EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS similar games & best alternatives

EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch • 2021

Should you play it?

A new EDF adventure begins! Only this time, the action unfolds in a parallel world where the Earth is made of digital blocks. This world has befallen into chaos, as the once peaceful square Earth has been shattered into pieces. Shape aside, it is an Earth nonetheless which needs to be defended.

What works
  • Large roster of unique characters and weapons
  • Fun and strategic team switching mechanic
  • Smooth, optimized performance
  • Lighthearted, humorous writing and meta references
  • Strong co-op multiplayer support
Things to keep in mind
  • Mouse and keyboard controls problematic at launch
  • Some players find humor childish or cringy
  • Smaller maps and shorter missions than mainline edf
  • Multiplayer matchmaking issues and lack of local co-op
  • Grind for character leveling can be tedious

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Space Crew: Legendary Edition

  • Warhammer 40,000: Darktide

  • MechWarrior 5: Clans

  • Aliens: Fireteam Elite

  • Iron Brigade

  • MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries

  • Rise of Liberty

  • EARTH DEFENSE FORCE 5

  • Fortified
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Capes

  • Hidden & Dangerous 2: Courage Under Fire

  • Bone's Cafe
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Autonomy

    Copy Kitty
  • Cooperation

    Risk of Rain (2013)
  • Escapism

    Rewind 99

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

EARTH DEFENSE FORCE: WORLD BROTHERS: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Exploration, Intimacy, Value.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    4

    "Players can freely choose weapon combinations and playstyles with two distinct characters, enabling personal control over actions and decisions."

    Capsule for Copy Kitty Copy Kitty

    "Players can freely choose and switch between 4 characters with unique weapons and abilities during missions, allowing personal control and strategic decisions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game offers skill-based combat with physics and weapon mastery, though some find it easy or repetitive."

    Capsule for GORN GORN

    "Game offers skill-based combat with character abilities, weapon mastery, and tactical switching, though it is easier and less punishing than mainline EDF games."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is mainly on single-player or cooperative play with friends; no mention of ranked or leaderboard competition."

    Capsule for Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II Sonic the Hedgehog 4 - Episode II

    "Focus is mostly on single-player or cooperative play with friends; no strong evidence of ranked or leaderboard competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Players report long playtimes, grinding for upgrades, and replaying missions, indicating habitual and extended play."

    Capsule for Attack on Titan / A.O.T. Wings of Freedom Attack on Titan / A.O.T. Wings of Freedom

    "Players report long playtimes, character collection, and replaying missions for upgrades encourage habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Supports local and online co-op up to 4 players, with teamwork important though some limitations in multiplayer setup."

    Capsule for Risk of Rain (2013) Risk of Rain (2013)

    "Supports online co-op with up to 4 players, though local co-op is absent; teamwork is encouraged but less critical due to multiple characters per player."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players create and customize teams from hundreds of troops and cards with various synergies."

    Capsule for Gems of War - Puzzle RPG Gems of War - Puzzle RPG

    "Players create teams from a large roster of characters with unique abilities and weapons, enabling varied playstyles and customization."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared team play and relationship building rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

    Capsule for Seed of the Dead: Sweet Home Seed of the Dead: Sweet Home

    "Interactions emphasize shared team play and mutual support rather than exerting control or superiority over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Strong nostalgic and humorous atmosphere provides a fun escape from real life stress."

    Capsule for Rewind 99 Rewind 99

    "Bright, silly voxel art style and goofy humor provide a lighthearted escape from real life stress."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and nostalgia without pressure or obligation."

    Capsule for Bouncemasters Bouncemasters

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and nostalgia without pressure or obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying different characters, abilities, and item combinations to discover new synergies and strategies."

    Capsule for FORWARD: Escape the Fold - Ultimate Edition FORWARD: Escape the Fold - Ultimate Edition

    "Encourages trying new character combinations, weapons, and abilities to find effective or amusing synergies."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -2

    "Levels are small and familiar with limited discovery; focus is on mastering known environments."

