[Lunabean]

Lost Planet debuts tomorrow and we'll be on it like snow on the arctic...or whatever. I spent some time on the web site today and have to say that I'm really looking forward to the game. It looks like it has elements of Capcom's masterpiece, RE4, albeit with more action and a sort of Gears of War epic attitude.

If you have any questions, please post them here!

-Jer

[Lunabean]

Online Multiplayer Basics

I spent a few hours playing the online multiplayer demo today. This was my first interaction with the game and I felt that I was thrown to the sharks, and the sharks had big guns, grenades, and knowledge of what to do. In an effort to make your transition into this game a little easier, here are some things that I learned.

Controls
Left Analog Stick - Move
Right Analog Stick - Aim
RT - Fire Primary Weapon
LT - Fire Secondary Weapon (throw grenade)
RB - Turn 90 degrees right
LB - Turn 90 degress left
A - Jump
B - Pick up guns/ammo
X - Grapple
Y - Switch Primary Weapon (if you have two weapons)
Click down on RT - Reload
Click down on LT - Crouch (click down and hit A to dive)
D-Pad (L or R) - Flashlight
D-Pad (Up or Down) - Change View

HUD
Radar in the Upper Right - Yellow are friends. Red are enemies.

Green Health Bar - Health (see more info on it in the T-Eng Bar section below)

T-Eng - Thermal Energy. Thermal energy is what powers your Exposure Suit and your Harmonizer Life Support system.

Each time you kill an enemy he/she/it releases thermal energy. This thermal energy is then stored in your hip container to power your Exposure Suit. If your thermal energy runs down to 0, you'll see your life gauge fall. If you don't get more thermal energy fast, you'll die.

The Thermal Energy gauge is not just a one-bar gauge. You can repeatedly fill it up (you'll see various colors overlay one another). The number of bars you currently have filled is indicated by the number next to the gauge.

Thermal energy also powers your Harmonizer Life Support system, aka, your life gauge. As long as you have thermal energy, it'll be used to refill your life gauge if you take damage.

Please note, the T-Eng info is in relation to the single player campaign. In online play, the Life Support system does not get regenerated by T-Eng, although the Exposure suit works the same way.

Gameplay
In the demo, at least, I've only experienced two types of games: free for all and teams of two. In free for all, if you see another player, kill him. In teams, you'll either be red or blue. The names above the player will be either red or blue to let you know who's who.

To get around, try using your grapple hook as it is pretty speedy. If you get shot while in the midst of a grapple, you'll fall, so be aware of that. You can also dive by clicking down on the left analog stick and then hitting A.

Try to take cover as much as possible and keep an eye on the radar for enemies that may be nearby.

In the game you'll find lots of Mechs (machines) or, as they're called here, VS. If a VS is not manned, it can't be destroyed (this is a gameplay element added so that an enemy can't blow up all of the VS's before you get a chance to use them). Therefore, unmanned VS's are a great place to take cover.

Data Posts

Data Posts look like little cylinders in the ground when not activated. When activate, they have an antenna sticking out of them. To activate a Data Post, go up to it until you see the "activate" icon appear on screen. Rapidly tap the "B" button to raise the antenna.

You earn Thermal Energy when you activate a Data Post.

Data Posts make your Radar and Map active.

Data Posts emit a directional light, pointing the way to the next Data Post or the final destination.

In online multiplayer teams, you'll note that a Data Port is either inactive, Red, or Blue (depending on what team activated it). To activate one, or change its color from the enemy's color to your color, stand by it and rapidly tap the B button until the antenna rises. When this happens, you'll get 500 points and the data port is now on your team. Data Ports allow your radar to work but they do not regenerate your Life as they do in single player campaign mode.

That's what I've learned so far...I'll post more here when I learn more and of course I'll have all of the answers in the Lunabean 'Lost Planet' Walkthrough and Strategy Guide

[Lunabean]

I just picked up the game. I'm on my way to the grocery store and then I'll be playing it all the rest of the day and night. The Lunabean 'Lost Planet' Walkthrough, Strategy Guide, and FAQ will begin tomorrow.

-Jer

[Lunabean]

I have completed the guide and will start work on a Screenshot Version tomorrow. For now, you can access limited parts of the guide here:

LB's 'Lost Planet' Walkthrough and Strategy Guide


-----------------------------------

For those of you who want information regarding online multiplayer, below you'll find my updated Online Multiplayer Help and Advice:

I would venture to bet that part of the reason you purchased "Lost Planet" is due to its excellent online multiplayer. I highly suggest that you play through at least six or seven of the single player campaign missions in order to get used to the controls, aiming, VS use, weapon management, etc. Otherwise, give this section a read through so that you can get familiar with what to expect and how to play.

The Lobby


After you sign on and choose a character you'll be in the Lobby. Sit back, relax, grab a drink and listen to the lounge music. Actually, it's time to select the type of match you want to compete in. If you want to add a voice mask (disguise your voice) you can do that here, too.


Ranked Match - For the big boys and girls. You'll earn points and be ranked if you compete in these matches. The matches themselves are no different than the Player Matches, it's just that it counts.

