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Lost Planet
Lost Planet
Lost Planet
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Lost Planet
Logo of the first game
GenreThird-person shooter
DevelopersCapcom (2006–2012)
Spark Unlimited (2013)
PublisherCapcom
CreatorsKenji Oguro
Keiji Inafune
PlatformsXbox 360, Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Nintendo 3DS
First releaseLost Planet: Extreme Condition
December 21, 2006
Latest releaseLost Planet 3
August 27, 2013

Lost Planet is a video game series of third-person shooters published by Capcom. The series follows a number of protagonists on E.D.N. III, a planet in the process of an ice age, as they survive and fight the environment, various alien creatures and those planning to colonize the planet.

It consists of three main installments, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (2006), Lost Planet 2 (2010) and Lost Planet 3 (2013) and a spin-off titled E.X. Troopers (2012). While Capcom developed Lost Planet, Lost Planet 2 and E.X. Troopers internally, Spark Unlimited were hired as an external developer for Lost Planet 3.[1]

As of September 30, 2024, the game series has sold 6.8 million units worldwide.[2]

Games

[edit]
Release timeline
2006Lost Planet: Extreme Condition
2007
2008Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition
2009
2010Lost Planet 2
2011
2012E.X. Troopers
2013Lost Planet 3

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (2006)

[edit]
Main article: Lost Planet: Extreme Condition

The first Lost Planet game takes place in the year known in the game as T.C. -80 on the fictional planet of E.D.N. III. After the Earth's conditions become too hostile for humans due to war, global warming and pollution, a fictional interstellar megacorporation named Neo-Venus Construction (NEVEC) plans to colonize E.D.N. III, a new Earth-like planet in the grip of a brutal ice age. NEVEC discovers that E.D.N. III is inhabited by an aggressive and territorial insectoid alien species named the Akrid, which come in all shapes and sizes and generate their own precious thermal energy. 150 years after a great war was fought in which the humans lost to the Akrid, the plot of the game revolves around Wayne Holden, a "snow pirate" who attempts to overthrow the ruthless NEVEC, who still vie for control over E.D.N. III, and help colonization efforts for the remainder of the human race by destroying the Akrid, all the while attempting to survive both betrayals and the extreme conditions of the planet.

Lost Planet received mixed reviews on the PlayStation 3[3] and PC,[4] but more positive reception for the Xbox 360 version which was the original lead platform.[5] The game shipped over a million copies worldwide by January 2007 marking Capcom's second million seller for Xbox 360.[6] As of March 2016, the game has sold over 1,600,000 copies on the Xbox 360 alone including downloadable copies.[7] IGN gave the Xbox 360 version their Editor's Choice award, and it won the award for best Xbox 360 game at the Leipzig Games Convention.[8]

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (2008)

[edit]

The Colonies Edition is a gold edition version of Extreme Condition for the Xbox 360 and PC with new multiplayer maps, a Human vs Akrid multiplayer mode, and a selection of new multiplayer characters and weapons.[9][10]

Colonies also introduces four new single-player modes: Score Attack (points are given for each kill using combos), Time Trial Battle Mode, first person shooter mode, and Unlimited Mode. The game also includes cross-platform play between Xbox Live and Games for Windows – Live users. The Colonies Edition is not compatible with the original Lost Planet save games or multiplayer game, so players of each release may only play with others who have the same release. The game was released in North America on May 27, 2008; in Japan on May 29; and in Europe on June 6.

The Xbox 360 version saw positive reception in comparison to a mixed response for the PC version.[11][12]

Lost Planet 2 (2010)

[edit]
Main article: Lost Planet 2

Lost Planet 2 is the sequel to Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, taking place ten years after the events of the first game, on the same fictional planet. It is both developed and published by Capcom. The game was released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 on May 11, 2010, in the United States and in Europe (on May 20 in Japan). It was also released for Microsoft Windows for North America on October 12 and for Europe on October 15.

Lost Planet 2 sold 1,900,000 copies between all platforms by March 2016 and across all platforms.[7] Reception for the PlayStation 3 version matched the Xbox 360 version,[13][14] however the PC version saw notable criticism.[15]

E.X. Troopers (2012)

[edit]
Main article: E.X. Troopers

E.X. Troopers is a spin-off game of the Lost Planet series, it is developed by Capcom and released only in Japan for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 3 on November 22, 2012. The game added new and more dangerous hostile Akrid enemies along with several new weapons. Some revisions include a focus on lock-on-based movement and shooting both on foot and in Vital Suits akin to Gundam vs Gundam as well as a series of Monster Hunter elements as the title shared the producer of recent installments of that series.

The game saw lower sales than other games in the Lost Planet franchise, but positive reception from Famitsu.[16] It also possesses a cult following leading to the western Capcom branch addressing interest and the Japanese branch releasing music tracks on the anniversary of the game's release.

