GameWiki
GET YOUR BEARINGS
About EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5
Earth Defense Force 5 drops players into a 2022 conflict where humanity’s EDF confronts the newly introduced humanoid alien threat, the Primers, alongside massive insects. The Windows‑only arcade shooter adds more missions and weapons than previous entries and introduces online co‑op for up to four players.
Before each mission you choose one of four EDF classes, and you may change that choice for any later mission. The title supports full controller input, Steam achievements, cloud saves, and a suite of Remote Play options, plus local split‑screen co‑op on PC.
01 / THE GUIDE
Storyline
The campaign opens in Japan, 2022, when an alien fleet attacks an EDF base on the Kanto outskirts. The unknown life forms, called the Primers, bring both humanoid foes and gigantic insects that assault underground facilities, creating the initial conflict.
Each completed mission advances the narrative, revealing more about the Primers’ intelligence and the EDF’s response. Progression is tied to mission completion, which unlocks subsequent story beats and keeps the plot moving forward.
- Read mission briefings for clues about enemy types.
- Track completed missions to follow story progression.
02 / THE GUIDE
EDF Classes
Four distinct EDF classes are available, each providing a different combat role. Players select a class before a mission and can change that selection for any later mission without restriction.
New classes become available as you finish missions and advance the story. This unlocking system encourages players to experience varied tactics as they progress through the campaign.
- Try each newly unlocked class on a short mission to learn its role.
- Switch classes between missions to experience varied gameplay.
03 / THE GUIDE
Co‑op Modes
All missions support online co‑op for up to four players, letting friends join the fight over the internet. The same missions can also be played locally using split‑screen on a PC, enabling side‑by‑side teamwork.
Co‑op participation does not alter mission objectives; teammates share the same goals and can coordinate class choices to cover different combat roles during the same mission.
- Coordinate class selections with teammates for balanced squads.
- Use split‑screen for quick local sessions without network setup.
04 / THE GUIDE
Visual Effects
The game emphasizes realistic battlefield visuals: enemy armor peels away where it is shot, and fluids spill onto buildings and floors, creating a gritty combat atmosphere.
These visual details are part of the default presentation; they are not described as optional toggles, so performance considerations may be needed when adjusting overall graphics settings.
- Lower overall graphics quality if frame rates drop during heavy combat.
- Observe fluid spillage to gauge where enemies have taken damage.
05 / THE GUIDE
Platform Features
Earth Defense Force 5 runs on Windows and includes full controller support, Steam achievements, and Steam Cloud saves. Additional Steam services such as Trading Cards, Remote Play on phone, tablet, TV, and Remote Play Together are integrated.
Family Sharing is also supported, allowing multiple Steam accounts to access the game from a single purchase, which can be useful for households with several players.
- Enable Steam Cloud to keep progress across devices.
- Use Remote Play Together for casual multiplayer without each player needing the game installed.
COMMUNITY
Player discussion