Player Match - Welcome to the kiddie pool. Watch out for the floating thing! Player Match allows you to practice to your heart's content without being ranked. This is definitely where you should start as a way to get familiar with the different kinds of games and the maps.


Match Types


Quick Match - Choose this option if you just want to jump in and play a few rounds without worrying about the game type or parameters. Granted, you can choose what match you want to join, but for those with a little more discriminating taste, there's Custom Match.

Custom Match - Using this option, you can weed out anything you don't want and specify the type of match that you would like to join. Here are the options, broken down for you:

• Rules - This is simply the game type (see "Game Types" below).
  
• Time Limit - Self explanatory.
  
• Initial Equipment - Here you can choose to select matches that start you with "x" weapon.
  
• Stage - AKA, map. Simply select where you want to play.
  
• Battle Gauge - Choose how big your Battle Gauge (or team's Battle Gauge) will be. The four options are 2500, 5000, 7500, or 10000. The higher the number the longer it'll take to drain your enemy's Battle Gauge, and conversely, the more you can fill up your Battle Gauge. For more info on the Battle Gauge, see "Online Gameplay Elements" below.
  
• Friendly Fire - Choose if you want to play in a match which does or doesn't allow friendly fire.

Create Match - Choose this option if you want to host a match. You control all of the parameters and get to decide when the match starts. For starters, you must decide which of the four Game Types you want to play. After you do that, you'll have a slew of options, which change depending on the Game Type. Please note: Not all of these options are available in Ranked Matches, but they are available in Player Matches.

• Teams - This is specific to Team Elimination. You can choose whether you want two, three, or four teams battling it out.
  
• Time Limit - Self explanatory.
  
• Initial Equipment - Choose what weapon you want everybody to start with.
  
• Stage - Choose where you want to play.
  
• Layout - Available for all but Fugitive games, you can select weapon/item/VS layouts from one of six different options. This gives the game some variety and changes things up so "x" weapon isn't always in "y" location. A nice touch.
  
• Battle Gauge - Choose how big your Battle Gauge (or team's Battle Gauge) will be.
  
• Friendly Fire - Choose if you want your match to allow friendly fire or not.
  
• Team Changing - Select whether or not you want players to be able to choose what team they're on before the match starts or if they'll be automatically assigned.
  
• Players - Select how many people will be joining you in your match.
  
• Private Slots - Select if you want to reserve any slots for friends, which are essentially invitation only slots. If you want to have a match with only your friends, and say you have 3 other friends, then choose "4" as the number of Players, and choose "3" as the number of Private Slots. This way, only those that you invite will be able to join.
  
• Hunters - Applicable only to the Fugitive game type, this is how many people will be hunting you.

Game Types


There are four different game types, each is quite fun and has its own set of rules.

• Team Elimination - Battle with two, three, or four teams. To win, you must either drain the other team's (teams') Battle Gauge, or, have the highest Battle Gauge when times runs out. If you're having trouble figuring out who to shoot (who's on your team and who isn't), all you have to do is look to see if there is a name above their head. If there is, that person is on your team. If there is no name above their head, then it's an enemy.
  
• Elimination - Every man for himself (or, every lady for herself). You win by having the fullest Battle Gauge when time expires, or, when one of your fellow player's battle gauge goes down to zero (it ends the match). Whichever comes first. list or r
  
• Post Grab - This game is automatically two teams going at it to see who can activate the other team's Data Posts. If you activate all of the other team's Data Posts, you win. If time runs out, the team who has the most Data Posts under their control wins. In the left part of your screen you can see if a post is under your team's control, the enemy team's control, or is neutral.
  
• Fugitive - The Most Dangerous Game. You hunt the host, or if you're the host, you are the hunted. If you are hunting, your goal is to get the host's Battle Gauge down to zero. If you are the hunted, then you win by either maxing out your Battle Gauge (by evading and/or defeating hunters), or by surviving until the time expires. There is nothing quite like seeing 14 of your fellow gamers start off at the same point on a hunt. It makes you feel a tad like Boba Fett and the legion of bounty hunters called by Darth Vader.

Online Gameplay Elements

There are several key differences between the single player campaign mode and online multiplayer when it comes to gameplay. First and foremost, your health does not regenerate. You still have T-Eng, but it is only there to power your exposure suit. When you die, you'll simply respawn.

Another difference is the addition of the Battle Gauge. The Battle Gauge is pretty much what determines victory or defeat. If you are playing a team game, then your Battle Gauge is collective. If you're solo, then your Battle Gauge is your own.

To fill up the Battle Gauge you need to kill enemies and/or activate Data Posts. Killing enemies will add points to your Battle Gauge depending on what the rank is of the person you killed. For example, if you kill the person who is currently in the lead (points-wise), then you'll get more Battle Gauge added than if you kill the person who is in last place. Also, you get a good amount of points for destroying VSs. When you activate a Data Post, you also receive points.

If you are confused about this, don't worry. The more you play the more you'll get it. The best thing to do is to watch the screen when you kill someone or someone kills you. It'll say, "You Killed SoAndSo" "Battle Gauge +750". Or, if you get killed, it'll say "Battle Gauge -550" or whatever number it is at the time. If you're playing a team game, then you'll see this info appear every time one of your teammates, or one of the enemy team members does something.

