Platform: PlayStation Vita

Developer: SANDLOT

Publisher: D3Publisher

# of Players: 1 – 4

CERO Rating: C (Ages 15+)

Official Site (Japan)

Score: A (95%)

Much more than a straightforward port of the former Xbox 360 exclusive, Earth Defense Forces 3 Portable comes screaming onto the Vita as the game developer Sandlot most likely wanted to make in the first place. The return of Pale Wing and her energy-based weaponry (from EDF 2 on the PS2 and PSP) adds a new way to experience the game, while an up to four-player co-op mode, rebalanced and all-new weapon drops, new enemy types, trophies galore and seven new levels makes this an absolute must-buy for anyone with a Vita. While the import is indeed entirely in Japanese, the fact that the game is coming to the US this winter in English means Vita owners here have a great game in the pipeline that will get plenty of play and replay. For those who’ve played the 360 version to death, there’s definitely enough new content there to get you equally obsessed (and yes, perhaps it’s time to get that Vita if you’ve been on the fence).

While the thin plot is straight out of an old 50’s “B” movie, the playable characters never utter a word and the only exposition you’ll get comes from brief in-engine cut scenes before some levels (and in the middle of others, but these can be turned off in the options so as not to disrupt gameplay), the game instantly grabs you thanks to the almost overwhelming odds you’re up against in every stage. As someone who’s played every game in the series to date, I can add that Sandlot has definitely rebalanced the game so that Easy mode is a wee bit too easy even in solo play. On the other hand, Hardest and the supremely daunting Inferno modes are both definitely going to have even the most hardcore fans who dive in alone shaking their fists at their Vitas in spots. This is thanks to some weapons from the 360 version being changed to reflect the possibility of up to three additional live players.

For Storm 1, turret counts are now reduced, so you’ll need to work harder when dealing with packs of ants and spiders, and some of the new weapon drops are trade-offs where you’re getting great power and range at the cost of the ability to run. Using the new backpack weapons is risky even in levels where you have enough time to lumber away from slower enemies, but forget about using them on Hard mode and up unless you plan to play online and have some decent support to back you up. Mobility is just as important as having some great gear in an EDF game, so thankfully, Storm 1 can still do that combat roll move when burdened. Still, in the cave maps, you’re going to be a sitting duck if you try to rely on the bulkier guns. That said, there are more than enough old and new weapons that allow you to be as mobile as ever.

Speaking of mobile, the vehicles are the same types found in EDF 3 on the 360 and yes, they have the same “you’ll get used to it” controls and durability levels. The main change from the 360 version is now you’ll get a prompt to press SELECT when near a ride. I made it through the game twice before I so much as touched that tank, helicopter, speeder bike or mech suit simply because I was used to not using them in solo play save for one or two maps where things got tough on the harder modes. Experimentation is key to enjoying and mastering an EDF game, so it’s all up to you what weapons you use and how well you get them to do what you want them to in some cases.

In addition to the wealth of machine guns, shotguns, grenade, guided missile and rocket launchers, sniper rifles and grenades, there are some offbeat experimental weapons that range from awesome to completely useless if you’re stuck with say, a green puff shooting gun that just makes ants shake a bit before they acid spray and bite you to death. If you can read Japanese, you actually find out it’s a healing spray for AI or co-op play (oops), but thankfully doesn’t heal the ants chewing on your head. Then again, firing off a mushroom-shaped gun that briefly stops enemies in their tracks (complete with a little balloon above their heads signifying they’re dazed) comes in handy as long as you have a backup gun to take them out. Just stay away from the truly crappy Torch, as it’s useless even on Easy mode…

For new players (and those who’ve only played the Xbox 360 version) Pale Wing is a fantastic character to replay the game with (she’s unlocked after you beat any difficulty once), but she starts off the game with half the armor as Storm 1 with one slightly terrible short-range and a decent long range weapon. As with Storm 1, “farming” levels for new gear becomes a primary means of boosting her stats and gear so she can survive longer. She’s more fun to play as overall and her weapons are more devastating against certain enemy types. The big concession here is both flying and shooting most weapons consume her energy reserves, meaning you can’t go too far with guns blazing before she’s out of power and needs to recharge. Finding the proper balance where you’re taking out enemies quickly while not taking too much damage and finding enough breathing room is always a challenge, particularly when you wind up with some weapons that drain her energy completely or even past her reserves. At least she never needs to worry about special weapons that can’t be reloaded like Storm 1’s alien tech drops.

