Set in Japan in 2022, EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5 casts players as EDF soldiers defending humanity from the Primers, an intelligent extraterrestrial force. The invasion begins with starships attacking an EDF base, while enormous insects threaten from farther underground. This gives the action a clear, escalating premise: fight back against alien forces and restore peace to Earth.
Missions are built around combat against immense enemies, with armor that peels away where players shoot and enemy fluids spilling onto buildings and floors. Players choose among four classes before missions, can switch classes between them, and unlock new missions by completing missions as the story advances. The game’s arcade-shooter design combines that progression with a focus on destructive, visually detailed battles.
The format supports both solo play and cooperative sessions: missions support online co-op for up to four players, and the game also offers local split-screen. The supplied description also identifies PvP among the listed modes, alongside co-op.
