Lost Planet

Lost Planet -- Xbox 360

Lost Planet is one of a kind. Strategy, wits, and focus are the main requirements for this game. Although it is pretty straight forward, you do need to be careful about what you do, as there is always something around the corner that you won't be expecting.

You play as Wayne, a young man who was rescued from a VS -- a Vital Suit -- by a small group of snow pirates. Wayne is suffering from Amnesia, after being in the VS, encased in ice, for so long. All he can remember is his own name -- Wayne -- and "Green-Eye", the akrid -- the natural inhabitants of the world you play on -- that killed his father. Thanks to the Harmonizer, a special piece of equipment and a gift from his father, Wayne is in excellent physical condition to fight off the akrid, and other snow pirates who fight for their lives on the small icy planet.

The story behind the game is very interesting. Humankind had left Earth to find another planet to live on, E.D.N III. They were nothing more than a colony to start with, but quickly expanded the area they lived in, until they encountered the natural inhabitants -- the Akrid. While they attempted to flee, they discovered the precious thermal energy with the Akrid's body forms, and then became determined to fight. With new technology to fight the akrid with on their side, the experiment resumed.

The controls for the game are very nice, and pretty straight forward. The X button is for the grapple hook, Y to change weapons, A to jump, Bdo do an Action, or Melee attack someone. Very easy to remember and use. The gameplay is also done in real time. The Akrid attack as soon as they notice your presence. As soon as you move the left analog stick in any given direction, Wayne moves as well.

There are three different types of Akrid that you will encounter in the game. The Trilid, tiny flying Akrid that cause you next to nmo harm unless they come in swarms -- which they usually do. The Dongo, a pretty large Akrid that does a lot of frequent rolling to try and run you over. If they do manage to run you over, they can cause quite a bit of damage. It's best to get to a high position when they come at you. Then there's the Chryatis, huge akrid that use their super long arms to try and stab you. There is nothing you can do to avoid these attacks other than to kepp moving, and stay as far away as possible.

The best way to kill a Trilid os to shoot it a few times, and it will explode. For the Dongo, simply get to a high position and shot the orange on it's tail whenever it's not rolling around. For the Chryatis, keep moving while you shoot at the orange on it's arms. When one arm is gone, you can head to the back of it and shoot the orange on it's butt. Just remember that its arm will grow back.

Another enemy in the game aer the snow pirates. Level 2 is filled with these enemies, so watch out -- their a lot smarter than the Akrid. There is another enemy that starts with an N, but I can't remember, so you'll have to play to find out.

just to make some suggestions. a storyline isn't going to make me more interested in the game. a summary with some ratings would be best. but that's my opinion which doesn't count for much