Something else that is different is the Radar. In the single player campaign it was nice and easy; red were Akrid, green were humans, etc. For multiplayer, the radar is less informative. The small red dots are other humans...the radar doesn't distinguish between friend or foe. The large red dots are VSs, again, without distinction of friend or foe. The yellow on the radar are Data Posts.

Another key difference is the addition of T-Eng Posts, which sort of look like Data Posts, but are wider and have a ring of energy around them. These can be found in several places throughout each level. Stand near one to absorb T-Eng. This is the only way to regain T-Eng during online multiplayer (without dying).

One more thing you'll have to get used to is the fact that the people playing against you are often good. They have spent a lot of time playing this game so you'll need to be patient, accept the fact that you'll be killed quite a bit at first and just take your time getting used to everything.

Here are some tips:

• Play a good chunk, if not all, of the single player campaign before you hop online. It'll teach you how to move around, how to aim, how to activate Data Posts, how to Anchor (rappel) around, etc. It'll also get you familiar with the weaponry, weapon switching, and VSs.
  
• When you do go online for the first time, choose Player Match (so that it doesn't count) > Custom Match > Team Elimination. This will give you a list of all of the Team Elimination matches from which you can choose. Look through the list and try to locate a match with a small number of max players (just you and somebody else is ideal). This prevents you from being thrown to the wolves with a ton of players around you which confuses more than helps. With only two or four people on the map, you can move around, get a feel for the lay of the land, and just relax instead of freaking out.
  
• Feel free to ask questions of the people online. In general, the people on Xbox Live are just like you and they're happy to help. So, if something is confusing, just ask the players you're playing with. If somebody is a jerk to you, then rate them poorly so that you are less likely to be matched up with them.
  
• Never run in a straight line. There is no quicker way of getting sniped or having a rocket hit you in stride than not acting like a crazy person. Jump, dive (click down on "Left Analog Stick" and hit "A"), or Anchor your way around the map. I prefer to Anchor as it's quick and you are hard to hit when moving like that.
  
• Activate Data Posts. Not only does it give you a nice boost for your Battle Gauge, but it lets you know what is around you.
  
• Learn what style of player you are and practice it. If you like to keep at a distance and snipe, then look for games that begin with the Plasma Gun or Rifle. If you are more of a rush right at them with a Shotgun kind of player, well, get good at aiming and dodging.

That it! Enjoy multiplayer. Our gamertag is LUNABEAN, so if you see us online, feel free to say hi!

[flyinfalcon]

Hello mate just wondered if you know if its possible to play level 3 on easy or not?

[Lunabean]

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 12:10 AM, said:

Hello mate just wondered if you know if its possible to play level 3 on easy or not?

Hello. I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but, you can replay any level on easy if you like.

-Jer

[flyinfalcon]

Lunabean, on Feb 22 2007, 07:23 AM, said:

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 12:10 AM, said:

Hello mate just wondered if you know if its possible to play level 3 on easy or not?

Hello. I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but, you can replay any level on easy if you like.

-Jer

Hello again, just to explain.
I have played level 1 and 2 on easy but somehow started level 3 on normal and i cant find a way of getting it set on easy even by restarting the level.
cheers
pete

[Lunabean]

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 08:07 AM, said:

Lunabean, on Feb 22 2007, 07:23 AM, said:

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 12:10 AM, said:

Hello mate just wondered if you know if its possible to play level 3 on easy or not?

Hello. I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but, you can replay any level on easy if you like.

-Jer

Hello again, just to explain.
I have played level 1 and 2 on easy but somehow started level 3 on normal and i cant find a way of getting it set on easy even by restarting the level.
cheers
pete

When you say "restarting", do you mean you're choosing the level from the level select screen from the main menu?

-Jer

[flyinfalcon]

Lunabean, on Feb 24 2007, 04:51 AM, said:

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 08:07 AM, said:

Lunabean, on Feb 22 2007, 07:23 AM, said:

flyinfalcon, on Feb 22 2007, 12:10 AM, said:

Hello mate just wondered if you know if its possible to play level 3 on easy or not?

Hello. I'm not quite sure what you're asking, but, you can replay any level on easy if you like.

-Jer

Hello again, just to explain.
I have played level 1 and 2 on easy but somehow started level 3 on normal and i cant find a way of getting it set on easy even by restarting the level.
cheers
pete

When you say "restarting", do you mean you're choosing the level from the level select screen from the main menu?

-Jer

hello again
sorry the question was a bit vague.
i have completed level 1 and 2 on easy but somehow started level 3 but not completed it on normal and i cant find a way of starting level 3 on easy, every time i restart level 3 it automatically sets itself on normal. do you know of a way i can get it back to easy?

[Lunabean]

try selecting the level from the level select menu. I can't remember if that's from the main menu or not, but you can select each level individually and set the difficulty individually, so try that.

If that isn't working for you for some reason, then I suggest replaying levels one and two on easy and you'll end up starting level three on easy that way.

-Jer