6.5

Lost Planet 3

Lost Planet 3 has unfortunately "lost" its way in this harsh snow filled world of alien monsters, greed and space politics. Although reminiscent of the previous title, Lost Planet 3 sadly feels a little too generic, especially the gameplay and more importantly, the threats that you face. Graphically, it's an impressive looking game that clashes with the dated gaming mechanics. It was almost there!

In the game, players control Jim Peyton who leaves his family on Earth to search for new resources in the stars for the organisation known as NEVEC (Neo-Venus Construction) where he arrives on the frozen world of E.D.N. III. Although this harsh world can kill people within minutes, it is filled with a precious material dubbed T-Energy (Thermal Energy) that would not only solve the energy problems of humanity but would make a huge profit to NEVEC. Whether Peyton returns as a rich man is all up to the gamer.

However when he arrives on E.D.N. III, he soon finds this world is under siege by the Akrid, insect like creatures who call this world home. Fortunately Peyton has access to a plethora of weaponry that allows him to take down these dangerous creatures in a relatively stock standard third person shooter with some okay cover mechanics. Where Lost Planet 3 does shine is through the huge boss battles which do require an element of strategy to defeat them.

As you do progress, you are awarded additional weaponry and upgrades, many based on T-energy. Regrettably the customisation options are quite limited as are the generic weapons which does get a tad repetitive as do the endless alien creatures that you face. Thankfully with the larger opponents, you do need to employ some timing to successfully defeat them and gaming skill. It's these boss battles that urged me on.

Another interesting twist is the inclusion of Mech-like vehicles on Lost Planet 3 called Rigs. As the game switches to a first person view in this mode, it is used more for melee attacks as you control both the arms of your mech. It also helps with transport, especially in the harsh conditions of E.D.N. III.

The contrast between the third person mode is quite evident, as when you control the Mech it is considerably slower but works well in fighting those stronger and larger aliens. Best of all, it feels like a Mech. There are some upgrade options to your rig but for the most part, exploring Lost Planet 3 feels more confined than open world. The majority of the game also requires you to embark on mission objectives that do lack originality and generally involve moving from point A to B with some small task involved.

The story is progressed through cutscenes and audio that for the most part make Peyton an interesting character. Without spoiling the introduction, I love how the developers have told his story. You can also interact with characters at the various hubs throughout the game. With that said, Peyton is an emotionally scarred character, especially when it comes to his motivations for leaving his family and the repercussions of his adventures on E.D.N. III.

Apart from the single-player mode, I found the multiplayer experience more enjoyable. In this segment of the game, players can choose to be either NEVEC soldiers or mercenaries as they vow for supremacy on this planet. Maps are quite varied and quite fair when it comes to the amount of players (10) in the multiplayer worlds. At times, some levels are quite claustrophobic and other times more open worlded. A great element of multiplayer is that the game controls the Akrid which really adds a different element of gaming to online play. There is almost a sense of an uneasy alliance when the Akrid come in waves.

Graphics/Audio

Graphically, I enjoyed Lost Planet due to the cutscenes and realistic character models. The downside to the graphics were the generic aliens themselves that were too simplistic and un-inspirational, especially the grunts. There are some great effects when it comes to show and blizzards and due to this, the outdoor areas were a little bland but given that you are on a harsh snow planet, it is acceptable. The indoor scenes of Lost Planet were fun, although a tad repetitive but it still managed to keep the nerve racking claustrophobic feel of the game (ala Aliens). Voice acting is quite professional and the sound effects work well through surround sound. The musical score is pumping!

Final Thoughts?

Lost Planet 3 is unfortunately a game that does not try to push the genre. It's a sturdy third person shooter with a touch of first person that comes across a little too familiar and dated. If you have never played the Lost Planet 3 franchise before, you will probably find a few things interesting in this current title. Worth a check out if you're into third person shooters set on alien and futuristic worlds. It's a Dead Space try hard!