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| | Title:
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
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System:
Xbox 360
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Genre:
Action
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Publisher:
Capcom
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Developer:
Capcom
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Release:
January 12, 2007
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Online:
Yes
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ESRB:
Teen (T)
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Circa May 2006, word got out that Microsoft would be offering a single-player demo of their action-packed third person shooter, Lost Planet, which was downloadable over the Xbox Live Marketplace during the three day spectacle (which for better or worse, will no longer be as extravagant as it once was) known as E3. When the majority of Live users received a sampling of what Capcom’s chefs were cooking in their next gen kitchen, the reception was enormously positive. Even though gamers were dying to dig into the whole feast after playing the demo, a confirmation was made regarding the game’s release date, which happens to be the twelfth of January. Fortunately for everyone, Capcom and Microsoft offered the chance to experience the game’s online component by releasing another demo on Thanksgiving, and we couldn’t be more thankful.
The demo features the same map that was introduced in the single player demo, Pirate Fortress, but don’t immediately think less of it because of that. There have been a few alterations to the level that make it better suited for intense, sixteen player fire-fights, such as a medium sized underground room. Depending on whether or not you play Team Elimination or Elimination (the only two modes available in the trial version), the map is large enough for players to have a little breathing room wherever they spawn before being thrust back into the action.
The two modes are similar in how they are played, but both are incredibly innovative because they revolve around a battle gauge. Each team (or player in Elimination mode) has a battle gauge that has to be filled throughout the duration of the match. The wondrous aspect of the two modes is that there are multiple opportunities to obtain battle points other than firing like no tomorrow at any foe unlucky enough to stand in your path. Points are awarded to players for various achievements, such as: destroying Vital Suits (the mechanical powerhouses in the LP universe), and capturing data posts. However, points can also be deducted if you’re on the receiving end of the aforementioned things in addition to committing suicide or ending the life of a teammate.
The familiar snow covered arena is not deprived of any toys of destruction, either. There is a significant amount of more weapons in the Live-enabled demo for your sheer enjoyment than there was in the last sampling of Lost Planet. While everyone may be familiar with the hand grenade (which can still be blown apart in mid-air if shot at), four new additions to the throwable explosives list are: the plasma grenade (which stuns foes within range of its electrical radius, making them susceptible for being fired upon), the dummy grenade (which inflates a life-sized replica of a soldier and makes its way toward an unsuspecting enemy shortly before exploding), the gum grenade (which, like the chewable delight it’s named after, sticks to hard surfaces and explodes whenever an enemy brushes past it), and finally, the arguably fun to throw disc grenade (which is thrown like a frisbee and can become attached to an enemy, guaranteeing a frag once it goes off).
Despite the fact that all the grenades are incredibly fun to utilize in the heat of battle, the fire arms are what players are reliant on for the most part in the heat of battle. The new plasma rifle functions the same way the sniper rife does, except it has a faster rate of fire and pumps assailants full of plasma instead of lead from halfway across the map. There were quite a few B.F.Gs located on the map that appeared to be used best when attached to a mech, such as a homing laser, rocket launcher, a plasma canon, shotgun, and assault rifle. Of course, all could be wielded on foot with the trade off of slower movement in favor of immense power. Despite how large or small they were, every gun looked and felt flat out awesome to wield, which is more than anyone can collectively agree that those are two of the many key factors in creating a fantastic shooter.
Aside from a line-up of inventive weapons, one of the main reasons why experiencing Lost Planet is so fun, thus far, is using the grappling hook. There’s absolutely nothing wrong with getting to a desired location on foot, but zipping across from structure to structure, no matter what the height (given players are within range of an object that can be hooked onto) of it is. Not only is the grappling hook useful for reaching high areas of elevation, but it can save your life in certain instances. At one point during a tense situation, I was forced to hop out of my corrupt V.S. to ensure I didn’t die when it exploded. Unfortunately, I rolled out of the way near the edge of a bottomless abyss and my gun toting character stumbled. At that moment, I thought for sure I was a goner. But much to my surprise, my trench coat wearing warrior automatically threw the hook over his shoulder onto the edge of the cliff above. Shortly after a sigh of relief, I’d heard an enemy mech from above stomping it’s humongous metal legs, firing upon at my allies non-stop. I rappelled my character closer to the surface, where I could see the bi-pedal beast making a mess out of the destructible objects on the map. Eyeing the amount stocked gum grenades on my heads-up display, I leaped back onto the battlefield and ran toward it. When I was close enough, I lobbed a gum grenade and successfully stuck it on its rear. Boom. I figured one last blast would seal the deal, so I let one more fly against the raging, cold wind and successfully stuck the body. Boom and crackle. The once threatening V.S. would now become a pile of twisted metal, as sparks began to fly from the cockpit. It’s now panicking pilot was lucky enough to roll out of the blast range out in time to avoid getting killed by the first explosion, as the shockwave of it only caused him to lose his balance. As he began to approach me with the intention of getting revenge, he wasn’t aware of the secondary blast, which had taken his life when it happened. At that moment, after reflecting on the fact that the situation would never have occurred if it weren’t for that grappling hook saving my life and allowing me to turns the tides, I realized that Lost Planet is something special.
As fun as the online portion of LP is shaping up to be, there are a few flaws that can’t be overlooked and can potentially keep it shy from it’s potential status of being a classic. One problem is that spawning players have a protective shield that lasts about ten seconds or so. While that itself isn’t the issue, the fact they are not restricted from firing their weapon upon a foe who doesn’t have the advantage of being shielded from enemy fire is. Another problem is the fact that melee attacks (which is also a noteworthy addition featured in this demo) doesn’t connect with a desired target when you expect it to, making for a rather chaotic experience when the action becomes up close and personal.
Overall, I can’t help but feel that experiencing what Lost Planet is going to offer is really going to surprise people to the extent that it can be considered a potential GOTY hit. The beautiful visuals you remember from the E3 demo remain intact, as the top-notch particle effects never cease to amaze regardless of how many times you see them or the way subtle weather effects and tiny details bring the world to life. The game is a technical marvel as well at this point, as the action online never came to a halt or stuttered the slightest bit during my time with it. Even though it won’t see a release before the holidays, pre-ordering this title should be your first priority, because from what can be told, Lost Planet is shaping up to be a gift that keeps on giving.
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Crusader
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