Lost Planet 2 Xbox 360

Released on 11/05/2010

• Lost Planet 2: Review

  In the Garden of EDN III

  To say that Lost Planet 2 differs from the original would be a slight understatement. Wayne the main protagonist from the original is nowhere to be seen, the snow is melting and you are the new hero.

  Lost Planet 2 picks up ten years after Lost Planet, where you fought the Akrid on the snow-covered planet of EDN III. You’ll see the story this time through the eyes of the different factions that inhabit EDN III, taking on the even larger Akrid and the other factions as you fight through the story.

  The opening campaign is the tutorial, giving you a quick rundown of the controls without really feeling like a tutorial. The banter between the squadmates keeps things lighthearted until the Akrid pop up and it’s all business. The controls for Lost Planet 2 at first feel slightly awkward but after the tutorial level you’ll soon find they make sense, with the melee button doubling as the run button or clicking down on the right stick to reload.

  The jungles are dense and claustrophobic; you'll need to keep your eyes open at all times as the Akrid lurk behind the dense foliage.

  Diversity

  The snow levels are wide open and despite having your squad close by you will feel vulnerable and exposed.The Akrid will charge in from a distance or explode out of the snow. Due to the large space between you and the Akrid, you and your squad have time to aim your shots more carefully and move out of the way of a larger charging Akrid.

  The jungles are dense and claustrophobic; you’ll need to keep your eyes open at all times as the Akrid lurk behind the dense foliage. The firefights are intense because at times you can’t see where the Akrid are coming from and running ahead blindly to escape an incoming horde of Akrid can put you in the path of something much bigger. Standing your ground instead and relying on your team becomes a must in this kind of encounter.

  There are other areas to fight through, so it won't just be the jungles and snow-covered mountain tops. You'll also fight through enemy fortresses trying to be as stealthy as possible before jumping on a train with a massive gun mounted on top. Capcom have gone all out to make sure that Lost Planet 2 is as diverse as possible, and they have succeeded.

  You play through Lost Planet 2 with 3 AI team-mates; these can be turned off if you want a challenge.

  Cooperation

  You play through Lost Planet 2 with 3 AI team-mates; these can be turned off if you want a challenge. The AI is solid but if you want to be more tactical then it’s best to draft in 3 of your friends, since it won't form a back-to-back formations so all angles are covered.

  This is where cooperation comes in. With a full four-man team you can split into two-man groups and cover more ground; some going high or going left in a forked path. Lost Planet 2 is great on your own but playing as a team is amazing, as you look at your target be it a class G Akrid or a facility to destroy and decide the best method to take out your target.

  I’ve not had a chance to try the online multiplayer but from what I’ve heard it’s looking just as robust, rewarding and addictive as Modern Warfare 2. With up to 16 players online and 15 battle modes to sink your teeth into you’ll not find a dull moment in Lost Planet 2. The online modes include the classic deathmatch modes to other modes such survival, team survival, DATA Post and Hunting.

  Running on the MT Framework engine Lost Planet 2 looks stunning with thick dense jungle and screen filling Akrid, as you can see from the above screen shots, some of the Akrid are immense and you will fight it!

  Lost Planet 2 is a more diverse game than the original with a heavy focus on cooperation and online play. As a singleplayer game Lost Planet 2 is brilliant, with massive set pieces and even bigger Akrid to fit them you'll never have a dull moment. However, Lost Planet 2 shines brightest as a multiplayer experience, giving you and your friends the ability to customise your character with thousands of possibilites. If you were a fan of Lost Planet, then this really is a must, but if you’re looking for something a little different, then grab some mates and head planet side on EDN III. It won't disappoint.
  

  GAME's Verdict

  

  • Looks amazing, using the MT Framework engine.
  • The customisation options run into the thousands.
  • A great online experience.

  

  • Waiting for DLC to be announced.
  • AI is good, but a bit more control over them would be nice.
  • Some of the Akrid bosses are nasty.

  Review by: Tom 'Akrid-Annihilator' Daly
  Version Tested: PlayStation 3
  Review Published: 05.05.10

  Published: 05/05/2010

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