{{Short description|2005 video game}} {{Infobox video game | title = Global Defence Force / Simple 2000 Series Vol. 81: The Chikyū Bōeigun 2 | image = Global Defence Force PS2 Cover.jpg | caption = European PlayStation 2 box art | developer = Sandlot | publisher = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|D3 Publisher}}|{{vgrelease|EU|Essential Games (PS2)|NA|Xseed Games|EU|PQube (Vita)}}}} | director = Takehiro Honma<br>Toshio Noguchi | programmer = Toshio Noguchi<br>Nobuo Fujii | producer = Nobuyuki Okajima | artist = Masatsugu Igarashi | composer = Masafumi Takada<br>Jun Fukuda | series = ''Earth Defense Force'' | platforms = PlayStation 2, PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch | released = {{Collapsible list|title={{nobold|July 28, 2005}}| '''PlayStation 2'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 28, 2005|EU|June 29, 2007}} '''PlayStation Portable'''{{vgrelease|JP|April 7, 2011}} '''PlayStation Vita'''{{vgrelease|JP|December 11, 2014<ref>{{cite web|author=Romano, Sal|date=August 20, 2014|title=Earth Defense Force V2 announced for PS Vita|url=http://gematsu.com/2014/08/earth-defense-force-v2-announced-ps-vita|website=Gematsu|access-date=August 20, 2014|archive-date=September 22, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140922150304/http://gematsu.com/2014/08/earth-defense-force-v2-announced-ps-vita|url-status=live}}</ref>|NA|December 8, 2015|EU|February 12, 2016|AU|August 1, 2016}} '''Nintendo Switch'''{{vgrelease|JP|July 15, 2021}}}} | genre = Third-person shooter | modes = Single-player, multiplayer }} '''''Global Defence Force'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Earth Defense Force 2'''''|THE地球防衛軍2|Za Chikyū Bōeigun Tsū|lead=yes|{{lit.}} ''The Earth Defense Forces 2''}}}} is a 2005 third-person shooter video game developed by Sandlot for the PlayStation 2. It was originally published as ''The Chikyū Bōeigun 2'' in Japan by D3 Publisher, as volume 81 of the ''Simple 2000 series'' of budget games.<ref name="1UP">{{cite web | url = http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3142445 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110522104501/http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3142445 | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 22, 2011 | title = Previews: Earth Defense Force 2 | website = 1UP.com | date = July 29, 2005 | accessdate = October 10, 2007}}</ref> It was later released in Europe by Essential Games, the brand created by D3 Publisher to publish Simple 2000 series games in Europe.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12617 | title = Q&A: D3 - Not Just A Simple Company? | author = Sheffield, Brandon | website = Gamasutra | date = February 1, 2007 | access-date = October 12, 2007 | archive-date = November 12, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071112022718/http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=12617 | url-status = dead }}</ref>
Players assume the role of a member of the Earth Defense Force and fight giant insects and other enemies who have invaded Earth from outer space.<ref name="XPlay">{{cite web | url = http://www.g4tv.com:80/xplay/features/52669/Earth_Defense_Force_2_Import_Review.html | title = Earth Defense Force 2 Import Review | author = Sewart, Greg | publisher = X-Play | date = September 27, 2005 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20051122105127/http://www.g4tv.com/xplay/features/52669/Earth_Defense_Force_2_Import_Review.html | archivedate = November 22, 2005 | url-status = dead | accessdate = July 3, 2017 }}</ref>
A PlayStation Portable version of the game, titled '''''Earth Defense Forces 2 Portable''''', was released on April 7, 2011 in Japan. A PlayStation Vita version, titled '''''Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space''''' (known in Japan as '''''Earth Defense Forces 2 Portable V2'''''), was released for the first time in North America by Xseed Games in December 2015.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-coming-to-north-america/ | title = Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space Coming To North America | author = Ishaan | publisher = Siliconera | date = May 29, 2015 | access-date = May 30, 2015 | archive-date = May 30, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150530075159/http://www.siliconera.com/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-coming-to-north-america/ | url-status = live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-ps-vita-this-fall-in-north-america/ | title = Earth Defense Force 2 Invaders From Planet Space PS Vita US Release This Fall | author = Dunning, Jason | publisher = PlayStation LifeStyle | date = May 29, 2015 | access-date = May 30, 2015 | archive-date = May 30, 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150530080115/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2015/05/29/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-ps-vita-this-fall-in-north-america/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A port of ''Earth Defense Force 2'' was released for the Nintendo Switch in Japan in July 2021.