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This EX Troopers trailer isn't banned, is still anime-infused goodness
EX Troopers, a stylized spin-off of Lost Planet for 3DS and PS3 (hey, it is lost, after all), is in development from Capcom, produced by Monster Hunter's Shintaro Kojima and directed by Resident Evil 5's Yasuhiro Anpo, Siliconera reports. Anpo contributed to Lost Planet itself as a "library programmer" as well. EX Troopers will feature co-op multiplayer, a cel-shaded anime art style and is set to launch later this year. Unlike the version we asked you to stare at last month that has since been banned, Capcom's official trailer above shows off the revamped art style in, well, style.
Stare in disbelief at EX Troopers' first trailer
Just a reminder, because there's no way you'll get this from the trailer: This cel-shaded, unmistakably anime game about a plucky teen and his robot ... is a Lost Planet spinoff. The PS3/3DS action game E.X. Troopers is even more implausible in motion than when all we had was a text description.
EX Troopers: a Lost Planet spinoff for ... 3DS and PS3
We certainly didn't expect a 3DS spinoff of Lost Planet ... and we definitely didn't expect a 3DS-slash-PS3 spinoff. EX Troopers, revealed in this week's Famitsu magazine, is also unexpectedly anime styled, featuring manga panel cutscenes and a theme by Jpop star May'n.EX Troopers takes place on EDN-3rd, in some kind of academy. Bren Turner is new in school, and seems to jump right into the Akrid fighting in what producer Shintaro Kojima describes as a beginners' action shooter.No official images have been released yet (above is Lost Planet 3), but expect to see a lot of this, as Capcom indicated plans to use this IP outside of games, like its other "Single Content Multiple Usage" initiatives.
Inafune on defeating Capcom's sequel-heavy budgeting
In one anecdote, former Capcom exec Keiji Inafune illustrates how he got so high up in the company and the kind of behavior that likely led to his hasty exit. During a presentation at Kyoto's Ritsumeikan University, the Neptunia Mk-II weapon dished on the corporate culture at Capcom, and how he gamed it to get Lost Planet and Dead Rising made. Before those games, he said, Capcom had a rule requiring 70-80 percent of the games produced at the company to be sequels, and the management rejected pitches for new titles even beyond that proportion. Inafune started up two new projects, Lost Planet and Dead Rising, and just kept them going even after the prototypes were rejected. Eventually, he exceeded the budget for Lost Planet's prototype by 400%, figuring that Capcom wouldn't cancel it if the game was half done. The strategy worked: both titles made it to retail, and started franchises that have sold over four million units each. Inafune was already well known for a successful act of guerrilla game-making. After Mega Man, his team was famously only allowed to develop Mega Man 2 if they did so on their own time, without affecting the schedules of other projects.
Two more Lost Planet 2 multiplayer maps coming next week
Looking for a wider range of environments to get your customizable Lost Planet 2 character knocked around in? According to a recent Capcom press release, two new maps for the game's competitive multiplayer component will go on sale on the PlayStation Store for $4.99 on June 1, and on Xbox Live Marketplace for 400 on June 2. The map pack will include "Frozen Wasteland," a renovated version of a map from the original Lost Planet, and "Dockyard Battle," a 16-player arena modeled after the factory level from Episode 4 of the game's campaign. We were hoping for a multiplayer version of the railway cannon level, but ... well, that would lead to some awfully one-sided battles, wouldn't it?
Lost Planet 2 Avatar items include adorable Akrid
Capcom has dropped a veritable swarm of Lost Planet 2 Avatar goodies onto Xbox live. Most of the gear is comprised of clothing from the various factions in the game -- but we all know that the stars of the show in Lost Planet 2 are the creepy, crawly Akrid. Unfortunately, you can only snag one of the giant bugs via the Avatar Marketplace: Gordiant, otherwise known as "that giant salamander thing." As you can see, it's not quite as threatening in Avatar pet form. In fact, it's kind of adorable. You can see Gordiant and the rest of the Lost Planet 2 Avatar collection here.
