Line #53 VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce


1	[[quoteright:327:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/11452df3f13fb76cdd01961788364a59.png]]
2	[[caption-width-right:327:Do you have what it takes to topple the titans?]]
3
4	->''"[[RuleOfThree EDF! EDF! EDF!]]"''
5	-->-- '''The EDF soldier's battlecry''' throughout the series
6
7	''Earth Defense Force'' is a series of low-budget ThirdPersonShooter games developed by Sandlot and published by [[Creator/D3Publisher D3 Publisher]].
8
9	TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture, scientists have discovered radio wavelengths from outer space, thus proving the existence of extraterrestrial life. Unfortunately, these aliens aren't here to give humans an olive branch and welcome baskets, [[AlienInvasion they're here to take over the Earth]]. Moreover, before they do so in person, they deploy shock troops in the form of swarms of [[BigCreepyCrawlies giant] bugs]], [[KillerRobot robots]], dinosaurs and other assorted BMovie MonsterMash. Not to sit idly by and let the aliens pave a path of destruction, governments of the world establish the eponymous Earth Defense Force, a unified multinational military effort, to stand up against the invaders.
10
11	One of the main draws of the series is how the game makes the player feel like they're in a Japanese {{Kaiju}} BMovie as they take on [[TheWarSequence legions upon legions]] of enemies and Franchise/{{Godzilla}}-sized (And occasionally [[NotZilla Godzilla-looking as well]]) bosses. The gameplay throughout the series is relatively simple: for the most part, you take control of an infantry soldier of the EDF to shoot down any and all aliens throughout many stages of the game. Along the way, you can find armor power-ups that increases your soldier's maximum health and weapon boxes to obtain new weapon; more powerful weapons are usually found by playing through the missions in harder difficulties. It's as simple as that... right until you get stomped into the ground.
12
13	The games in the series so far includes:
14	* ''Monster Attack'' / ''The Earth Defense Force'' (2004, [=PS2=]) -- Originally released in Japan in 2003 as Vol. 31 of D3 Publisher's Simple 2000 Series of budget title games for the [=PlayStation=] 2 and the first game in the ''Earth Defense Force'' series. It was never released in North America but was released in Europe in 2004 as "''Monster Attack''", a title most likely intended to be a ShoutOut to the ''Film/MarsAttacks'' series of trading cards, while also have aliens invade Earth with robots, flying saucers and giant bugs simply because they can.
15	* ''Global Defence Force'' / ''The Earth Defense Force 2'' (2007, [=PS2=]) -- Released in Japan in 2005 as Vol. 81 of the Simple 2000 Series and a sequel to ''The Earth Defense Force''. The sequel expanded on the original with more missions, new enemies, and introduced the Pale Wings, female soldiers equipped with jet-packs with the ability to fly and reach higher ground. Like its predecessor, never got a North America release but it was released in Europe as "''Global Defence Force''" and "''Terra Defense Force''" in Korea. There is no voice acting in the EU version.
16	** ''Earth Defense Forces 2 Portable'' (2011, [=PSP=]) -- A re-release of ''Global Defence Force'' for the Platform/PlayStationPortable. Only released in Japan. Includes seven new levels and new high-level weapons.
17	** ''Earth Defense Forces 2 V2'' (2014 Playstation Vita) -- Another re-release of ''Global Defense Force'' for the Platform/PlayStationVita, including all the content added to ''Portable''. Also adds a variant of the Air Raider character from ''Earth Defense Force 2025'', though he cannot call in vehicles since that is not how this game works. Released in North America in Fall 2015 courtesy of Creator/XSEEDGames under the title ''Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space''.
18	* ''Global Defence Force Tactics'' / ''The Earth Defense Force Tactics'' -- The oddball in the series. Released roughly around the same time as ''Global Defense Force'' but it was made from a different developer. The game was developed by [=thinkArts=], and unlike the two previous games, this game was a tactical turn-based strategy game. The story took place after the events of ''The Earth Defense Force 2''.
19	[[index]]
20	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce2017'' / ''Earth Defense Forces 3'' (2007, 360) -- Released in 2006 in Japan, and while this is the third game in the series, it is first game to get a North American release. The game is more-or-less a remaking of the original ''Earth Defense Force''.
