Lost Planet 2

Many gameplay features from the original Lost Planet game are present. Recurring elements include major boss battles, extreme terrain, and the ability to pilot mechanized armor suits, known as Vital Suits (VSs). On July 24, 2009, producer Jun Takeuchi held a Q&A session for fans at San Diego Comic-Con, in which he revealed that there would be a lot more co-op based VSs. Players will be able to ride on the sides of some VSs.

These VSs can be controlled by one player, while two others hang on by the sides and shoot. Takeuchi also revealed that there would be flying VSs which feature unlimited flying time.

One decade on from the events of the first game, the climate of E.D.N. III has undergone drastic changes that have produced radically different biomes across the planet. These new circumstances have not stalled the ongoing conflict between various human factions to gain control of the planet's supply of Thermal Energy (T-ENG), whilst the indigenous Akrid creatures have begun to metamorphosise into new, unexpected forms. The most dangerous of these are colossal Akrid, classified as "Category G", that contain immense amounts of T-ENG and can alter the landscape of the environment by virtue of simply existing.

The story is divided into episodes. Episodes shift focus between the various factions – each with their own objectives, technology, and methods – as they take steps to ensure their continued survival and vie for supremacy. In addition to the Snow Pirates from the first game, playable factions featured in Lost Planet 2 include New NEVEC (a colonial military force), Ex-NEVEC (defectors from the former), Waysiders (mountain-based survivalists) and Vagabundos (roving packs of desert bandits). Other factions, such as the industrious Carpetbaggers, are also encountered and fought.

Lost Planet 2 runs on the MT Framework 2.0, an updated version of the engine used in the original Lost Planet. A support for the campaign mode can have up to four players working together via the internet.

Unlike its predecessor, Lost Planet 2 allows players to create and customize their own characters and allows them to unlock more clothing and body types after leveling up and downloading content. The game also allows players to edit weapon models, and color palettes used. However, weapons used in multi-player have to be unlocked through leveling up. Players can take content that they have unlocked in the campaign and take that onto multiplayer versus (and vice versa).

Lost Planet 2 received "mixed or average reviews" on all platforms, according to the review aggregation website Metacritic.

GamePro said of the Xbox 360 version that "Lost Planet 2 features an enjoyable multiplayer component and interesting monster designs, but it isn't enough to overcome its many faults. Gamers who enjoyed playing the original title online will find reasons to play it, but it's a disappointing title that doesn't live up to its potential". GameSpot took a similar view on the frustrations of the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 versions, stating: "This sci-fi sequel seems like it should have everything you need in a shooter, but a shocking number of design missteps suck out much of the fun". They later released a second review for the PC release.