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Gameplay: 'Lost Planet: Extreme Condition'
Appetizer for action, conspiracy
By Heather Embrey
hembrey@mscd.edu

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Platform: Xbox 360 Publisher: Capcom USA $59.99

Imagine a world where humans struggle for survival as they invade a frozen alien planet while the indigenous monstrous beings wreak havoc over their existence.

Now imagine that you have an enormous plasma gun that can blast those creatures back to hell. This and more is possible in the third-person shooter Lost Planet: Extreme Condition on Xbox 360.

Launched on Jan. 12 by Capcom, some have praised Lost Planet as the next Halo, with a comparable dynamic and a similar lead character. That protagonist, Wayne Holden, exacts his vengeance wearing a biomechanical “vital suit” that includes hover ability and built-in laser scanners. The only substantial difference between the two monster competitors is Lost Planet’s third-person action.

Playing as Wayne, gamers make their way through the desolate world of E.D.N. III, a dreary landscape that echoes Hoth from The Empire Strikes Back. He challenges creatures and pitfalls on his hunt for the king of the monsters, Green Eye, hoping to avenge his father’s death. The self-proclaimed snow pirates, who also inhabit the planet, accompany him. The plot thickens as a conspiracy develops between Wayne, his deceased father, the pirates and a strange company called NEVEC.

The gameplay is typical of a third-person action shooter. The levels are long and come to a strong end with several boss fights. Weapons are plentiful and diverse, as Wayne can commandeer several handheld weapons such as plasma guns, machine guns and a rocket launcher. The launcher is especially handy in fights against Green Eye and other bosses.

Wayne’s mobility is restricted to the capabilities of the vital suit and can make for difficult gameplay. However, the suit has its own advantages, as it’s upgradeable and can house several different weapons for use on the creatures.

For a good exoskeleton-crunching time, this latest release by Capcom will capture most players in its web.