21	** [[/index]]''Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable'' / ''Earth Defence Forces 3 Portable'' (2012, [=PlayStation=] Vita) -- Re-release of ''EDF 2017'' for the [=PlayStation=] Vita. Adds the Pale Wing character from it's predecessor ''Global Defence Force'', and includes seven new levels and new weapons, including some used by the Fencer in ''2025''.
22	** ''Earth Defense Force 3 for Nintendo Switch'' (2021, Switch) -- A port of ''Earth Defence Forces 3 Portable'' with online multiplayer up to four players.
23	[[index]]
24	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForceInsectArmageddon'' (2011, [=PS3=], 360, PC) -- More or less a follow-up to ''Earth Defense Force 2017'', however it was developed by Vicious Cycle Software instead and the first game developed, and set, outside of Japan.
25	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce2025'' / ''Earth Defense Forces 4'' (2013, [=PS3=], 360) -- Released in July 2013 in Japan and February 2014 overseas, it is the true sequel to ''Earth Defense Force 2017'' and more or less a remake of ''Global Defence Force''. Taking place eight years after the events of ''Earth Defense Force 2017'', the Ravagers have returned in an attempt take over Earth again. Applying elements from the previous installments, ''Earth Defense Force 2025'' features four playable classes (Rangers, Wing Divers, Air Raiders, and Fencers) and online multiplayer.
26	** ''Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair'' (2015/2016, [=PS4=], PC; 2022, Switch) -- An Updated Re-release of ''2025'', released in Japan for the [=PlayStation=] 4 in April 2015, following in December for North America and the next February for Europe. A PC port through Steam came worldwide in July 2016. It includes an expanded campaign, some Quality-of-Life improvements and some remixed levels. A re-release for the Switch is planned for 2022.
27	** ''Earth Defense Force 4.1: Wingdiver the Shooter'' (2018, [=PS4=], PC) -- A spin-off of ''[=EDF4=]'' focused entirely on the Wing Divers, with a shift in gameplay from third-person shooter to top-down arcade-style shoot-em-up.
28	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce5'' (2018): Released in Japan, the US, and Europe on the [=PS4=] and later on PC. It is another ContinuityReboot of the series. Once again players are taken back to the first invasion of the alien threat. This iteration of the series updated its graphics, added more blood and gore, new weapons and equipment, a few new enemies, some enemies from previous titles and introduced new character features to the four classes introduced in earlier games.
29	[[/index]]
30	* ''[[VideoGame/EarthDefenseForceIronRain Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain]]'': A [[SpinOff spin-off]] title and yet another ContinuityReboot announced on Tokyo Game Show 2017 for the ''Playstation 4''. It was developed by Yukes. In Japan it wasn't even titled "Chikyuu Boueigun" and the title font suggest that it's a sequel to Insect Armageddon, although it's not the case.
31	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForceWorldBrothers'' (2020): A SpinOff HeroShooter game with blocky voxel graphics, featuring a CrisisCrossover plot of the enemies from all of the previous games (even ''Insect Armageddon'' and ''Iron Rain'') joining forces. A new EDF has to fight BackFromTheBrink with the help of "Brothers" (and Sisters) representing each game's versions of the main classes, alongside several brand-new CaptainEthnic characters that can be recruited.
32	* ''VideoGame/EarthDefenseForce6'' (2022): A sequel set three years after the end of ''Earth Defense Force 5''. The game takes place on a dying Earth where the alien Primer civilization invades once again.
33
34	Has no relations to the ShootEmUp ''Earth Defense Force'' developed by Jaleco.
35
36	Good luck out there, the Earth is counting on you!
37	----
38	!!We will defend the Earth from the alien invaders with the following tropes!
39	* TheAce: The Player, Storm-1 is considered to be this in-universe, with most veteran teams you encounter remarking on how you always seem to be the one to end up saving the day/surviving, it's even implied this is the reason your callsign is "Storm-1" over other veteran teams.
40	* ActionGirl: The Pale Wings (''Global Defence Force'' and ''EDF 2017'') and Wing Divers (''EDF 2025/4.1'').
41	* AllMythsAreTrue: Or rather "All Japanese Kaiju Movies Are True".
