Lost Planet: Extreme Condition [X360]

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A smash hit at E3 2006, Lost Planet is one of the Xbox 360's most anticipated title since Gears of War. After taking a peek at the version of the game we were itching to get our hands on the multiplayer component and Capcom did not disappoint. At a recent press event, the full version of the game was on display, giving us a few hours to blast away at fellow Snow Pirates over the frozen tundra.

Players new to the game were initially surprised by the slower pace of movement (this isn't your typical run-and-gun twitch shooter), but they quickly adapted to the more deliberate style of play. Just as in the single-player experience, Lost Planet's multiplayer rewards the strategic players that think on their feet and take time to setup tactics. Rampaging mindlessly through with your gun is a quick way to end up dead -- and at the bottom of the rankings list.

"With a lot of action games, multiplayer comes down to ''the first person to the rocket launcher wins' or 'the player hidden in the shadows with the sniper rifle wins,'" said Chris Kramer, senior director of communications and community at Capcom. "In Lost Planet the game is setup to give different types of players an equal level of footing."

Multiplayer also carries over the single-player concept of thermal energy, though its use is somewhat modified. Rather than serving as a backup health supply, thermal energy is used as ammunition for energy weapons and powering the mechs-- er, Vital Suits. Because the VSs are some of the most powerful toys on the battlefield, tying them to thermal energy is effectively balances their use.

"Very few games allow you to climb inside a 20-foot tall, fire-spewing, death-dealing, armored two-legged walking tank," said Kramer. "Giant, mechanized, robotic suits with huge gatling guns, rocket launchers, and machine guns -- in multiplayer, he who has the VS wins."

Thermal energy can be acquired in multiplayer by capturing the thermal posts that dot the map. The posts also double as radar installations. So long as you have at least one post under control, the radar display is active. Lose all your posts and the radar goes dark. This isn't a huge deal in a free-for-all, but when fighting as a team, radar is an absolute necessity. In a nice twist, the location of the posts varies each time you play a map, so players are forced to adapt their tactics on the fly.

There are eight multiplayer maps available for play (nine if you purchase the collector's edition), with each offering a different play experience. Ironically enough, our first match took place on a bridge with a river of lava running underneath (er, yes, river of lava on an ice planet). At first glance, the battlefield felt quite constrained, but then everyone started to realize how handy the grappling hooks could be.

Contrasting the first map was one with a large sprawling layout, including multiple buildings, underground tunnels, and a wide open ocean shoreline. No, it didn't have the nifty heat distortion effect of the first round, but the open design changed everyone's style of play. Rather than being forced into a single choke point, small skirmishes happened throughout the map. The open design was also perfect for a bit of VS action. Using the jump jets to quickly traverse a large section of the map and land right on top of an enemy squad, guns-a-blazing, is a wonderful feeling.