Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 review

Less than three months after the launch of Earth Defense Force 6, here we are with yet another Earth Defense Force game to sink countless hours into. This one is a sequel to 2021’s World Brothers, a more light-hearted take on the series that looks like it’s been made to capture the attention of those infatuated by Minecraft. And, like its main series counterparts, Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 doesn’t differ all that much from what has come before.

After battling to save the world in the first game, it’s once again under threat from giant bugs, alien invaders and more in Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2. But worry not, as you’re going to do all you can to defend it. And you’re not alone. Unlike in the mainline games, you assemble a team of four heroes, or Brothers, willing to put their lives on the line to save Earth, and you can switch between them during missions at the touch of a button. It’ll be a system familiar to those who have played the original World Brothers, but it’s refreshing nonetheless.

The main thing to bear in mind here is that each hero you can add to your four-strong team is unique. Rather than choosing a class and selecting your loadout, each hero has its own look, weapons and special abilities. So, when putting together your team, it’s a good idea to choose heroes that will cover each other’s weaknesses. You might want to make sure you have a hero that can deal with enemies effectively at range, for example, as well as one that’s particularly powerful in close combat. Strike a good balance, and you’ll find yourself able to adapt to all scenarios.

Ultimately though, who you chose for your team is up to you. You could pick your heroes based on their looks or personalities if you want, and trust me, there’s a varied range here, from traditional Earth Defence Force members to gun-toting felines. And to further distinguish them from one another, each has a special skill that can be employed when a gauge is full, typically enabling them to easily take down a large number of enemies. They might run at high speed, damaging any foe unlucky enough to be in their path, or call in air support to drop a cluster of bombs.

Featuring over 100 missions, as you make your way through Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 you’ll unlock new heroes for use by rescuing them during missions. Collect duplicates of heroes and you’re even able to upgrade them, allowing them to use new weapons. It pays to find a solid team and stick with it, then, especially when tackling the game’s harder difficulties.

Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 feels easier than a mainline Earth Defense Force game on the whole, though. Aside from having multiple characters at your disposal, you rarely feel as overwhelmed, and the missions are more bite-sized in nature, keeping the bouts of actions short and sharp. It’s perhaps intentional — it certainly seems like it’s made to appeal to a wider age range with its blocky, colourful visuals and over-the-top abilities.

But overall, it just makes the third-person shooting antics more fun. With more characters at your disposal the action within each mission has the potential to be more varied. And why wouldn’t you want to make use of outlandish special abilities to decimate a while screen full of enemies in go? It takes the gameplay of the mainline games, which is already pretty outlandish, and makes it even more ridiculous.

There’s still the usual pitfalls, such as repetition eventually becoming an issue, but Earth Defense Force: World Brothers 2 is easily one of the best Earth Defense Force games available. And while it’s a sequel, it’s very welcoming to newcomers. So, whether you’re a fan of the series or are looking for a good way to get into it, keep World Brothers 2 in mind. Especially so if you want a more colourful and polished take on the formula, or if you’re planning on playing it in co-op with your kids.