Good but a bit too short for my liking
LP takes place on a distant ice planet called E.D.N III, where humans have attempted to colonise it for the untold amounts of minerals and such buried beneath the icy wasteland. Little did they know that the planet was already inhabited though, and were soon attacked by the lifeforms known as the Akrid.
Thats basically what the intro tells you and although a rather forgetble and jumpy story line takes place after this, its an interesting premise.
Straight away you will see LP's excellent graphics and they dont dissapoint. The character models look smooth and crisp and the Vital Suits which accompany them look just as they should, huge suits of walking armour with chain guns. All of the games cut scenes use the in-game graphics and it is a great way of showing off the detail of which these characters are made up. The action doest only take place on snowy plains, and to be honest, there are only two levels that have you crossing plains, the other comprise of derelict urban enviroments, mountain climbs, Akrid hives, Volcano areas with lava flows and NEVEC robot store room, factory and research facility. All of the areas in this game look amazing, with tons of detail everywhere you look.
The Akrid are particularly impressive. Not looking completly alien, they take the form of giant insects, and some literally are giant, screen filling insects. Some burst from the ground, appearing though breaking ice and clouds of snow, such as the large beetle looking Akrid and the Praying mantis. Others spew relentlessly from nests that hang from the sides of buildings or mountain walls. Others, such as the giant wasps or scorpions lie in wait and then come at you fast. There are many occasions when there are countless numbers of flying Akrid in a cave or large room and not once does the frame rate slow down, or even give an indication it could slow down.
VS's also look great. Each different model of VS has a different style that is easily recognisable and all look superb. You'll see the large cables on legs sway with the movement and the different entry animations as you pilot each VS is unique. Now the sound. The sound is this game is unreal. From the crunch of snow as you make your way through the abandoned city to the final lurch of the enemy VS as your last rocket hits its target, it all sounds beleivable. Gunfire cracks all around you as the wind screams through the buildings, rockets roar past as you crouch behind cover and you can hear the crimson pirates shouting. Beleive it or not, all this happens in the second level.
The metallic sounds of the VS are great, with each step creating a tremendous boom. The whine of the gatling guns is really satisfying, as is the boom and clink of the giant shotgun. Reloads are accompianied by a deep clunk and the ping as bullets hit the armour make it seem as if you are really being shot at.
Akrid also sound great, with each species having its own unique sound effects. The roar of the giant worm is really impressive and makes you feel as if you really are that small.
Gameplay. This game has some amazing gameplay. The action in this game is fast and fun, the frenzyed pace of the gameplay being helped along by the ever decreasing thermal enegery counter that can be bumped back up by killing Akrid and collecting their thermal energy or activating the orange posts that are set out across the enviroment (i forget their name as im writing this). Although each level in this game consists of the same run and gun action, it never gets boring. Having the choice of suiting up in a VS or to just keep on going on foot is also good, because it adds variety to the levels for replay value.
Overall this game is an excellent, fast paced, great looking, action filled bug hunt though highly detailed and varied enviroments. The only problem i have with this game is the length, with completing it on my first time through in less than 8 hours. I recommend renting this game first, because you will comeplete it then, but non-the-less this is a superb game that all action fans should play at least once.