Review

What has been unique about Capcom’s output on the Xbox 360 to date, is that they’ve chosen not to release continuations of existing franchises. Instead, with Dead Rising and now Lost Planet, they’ve opted to introduce new titles that will, more than likely, go on to spawn entirely new franchises. Company executives have already hinted at more episodes of Dead Rising and, if there’s any justice, Lost Planet will be following suit.

This has been a game at the top of our “most wanted” list ever since we played the first demo way back in May last year. At that time, this was easily the best looking title on the 360, but since then Gears Of War has stolen a lot of its thunder. Don’t get me wrong though, this is still a fine looking game with easily the best explosions I’ve seen and some pretty awesome, snow covered landscapes.

It all takes place on the snow-covered planet of E.D.N. III and you play as an unfortunately named snow pirate called Wayne with the obligatory blurred past. As humans make a second attempt to colonize the planet after an alien race known as the Akrid drove their first attempt away, you find yourself conducting missions into the enemies hives to gather thermal energy. Armed with an assortment of guns, of which you can only carry two at a time, a grappling hook and a furry parker, you head out into the desolate world to take on the Akrid hoards. However, you’ll soon discover that the alien threat isn’t the only thing you have to worry about!

Feet aren’t your only mode of transport either. As you progress through the game you’ll get to pilot an assortment of Mechs. These huge chunks of metal come packing some high-powered weaponry and are essential in order to defeat some of the huge Akrid you’ll encounter. My favourite Mech was one that converted into a kind of skidoo so that I could speed across a vast open valley, but this fun was short lived as a giant worm-like Akrid burst out of the ground and ate me. Obviously, metal is a type of Akrid delicacy!

As you play, your own thermal energy is constantly depleting and when it’s gone, you die. There’s no health bar, no armour or shields, when you take a hit you lose more heat until eventually you freeze. Fortunately, every enemy you kill will leave behind a small deposit of thermal energy. The bigger the enemy, the bigger this will be. It’s a system that works well, as the natural response to being close to death in a game is to take your time and be careful. Here, there’s a mad rush to find something to kill so you can live a bit longer!

Thanks to incredibly simple, intuitive controls this is a joy to play. The now industry standard use of both stick to move and look is complimented by the genius decision to have the left and right bumpers activate a quick 90 degree turn in either direction. This is perfect for tracking and shooting the quicker enemies. I hardly ever died due to pressing the wrong button by mistake for changing weapons either, which is always a good thing!

It won’t take any experienced, sensible gamer too long to finish off the single player campaign, so fortunately Capcom have included a decent Xbox Live multiplayer mode as well. It’s the usual team-based affair, taking place on maps that will be familiar to anyone who’s finished the main game. Thanks to the excellent selection of weapons and their placement within the levels this has the potential to be an Xbox Live favourite for a long time to come.

You might feel put off buying Lost Planet so soon after Gears Of War but you’d be wrong to do so. The two titles are completely different beasts and compliment each other perfectly. For 360 owners this is the perfect way to start 2007.

About the Review

Platform

Microsoft Xbox 360

Developer

Capcom

Publisher

Capcom

Released

12th January 2007