Lost Planet 3 (2013)

[edit]
Main article: Lost Planet 3

Lost Planet 3 is the third numbered entry in the series and was developed by Spark Unlimited instead of internally by Capcom.[1] It was released on the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows in August 2013 and takes place in the same ice-age like environment as the first instead of the varied environments of the second.[17][18]

While all versions of the game received a mixed reception,[19][20][21] Famitsu offered praise in their review for the renewed story focus.[22][23]

Development

[edit]
The main character, Wayne, shown in a promotional advertisement for the first Lost Planet

Capcom first introduced Lost Planet on December 10, 2005, at an invite only press conference announcing Jun Takeuchi as both the producer and executive producer, Kenji Oguro as the designer and Shin Kurosawa who wrote the original story. At the conference, Capcom announced that they would follow the tradition of basing the main character of their game after a real person. Capcom decided to base the main character Wayne after the famous Korean star, Byung Hun Lee.[24] To capture the full essence of Lee, Capcom used a program called Face Robot. This allowed Capcom to use Lee's basic expressions and translate them to Wayne in the game. Capcom had Lee dress up in a recreation of Waynes attire and then did full body 3D scan to translate Lee into Wayne using a function called GATOR. But instead of using Lee for character animations, the developers did so manually. As for environments, Capcom used up to 300,000 to 600,000 polygons in the screen at once for a single battle. They then used an XSI program and then manually added in elaborate details. One of the main focuses of Lost Planet was to make a game that could be a commercial success in both North America and Japan.[25]

Lost Planet 2 runs on the MT-Framework 2.0, an updated version of the engine used in several Capcom-developed games.[26] A support for the campaign mode can have up to 4 players working together via the internet.[27]

Plot

[edit]

The first Lost Planet begins in the year of the game T.C. -80 where the Earth has become too hostile for human life. A company named NEVEC (Neo-Venus Construction) tries to start colonization on the planet E.D.N. III. Upon arriving on the planet, NEVEC discovers an alien race called Akrid and are forced off the planet, momentarily stopping colonization efforts. Returning to E.D.N. III with an army prepared to fight, they find that the Akrid can only function because their bodies contain reserves of thermal energy (T-ENG), humans must also carry supplies of thermal energy to survive on E.D.N. III. NEVEC builds the first Vital Suit (VS), a mecha powered by T-ENG, to fight the Akrid. Meanwhile, civilian colonists and bands of E.D.N. III military personnel continue to seek out a nomadic existence as "snow pirates", harvesting T-ENG from fallen Akrid.

The story of the sequel takes place back on E.D.N. III, 10 years after the events of the first game. The snow has melted to reveal jungles and more tropical areas that have taken the place of more frozen regions. The game centers on a civil war to gain T-ENG.[28] Player(s) can assume control of several different groups of soldiers, called Snow Pirates, and battle the Akrid. The Akrid have expanded their armies and return much more powerful in Lost Planet 2.

Lost Planet 3 is a prequel to the first two games in the series, following the story of Jim Peyton on E.D.N. III.

Reception

[edit]
Aggregate and Famitsū review scores
As of March 20, 2016.
Game Famitsu Metacritic
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition X360: 36/40[29] X360: 79[5]
PC: 66[4]
PS3: 67[3]
Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition - X360: 79[11]
PC: 63[12]
Lost Planet 2 X360: 33/40[30]
PS3: 33/40[30] 		PS3: 68[13]
X360: 68[14]
PC: 63[15]
E.X. Troopers 3DS: 34/40[16]
PS3: 32/40[16] 		-
Lost Planet 3 X360: 33/40[22]
PS3: 33/40[22] 		PC: 61[19]
X360: 58[20]
PS3: 61[21]

Film adaptation

[edit]

In July 2008, David Hayter (voice of Solid/Naked Snake in the video game series Metal Gear Solid and screenwriter of films such as X-Men, X2: X-Men United and Watchmen) was in talks with Warner Bros. to write and direct a film adaptation of Lost Planet.[31] On July 15, at the 2008 E3 Expo, Capcom announced their partnership with Warner Brothers to make the film based on this game.[32] Father and son producing team Avi and Ari Arad (The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man) also having been tapped to work on the project, and although no cast have yet been signed on, the film was initially set for release sometime in 2013.[32]

In 2010, Hayter told MTV that he penned a few drafts of the screenplay adaptation of the Capcom game, but he declared that they "had some internal issues between a couple of the companies, which I think has caused a delay there", indicating that the project had stalled.[33]

In 2014, Hayter revealed that plans for the film simply faded after the studio hit a "financial crash" around the time he submitted his draft.[34]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Lost Planet

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Lost Planet is a franchise of video games developed and published by , centered on human survivors battling hostile alien creatures in a frozen, post-apocalyptic environment. The series is set on the distant planet E.D.N. III, where colonizers known as snow pirates harvest (T-ENG) essential for survival amid blizzards and ice-covered wastelands, while fending off massive, insect-like Akrid enemies that threaten their existence. Gameplay features intense on-foot combat with firearms and energy-based weapons, grappling hooks for traversal, and piloting customizable Vital Suits (VS)—giant mechs used to smash through ice and overpower Akrid in large-scale boss battles. The franchise launched with Lost Planet: Extreme Condition in 2006 for Xbox 360, followed by versions for Windows in 2007 and PlayStation 3 in 2008, introducing a single-player campaign and online multiplayer for up to 16 players. Subsequent mainline entries include (2010), which expanded cooperative play across expansive maps, and (2013), shifting toward a more narrative-driven with elements and Rig mechs for drilling and combat. A spin-off, (2012), offered a cel-shaded, side-scrolling shooter perspective on the universe for and in select regions. The series is renowned for its challenging environmental hazards, such as freezing temperatures that drain player health, and its emphasis on vehicular combat and epic set-piece encounters.

