Earth Defense Force 2017 Post-Mortem Interview

[Kaspian]

The Armchair Empire (http://www.armchairempire.com/) has posted an interview (http://www.armchairempire.com/Interviews/earth-defense-force-2017-takehiro-homma.htm) with Sandlot director Takehiro Homma discussing the development of his most recent Earth Defense Force game. The article goes on to look at how the various insects were chosen for the game, some of the features that hit the cutting room floor, and decisions on multi-player options among other things.

What was the toughest part of EDF 2017’s development?

We had a hard time on balancing the game, especially on the enemy movements and weapon properties. Even a slight change in the weapons affects the overall outcome of the game, so I believe in spending more time on adjustment. I also believe our development has a unique sense in game balance.

[Disgustipated]

Very cool, EDF 2017 is one of the Xbox 360's underappreciated gems.

[Thrak]

Yes, very fun game. I really do need to go back and beat it on something harder than the first level of difficulty though. I wish it had had Live coop, but I understand the difficulty of Live with so damn many bugs to keep track of.

[Wyrm]

I beat it on easy, normal, and hard, and I don't think I'll ever be able to play it again. I loved it, and sunk over 30 hours into it, but it gets to a point where shooting at giant ants and spiders gets way old.

Yet, if they fixed some things in the sequel, I'd probably buy it.

[LikeTheRazor]

Awesome game if you've got a friend to play co-op with. It's basically a next-gen Serious Sam.

[theevilnarwhale]

This game is completely underrated. I beat it on easy, normal and hard. I've beaten about 40 levels on hardest and 10 on inferno. This is the most fun co op game i've had.

[Wolvie]

Agreed, EDF:2017 doesn't get enough love, and zero press. It's my go-to for big explosions and shoot-em-up game play. If ya haven't tried it, fuckin rent it, cuz you are missing a badass game.

[Mr.Green]

Speaking of games under the radar, that BlackSite: Area 51 demo on the marketplace kicks serious ass. Man that came out of nowhere. Can't wait to see how the full game turns out. Go download this now, fools!

/thread hijack.

[crashedout]

This is a must rental or pick it up used. It does get old but it took 20 hours of gameplay for me. Throw in more enemies, vehicles that are useful and online-coop and I'll pre-order the sequel.

[Wyrm]

This is a must rental or pick it up used. It does get old but it took 20 hours of gameplay for me. Throw in more enemies, vehicles that are useful and online-coop and I'll pre-order the sequel.

Yeah, for a game that actually has pretty tight controls for your EDF officer, it's strange that those tight controls and arcade-like feel just go out the window when you get in a vehicle.

More enemy types, even more weapon types, and online co-op, and I'm definitely in.

[Deadend]

I want a backwards roll. and a 1st person view option.
Or at least a camera swung to the side like in gears of war.

I really want a rangefinder on my crosshairs, so I can tell if something is too far away. Maybe whatever monster missiles are going after have a special square target over them. As I have had too many occasions where I fire a missile only to have it go due left instead of at the guy charging me.

[The_Darr]

Or at least a camera swung to the side like in gears of war.
Man, I must be getting old. I swear I'm the only one who LIKES the original third-person gaming view...

[Talanvor]

I want to pick this up, when I get some of this backlog cleared!

[Micasa]

I like it mostly because it's mindless fun and the dead simple controls let a non-gamer like my wife pick it up and play along in co-op.

[Wolvie]

Yeah, for a game that actually has pretty tight controls for your EDF officer, it's strange that those tight controls and arcade-like feel just go out the window when you get in a vehicle.

More enemy types, even more weapon types, and online co-op, and I'm definitely in.

Yeah, the vehicles(especially the god-forsaken helicopter) control like total shit. The tank is passable, but other then that, ugh.
Personally, I would like to see less ridiculous looking soldiers(tan and PINK armor? Yuck).
I agree, more weapon variety, more on-screen baddies(along with MORE enemy variety), and on-line co-op. If they release a second game without XBL co-op support, it'll be unforgivable. I'll let it slide for now since the game rocks so much for a first effort.

Man, I must be getting old. I swear I'm the only one who LIKES the original third-person gaming view...

Nah, I prefer the third-person view myself. It works in games like RE4, and Gears of War, but I'd hate to see every game use it.

[Katslover]

I also would like to see the return of that flying chick that everyone loved from the other Earth Defense Force games make a return just so I can see what I am missing out on.

[NeoSuplex]

Hopefully, when the Reravagers attack in 2027, The Mechs will be able to move more than 2 meters/hour. Maybe they'll even be able to turn!

Seriously though, I just can't get enough of this game. Bring it on.
Oh, and Fuck Spiders. Seriously.

[Bingley Joe]

Huh.. I picked up the package for this game at a Best Buy the other day and went "Earth De-Who Force with the When-Now??" and then plopped it back on the shelf based on what I saw on the back.

This thread just sold me a copy next time I'm there :p

[Wolvie]

Huh.. I picked up the package for this game at a Best Buy the other day and went "Earth De-Who Force with the When-Now??" and then plopped it back on the shelf based on what I saw on the back.

This thread just sold me a copy next time I'm there :p

Did ya hear that? It's D3 publishing going "KA-CHING" simultaneously.

[CptTripps]

I give this game the "worst game ever award".

[LikeTheRazor]

I give this game the "worst game ever award".
I give you the "worst taste ever award".

[Kamalot]

Earth Defense Force is mucho fun, especially in split-screen co-op. Ms. Kamalot and I play it to blow off steam in the evenings.

Strangely enough, I recently rented R.A.D. for PS2. Upon playing, my first impression was, "This is a LOT like Earth Defense Force 2017!" Sure enough, the same development team was on the project. They both deal with HUGE monsters/robots fighting around a destructible city as seen from the perspective of a human on the ground.

[CptTripps]

I give you the "worst taste ever award".

Hehe, that's fine. But I'm honestly not trolling on this issue and am amazed people liked it so much. Guess I should have tried co-op after reading these threads but the only thing I liked was destructable buildings. Maybe the fact that after playing GoW a soldier with the ass of an 11 yo just doesn't look tough to me. The AI was dumb, the world stale, and even comparing this to a serious sam just seems like blasphemy.

[Kamalot]

Maybe the fact that after playing GoW a soldier with the ass of an 11 yo just doesn't look tough to me.
I didn't realize tough looking butts were a requirement for people to enjoy games.

I think of EDF as a big honkin' arcade game. It is a lot of fun, but can't be taken seriously.