Review: Lost Planet 2
In Lost Planet 2, if you want to swap your grenades for the T-ENG Gun (a device that lets you transfer precious Thermal Energy to your injured teammates), you press Y and Left Trigger simultaneously. Be careful, though -- if you press Left Trigger a fraction of a second before you press Y, you'll chuck a grenade at your teammates, which they likely won't appreciate in their state of physical distress. While far from the most important aspect of the game, this cumbersome button mapping is indicative of the whole Lost Planet 2 experience: It's a completely functional, interesting gameplay mechanic, but it's utterly hamstrung by a nonsensical design choice. Unfortunately, the game suffers from so many of these flabbergasting and terrible design choices, that even its strongest features can't stand up to much scrutiny. %Gallery-92456%
'Exclusive' GameStop Lost Planet 2 DLC already on Marketplace
We knew that the exclusive Lost Planet 2 pre-order bonus maps from GameStop would be publicly available eventually, but this is just silly. A sharp-eyed tipster has revealed that the Lost Planet 2 "Map Pack #1" is actually already available on Xbox Live Marketplace. That's particularly noteworthy considering the game's retail release is still a week away. We're guessing someone flipped the "release maps" lever a little too early, and chances are the map pack will soon vanish into the ether once more. For what it's worth, the pack is currently priced at 400 ($5). We suppose you could be sneaky and buy it early, but if you really wanted the maps you've probably pre-ordered already, right? [Thanks, Joey]
PSA: Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo available for all Gold subscribers
Previously available only as a gift from Capcom or embedded inside blocks of ice, the Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo is now accessible to all on Xbox Live Gold subscribers (it is multiplayer demo, after all). The demo allows up to 16 players to go at it on the game's Turbulent Jungle map. Two different game modes are available: Elimination and Post Grab, both of which were also seen in the original Lost Planet. Lost Planet 2's multiplayer showed promise when we took it for a spin last month, so be sure to give the demo a try. And don't forget, grabbing the demo goes toward a good cause. Xbox.com: Add Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo to your Xbox 360 download queue
Lost Planet beta codes frozen in blocks of ice
Viral marketing is a strange beast. Example: Over the weekend, Capcom delivered several blocks of ice to eight different US cities. The catch: Each block of ice contained Lost Planet 2 merchandise and a code to get into the online multiplayer beta. The event went down this Saturday, so we're guessing that all the blocks have been found or have melted by now. Thankfully, the internet, in its unrelenting vigilance, has chronicled the event for all time. After the break, witness a small child do his damnedest to release his prize from its icy prison. [Via That Girl's Site; Image: DJClicheDarknes]
Lost Planet 2 getting guest characters from Dead Rising, Monster Hunter
[Famitsu] A handful of Lost Planet 2 screenshots from Famitsu have revealed the game will borrow the stars of two more franchises: Frank West from Dead Rising and the Scaly Knife-Gun Dude from Monster Hunter, the latter being exclusive to the PS3 version of the game. For those of you keeping track, these two join Gears of War's Marcus and Dom (who will only appear in the 360 version), Resident Evil's Wesker, and What's His Face from Lost Planet 2 in the fight against the calamitous, towering Akrid. Though most of these crossovers seem pretty out of place, we're betting the dude from Monster Hunter will be right at home bringing down monsters the size of football stadiums. That kind of thing is right in his wheelhouse.
Capcom announces Lost Planet 2 demo charity program
Sure, you're probably excited to download the Lost Planet 2 demo so you can actually play the game, but did you know it will also help a good cause? Capcom has announced a new program that will see the company donate $20,000 to Music for Relief -- a non-profit organization "dedicated to providing aid to victims of natural disasters and the prevention of such disasters" -- if one million players download the Lost Planet 2 demo. If a total of 1.5 million download the demo, Capcom will donate an additional $5,000 for a total of $25,000. In addition, Capcom will be hosting a pre-launch Lost Planet 2 party and "celebrity" tournament on May 6 in Los Angeles. Gamers will be able to sign up to attend the event -- on a first come, first serve basis -- on Capcom-Unity later this month. To win a chance to play in the tournament, however, players will have to submit tips for playing the multiplayer demo. Four winners will be chosen by Capcom to attend the tournament. The winners of the tournament will get to choose which Music for Relief cause will receive the money Capcom. Full details on the contest can be found right here. So, get crackin' and grab your early access demo redemption code. It just might do someone some good.
Japanese Lost Planet 2 Xbox bundle includes USB drive
Microsoft is putting forth its best effort in the hope that Japanese consumers who want to play Lost Planet 2 won't just buy it for the PS3, which they already own. The company has announced a Lost Planet 2 Xbox 360 bundle, to be released May 20 for ¥24,800 ($265) in Japan. The set includes a 60GB Xbox 360 with a D-connector HD cable, the game and a headset. It'll also include bonus Lost Planet content -- on a 2GB USB stick; taking advantage of the new Dashboard update that allows such drives to be used as 360 storage devices! This bonus seems destined to become a standard for special-edition Xbox 360 bundles.
