Lost Planet 2

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STORY *no spoilers* (7/10): Lost Planet 2 is a 3rd-person multiplayer action title that takes place on the planet EDN III, which used to be completely frozen over. However, escalating conflicts between human colonists and the planet's indigenous Akrid lifeforms have caused drastic climate changes to take effect, spawning dense jungles, arid deserts, and everything in between. All of this eventually culminates in a revelation about how the entire planet is threatened by a looming global calamity, and the involvement of the various interested factions will play a pivotal role in how it all will end. Pretty standard sci-fi action plotline, but it works. It's worth noting that there really isn't a "main character" per se, which makes it difficult to relate to the story and the people affected by it. But then, that's not really what LP2 is about. LP2 is all about...

GAMEPLAY (9/10): ...and here is where it shines. By default, LP2 is set up to allow players to link up via the internet and join each other in a cooperative Campaign mode. It's possible to tackle the Campaign mode in single-player, but as the maps and objectives you'll encounter are clearly built to accommodate multiple players, you'll invariably find them difficult to conquer solo. You've been warned. But if you've got a team of armed militants at your back, the experience is highly enjoyable. No, it's downright awesome. Playing in any mode earns you points that you can use to purchase new weapons, equipment, and armor pieces to customize your character. There's a HUGE selection of weapons, ranging from sticky grenades and magnum revolvers, to energy shields and rocket launchers, to mega-shotguns and Death Star-esque concussive laser cannons. And they're all a truckload of fun to decimate your enemies with. There are plenty of situations that actually call for real strategy between teammates in the pursuit of victory, and this is even more apparent in competitive multiplayer matches. Managing your team's T-ENG (Thermal Energy) reserves is critical to healing wounded team members and arming energy weapons. Teamwork is heavily encouraged by the wide range of VS (Vital Suits mobile armor/weapon mechs) platforms, some of which can be operated by several players at once, each manning their own cannon or piloting the suit's movements. The grappling hook adds even more offensive/defensive options, allowing you to cross real estate quickly, reach high platforms, rappel down sheer drops, and cling to moving targets while you unload your clip at point-blank. A bloody good time. By the way, don't expect the AI to be very clever or tactical; your enemies are good shots, but they're generally not so hot at seeking cover. Best to challenge real human players. System Link and split-screen multiplayer modes are also available, for the internet-challenged.

GRAPHICS (8/10): I've always liked the unique visuals Capcom's generated using their MTF engine, and LP2 is no exception here. The jungle environments in particular are very colorful and vibrant, invoking images of a romp through Jurassic Park. Except instead of dinosaurs, there are huge, hostile aliens with many sharp protrusions. The Akrid foes you encounter come in all shapes and sizes, and for the most part, their animations are smooth and organic. Probably the most obvious eye-candy can be had in the huge, spectacularly colorful array of sparks, explosions, and electrical discharges issued from the business end of your chosen weapon. Watching as your foe is engulfed in a bright sphere of searing plasma, then launched across the map by the ensuing blast wave is a joy that never gets old. There are also plenty of destructive environments, which is a plus. It's been stated by a few professional reviews that there's a lack of character subtext/facial expression, but LP2 isn't a character-focused game, so I think that's a petty criticism. Aside from some negligible clipping errors, the visuals deliver a unique and engrossing experience.

SOUND (10/10): It's hard to describe the hair-raising chill of awesome that I get from hearing the sound effects in LP2. The thunderous cracks and earth-shaking booms emanated by all the bullets, bombs and plasma bolts flying around the battlefield are some of the most striking noises I've heard this side of a Hollywood picture. The epic musical score a pretty catchy too, lending itself well to the massive scale of the adventures and battlefields you find yourself surrounded by. The voice-overs aren't exactly A-list talent, but they're pretty good. Very solid sound work here.

OVERALL (9/10): This is a game about two things: multiplayer, and blowing stuff up. And in this regard, LP2 is a success. In fact, next to Monster Hunter 3, this is probably one of the best multiplayer experiences I've ever had the pleasure of picking up. Totally worth checking out.

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Not being a fan of 'shooters', especially FPS. Lost Planet 2, to my surprise, is really fun. Tactically and strategically, I am not the best compared to some of the other players I've co-op'd with or battled against, but this reason does not detract from the fun of obliterating giant insectisoid aliens. A gripe that is very easily overlooked is that some of the boss battles seem a bit drawn out or that some of the objectives in order to pass a level isn't particularly clear... but hey, I've already beat the game so really, it's a very minor gripe. The graphics are outstanding, there are minor glitches and the replay value is high due to all the character/weapons/noms de guerre/etc. unlockables.

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The tag line to Lost Planet 2 is "Kill Big!' Unfortunately this doesn't necessarily translate into "Kill Fun" as some poor level designs, clumsy controls, and terrible AI in solo play sucks a lot of fun out of the game. The story is set 10 years after the events in the first game. Much of the frozen tundra of planet E.D.N. III has given way to tropical jungles and arid deserts, opening up new terrain for the player and also meaning that T-ENG (Therma Energy) doesn't drain as drastically as it did in the first game.