42	* AlienInvasion: What the Earth Defense Force is trying to prevent.
43	* AntAssault: Giant ants as some of the first enemies in games, and hordes of them make up some early missions. Often, the player will be tasked with hunting down an ant queen, or will simply be assaulted by several of them along with their hive. ''EDF 2025'' introduces the crimson ants, who are even harder to kill but show up in just as numerous amounts.
44	* AntiFrustrationFeatures: In ''World Brothers'':
45	** The game does away with looting, instead equipment is largely tied to characters you have to rescue, and as soon as a mission start, they are immediately marked on the map.
46	** In general, increased mobility, as well as ability to switch characters on the fly (and have them teleported on your position as soon as you play)
47	** Unselected AI teammates don't suffer friendly fire damage and take reduced damage from enemies.
48	* ApocalypseHow: Class 3a to Class X should be expected if [=EDF=] were to fail, depending on what exactly the Ravagers intend to do with Earth.
49	* ArmiesAreUseless: The game is a textbook aversion of this trope.
50	* AttackOfThe50FootWhatever: Giant bugs, robots, Godzilla-esque monsters, and then some.
51	* AwesomeButImpractical: Some of the unlockable weapons are capable of incredible destruction, but are limited in their usefulness thanks to excessive blast radius (FriendlyFireproof is averted, making you a larger threat to your allies than the enemies), long reload or lock-on times, or simply having finite ammo that cannot be restocked.
52	* BadassArmy: The Earth Defense Force. They have been fending off invading hoards of bugs for quite a while now.
53	* BadassNormal: Rangers are just normal soldiers trained to the peaks of human performance. Their equipment is top notch, but underneath it all, they're just standard homo sapiens.
54	* BeamSpam: Some of the enemies and bosses are capable of spamming laser beams all over the place.
55	* BeatThemAtTheirOwnGame: In some of the games, you may come across weapons made using technology of the alien invaders.
56	* BeneathTheEarth: During the insect hive missions in some of the games.
57	* BoringButPractical: Insomuch as high explosives can be considered "boring," playing as a ranger with an assault rifle and basic rocket launcher may not be nearly as flashy as chucking grenades that can level entire city blocks or calling in strikes from a KillSat, but it's a loadout that gives you no glaring weaknesses and still affords you both crowd control and decent hard target stopping power.
58	* BottomlessMagazines: Every weapon has a limited magazine size, but you have infinite reserve ammo for just about everything. Some weapons in the series cannot be reloaded at all unless you start a mission again, however.
59	* BugWar: With BigCreepyCrawlies no less.
60	* BulletHell: With bugs, robots, ships, and what else have you are spamming [[MoreDakka almost endless amounts of dakka]], you bet these games would have traces of this.
61	* CallARabbitASmeerp: A good few of the enemies are just scaled up versions of Earth creatures, but the game will rarely call them whatever they look like, the basic [[{{Mooks}} mook]] enemies you encounter are called "Alpha" and "Beta" respectively, but they are in fact giant ants and jumping spiders, and the "flying Aggressors" are simply giant wasps.
62	* {{Camp}}: A series of budget games where you take control of a foot soldier fighting off waves of giant bugs, robots, flying saucers, and other kaiju-styled monsters.
63	* CharacterClassSystem: Starting with ''Insect Armageddon'', the series started using different character classes with varying abilities. The classes that appear in most games are as follows:
64	** Rangers: The [[JackOfAllStats Jacks of All Stats]] who can excel in almost any situation and can wield a wide array of weapons.
65	** Wing Divers: [[FragileSpeedster Fragile Speedsters]] who use jetpacks to gain air superiority with their energy weapons while flying out of harms way.
66	** Fencers: [[MightyGlacier Mighty Glaciers]] who compensate for their lack of mobility with the ability to [[DualWielding use two weapons at once]], including some of the heaviest weapons in the game.
67	** Air Raiders: [[SupportPartyMember Support-centric]] soldiers who can plant bombs and summon armored vehicles, from tanks and helicopters to HumongousMecha.
68	* ChainmailBikini: More like "[[LeotardOfPower High-tech Leotard Armor]]" for the Wing Divers. This is [[LampshadeHanging lampshaded]] by some Wing Diver dialogue in EDF 4.1, where they [[JustifiedTrope justify]] it as necessary to allow them to fly with their jetpacks.
