Overview
Earth Defense Force 2017 is the 3rd installment of the Earth Defense Force series and is the first in the series
North American boxart for EDF 2017.
to be released in North America. The game features 171 weapons, 4 vehicles, and 53 levels. The player in the game is Storm 1, the best of the best in the Earth Defence Force as he fights to defend Japan from the Ravager invasion. This was the first installment of the game to not be released on a Sony console.
It appears to be a remake of Monster Attack as it is based in the "great war" of 2017, reuses sound affects from the menu and enemies,it also has versus mode and split screen just like Monster Attack and it also has 5 difficulties.
Levels in both games are similar, the dinosaur boss stage, the robots coming from out at sea and being on a beach and being attacked by red ants for the first time, both happen on 2017 and Monster Attack.
It was announced in fall of 2012, first on Twitter and then on Facebook, that the game would be ported to the PlayStation Vita under the title Earth Defense Force 2017 Portable to be released in North America.
Weapon Types
Assault Rifles: The standard weapon of the EDF. Assault Rifles are a very diverse type of weapon. Some have a high rate of fire and low accuracy, others fire one shot at a time with high accuracy and damage. They are useful against most enemies.
Shotguns: Shotguns are the best weapon for killing Ants and Spiders in
Japanese box art for Earth Defence Forces 3 (Earth Defence Force 2017)
the game. They fire multiple pellets at once which do alot of damage at close range. Some shotguns have a more focused spread for better accuracy while others have a far wider spread for more close range damage.
Sniper Rifles: Some of the most powerful weapons in the game. Weapons such as the Lysander Z are classified as Sniper Rifles. They are very accurate and damaging at long range and are effective against Hectors and Gunships.
Missile Launcher: Missile Launchers fire guided missiles which home in on the nearest target. Some such as the MLRA fire many missiles in rapid succession while others such as the Air Tortoise fire one very damage missile at a time.
Rocket Launcher: Staples of the EDF
European box art for Earth Defence Force 2017
soldier, rocket launchers provide massive damage and predominantly high accuracey. Unlike missile launchers, rocket launchers fire unguided rockets that are effective against hordes of enemies. Some like the Cascade fire rockets in rapid succession while others like the Goliath fire one very damaging rocket at a time.
Grenade: Grenades can be divided into two categories. Hand Grenades which need to be thrown and Grenade Launchers which are as easy to use as rifles. Hand Grenades have to be thrown in an arc and are useful in limited situations. Grenade Launchers can be used like rifles to inflict losses on swarm enemies like ants and spiders. Notable Grenade Launchers include the Sticky Grenade Prototype and the UMRA.
Special Weapons: Special weapons are the most diverse weapon type. Weapons in this type include the Acid Gun, Flamethrower, and the ever so useful ZEXR. Other weapons such as the burner are not useful at all and are silly weapons.
Enemies
Missions
- Arrival: An extraterrestrial spaceship has appeared above the city. The alien force is so large in number that it covers the entire sky. Negotiations are currently underway, but in case of an emergency, all Ranger Teams and Storm Teams are to report to their designated posts.
- Invasion: The city is in a state of panic because of the sudden appearance of giant insects. All available Ranger Teams and Storm Teams are to report to the scene at once. You must protect the civilians from the bugs. At this time, we do not know the relationship between The Ravagers and these giant bugs, but we are gathering data as quickly as possible.
- Melee: There are still a large number of bugs throughout the city. The Ranger Teams are continuing to carry on the fight. All deployable troops are to enter combat at once.
- Landing: The giant bugs continue to be deployed throughout the city. They are attacking civilians and eating them. This threat needs to be eliminated at all costs. Storm 1 and 2 are to go into battle at once and support the Ranger Teams that are already engaged in combat.
- Search: From the EDF Commander Center: "We regret to inform you that we have no choice but to officially recognize the Ravagers as a full invasion force." An assault on the Ravagers will begin at once. Air forces around the world will team up to perform a joint strike on their spacecraft fleet. Meanwhile, ground infantry units are to seek out and eliminate the giant bugs on the ground.
- Airforce: The joint air force has been annihilated by the gunships. Air supremacy is now in the hands of the enemy. The enemy mothership continues above the city, launching a fleet of gunships. The city will be destroyed unless they are stopped at once. Attack the gunships and give the civilians time to evacuate.