    Capsule for Christmas Massacre Christmas Massacre

    "Levels are smaller and more compact with less emphasis on discovery or large environments."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Players select from diverse characters with distinct appearances and personalities, allowing some self-expression."

    Capsule for Bloody Good Time Bloody Good Time

    "Players express themselves by assembling teams of diverse characters with unique looks and abilities."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Imaginative sci-fi and alien invasion themes with exaggerated action and fictional settings."

    Capsule for Contra Anniversary Collection Contra Anniversary Collection

    "Features imaginative voxel worlds, exaggerated characters, and over-the-top sci-fi alien invasions."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community aspects exist through online co-op and shared fan appreciation, though much play is solo-focused."

    Capsule for Super Cyborg Super Cyborg

    "Online co-op and shared fandom foster community, though some players also enjoy solo play."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Leveling up classes and unlocking weapons provide a sense of progression and skill development."

    Capsule for Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon Earth Defense Force: Insect Armageddon

    "Character leveling and weapon unlocking provide learning and progression opportunities."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

    Capsule for The Scouring The Scouring

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity or health-related mechanics."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement during missions."

    Capsule for STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™ STAR WARS™ Republic Commando™

    "Requires active attention and continuous engagement during missions."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level cooperative play without deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for SnowRunner SnowRunner

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level cooperative play without deep emotional connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "In co-op, players can lead or coordinate but no strong emphasis on formal leadership roles."

    Capsule for Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem Serious Sam: Siberian Mayhem

    "Players manage teams of characters and coordinate in co-op, but no strong evidence of authoritative leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on leveling characters, unlocking skills, upgrading weapons, and collecting items."

    Capsule for Accel World VS. Sword Art Online Deluxe Edition Accel World VS. Sword Art Online Deluxe Edition

    "Strong emphasis on collecting characters, unlocking weapons, and leveling up armor and abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Game offers fun and flow, but some missions and multiplayer can be challenging and tense."

    Capsule for Crashday Redline Edition Crashday Redline Edition

    "Generally lighthearted and fun, but some missions and higher difficulties can be challenging and tense."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Colorful visuals, energetic music, and explosive combat provide strong sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for Serious Sam II Serious Sam II

    "Bright voxel visuals, energetic music, and explosive combat provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "Little focus on social recognition or leaderboards; emphasis on personal enjoyment."

    Capsule for SAMURAI WARRIORS 4 DX SAMURAI WARRIORS 4 DX

    "Little focus on social recognition or leaderboards; emphasis on personal and cooperative enjoyment."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Light, simple story with humor and character interactions supporting gameplay."

    Capsule for LEGO® Bricktales LEGO® Bricktales

    "Features a lighthearted, silly story with meta humor and references to previous EDF games."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    3

    "Combat requires timing, counters, team composition, and use of unique character abilities, encouraging strategic play."

    Capsule for One Piece Burning Blood One Piece Burning Blood

    "Requires tactical team composition, character switching, and ability timing for effective combat."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    2

    "Some tension and challenge in difficult levels, but overall tone is lighthearted and playful."

    Capsule for JellyCar Worlds JellyCar Worlds

    "Some suspense and challenge in higher difficulties, but overall tone is more playful than intense."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    1

    "Players generally feel the game offers good value for its price given the unique experience, though some mention it is short."

    Capsule for Squirrel Stapler Squirrel Stapler

    "Players find good value in gameplay and content, though some mention price is high for the shorter experience."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves combat, destruction, and shooting robots with satisfying effects."

    Capsule for Livelock Livelock

    "Core gameplay involves combat, destruction, and shooting hordes of giant insects and robots."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    2

    "Players must manage health and avoid threats, adding survival tension without extreme difficulty."

    Capsule for Caput Mortum Caput Mortum

    "Players must avoid death and manage health, but multiple characters and easier difficulty reduce survival pressure."

Come talk about it on Discord!

Last update: 01/06/2026