Review: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (360)

Are Microsoft buying Capcom? That's the rumour that seems to circulate every few months and it's no surprise with the developer seeming to be fully behind the Xbox 360. Dead Rising delivered some surprising commercial success, and now their next high profile title (and the first big game of 2007) Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, aims to do the same. Both titles are of course exclusive to the Xbox 360 format and share more similarities than you may think.

The problem with Lost Planet (much like Dead Rising) is that it plays like a game from the 80s. It may have been released with a 3D engine in the year 2007, but trademarks from arcade games of yesteryear are still present. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on how much you yearn the games of old. Like Resident Evil before it, the control system can feel rather archaic. For instance, why can't you use the grappling hook (the game's best feature) mid jump? This would provide the player with an important way of avoiding the masses of Akrid (the alien foe) and NEVEC soldiers. Additionally, why have Capcom made sure you only know about the evade move by reading the instruction book, rather than telling you during the first level's tutorial section like it does with other moves?

This, however, cannot dampen Gamestyle's spirits because there is much to love about Lost Planet. The VS mechs are a definite highlight. Find yourself outnumbered then you may be able to find a VS lying around, which can dish out massive damage to your enemies. It all comes at a cost though; this being your thermal energy, which depletes far more rapidly than it would on foot. This T-Eng as it is known, sounds like a terrible annoyance, but in fact doesn't detract from the enjoyment. Once an enemy is killed, a canister destroyed or a data post is erected, thermal energy is dropped and is required by your character to survive and for your health to recharge (remember you are on an ice planet). With enemies in abundance the chances of you running out of T-Eng is slim (especially on lower difficulties) so it almost seems like keeping track of it is inconsequential.

The graphics in Lost Planet are simply some of the best we've seen on the console. They are far more impressive than what you'll see in simple screenshots; the way snow reacts as giant Akrid monsters pounce, and the astounding fireball effects as canisters explode, is brilliant to watch. Lost Planet also has the accolade of being one of the few games to use the Havok physics perfectly without the use of stupid 'rag dolls' that fall in ridiculous positions - obviously lacking the real world mass of a human body. Instead the main character falls like a person, whether it be stumbling from a barrage of strikes or thrown back after a rocket hit.

The graphics and presentation may be good, but Capcom have once again produced a game with some of the worst voice acting ever. Not pointing blame completely at the voice talent; the script is also laughably bad with dialogue that wouldn't make it into a terrible kids' cartoon. The plot from level to level also makes little sense. Cut scenes between levels try to sow the story together, but are simply a way of telling you to climb to the top of a mountain or destroy an Akrid hive. As more characters are introduced, you just simply stop caring. The coming together of story and game play is still a far way away from becoming a reality it seems.

Once the short-lived single player campaign is done and dusted, then online Lost Planet is surprisingly enjoyable. Standard death matches are a definite highlight, but Post Grab exists for those who require a little more thought and depth. It is essentially a King of the Hill match with VS mechs being scattered across the map. However the first person to get to them isn't always victorious, as the balance between VS and fighting on foot is well judged. Sometimes opting out of the heavy hitting mechs in favour of a straightforward trek across the icy mountains or lava filled canyons delivers more success.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition is an odd beast. On the one hand it has so many design flaws that Gamestyle should hate it. But on the other hand it's a fun experience with a number of memorable moments. Much like Dead Rising it's a game you'll either love or hate and we’re stuck somewhere in the middle. It is certainly worth a rent to see what side of the fence you sit on.

Rating: 6 / 10

Words by Adam Gulliver