69	* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Rangers are stated to go through some sort of training that allows them to dive roll through many obstacles. Including steel railing meant to stop cars.
70	* CanonWelding: Despite the blocky voxel aesthetic, it is implied that ''World Brothers'' made all the games in the series canon.
71	* ContinuityNod: Prevalent throughout ''World Brothers'', where every game including ''Insect Armageddon'' and ''Iron Rain'' are referenced and featured, from cameos, playable characters, to music.
72	* DarkestHour: [[spoiler:All of [=EDF=] has been reduced to what can fit on one carrier ship at the end of 4.1. Mankind stares into its own extinction. A final voluntary mission intended as a combination of SuicideMission and FaceDeathWithDignity is launched at the ravager brain, with little to no expectation of it actually succeeding.]]
73	** ''EDF 5'': [[spoiler: After destroying Mothership no.11, all that's left of EDF is the Strategic Division head, the Chief Commander, Storm Team and a handful of soldiers. [[FinalBoss The Nameless, god of Aliens]], joins the fight while all ten Motherships are rushing to protect it. EDF implements Plan Omega, forcing ''every still living human being'' to attack the motherships as a desperate attempt to buy the remaining soldiers a chance at fighting The Nameless]].
74	* DeathFromAbove: The Air Raiders forte is calling in various flavors of these. Airstrikes, missiles, orbital lasers - You name it, he's got it.
75	* DecapitatedArmy: The Ravagers and the Primers really don't handle their big cheese getting blown up very well and tend to give up soon after that. Justified in the case of the giant ants, given their HiveMind. [[spoiler:The destruction of the brain by Storm Team also causes the entire ravager fleet to withdraw from Earth, despite having nearly destroyed all of human civilization by that point.]]
76	* DenserAndWackier: Tying in with its LighterAndSofter nature, ''World Brothers'' is ''much'' goofier and more self-aware than the usual EDF fare; crossover units will frequently [[LampshadeHanging lampshade]] quirks or elements from their home games, objectives are much sillier overall, and EVERYONE treats the game like it has NoFourthWall.
77	* {{Determinator}}: Crosses with DoNotGoGentle, The EDF and Humanity as a whole, the Aliens have hordes of alien creatures ranging from Giant Ants, to {{Kaiju}}, but the EDF will not stop fighting, even when down to the last man in a battle, that man will keep shooting until all traces of the Aliens are gone, despite the fact that the game pretty much says that it is a HopelessWar, the EDF will never give up.
78	* DieChairDie: More like "Die, Buildings! Die!" since it's perfectly okay to shoot explosive weapons at random buildings and other inanimate objects with no consequences whatsoever.
79	* DidYouJustPunchOutCthulhu: [[spoiler:In ''EDF 2017'', Storm-1 destroyed the Ravagers' mothership -- a mothership armed to the teeth with ''hundreds'' of laser weaponry and a WaveMotionGun -- ''all by himself''! The new Storm 1 does it again in ''EDF 5'', peeling off every layer of defenses, taking down the Egg-shaped Ship '''and''' killing The Nameless.]]
80	* EarthShatteringKaboom: ''World Brothers'' start with this. Thankfully what's left of Earth is still perfectly habitable and still has fighting power.
81	* EasyModeMockery: [[ZigZaggingTrope Zig-zagged]]. You get the weaker weapons within Easy and better weapons on harder difficulties, but it's probably best to start on the easier difficulties to boost your health, as the hardest difficulties would be {{unwinnable}} without sufficient amount of health.
82	* EnergyWeapon:
83	** Every weapon used by the Pale Wing/Wing Diver and featured in some weapons for the other classes.
84	** 4.1 starts Wing Divers off with a short range BeamSpam weapon that wouldn't look out of place at a rave club.
85	* EquipmentBasedProgression: The only way to improve a soldier's chances of survival is picking up Armor crates for HP and equipment drops for better guns and support gear. In ''EDF 5'', getting duplicates of a specific gun will improve its stats.
