Screenshots & trailers
Review sentiment over time
Weekly positive-review rate (green) and review volume (bars). Dashed lines mark significant patches; the amber line is the start of the current scoring window. Hover the dots to see what drove a dip or a jump.
How this score was computed
The VGC Score is a weighted blend on a press-comparable 0-100 quality scale. Steam approval rates are first calibrated (95% positive on Steam ≈ 89.5 quality, since Steam approval skews high). Press and tracked creator reviews each count ~2x a player review and share one cap against player evidence (creator buy/skip calls pool into an approval rate, calibrated like Steam approval); all-time sentiment is capped and halved (it's context, not verdict); reviews of the current build carry the most weight when a fresh patch anchors the window; and a 'typical game' prior keeps small samples from pegging the scale. Because press reviews and Metacritic user aggregates describe the launch build, their weight decays as the game ages (3-year half-life after a 1-year grace). That's how a game that launched rough can outgrow its old reception once updates win players over. Reviews under 2h playtime (the refund window), non-Steam activations, and free copies are downweighted.
| Component | Positive | Quality (0-100) | Weight (pseudo-reviews) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Press reviews (OpenCritic) | – | 65 | 13 |
| Creator reviews (2 tracked) | – | 63 | 1 |
| All-time Steam reviews | 95% | 89 | 1000 |
| Metacritic user ratings | – | 76 | 6 |
| Post-patch Steam reviews (trust-weighted) | 97% | 93 | 12 |
| Calibration prior (typical game) | – | 72 | 50 |
Acclaim gate: the raw blend lands at 88.3, but scores above 88 must be earned in front of a mass audience; this verdict rests on 10,618 player reviews, a largely self-selected fanbase. As more players weigh in, the ceiling rises (full scale unlocks at 100,000 reviews).
Scoring window: last 30 days (no significant patch detected) · 35 reviews sampled · 28 total reviews in window · weighted 24.3 up / 0.7 down · computed 3h ago · full methodology →
Press & Creators reviews (54)
Individual verdicts from outlets we track: scored reviews first, most trusted outlets first among them. The small badge is each outlet's trust score: how well its scoring history aligns with players.
- 30
“This is not so bad it’s good. It’s just plain bad, and there aren’t enough giant insects in the world to convince me otherwise.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“It doesn't ever completely shy away from using filler material after successfully building so much momentum.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“A solid representation of the B-movie in video game form, for better or worse. It’s got a lot of laughable moments, with a few design issues and crashes but they don’t ruin the fun.”
read full review ↗ - 50
“Despite being good, clean, mindless fun, Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair lacks the depth and polish to elevate it above its peers, and likely won't appeal to those unwilling to commit to the grind. Fans of past iterations in the series will no doubt lap it up voraciously and call out anybody who disagrees that it's the greatest thing since...well, the last EDF game. While it's fair to say that it does have a certain low-tech charm best enjoyed in small doses, extended sessions only serve to emphasise the shallow, repetitive gameplay, with prolonged exposure inducing what can only be described as brain atrophy. So bad it's good? Yeah, probably.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“From each individual line of dialogue to every jagged texture, Earth Defense Force 4.1: The Shadow of New Despair is so bad that it's actually pretty bloody good.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“There is a lot to EDF 4.1, but nothing about it is going to change players’ minds if they never enjoyed the series. The same rinse and repeat game play exists, the performance is still questionable, and the repetition is real. ”
read full review ↗ - 80
“There isn't much here for Earth Defense Force 2025 players, especially since it doesn't include the three previously released DLC packs, but new players will fall in love with this title almost immediately.”
read full review ↗ - 70
“EDF 4.1 is easily the best in the series thanks to its improved performance and is a great jump on point for newcomers.”
read full review ↗ - 75
“A great shooter that offers a surprising amount of variety and content. The mechanics may be simple but EDF 4.1 showcases spectacle above all else and it always proves to be thrilling.”
read full review ↗ - 60
“Ultimately EDF4.1 ends up being an addictive game that is full of alien squishing fun on a huge scale, but as a last generation port to PlayStation 4, it ends up being far too expensive. I shall await with bated breath for a true sequel.”
read full review ↗ - 40
“A remake of a rehash of a disappointing sequel… that only hints at what Earth Defense Force could be if the series would only show some forward momentum.”
read full review ↗ - 85
“Earth Defense Force 4.1 is a fantastic example of what games are capable of, being big, dumb, and an absolute ton of fun all at the same time. Lots of content, presentation so silly that it's heartwarming, and giant swarms of bugs and robots to blow to smithereens alone or with friends make me come back time and time again. It's a high recommendation to basically anyone, you're never so high and mighty as not to deal with some giant insects.”
read full review ↗
The Jimquisition
Slant Magazine
Kinglink Reviews
Cubed3
Push Square
ZTGD
Worth Playing
MonsterVine
GameGrin
TheSixthAxis
Metro GameCentral
Niche Gamer…and 42 more tracked reviews.
Patch history
- 35% Off S A L E continuedJan 27, 2017
- Out now!Aug 23, 2016
- August 9th Patch NoteAug 10, 2016
- August 9th Patch NoteAug 10, 2016
- Out now!Aug 9, 2016
- August 4th Patch NoteAug 4, 2016
- August 4th Patch NoteAug 4, 2016
- Notice:Spark LancerJul 19, 2016