<ref>{{cite web|last=Romano|first=Sal|date=April 26, 2021|title=Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space and Earth Defense Force 2017 coming to Switch|url=https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-and-earth-defense-force-2017-coming-to-switch|website=Gematsu|access-date=April 27, 2021|archive-date=April 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210427045006/https://www.gematsu.com/2021/04/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-and-earth-defense-force-2017-coming-to-switch|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Gameplay== thumb|left|The PaleWing soldier flying with her jetpack while attacking giant ants with an electrical weapon ''Global Defence Force'' is a third-person shooter featuring large play areas and waves of mecha and giant insects. Players control either a foot soldier (Storm-1) who uses conventional weaponry such as assault and sniper rifles, shotguns, and rocket-propelled grenades or a jetpack-equipped soldier (Pale Wing) who uses energy-based weaponry.<ref name="1UP"/> Most of the game's missions are cleared by eliminating all enemies present, starting with giant ants on earlier stages and eventually progressing to giant lizard enemies.<ref name="GA">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesasylum.com/2007/08/03/global-defence-force/ | title = Global Defence Force | author = Gander, Matt | publisher = Games Asylum | date = August 3, 2007 | accessdate = July 3, 2017 | archive-date = July 29, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170729092904/http://www.gamesasylum.com/2007/08/03/global-defence-force/ | url-status = live }}</ref> A number of vehicles such as a tank, helicopter, and a hoverbike are available in some missions for players to board and attack enemies with. However, only the Storm-1 unit can use the vehicles.<ref name="1UP"/>
thumb|right|Split screen co-operative mode. The player on the left is controlling the PaleWing soldier. The player on the right, controlling the infantryman, is driving a tank. A total of 300 different weapons are available between the two characters, but players are limited to carrying two weapons during missions. Weapons are unlocked by picking up containers dropped by enemies. Every weapon picked up during play will add a random weapon of the character's to the selection, duplicate weapons are discarded. Armor chips and medical kits, also dropped by enemies, increase the character's maximum possible health and recover lost health respectively.<ref name="NT">{{cite web | url = http://namakoteam.com/2005/08/earth-defense-force-2-the-best-d3-game-ever/ | title = Earth Defence Force 2, the best D3 game ever | author = Wilson, Trevor | publisher = Namako Team | date = August 18, 2005 | accessdate = July 3, 2017 | archive-date = January 19, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190119171556/http://namakoteam.com/2005/08/earth-defense-force-2-the-best-d3-game-ever/ | url-status = live }}</ref>
There are a total of 71 missions spread over 7 environments to play through,{{Citation needed|date=January 2016}} the first mission taking place in London.<ref name="GSW">{{cite web | url = http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_robotochan_an_ode_to_sa_1.php | title = 'Roboto-chan!': An ode to Sandlot | author = Barder, Ollie | publisher = GameSetWatch | date = December 5, 2006 | accessdate = October 9, 2007 | archive-date = October 12, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071012113420/http://gamesetwatch.com/2006/12/column_robotochan_an_ode_to_sa_1.php | url-status = dead }}</ref> Five difficulty levels are available for each mission. Half-medals are awarded for completing a mission on a set difficulty with either character. Completing the same stage with the other character results in a complete medal. Once a player has collected all the medals for every mission, "Impossible" mode is unlocked. Impossible difficulty limits the Armor (HP) value for both Pale Wing and Infantry. {{Clear}}
==Reception== {{Video game reviews | PS2 = true | PSP = true | VITA = true | na = true | Destruct_VITA = 8/10<ref name="Destruct"/> | Edge_PS2 = 8/10<ref>{{cite magazine | title = The Chikyuu Boueigun 2 | author = Edge staff | magazine = Edge | issue = 154 | date = October 2005}}</ref> | Fam_PS2 = 29/40<ref name="FamPS2">{{cite web | url = http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=55943 | title = Famitsu #868 | publisher = NeoGAF | date = July 20, 2005 | accessdate = July 3, 2017}}</ref> | Fam_PSP = 27/40<ref name="FamPSP">{{cite web | url = http://nintendoeverything.com/complete-famitsu-review-scores-13/ | title = Complete Famitsu review scores | author = Brian | publisher = Nintendo Everything | date = April 13, 2011 | accessdate = July 3, 2017 | archive-date = June 7, 2014 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140607192547/http://nintendoeverything.com/complete-famitsu-review-scores-13/ | url-status = live }}</ref> | Fam_VITA = 30/40<ref name="FamVita">{{cite web | url = http://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-12114-2/ | title = Famitsu review scores (12/1/14) | author = Brian | publisher = Nintendo Everything | date = December 1, 2014 | accessdate = July 3, 2017}}</ref> | GameRev_VITA = 