SUPER E.D.F
( Earth Defense Force )
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スーパ E.D.F
©1991 Jaleco
Release: 1991-10-25 (¥8700)
Cartridge SHVC-ED
Shooter/Horizontal
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Released in America as
EARTH DEFENSE FORCE
( SNS-ED-USA )
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Super E.D.F (aka Earth Defense Force) is a side scrolling shooter by
Jaleco and based on their own arcade game originally released in 1991. A race
of aliens has secretly landed on the dark side of the Moon with the intention
to destroy Earth. The Earth Defense Force has deployed
its best space fighters and pilots to counter the impending threat and defend the world
from the alien invaders. The players takes control of the XA-1, an advanced
fighter mounted with two satellite devices. These flying pods are at the core of the
gameplay and their formation can be adjusted to the situation at the press of a button.
They can stay close to the ship and provide more power to the main weapon, or be deployed
and cause damage to enemy ships while firing in unison. A wide array of eight weapons are
available to choose from at the beginning of each level - they range from Vulcan gun,
Homing Lasers, Atomics, Lasers and so forth. Although Super EDF
doesn't allow the player to switch weapons during play, or to collect power-ups, a clever
experience system increase their destructive power in battle. A power bar located at the
top of the screen slowly fills up as enemy formations are destroyed - once the bar is full,
the weapon gets upgraded and its power increased (leveling up also adds new pattern-formations
to the flying pods). A total of five power levels are available and they persist throughout
the game - they are retained even if the player gets killed (or at least until he runs
out of continues). The player starts each level with three shield units and passed the
fifth power level, each new upgrade adds a shield unit to the ship.
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E.D.F. Earth Defense Force was originally released in the arcades in 1991 (picture on the right).
However, a lot of enemies and elements didn't make it to the Super Famicom port. Several enemies
were removed or redesigned, such as the large fighters from the first stage (which were dramatically
reduced in size and changed) or the large ship that preceded the boss of the second stage, which was completely
removed. However, the port features a lot of exclusive content (hence the 'Super' prefix) - it includes
entirely new and unique levels and an exclusive final boss was added at the end of the game. Finally,
the original arcade game had four weapons to choose from whereas the Super Famicom version
features eight, but the two player option was omitted.
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Teaser text from the American version:
A super saga of 23rd century
satellite warfare!
The graphics will dazzle you, the speed will
astound you... but if you don't think fast and
shoot faster, you won't have a chance against
the alien firestorm. Because in EARTH DEFENSE
FORCE, the best defense is always a great
offense. So get ready to hit first and hit fast in
the hardest-hitting adventure to hit the Super
NES screen!
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Game Staff (Copied from the end credits) :
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STAFF
Director
Yuki Arai
S.ō.H.(X
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Programmer
Papa Sekiya
Dragons V Shirato
Panic Yuma♥
Oh! Hara
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Graphic
Catty.N♥
Bg Tadahiko
Sound
Y "Zep" Takashiba
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Special Thanks
Kazaana
Myau-Kun
Azvear-S with SMDE
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O
M
A
K
E
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Click on picture to enlarge |
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LK
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Add your Pov here !
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P
O
V
s
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For whatever inexplicable reasons, Super E.D.F fell through the cracks of popularity.
The first contact with the game is very positive - it is ridiculously fast without
too many noticeable slowdowns (except maybe during a couple of boss encounters). The
screen is always busy, filled with enemy ships and whizzing bullets, and the attention
to detail is really impressive. The unconventional weapon/experience system is a
remarkable contraption that really gives a sense of progression. Even if you lose a
life, the game is kind enough to let continue with your current power level, which is
something really gratifying and unique (Radiant Silvergun for the Sega Saturn
will much later use a similar formula). Difficulty also builds up nicely, Super E.D.F
starts off easy and gradually becomes really challenging as you work through the levels
(the last boss is really tricky though). And although some levels can be a bit
repetitive and rather long, mid-bosses often break such potential drudgery.
Only the soundtrack doesn't really fit the action (to my taste), but it was also
the case with the original arcade game. All in all, Super E.D.F is a solid
shooter, not the best for the Super Famicom system but still a really good one.
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