Standing as a direct predecessor to the series’ first North American release (Earth Defense Force 2017, known as Earth Defense Force 3 in Japan), and widely regarded by fans as the best entry in the franchise, Earth Defense Force 2 is making its way to the western hemisphere for the very first time with this greatly expanded remake. In Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space, players will take the role of one of three distinct military classes and fend off hordes of invading giant insects from a third-person perspective by way of conventional weaponry, armored vehicles, jetpacks, air strikes, trip mines, energy weapons, and more.

Originally released in Japan and Europe for the PlayStation®2 system and later making its way to the PlayStation®Portable system, this definitive version of the game will arrive in North America for the PS Vita with a number of improvements and additions helmed by the original developers at Sandlot, including up to four-player online co-op, an entirely new Air Raider class, and a new English dub.

“We’re confident in saying that we’re just as thrilled to be making this announcement as North American Corpse Party fans will be when they find out that Blood Drive will be getting a physical release,” said Executive Vice President Ken Berry at Marvelous USA. “We’re also incredibly excited to be publishing an Earth Defense Force title for the first time—one which has never been released on these shores previously, yet is widely regarded as the series’ best.”

Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders From Planet Space will launch in North America both in a physical release package and digitally via PlayStation Store.