D3 Publisher Inc. announced the global launch date for Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain, the latest chapter in the beloved Earth Defense Force series. Developed by YUKE’S and scheduled to launch exclusively for the PlayStation®4 system on April 11, 2019, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain enters new territory, introducing character customization, a new cast of characters focusing on one of the strongest military units in EDF, equipped with even more advanced gear, tech and weaponry – and a brand-new threat facing the Earth Defense Force and citizens of Earth.
Since it first launched in 2003 for the PlayStation 2 console, the Earth Defense Force series has earned a strong reputation for its relentless wave shooter gameplay and co-op fun, featuring swarms of enemies, a wide array of unique classes and weapons – and charming B-movie dialogue and settings with cities under siege by giant insects, kaiju monsters, and alien invaders.
This focus on pitting players against an overwhelming force of enemies continues in Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain while introducing exciting new gear and technology for stalwart EDF soldiers and a brand-new separatist faction, the Kindred Rebellion. Players will need all the help they can get as the Aggressor’s alien invasion of giant insects, monsters, and mechs continues to rain down terror around the world.
Meet the New EDF Ground Trooper Unit, Prowl Rider and Ride a Giant Ant into Battle!
Alongside the Trooper, Jet Lifter, and the Heavy Striker unit that players can arm themselves with, the latest Prowl Rider’s PA-Gear is based on a prototype originally developed by the Kindred Rebellion faction, and was later analyzed and improved for deployment to the Earth Defense Force.
This gear grants the user astonishing mobility on the battlefield with its wire-powered “E-Needle” ability that allows players to grapple buildings, trees, and even enemies to zip towards their destination. The Prowl Rider’s E-Needle ability can even be used to blast gigantic insects with neural pulse waves, essentially transforming enemies into giant, living tanks.
Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain Key Features:
Twelve years have been passed since mankind’s first encounter with the alien “Aggressor” invasion that devastated planet Earth. In this time of great despair, the battle to free mankind from the Aggressor’s extended assault continues in Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain.
Developed by YUKE’s with the Unreal Engine 4, Earth Defense Force: Iron Rain is the best-looking EDF to date. Players will see and feel the difference with an overwhelming number of on-screen invaders raining down from the sky in over 50 intense, story driven missions.
- Master Four Soldier Classes: Thanks to advances in “PA-Gear” technology, the EDF are on more equal footing with the “Aggressors”. These powered exoskeleton suits can be customized with hundreds of weapon, armament, and item loadout combinations with four unique soldier classes, each with their own critical Over Drive ability to change the tide of battle, including the Trooper, Jet Lifter, Heavy Striker, and most notably, the brand-new Prowl Rider.
- Multiplayer: Staying true to the series’ roots in arcade action, both online and local multiplayer split-screen modes are available. Online supports up to six player co-op – and the new Mercenary mode, which finds teams competing for Energy Gems hosts up to 8 players.
- Character customization: For the first time in the series, players will step into the boots of Closer, a decorated war hero who awakens from a seven year coma. Players can customize his or her appearances before diving into the game’s character driven campaign.