Earth Defense Force 6 is at its best when a squad is swarmed by alien armies and the screen turns into joyful, tactical chaos. It is also substantially built on the assets and moment-to-moment design of EDF 5, and its PC presentation has rough edges. If you want more of that established formula with friends, it has a lot to offer; if you expect a polished reinvention, temper your expectations.
What kind of game is Earth Defense Force 6?
Earth Defense Force 6 is a third-person shooter sequel to Earth Defense Force 5. You fight vast numbers of alien enemies in large battles, with a class system and weapon choices that give squads room to vary their approach. The story follows the aftermath of humanity’s earlier victory, then moves into a devastated 2027 timeline.
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Earth Defense Force 4.1 PS-4 Shadow of new Despai | $18.06 | Buy on Amazon |
The appeal is less about precision spectacle than scale, improvisation, and co-op mayhem. Enemy variety and different combat roles can make a chaotic encounter feel tactical: a team’s composition and choices matter even when the battlefield is overwhelmed with targets.
Is EDF 6 meaningfully different from EDF 5?
Not as much as its numbered sequel status might suggest. PC Gamer reviewer Dominic Tarason described EDF 6 as fundamentally similar to EDF 5, with extensive asset reuse and familiar moment-to-moment action. That continuity is a strength if you want another large campaign in the same style; it is a drawback if you are looking for a major visual or mechanical refresh.
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The new story context provides a reason to return to the setting, but the available review evidence does not point to a wholesale redesign. The practical purchase question is whether you want more of the established EDF loop, not whether this replaces it with a new one.
How much game is there?
Tarason counted 147 missions and estimated about 35 hours for a run on normal difficulty. That is one reviewer’s estimate, not a promised completion time: how quickly you play and how much optional content you take on can change the total.
Steam and PlayStation also list paid downloadable add-ons, including the Lost Days and Visions of Malice mission packs, along with weapon and vehicle add-ons. They are additional content, not requirements for enjoying the base game.
How does co-op work on each platform?
The available modes and online requirements differ by storefront. Check the listing for the version you plan to play, particularly if local split-screen or cross-play is important to your group.
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| Platform | Listed co-op options | Online requirements and notes |
|---|---|---|
| PC (Steam) | Online co-op, shared/split-screen co-op, and Steam Remote Play Together | Steam lists Epic Online Services for online play. Some online cross-play features, including Epic Games Store friend registration and invitations, require an Epic account. Windows 10 and 11 are listed as compatible. |
| PS4 and PS5 (PlayStation) | Online co-op for up to four players; offline split-screen co-op | PS Plus is required for online play. Online play is optional. PlayStation says purchasers receive the full game and bonus DLC for both PS4 and PS5 versions. |
These storefront details establish the listed modes and requirements, not a complete comparison of performance across PC, PS4, and PS5. PC Gamer’s PC-port criticism reflects its review of a Windows 11 laptop configuration and should not be treated as benchmark testing across current hardware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What do the reviews say about the PC version?
In a review published July 25, 2024, PC Gamer’s Dominic Tarason praised the enormous, joyful battles, slapstick gunfights, class system, enemy variety, and tactical variation in co-op. He also criticized the rough software, extensive asset reuse, awkward menus, and mediocre PC port. His concise verdict was: “Earth Defense Force 6 is big, dumb co-op fun and a masterclass in asset recycling.”
Steam’s English-language review snapshot was 77% positive from 4,024 reviews when accessed on October 8, 2026. Its recent snapshot was 79% positive from 43 reviews in the preceding 30 days. Both figures can change; the recent score in particular reflects a small sample.
Should you buy EDF 6 or EDF 5?
- Choose EDF 6 if you want a substantial campaign of large-scale alien fights, especially with friends, and are comfortable with a sequel that keeps much of EDF 5’s foundation.
- Consider EDF 5 instead if you have not played it and want to start with the earlier entry before following the aftermath story. The available review does not establish that EDF 6 is a necessary replacement for EDF 5.
- Be cautious about the PC version if awkward menus or a rough port would spoil the experience for you. The cited review is specific to its 2024 Windows 11 laptop setup, rather than a comprehensive current hardware survey.
- Pick the version around your group: Steam lists split-screen and Remote Play Together, while PlayStation lists offline split-screen and up to four online players. Online access has different account or subscription requirements on each storefront.
Availability and editions
Earth Defense Force 6 is listed for PC on Steam and for PS4 and PS5 on PlayStation. Steam gives July 25, 2024 as its release date; PlayStation announces July 25, 2024, while its listing metadata displays July 24, 2024. That storefront discrepancy does not indicate a gameplay difference.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