86	* EverythingBreaks: Just about everything in the outdoor areas can be laid to waste. Houses, skyscrapers, apartments, cars, trees, fences, you name it, and there's no penalty for riding them to get a better view of your enemies.
87	* EveryBulletIsATracer: Sort of necessary from a gameplay standpoint. With so much going on and so few of your weapons being {{hitscan}}, you really need to see where each round goes and adjust on the fly.
88	* ExcusePlot: [[VideoGame/BadDudes Aliens have decided to take over Earth. Are you a bad enough soldier to take on the alien invasion to save the world?]]
89	* FaceDeathWithDignity: Participants in a particular SuicideMission were encouraged to think of it this way.
90	* FluffyTheTerrible: "Hector" isn't exactly a name befitting a 10-story-tall HumongousMecha capable of trampling over houses. They're tough customers despite the name. It also makes more sense, (and becomes a GeniusBonus) when you know that Hector is the mighty warrior-prince of Troy in Literature/TheIliad.
91	* FlyingSaucer: Often a DropShip to unload more enemies for you to deal with.
92	* FriendlyFireproof: A mixed example with these games; [=NPCs=] can't hurt allies, but human players can.
93	* {{Giant Spider}}s: Oh yes, and they're often the most terrifying enemies in the game. And it is not just because they are damn ugly or [[InASingleBound can leap over tall buildings in a single bound]], but their silk can kill you quickly (especially on anything past Hard) if you're not careful or really unfortunate to run into them.
94	* GunsAkimbo: The Fencer class is capable of wielding one weapon in each hand, giving them extreme amounts of MoreDakka.
95	* HardModePerks: You get more powerful weapons on the harder difficulties, but suffice to say, you'll need some decent weapons and LOTS of health before attempting missions on the harder difficulties.
96	* HeartContainer: The Armor pick-ups. Grabbing one will increase your maximum health by 1, but you won't get the health bonuses until after finishing the missions.
97	* HeavyEquipmentClass: Fencers in their powered exoskeletons can dual wield the largest weapons available and also have the the most armor. Jump jets give them more mobility than some might think.
98	* HeroicMime: Your player character, aside from a few grunts and death cries.
99	** Averted in ''Insect Armageddon'', but even then, [[TheStoic they don't have much to say]].
100	* HumongousMecha: The robotic enemies.
101	* HyperspaceArsenal: Subverted. You can amass ''hundreds'' of weapons at your disposal but you can only bring two at a time.
102	* IdiosyncraticDifficultyLevels: Often with the HarderThanHard difficulties.
103	** In ''EDF 2017'', we have Easy, Normal, Hard, Hardest, and Inferno.
104	* [[InfinityPlusOneSword Infinity+1 Weapon]]: Often the bonus weapons you get after clearing the in the harder difficulties.
105	** [[spoiler:''EDF 2017'' gives us the Genocide Gun, a WaveMotionGun that deals [[ThereIsNoKillLikeOverkill 1,000,000]] damage! The downside is that the blast could kill you (and your allies) too and certain non-mook enemies are immune to it, and you have unlock it by beating all 53 missions on Inferno.]]
106	* InsectoidAliens: The bug enemies.
107	* ImprobableWeaponUser: You can use handfuls of powered-up firecrackers, squirt guns full of HollywoodAcid, and spritzer bottles of ultra-strength bug spray as some of the more outlandish additions to your arsenal.
108	* InsistentTerminology: The oversized bugs are referred to as "giant insects" and nothing else in most games, though they get to be '''Gigantors''' in ''Global Defence Force'' and '''Buggernauts''' in ''Invaders from Planet Space''.
109	* JetPack: Often the female soldiers in the games use them to reach places the standard infantry soldiers can't.
110	* JumpJetPack: Fencers are sometimes equipped with short-range jump jets to boost their otherwise limited mobility.
111	* {{Kaiju}}: The non-robotic and non-insect enemies.
112	** In the first two games, we have the [[CaptainErsatz Saurus]], giant dinosaur-like monsters that breathe fire.
113	** In ''EDF 2017'', we have Vallak, which are much like the Saurus from the previous games but they also have cyborg version, the Mecha-Vallak/Dino Mech, armed with plasma cannons on their shoulders.
