1st great game of the year.
Story - I'm sure there are plenty of reviews out there that sorta blast the story for being a bit vague. I disagree, I understand the story fully. Yet I will agree with some of those reviews that there should've been more. You're left at times wondering what happened between point A and B. It was like the developers just threw some scenes on the cutting room floor. Overall I dug the story, just wish there would've been more of it. I didn't feel attached to the characters enough.
Gameplay - Running and shooting the aliens on the ice planet is a blast. The guns are really nice too. Hopping in and out of the VS suits are fun as well. Occasionally at times when you're in these suits you feel a bit constrained because of how some of the suits perform. Some are slow and others are sorta fast while you're moving. Once you get a ways in the game you run mostly into the latter, so its not much of a hindrance. Controls are bit slow on default, but you can easily customize them. The game follows the tried and true formally of missions (Mission 1, Mission 2, etc.) which was fine with me for the most part. Occasionally mission to mission doesn't make alot of sense. Mainly with the way the story progresses.
Graphics - When you're way up on top of a snowy mountain and you're looking out on the horizon, that scene is simply beautiful. The scenery is what made this game impressive to me. Awesome smoke and explosion effects. There is better out there in terms of graphics, but I can't really complain at what Capcom has done is this dept. with Lost Planet. Multiplayer - Great multiplayer, I've had a lot of fun with it. Typical match modes for up to 16 players. The way the games play out is what make LP different from a lot of other shooters. Having the grappling hooks and VS suits add a lot of variety to the gameplay. Going head to head with someone in a VS suit battle hovering in the air is all worth trying out this game on Live.
You can finish the campain mode in 8 to 10 hrs., but multiplayer adds much more to that. If you like a great game and feel the need to make a purchase anytime soon....go pick up Lost Planet. Highly Recommend.