved franchise. Now powered by Unreal Engine 4 for the first time and in the hands of developer Yuke (most famous for WWE games), the series focuses on Western expansion. Waking up from a seven-year coma in the year 2040, our hero Closer has (or) only one thing in mind: insect soup.
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Aliens called attackers have devastated the earth and our hero wants to defeat these giant insects once and for all. This is done by shooting lots (and lots of) enemy creatures and enjoying full cheesy dialogue along the way. While the EDF formula remains, some unique non-EDF things happen in the sequel, Iron Rain. For starters, there’s a proper story this time around, where main character Closer (fully customizable, can be male or female) takes on the EDF series’ first new enemy that isn’t a giant bug, the Kindred Rebellion. Made up of ex-EDF members and led by the mysterious Captain Faiza, this resistance group is somewhat shadowy and its true aims are unclear.
All-New Power Armor…and the ability to ride bugs
Platforms: PS4
Release date: April 11, 2019
Kind: Shooter
players: 1-2 split screens, 2-4 online
Developer: Yuke’s
The missions are fast and furious, each taking around 15 minutes of intense blasting. You have tactics to figure out, and you’ll soon find that working between your standard weapon and a grenade or rocket launcher is a must, depending on whether you’re surviving a pack or hitting a boss. Weapons can be unlocked and upgraded over time based on your ranked performance; you go from firing rockets to launching a mini nuke.
Collecting gems dropped by defeated creatures determines what you can afford in the next mission. If you want the ability to equip powerful weapons or summon a tank to support you, you need to collect more gems. You can indulge in quirky items like releasing a soldier-shaped balloon as a distraction.
How do cooperative and competitive multiplayer work?
Iron Rain is essentially a classic wave shooter, so picking the best gear for the right mission is crucial. Better yet, go online and team up in six-player co-op and Iron Rain becomes a show of arcade excellence (see the pictures and it’s great fun with your friends).
While collaboration isn’t new to EDF – indeed, the beating heart of the series – what’s new in Iron Rain is competitive multiplayer. Enjoy the arcade nature of EDF, team up in 2v2 or 4v4 to kill and survive waves of monsters big and small. To earn points, you must collect the gold stones they drop and throw them into the gold area of the map. At the end of the round, the team with the most gems wins. If you die, you’ll respawn, but you have the option to upgrade your health or weapons, allowing the match to take the mayhem to nuclear proportions.
Iron Rain’s counter mode is a simple yet tactically sophisticated setup that requires you to manage your survival and predatory instincts. If you kill an opposing player, they’ll drop their gems, but can you reach them before the giant tarantulas bite? Then there’s the sniper fire and Basil appears – so we sit on the sidelines and hope to clean up the weakened team.
After all, Basil is not a herbivore, but a meat eater.
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Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is the cult PS4 shooter that wants you to battle an insect overlord called Basil
In the midst of the carnage, between the flailing giant ant legs and the burning beetle torpedoing towards us, we catch sight of a giant lizard standing 60 metres above us. It’s so high its head disappears in the hazy mist of the raging battle’s smoke. It’s daunting, somewhat terrifying, and its name is Basil. This isn’t a normal shooter. The Earth Defense Force (EDF) series has always riffed off its cult status. What started as a budget series, those giant ants created out of necessity rather than artistic vision (they were cheap, enlarged pre-made models), has become a genuinely beloved franchise. Now, powered by Unreal Engine 4 for the first time, and in the hands of developer Yuke’s (most famous for their WWE games), the series has its sights set on Western expansion. Waking from a seven-year coma in the year 2040, our protagonist Closer has only one thing on his (or her) mind: bug soup.
Subscribe to Official PlayStation Magazine and save 49%
Never miss an issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, save money, and get a FREE gift! Click here to visit the magazine subs page for details of the latest offers.
Aliens called the Aggressors have laid waste to the world and our hero wants to put down these giant insects once and for all. This is done by shooting lots (and lots) of enemy creatures, and enjoying some full-fat cheesy dialogue along the way. While the EDF formula remains, sequel Iron Rain has some uniquely un-EDF things going on. For starters there’s a proper story to follow this time as protagonist Closer (who can be fully customised, male or female) takes on the Kindred Rebellion, the first new enemy of the EDF series that isn’t a giant insect. Formed from former EDF members, and led by the enigmatic Captain Faiza, this resistance group is a little shady and their true motives unclear.
All-new power armour… and the ability to ride insects
Platforms: PS4Release Date: April 11, 2019Genre: ShooterPlayers: 1-2 split-screen, 2-4 onlineDeveloper: Yuke’s
Missions are fast and furious, each lasting around 15 minutes of intense blasting. There are tactics to uncover, and you soon find hot-swapping between your standard gun and grenade or rocket launchers is a must depending on whether you’re surviving a horde or shooting a boss creature. Weapons can be unlocked and upgraded over time depending on your ranked performance; you go from firing rockets to launching a flurry of mini-nukes.
Collecting gems dropped by defeated creatures determines what you can afford to take into the next mission. If you want to loadout on powerful weapons, or the option to call on a tank for support, you need to collect more gems. You can indulge in some of the odder items too, such as releasing a soldier-shaped balloon as a diversion.