Perhaps the biggest growth in video gaming is in online play but its nice if a game still gives you the option of playing online or solo. The first thing you notice when selecting the campaign mode in Lost Planet 2 is that the options all appear to be online options such as selecting a quick match or a custom match to join where you select the episode and chapter you wish to play. This puts you into a multi-player game with three other players in a cooperative environment. So how do you play solo? Good question...The game virtually hides solo play (never even calling it solo play) in the Create your Own Game option. To play solo you have to set the AI players to three. You also have to set the connection type to offline so you can pause your game. More on solo play later...

The muddled storyline finds you and the other players taking the roles of various factions who are battling for control of the planet's T-ENG and fighting off hordes of E.D.N. III's native aliens known as Akrid which are giant bugs that make the monsters in Starship Trooper look like fleas. The problem here is that you're essentially playing as a nameless grunt so there's little in the way of character development. Playing cooperatively is the key to having a successful campaign, as some of the levels can be long and frustratingly difficult. In one sequence you're battling a giant worm while riding on a speeding train and given little hint as to what to do to defeat the creature. Fail, and you're doing the whole thing over again with 20 25 minutes of gameplay lost. The game is played in six episodes, which are divided into several chapters that you'll get to know well by repeating them over and over.

One of the stumbling blocks of the multi-player campaign play is the wait to join a game. Even selecting the quick match can leave you waiting for several minutes for an opening to join. You can't join a game that is already in progress until the level is complete or a checkpoint is reached. This all pales next to the solo play which Capcom and clearly discourages. The AI of the NPCs is awful. The three NPCs will often all converge on the same data post, seemingly fighting over who gets to access the info. Even worse, they'll stand about staring off into space as you are getting attacked. I can't imagine it's even possible to complete the campaign playing solo.

One of your main tools is your anchor which is a projectile rappelling tool that allows you to scale walls, mountains, giant Akrid, etc...Recently Just Cause 2 came out which had a similarly device that was simply a joy to use. You felt like Spider-Man shooting out a web strand and propelling yourself along...here your anchor is as likely to pull you off the edge of a cliff, as it is to save you.

Lost Planet 2's strength lies in its visuals, which are fantastic. The monsters are big and there is a large variety of them. The cutaway videos are gorgeous, making you feel as if you are in the midst of the action. There's great special effects and explosions, usually courtesy of some of the many cool weapons you get to use and its in this area where Capcom did a great job.

The multi-player online play gets a nod over the campaign play by far. It's no Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, but it's a lot of fun. The usual options of Deathmatches and capturing the flag (i.e. Akrid Eggs), Team Elimination and more. Fugitive mode is back as well and pits a small team of lightly armed fugitives avoiding capture against a fully equipped team of hunters. There's a good number of map choices and Capcom promises a lot of downloadable content as well.

The bottom line with Lost Planet 2 is that if you enjoy cooperative or multiplayer online play, then its worth at least a rent or two but if you like to fly solo you'll want to pass on this one.

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You know, I was gonna pass up on this game listening to all these website reviewers giving this game an average if not poor rating. I guess the reviewers think a shooter has to be first person with blood and guts all over the place. They are idiots! That's why I am glad that I listened to my heart and stepped out on faith and grabbed this title for myself cause it is awesome!!! The game is beautiful from the menu to the multiplayer. The cut scenes are great and I read on some review that the story was hard to follow? Not sure where they got that from as the story is very entertaining. Its about a group surviving on a planet during a civil war. The local co-op is great and works out because I'm not big on online play but then I went online and it was awesome too! This game is deep and when I say deep I mean playing for 5 hrs not knowing where the time went deep! Capcom Does it again!

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Im gonna start by saying this game single-handedly eliminated all credibility I had for game reviewers. Pretty much every negative point stated by this people is false. The game is pretty much perfect in what you`d expect from a shooter.

Graphically there is not much to say. The game looks fantastic, your character is nicely detailed as are the imposing Akrid. There are some graphical glitches here and there particularly clipping. Music and sound effects are dead on with pumping musical scores that accompany the action and awesome weapon sound effects. (I just love the pumping sound of the rocket launcher reload ;)). The controls are tight and responsive.

In terms of replay value this game has tons, so its defenitily worth a full retail price in that this game will last you for some time. The campaign is lengthy (around 15 the first playthrough) with multiple difficulty modes to tackle. Then there`s the multiplayer which is shockful of playmodes and every battle is hectic and action packed. Then there is the training levels which help you hone your skills as well as serve as a challenge arena which reward you with points to use in the slot machine where you buy your upgrades, perks, weapons, and other goodies. The only complain I do have in this part is that there are way to many useless stuff (emotes, war names) that you might get over the good stuff (abilities, weapons). Although I like those extra things I just wish the ratio of extras to perks was more balanced. Still its kinda fun hitting the slot machine to see what you get.

This game is heavily focused on co-op. For me thats a huge bonus. Being able to play with friends, having to support each other in order to survive is one of the most fun experiences I can have in a video game. Not only is the co-op evident in the campaign but also in some multiplayer modes (special note VS annihilator). But if you choose to go solo I wanna say that if you have never played a shooter or simply lack the common notions of a video gamer, then you can believe what reviewers said, if not you will; as I did; find absolutely nothing wrong with the AI or difficulty of a solo play. If anything solo is kinda easier since the death of the AI partners dont count only yours unlike co-op and the AI IS helpful, it just wont win the game for you. Of course the game is much more fun with friends or human companions but its still enjoyable and challenging on your own. I highly recommend it.