It’s been a year or so since gamers braved the icy tundra of a new planet in Capcom’s action-packed game Lost Planet: Extreme Condition for the Xbox 360. The game was an interesting romp that was not only challenging but also loads of fun to play. Therefore, it wasn’t surprising to see that game repackaged as a Platinum Hits title but what is surprising is the fact that the game now comes complete with new extras that make this a complete package. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition is just the ticket you need if you missed it the first time.

 
“Um, dude, that invisibility armor you said you were wearing … it’s not working.”

The game’s main single-player story mode is still the same but I’ll quickly go over the story for those new to the game. The title, Lost Planet, refers to a new planet humans have discovered after years of searching for a new place to colonize. Aside from the fact that the surface is covered in eternal snow, there are alien creatures known as the Akrid that do not want to share it with the humans. A war is waged and the human side is losing … that is until a small colony filled with resistance fighters meets a young man named Wayne. Wayne lost his father to an Akrid attack and is determined to put an end to them so he joins the group on their quest of destroying the Akrid for good.

It’s a fun shooter with enough variety to keep you on your toes and the story is actually good once the ball gets rolling. It’s also a somewhat lengthy game but those who played the game when it was first released wished there was a little more to the single-player component. Luckily for us, Colonies Edition happily brings new elements to the single-player game that kicks up the replay value. The first is Trail Battle Mode that pits you up against the bosses you encountered during the game’s story mode. Finish one and you move to the next boss in the same sequence as when you first fought them during the story missions. You are awarded points and ranked by how long you take to defeat a boss and how much thermal energy chips you collect. Your health won’t regenerate like in the story mode so this game is certainly very challenging.

 
“That’s the last time I’ll buy a microwave made by Paris Hilton!”

Then there’s Score Attack, a game mode that has you racking up points by keeping up your attack combos going as you zip through the story levels. You can do this by destroying as many enemies and objects as possible within the time frame so not only will you be trying to stay alive but also making as much points as possible. Finally, there’s Off Limit Mode, a game mode that basically allows you to go wild with powerful weapons and unlimited ammo. It’s essentially a fun way of just going through the story missions quickly while unleashing your new unlimited firepower.

While Wayne’s single-player adventure into the icy depth of the cold planet and his quest to finally slay Green Eyes is involving and fun, there’s also an online multiplayer mode that adds to the shooting fun. Originally, the game mode was good fun for a limited time but Colonies manages to give it a shot in the arm and add new elements that improve the multiplayer fun. For starters, there are four new multiplayer maps (with Cross Fire City and Area 921 being the best) that make the maps eleven in total. Then there are the new online avatars (two are female and the other two neat robot characters) to offer some variety in that department as well.

One of the best new additions to the multiplayer game is that fact that you can now play as the Akrid. Being able to roll right through other players as a Godon or poisoning your opponents as a Neegal is not only fun but it also adds variety to the match. The returning game modes are still fun but the six new game match types are entertaining albeit a bit familiar. There are capture-the-flag-styled matches like Egg Bandit or Akrid Egg Battle. VS Annihilator has you guiding a team in an attempt to destroy your opponent’s VS (which is a type of mech suit). There are new weapons for your human characters (e.g. Flame Launcher and a Revolver to name a few) as well as your VS (Laser Lance and the Rocket Pod being a few). Not only can you play against Xbox 360 owners but also PC gamers in cross platform matches.

 
“I know it just shoots t-shirts but it can still hurt. No, seriously.”

As far as the graphics are concerned, the new maps look just as good as the backgrounds from the original game and story mode. Whether you’re battling others onboard a snazzy-looking space ship in the Assault Space map or the compounds in the Area 921 maps, you’re in for a treat. The character models look good and more so in the game’s main story mode. Even the visual effects look great. The story mode’s soundtrack is also a highlight and does justice to the great-looking cut scenes. Just as good is the voice acting that can be a bit stiff at times thanks to some translation issues. Still, the great sound effects are worth pumping up the volume.

In the end, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition is the best way Platinum Hits should be presented. Yes, the core game is the same as last year’s release but the extras are so enticing that gamers new to the game should skip the old version and pick up this one instead. The new online multiplayer additions make multiplayer more complete and the single-player extras just make this a package well worth the $29.99 retail price. Anyone who might have missed the game the first time around will should certainly consider picking up this Capcom gem.

Gameplay: 8.0
The single-player story and action is just as intense and action-packed as ever. The three new modes (like Trail Battle Mode) are challenging and loads of fun but the real bullet-fueled fun comes in the form of Off Limit Mode. Multiplayer feels more complete as well thanks to the new modes and maps.

Graphics: 8.5
The game is still very visually pleasing and the backgrounds, character models and visual effects light up the screen nicely. Watching the bigger Akrid pop out of the snow is still a jarring experience even a year later.

Sound: 8.2
You can’t complain about the cinematic and very dramatic score that plays in the single-player game and the voice acting isn’t bad at all. You’ll want to play the game on a good sound system because the gunfire and explosions in this game really rock.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
In the single-player game that Akrid (as well as some human foes) will definitely give you a hard time and there are battles early in the game that will have you either replaying the whole level or restarting from the checkpoint.

Concept: 8.0
It’s the new content that makes Colonies Edition such a treat and it’s always great to find a “Greatest Hits” packaged with juicy extras. The new single-player modes are a blast but the multiplayer mode benefits from new maps, game match types and weapons.

Multiplayer: 8.5
Not only can you play against Xbox 360 gamers but also PC gamers in a cross platform duel with returning game modes and new ones as well. Add four new maps, cool weapons, and the ability to play as an Akrid and other new character types, and we’re all set to head back into online battlefield.

Overall: 8.0
There’s a lot to love about Colonies Edition for the Xbox 360 and for anyone who missed out on Lost Planet should definitely pick up this Platinum Hits package right away. With the main mode intact, the real reward is the extra game modes and the new multiplayer goodies fit for cross platform action. In short, this is the best version of last year’s great action game.