114	** ''EDF 4.1'' and ''EDF 5'' have the Erginus, which is pretty much Godzilla with the serial numbers filed off. ''5'' has the even bigger Archellus, which is Anguirus on steroids.
115	** ''Iron Rain'' has Beizal as the Godzilla knockoff that can be thankfully taken down with small arms fire. The biggest threat, however, is Raznid, and is the series' largest kaiju to date.
116	* KillerRobot: The robotic enemies that the alien invaders often throw into the mix.
117	%%* LifeMeter
118	* LighterAndSofter: ''World Brothers'' is BY FAR the lightest ''EDF'' game to-date; besides the cutesy voxel graphics, characters are almost-always smiling in their portraits, dialogue is cheerful, the music is upbeat, and the usual grim tone of EDF is almost completely absent, in favor of pure heroic energy and ThePowerOfFriendship. And all this DESPITE it starting with the ''[[DownerBeginning freaking Earth being destroyed as well as it is implied that you command what's left of humanity!]]''
119	* MacrossMissileMassacre: Some of the missile launchers in the series can shoot several missiles at once. Certain enemies can fire multiple missiles too.
120	* {{Mooks}}: The black ants and the fighter ships.
121	** AirborneMook: The fighter ships and hornets.
122	** EliteMooks: The red ants, some of the spiders, and the "Elite" fighter ships.
123	** GiantMook: The queen ants and giant spiders.
124	** MechaMooks: The robotic enemies.
125	** MookMobile: The fighter ships.
126	** SmashMook: The red ants will ram into you unlike the black ants that sprays acid at you.
127	* MookMaker: Often in the form of {{Drop Ship}}s or a mounds on the ground where the alien bugs have made their breeding grounds.
128	* MightyGlacier: Fencers have the highest armor values of the four classes, at the cost of being unable to move very quickly.
129	* MiniMecha: In some of the mission in these games lets you pilot one. ''EDF 2017'' and ''EDF 2025'' have the Battle Machine Velgata, the latter has two variants of these mini-mechs.
130	* NationalAnthem: Well, [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llkWz4OBfX4 sorta]].
131	-->Our soldiers are prepared for any alien threats!\
132	The Navy launches ships! The Air Force sends their jets!\
133	And nothing can withstand our fixed bayonets!\
134	'''THE EDF DEPLOYS!'''
135	* NationalStereotypes: Present everywhere in ''World Brothers'', and they made up the bulk of your teammates. Highlights including TheGunslinger and [[BritishRoyalGuards a British Royal Guard]] that summon a squad of toy soldier version of him as their special attack.
136	* NewGamePlus: Of sorts. After beating all the missions, you can replay them again with all of your weapons and maximum health intact, which might help when it comes to tackling the game's harder difficulties to obtain some of the more powerful weapons.
137	* NotTheFallThatKillsYou: One of the AcceptableBreaksFromReality the series happens to invoke.
138	* {{NotZilla}}: Giant fire-breathing lizards appear throughout the series, starting with [[https://theearthdefenseforce.fandom.com/wiki/Saurous Saurous]] in the first game. Descendants [[https://theearthdefenseforce.fandom.com/wiki/Erginus Erginus]] and [[https://theearthdefenseforce.fandom.com/wiki/Beizal Beizal]] look slightly less like the original Godzilla. The player occasionally gets to fight them with HumongousMecha.
139	* OneManArmy:
140	** Often the case with these games. Despite getting assistance from the other troops from time-to-time, Storm-1 pretty much single-handedly took down the Ravagers [[spoiler:the their mothership]] from ''EDF 2017''.
141	** You take on enormous legions of enemies!
142	* PainfullySlowProjectile: Some of the projectiles in the series travel incredibly slow. Inverted with some weapons though as some travel ridiculously fast.
143	* PileBunker: Fencers can wield the Blasthole Spear and similar weapons that punch huge spikes into enemies.
144	* PoweredArmor: The Fencer class wears a powered exoskeleton that allows them to mount huge amounts of armor and carry heavy weaponry not possible for other classes.
145	* PreAsskickingOneLiner: Some of your allies are prone to saying one in the midst of battle. From ''EDF 2017'', "Do you like death?! Then die!"
146	* ProjectileWebbing: Jumping spider enemies spit webbing that can slow or immobilize you. Spiders that rely on webs can also throw out a line to pull you in.
