Earth Defense Force 2017 is gaming at its absolute purest. It's about blowing up waves of giant ants, towering giant robots, and gigantic monsters. Forget the story. Forget the voice work. Just know that in your life, you won't play a game that's as dedicated to the art of blowing things up as EDF. It's as sickeningly fun alone as it is with a friend, who can revel in the unapologetically over-the-top mindless joy of it all right alongside you. There's little higher-level strategy required: Just shoot, shoot, shoot until anything that moves has been blown to smithereens. Who needs anything more?
Gerald: This game is the very definition of a guilty pleasure. The sheer absurdity of it all wasn't a factor for me. Sometimes you just want to blow shit up, and when you do, Earth Defense Force 2017 is a great way to do so. It also teaches an important lesson: There's no problem so big that a rocket launcher can't solve it.
Gabe: So, so true. EDF hearkens back to the days of quarter-hungry arcade machines that repaid each silvery coin with ridiculous rapid-fire spectacles. To me, though, the absurdity, presented in glorious high definition, most definitely galvanized my enjoyment of this game. I mean, seriously, giant ants? Too hilarious!Gerald: I think modern games tend to take themselves too seriously. More games should take the EDF approach and focus on the kinds of experiences that first drew us into gaming. Sure, fancy schmancy storylines get all the praise, and there's a place for them, but when was the last time you were able to truly enjoy the fun of leveling entire cities in the fight against invading aliens? Collateral damage be damned, it's great fun.Gabe: In fact, collateral damage is part of the fun in EDF, and watching the buildings crumble into rubble before your eyes (which you can subsequently loot for health pick-ups and weapons!) is basically the name of the game. I find it tremendously entertaining that, although I am the de facto last, best hope to save the planet, in reality I'm cackling maniacally as yet another high-rise residence crumbles before my quad-barreled rocket launcher.