There are seven new stages here, plus some older stages with new enemy types (gold ants, slower, brighter red ants, tougher two-toned spiders and some bigger enemy flying craft) so again, those who’ve played the 360 game will see a few new things. Granted, the same handful of massive maps are recycled, but you’re inserted into these maps at different times of day, different start locations and in different stages of destruction in order to keep you coming up with new tactics to deal with what’s coming to kill you.

One minor issue I still have from the original version is the lack of structure in terms of how some stages are laid out. EDF and EDF 2 had a narrative that placed you in maps that for the most part logically progressed as the cities fell under their alien invasions. EDF 2 in particular, was divided into London and Japan sections and also had a wider selection of aliens to defeat (or be defeated by). Here, the first few maps do a decent job of laying out where the aliens land and you end up in the city, then underground, then back up top for a few levels in a mostly sane layout. The exceptions would be the return of that annoying walking fortress (a new map) and the penultimate beach level which is right before the final mothership stage.

Whether you liked it or not, the US-developed Earth Defense Force Insect Armageddon at least had a story holding its stages together that showed end to end progression. EDF 2017 suffered a bit from the looseness of the narrative and even with the new content and polish the Vita version has that same effect. Granted, if you’re more concerned about blowing the crap out of bugs, ‘bots and buildings and could care less about compelling storytelling, you probably won’t even care. Of course, assigning arbitrary rules of reality to a game where a single rocket can topple the tallest building on your head while causing no damage isn’t any way to actually enjoy what’s here, so just go in and have a blast, taking the game in as it is. You can blow through Easy mode in about nine or ten hours, but the game isn’t over at all. Collecting every weapon will take time thanks to the random drops and the fact that for completion freaks, the number of awards has increased dramatically from the Xbox 360 version. The more you play, the more Trophies drop, sometimes in multiples if you manage to complete two or three goals in a stage.

Visually, the game looks great running on the Vita. Sandlot managed to pack in all the destruction and insane enemy counts found on the 360 version onto the Vita’s widescreen and while there’s slowdown in spots where a ton of things are happening (that final level is still a big chunky slideshow if you let the mothership start firing off all sorts of ordinance as Hectors stomp about shooting off their guns while enemy fliers swoop about), the game is impressive if you’re not the overly picky graphics whore sort. Draw distance issues appear in that wide-open beach stage and yes, textures do “pop” into place as you’re running around the outdoor maps. Bot overall, the game holds up more than well enough thanks to the general level of craziness it pulls off compared to other action games. Music and sounds are the same as in the 360 version and as the new maps only have a new tune, I can see the US and EU versions using the same script and voice acting each version got on the 360. I could complain that there are no Pale Wing loading screens at all (as far as I could see), but I’ll hold out hope that we see her get a tiny bit more love when the game is localized.

As for multiplayer, I haven’t tried it yet, as I’m here in the US and not near a reliable wi-fi spot where I can connect and give it a go. As I’ll be picking up the US version when it’s released, I’m hoping that both are compatible, as I can share the game with a Vita-owning friend to see how well it turned out. From poking around the internet, I see that many people who have imported or happen to live in Japan or Hong Kong who own the game are loving the online modes and have avatars online with a few thousand armor points. We EDF players do love our farming, that’s for damn sure.  I have the feeling that the US and EU versions will do well as multiplayer blasts of fun over PSN as there’s plenty of action to spare and newbies will need lots of help with the tougher stages as they try to survive the harder modes.

Amusingly enough, I’d actually planned to skip writing this review as soon as I heard the release window announcement for the English version, but I decided to go on ahead and post impressions in case anyone thinking about buying that one was wondering what they’re in for. In case you haven’t guessed that yet, you’ll be getting a game that will take some of you weeks to complete and unlock everything, a co-op mode you’ll want to share with others and a pretty decent-looking enhanced port of a fine action-packed arcade run ‘n gun that’s addictive as hell. I’d say that’s a BUY recommendation if ever there was one, folks.