147	* PuppetGun: Certain air strikes, like the various KillSat firing modes or cruise missiles, are called in with a dedicated laser designator that the Air Raider can even use to redirect the strike in mid-flight.
148	* RedShirtArmy: Zig-zagged. The various NPC soldiers that fight alongside you aren't exactly known for their longevity, especially since FriendlyFireproof only works in your favor, but they're often plenty capable of mowing down enemies almost as well as you.
149	* RobotWar: Usually during missions when you're fighting off giant killer robots instead.
150	* SceneryGorn: Often the result of the alien invaders (or you) as the Earth Defense Force fend of the invasion.
151	* SelfPlagiarism: Two years after the success of the original game, series publisher D3 released ''Simple 2000 Vol. 78: The Great Space War''(aka: ''VideoGame/SpaceWarAttack''), a flight action game that, like ''EDF'', has the player fighting a variety of giant bubs, Kaijus and alien aircrafts and with a similar goofy and low-budget vibes. Though it is not officially considered part of the series (The game has a different developer[[note]]It was made by Bit Town, the developers of the ''VideoGame/{{Sidewinder}}'' series, from which the game recycles a lot of assets[[/note]] and no ''EDF'' branding or any recognizable characters or elements from the series) but the intent to apply the ''EDF'' formula to another genre of game is obvious enough.
152	* SentryGun: An equippable weapon introduced in ''EDF 2017'' and featured in the arsenal of the Air Raider in any game since.
153	* ShortRangeShotgun: Inverted. Not only are shotguns effective beyond point blank range, they are actually useful far beyond the range they would be in real life. It helps that most of your targets are exceedingly large, so pellet spread isn't much of an issue.
154	* StylisticSuck: The voice acting. Whether Japanese or English, it's very deliberately laden with DullSurprise, LargeHam, and comically serious delivery of frankly absurd dialogue in order to get that proper 1950's B-movie aesthetic.
155	* SuperTitle64Advance: The Japanese title for ''EDF 2017''[='=]s Vita re-release features ''Portable'' in its name, despite not being release on the system's predecessor. The Japanese title for the Nintendo Switch port of ''Portable'' is ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: ''Earth Defense Force 3 for Nintendo Switch''.
156	* TheSwarm: In some of the games, not only do you fight off swarms of giant ants and spiders, you also fight off swarms of [[ScaryStingingSwarm hornets and bees]]!
157	* TargetSpotter: Most of the Air Raider's damage potential comes from his ability to call in artillery and airstrikes. He can also equip a laser guidance system to direct missiles launched by allies, and certain Fencer missiles cannot be fired without this guidance.
158	* TheTurretMaster: A possible way to play as the trooper in Earth Defense Force 2017 and a way of playing the Air Raider in any game he's featured in. [[note]]Turrets are exclusive to him in those games[[/note]]
159	* TwentyMinutesIntoTheFuture: The series started in 2004 (2003 in Japan) and the story of the games so far took place in 2017 (''Monster Attack'', ''Earth Defense Force 2017'') to 2019 (''Global Defence Force'', ''Global Defence Force Tactics'') and 2025 (''EDF 2025'').
160	* VideoGameCrueltyPotential: Exaggerated in all of the games -- you can fire upon civilians, fellow troops and every building in sight with no repercussions whatsoever.
161	* WeHelpTheHelpless: EDF Soldiers are regularly seen charging past fleeing civilians into hordes of monsters, putting themselves into deadly situations to protect the unarmed and helpless. In EDF 5 they even save you this way, as you start out as a noncombatant.
162	-->'''EDF Ranger''': Are you a civilian? I'll protect you.
163	* WhamEpisode: A news broadcast roughly halfway into 4.1 declares that an estimated half of the world population has been killed in the ravager attacks.
164	* YouCantThwartStageOne: Prevalent throughout the series, and exaggerated in ''World Brothers'', where the game starts with [[ContinuityNod every mothership]] under the command of [[CrossoverExclusiveVillain Dark Tyrant]] concentrate fire on the Earth, blowing it apart.
165	* ZergRush: The red ants' favorite method of attack.

Context VideoGame / EarthDefenseForce