3.5/5<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.gamerevolution.com/review/69717-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-review | title = Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space Review | author = Schaller, Kevin | date = January 7, 2016 | publisher = Game Revolution | accessdate = July 2, 2017 | archive-date = May 16, 2019 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190516222424/https://www.gamerevolution.com/review/69717-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-review | url-status = live }}</ref> | XPlay_PS2 = 3/5<ref name="XPlay"/> | MC_VITA = 72/100<ref name="MC">{{cite web | url = https://www.metacritic.com/game/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space/critic-reviews/?platform=playstation-vita | title = Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space for PlayStation Vita Reviews | website = Metacritic | accessdate = January 1, 2017 | archive-date = April 13, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170413015429/http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-vita/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space | url-status = live }}</ref> }} ''Global Defence Force'' received little press attention in the West. The few reviews the game received were generally positive; ''Games Asylum''{{'}}s Matt Gander described it as "one of the PlayStation 2’s best budget buys".<ref name="GA"/> In Japan, ''Famitsu'' gave it a score of one eight and three sevens for the PS2 version;<ref name="FamPS2"/> and one eight, one seven, and two sixes for the PSP version.<ref name="FamPSP"/>
The PlayStation Vita re-release of the game, published by Xseed Games and retitled ''Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space'', received "average" reviews according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.<ref name="MC"/> ''Destructoid''{{'}}s Jed Whitaker wrote that the game "has enough original content to keep it feeling fresh alongside the other recent releases in the series", and that it was "easy to recommend to Vita owners looking for some campy over-the-top action in spite of its flaws."<ref name="Destruct">{{cite web | url = https://www.destructoid.com/review-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-325189.phtml | title = Review: Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space | author = Whitaker, Jed | website = Destructoid | date = December 8, 2015 | accessdate = January 1, 2017 | archive-date = January 2, 2017 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170102082618/https://www.destructoid.com/review-earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space-325189.phtml | url-status = dead }}</ref> In Japan, ''Famitsu'' gave the Vita version a score of three sevens and one nine for a total of 30 out of 40.<ref name="FamVita"/> During the 19th Annual D.I.C.E. Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated ''Earth Defense Force 2'' for "Handheld Game of the Year".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGameAwardType=67 |title=2016 Awards Category Details Handheld Game of the Year |publisher=Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences |website=interactive.org |access-date=29 November 2023 |archive-date=11 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231211093138/https://www.interactive.org/awards/award_category_details.asp?idAward=2016&idGameAwardType=67 |url-status=live }}</ref>
During D3 Publisher's simple series awards 2007, the title received a platinum prize for selling more than 200,000 copies in Japan during the 2006 fiscal year. It was the only title in the range to reach this volume of sales.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://kotaku.com/gaming/the-simple-series/simple-awards-for-the-simple-series-252009.php | title = Simple Awards For THE Simple Series | author = Ashcraft, Brian | website = Kotaku | date = April 13, 2007 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20070514024857/http://kotaku.com/gaming/the-simple-series/simple-awards-for-the-simple-series-252009.php | archivedate = May 14, 2007 | url-status = dead | accessdate = July 3, 2017}}</ref>
==See also== * ''Simple'' (video game series)
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{Official website|http://www.d3p.co.jp/cs/simple/s_20/s20_081.html}} {{in lang|ja}} * {{moby game|id=/ps2/global-defence-force}} * {{moby game|id=/ps-vita/earth-defense-force-2-invaders-from-planet-space|name=''Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space''}} {{Earth Defense Force}} {{Sandlot}}
Category:2005 video games Category:Cooperative video games Category:D3 Publisher games Category:Earth Defense Force Category:Military science fiction video games Category:Multiplayer and single-player video games Category:Nintendo Switch games Category:PlayStation 2 games Category:PlayStation Portable games Category:PlayStation Vita games Category:PQube games Category:Sandlot games Category:Third-person shooters Category:Sequel video games Category:Video games about alien invasions Category:Video games about insects Category:Video games developed in Japan Category:Video games scored by Masafumi Takada Category:Xseed Games games