Hands-on: Lost Planet 2 multiplayer
In advance of the April 21 and 22 releases of the Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network, respectively, I got in a few rounds of multiplayer on 4 of the game's maps yesterday; one of which will be playable in the demo. The map, "Turbulent Jungle," was my favorite of the bunch. Before dropping into a match, I scoped out the various character customization screens in the build I was playing. When you fire up the game for the first time you'll be prompted to create your own character, which will be used in both the campaign (which supports single-player and co-op play) and in multiplayer. Everything you unlock, earn or otherwise collect in either portion of the game will carry over to the other. Trick out a particular weapon in online multiplayer and it'll be ready for use in single player. %Gallery-89373%
Lost Planet 2 trailers transform into view
The official site for Capcom's Lost Planet 2 has updated with a pair of fresh trailers highlighting the bulky mechanical monsters the inhabitants of E.D.N. III use to get around. And to blow stuff up. And to look badass in while techno music plays in the background. And -- OK, the joke has run its course. After checking out the above trailer, be sure to head past the break for a shorter, more refined look at those transforming Vital Suits -- unless your name is Kyle Reese, in which case we understand if you're not down with anything robotic.
Lost Planet 2 early access demo codes available now
Last week, Capcom promised that its "most avid fans" would have a chance to receive early access to the upcoming Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo. Now, the company has made good on that promise, offering up codes for both the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the demo. Of course, there is a catch, albeit a small one. In order to redeem a free code, you'll have to sign up for an account on the Lost Planet community site which, in turn, requires a Capcom-Unity membership as well. Once you've joined Capcom-Unity, simply head over to this address, sign up for the community site and you'll receive a code for your preferred version of the demo. Keep in mind that the code won't work until March 31. Also, if you have trouble signing up or if you don't want to go through the trouble, keep your eye on Joystiq because we'll be giving away some codes of our own very soon.
Lost Planet 2 multiplayer demo in April, retail release now May 11
Capcom has announced that a multiplayer demo for Lost Planet 2 will arrive on Xbox Live and PlayStation Network on April 21 and 22, respectively. The demo will feature the Turbulent Jungle map and allow up to 16 players to duke it out online and track their stats. If you'd rather not wait until late April, Capcom has also announced it will be giving the demo away to its "most avid fans" starting next Wednesday, March 31. The press release doesn't say how or when the company will hand out the "community-distributed voucher codes" for the demo, though we'd say it's probably a good idea to keep your eyes on Capcom-Unity. Finally, fans will definitely want to snag the demo, as it will unlock the Machine Gun SP -- which fires three shot bursts -- in the full version. Speaking of the retail release, Capcom has also announced that Lost Planet 2 will now launch on May 11, a week earlier than originally planned. The PC version will release this fall.
Lost Planet 2 trailer gets big
Capcom heralds "Kill Big" as the tagline for a new Lost Planet 2 trailer -- and you can certainly see why after the break. The trailer's full of big vehicles -- big trains and big helicopter things, all carrying big dudes with big guns and big armor, wearing big helmets with big cylindrical ears. Those big dudes are shooting their big guns at gigantic Akrid and sometimes manning big mechs too. Everything about Lost Planet 2 is big, in fact -- except for Capcom's video player. It's merely okay-sized. Thankfully, we've got a reasonably-sized YouTube version. So, pick up your Big Gulp of Big Red and take a big sip as you give your mouse a big click to head past the break. And, if you're really big on Lost Planet, join the other obsessives in picking apart the trailer.
Lost Planet 2's Wesker no longer a GameStop exclusive
You knew about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but now you can add "shooting bugs with Albert Wesker's giant handgun" to the list of inalienable rights. Capcom has just announced that, due to fan upheaval, Wesker as a playable character in Lost Planet 2 will be a bonus for everyone who buys the game, rather than for just those that pre-order at GameStop, as was previously announced. It's not as if early birds are out of luck though. Pre-ordering at GameStop will now net you two multiplayer maps, "Helix" and "Back to the Island." The update from Capcom doesn't say as much, but we'd assume these maps will also be available for purchase as DLC, either on release day or soon after. %Gallery-78382%
Confirmed: Local split-screen co-op in Lost Planet 2
This week's Famitsu (via Andriasang) confirms Capcom's Lost Planet 2 will include offline split-screen co-op when it releases May 18. Series producer Jun Takeuchi told Joystiq last year at GamesCom that the developer was working on couch co-op for the game, which already features four player online co-op. The split screen will reportedly be similar to Resident Evil 5's staggered screens, maintaining the aspect ratio and cutting down on the hardware requirements. So, go ahead and play Lost Planet 2 snuggled with a buddy on the couch or drinking beers with the spouse when it releases ... wait, reverse that. %Gallery-45837%
