'now with more content?'
 Developer: Capcom
Publisher: Capcom
Category: : Action
Multiplayer: 1-16 (Xbox Live/Games for Windows Live)
Official Site
Platform: X-Box 360
Might look like: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
Date posted: 27 June 2008
Written By: Ian
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What's in a name?
Last year, "Lost Planet: Extreme Condition" was released (you can read our review here), and now, we have "Lost Planet: EC Colonies". Don't let that confuse you though, this is the same game! Or Not.
Because there are differences, and that's why we're reviewing this 'new' edition of the game!
It comes at a lower price point, offers all of the previous premium and free DLC, and then comes with new content, new single player modes and cross platform play.
But is this game worth shelling out for again?
Lost in a Planet Gameplay
The gameplay again, is unchanged from the previous iteration, unsurprisingly. There's no new features added at all.
So, you get the same third person shooting as before (although there has been a first person option added to the single player now).
The main new additions are in the new gameplay modes that can be found. For single player, there is a boss battle, where you face the bosses in a path that takes multiple routes depending on how good you are, and also a score battle, where you rack up points depending on kills and combos, in a similar fashion to as in Halo 3.
There are also new gamplay modes for multiplayer which I'll go into a bit more detail later. The controls in LP have always been a bit unorthadox, and they remain unchanged too, but whilst different, they are perfectly functional, and I quite liked the scheme to be honest!
  
Unchanged Story
The story, for better or worse, remains the same as before. The single player experience is unchanged. Therefore, if you have played the game before, you're unlikely to go through it again, as the same bizarre plot twists, lengthy cut-scenes that don't really deal with the plot are still there.
The basics are that on this artic world, there are a) aliens and b) bounty hunters that want you dead. Go kill them either onfoot, or in large mechs with huge weapons!
Capcom also seems to see this as a package for returning customers too, based on the achievements, which give you just 10GP for completing the entire story on normal!
Graphics & Sound
The graphics in LP were some of the best seen on the console back in January 2007, but, nearly 18 months later, do they still hold up? The answer, despite games like Bioshock and GTA coming out, is still yes!
The great style of the game is still strong, whilst the fact that multiplayer matches looked as good as the single player was another big bonus.
Some of the DLC and new maps also look even better, which is also impressive.
Sound was also another strong point of the game back on release, but in this area, the game has suffered a little. The speech is a bit cheesy compared to many big titles now, even from Japan.
Whilst the weapons still sound great, again, especially in multiplayer, with explosions and shots coming from all different directions, and plenty of bass, other games have bettered the experience somewhat, such as Battlefield Bad Company's HDR sound. However, everything is still suitably impressive!
Multiplayer
Back in 2007, I described LP's multiplayer as the 'dark horse' of the package. That still remains true to an extent, as the multiplayer, whilst retaining a very strong and fairly large community, never really broke into the XBL Top 10 list.
  
The suite as presented today, is, even stronger than what was originally on offer.
'Colonies' includes all of the original maps, the bonus from the Collector's Edition, all the DLC and 4 new maps on top of that!
There are also new characters and unforms to play with, adding to the fairly deep customisation that was in the original, although it is now a little lacking compared to, say, COD4. Then there are 7 new multiplayer modes.
Many of these are variations on old types, but most important is 'Akrid Hunt'. This allows 4 players to play as the Akrid, whilst the other 12 gang up against them. This is a great addition, and should prove to be very popular online.
Conclusion
"Lost Planet: EC Colonies" is a great update to an already excellent game.
There is bags of content, both in terms of single player and multiplayer. If you haven't played the game before, then this is the definitive edition for you, no questions asked.
If you love the multiplayer and still play it, then again, for the new upgrades and maps it is probably worth the upgrade for you too, if not just to play as the Akrid! If you played the game before and traded it after a short time, or were never interested in the first place, then this package will probably to little to tempt you in.
All things considered though, including the fantastic value, this is a superb game. It's just a real shame it's not compatible with the original (and some of the quirks of the single player still remain), as it will probably split the community somewhat.
Nevertheless, LP remains one of the finest multiplayer offerings on the platform, and this new package only makes the experience better.
-Ian
Pros:
+ Cross Platform Play
+ Great Price
+ Lots of Content
Cons:
- Not Compatible with the previous version
- Single Player has all the same flaws
- Not sure which audience the game is designed for
  
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