The game was first released on PlayStation 2 in Japan in 2005 under the name "Global Defence Force" or "Chikyū Bōei Gun 2". It was later ported to other platforms such as PlayStation Portable, PlayStation Vita, and Nintendo Switch. The PlayStation Vita enhanced remake was released as "Earth Defense Force 2: Invaders from Planet Space" in North America in 2015.
The game's storyline is set two years after the events of the first game. The alien race that was previously repelled has returned, and the Global Defence Force must once again step up to defend the Earth from their invasion. Players can take on the role of different character classes. They can be an infantry soldier who uses conventional weapons like assault rifles, shotguns, and rocket - propelled grenades, or a "Pale Wing" special ops soldier equipped with a jetpack and energy - based weaponry. In some versions, there is also an "Air Raider" class who fights by strategically placing trip mines, sentry guns, and calling in airstrikes.