How co-op and competitive multiplayer works
At its core, Iron Rain is a classic wave shooter, which means selecting the best loadout for the right mission is crucial. Better still, go online and team up in six-player co-op and Iron Rain becomes a shot of arcade perfection (look past the visuals and it’s great fun with friends).
While co-op is nothing new to EDF – in fact, it’s the series’ beating heart – what is new to Iron Rain is competitive multiplayer. Tapping into the arcade nature of EDF you team up in 2v2 or 4v4 to slaughter and survive waves of monsters, large and small. You need to collect the gold gems they drop and dispose of them in the map’s gold zone to score. The team with the most gems as the round ends wins. If you die you respawn but get the option to upgrade your health or weapons, ensuring the match ratchets up the chaos to nuclear proportions.
Iron Rain’s versus mode is a simple but tactically nuanced setup that demands you manage your survival and predatory instincts. Kill a rival player and they’ll drop their gems, but can you reach them before the mass of giant tarantulas gets bitey? Then there’s the sniper who’s been taking potshots, and Basil makes an appearance – so we sit on the sidelines and hope to mop up the weakened team.
After all, Basil’s no herbivore, he’s a meat eater.
Official PlayStation Magazine #160 is on sale now, in both print and digital forms. Check out the latest Official PlayStation Magazine offers and to order outside of the UK.
#Earth #Defense #Force #Iron #Rain #cult #PS4 #shooter #battle #insect #overlord #called #Basil
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is the cult PS4 shooter that wants you to battle an insect overlord called Basil
In the midst of the carnage, between the flailing giant ant legs and the burning beetle torpedoing towards us, we catch sight of a giant lizard standing 60 metres above us. It’s so high its head disappears in the hazy mist of the raging battle’s smoke. It’s daunting, somewhat terrifying, and its name is Basil. This isn’t a normal shooter. The Earth Defense Force (EDF) series has always riffed off its cult status. What started as a budget series, those giant ants created out of necessity rather than artistic vision (they were cheap, enlarged pre-made models), has become a genuinely beloved franchise. Now, powered by Unreal Engine 4 for the first time, and in the hands of developer Yuke’s (most famous for their WWE games), the series has its sights set on Western expansion. Waking from a seven-year coma in the year 2040, our protagonist Closer has only one thing on his (or her) mind: bug soup.
Subscribe to Official PlayStation Magazine and save 49%
Never miss an issue of Official PlayStation Magazine, save money, and get a FREE gift! Click here to visit the magazine subs page for details of the latest offers.
Aliens called the Aggressors have laid waste to the world and our hero wants to put down these giant insects once and for all. This is done by shooting lots (and lots) of enemy creatures, and enjoying some full-fat cheesy dialogue along the way. While the EDF formula remains, sequel Iron Rain has some uniquely un-EDF things going on. For starters there’s a proper story to follow this time as protagonist Closer (who can be fully customised, male or female) takes on the Kindred Rebellion, the first new enemy of the EDF series that isn’t a giant insect. Formed from former EDF members, and led by the enigmatic Captain Faiza, this resistance group is a little shady and their true motives unclear.
All-new power armour… and the ability to ride insects
Platforms: PS4Release Date: April 11, 2019Genre: ShooterPlayers: 1-2 split-screen, 2-4 onlineDeveloper: Yuke’s
Missions are fast and furious, each lasting around 15 minutes of intense blasting. There are tactics to uncover, and you soon find hot-swapping between your standard gun and grenade or rocket launchers is a must depending on whether you’re surviving a horde or shooting a boss creature. Weapons can be unlocked and upgraded over time depending on your ranked performance; you go from firing rockets to launching a flurry of mini-nukes.
Collecting gems dropped by defeated creatures determines what you can afford to take into the next mission. If you want to loadout on powerful weapons, or the option to call on a tank for support, you need to collect more gems. You can indulge in some of the odder items too, such as releasing a soldier-shaped balloon as a diversion.
How co-op and competitive multiplayer works
At its core, Iron Rain is a classic wave shooter, which means selecting the best loadout for the right mission is crucial. Better still, go online and team up in six-player co-op and Iron Rain becomes a shot of arcade perfection (look past the visuals and it’s great fun with friends).
While co-op is nothing new to EDF – in fact, it’s the series’ beating heart – what is new to Iron Rain is competitive multiplayer. Tapping into the arcade nature of EDF you team up in 2v2 or 4v4 to slaughter and survive waves of monsters, large and small. You need to collect the gold gems they drop and dispose of them in the map’s gold zone to score. The team with the most gems as the round ends wins. If you die you respawn but get the option to upgrade your health or weapons, ensuring the match ratchets up the chaos to nuclear proportions.
Iron Rain’s versus mode is a simple but tactically nuanced setup that demands you manage your survival and predatory instincts. Kill a rival player and they’ll drop their gems, but can you reach them before the mass of giant tarantulas gets bitey? Then there’s the sniper who’s been taking potshots, and Basil makes an appearance – so we sit on the sidelines and hope to mop up the weakened team.
After all, Basil’s no herbivore, he’s a meat eater.
Official PlayStation Magazine #160 is on sale now, in both print and digital forms. Check out the latest Official PlayStation Magazine offers and to order outside of the UK.
#Earth #Defense #Force #Iron #Rain #cult #PS4 #shooter #battle #insect #overlord #called #Basil
Synthetic: Ôn Thi HSG