Franchise Overview

Core Concept and Setting

The Lost Planet series is set on the distant planet E.D.N. III, a frozen world undergoing a severe that humans attempt to colonize after Earth's environment deteriorates due to and resource scarcity. Colonists harvest (T-ENG), a crucial power source extracted from the bodies of the planet's native inhabitants, the massive and aggressive Akrid creatures, to sustain their operations and combat the extreme cold. This resource-driven endeavor forms the core premise, pitting human settlers against both the unforgiving environment and the territorial Akrid. Central to the series' universe are themes of human survival amid environmental hostility, corporate exploitation of alien resources, and the conflicts arising from colonization. E.D.N. III's perpetual ice storms, sub-zero temperatures, and colossal Akrid serve as constant threats, symbolizing nature's resistance to human intrusion, while factions like snow pirates and corporations vie for control over T-ENG deposits. These elements underscore the precarious balance between technological advancement and ecological peril, with human ingenuity—such as piloting Vital Suits (VS) mechs for traversal and combat—proving essential yet insufficient against the planet's raw power. The franchise originated with Capcom's development of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition in 2006, establishing it as a that integrates exploration of vast, hazardous terrains with mechanics centered on T-ENG collection. This foundational title, released initially in on December 21, 2006, and worldwide in early 2007, laid the groundwork for the series' emphasis on immersive sci-fi world-building.

Gameplay Mechanics

The Lost Planet series features third-person shooting gameplay centered on combat against alien creatures known as Akrid, with players controlling human characters equipped for survival in harsh conditions. A key mobility tool is the , or "anchor," which allows players to latch onto surfaces, enemies, or environmental objects to swing, climb, or pull themselves to higher vantage points, enhancing traversal and tactical positioning during fights. Environmental hazards, such as intense blizzards, reduce visibility and gradually deplete the player's (T-ENG) meter, which doubles as a resource; failure to replenish it leads to damage or death, integrating the frozen EDN III setting directly into core survival mechanics. The series supports multiplayer modes, with versus matches for up to 16 players and co-op sessions for up to 4 players in select titles, often involving shared objectives like defending against Akrid waves. Note that as of May 2025, online multiplayer in the PC version of has been discontinued. Vital Suits (VS) serve as customizable mechs that players can pilot for enhanced combat and traversal capabilities, mounting heavy weapons like chain guns or rocket launchers while providing protection against Akrid assaults. These suits consume T-ENG for operation, with actions such as boosting or firing draining the resource at varying rates, necessitating constant management to avoid shutdowns mid-battle. T-ENG is primarily harvested by defeating Akrid, which release orange globs of the energy upon death, or from scattered thermal posts, creating a risk-reward dynamic where engaging larger foes yields greater rewards but heightens danger. Progression emphasizes customization and upgrades, allowing players to enhance weapons through collected resources for improved damage, ammo capacity, or firing modes, while VS can be modified with modular parts for specialized roles like aerial support or close-quarters brawling. Suit customizations extend to visual and functional tweaks, such as paint jobs or ability slots that integrate with T-ENG usage for abilities like shielding or rapid healing via the Harmonizer device. Encounters culminate in arena-based boss fights against massive Category-G Akrid, where players exploit weak points using a combination of on-foot agility, VS firepower, and environmental interactions to dismantle colossal threats in enclosed, high-stakes battles.

Games

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition (2006)

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition is a video game developed and published by . It was initially released in for on December 21, 2006, followed by a North American launch on January 12, 2007, also for . Ports for PC arrived on June 26, 2007, and on February 26, 2008. The game was directed by Kenji Oguro, with a primary emphasis on a single-player campaign complemented by online multiplayer modes. The narrative centers on protagonist Wayne Holden, a snow pirate seeking revenge following the presumed death of his father, , in a battle against massive alien creatures known as Akrid on the frozen planet E.D.N. III. Wayne's journey pits him against both the Akrid hordes and the oppressive NEVEC corporation, which controls colonization efforts and exploits the planet's resources. The story unfolds across 11 missions, progressively intensifying with large-scale mech combat sequences involving piloting Vital Suits (VS) against Akrid and human foes. A key innovation in the game is its dynamic weather system, where blizzards and shifting snow conditions reduce visibility, alter terrain, and influence combat tactics, adding realism to the harsh alien environment. Another debut feature is the T-ENG () economy, harvested from defeated Akrid to power the player's environmental suit for heat maintenance, weapon use, and repairs to damaged VS units, creating a layer integral to . Core mechanics, such as mounting VS for enhanced mobility and harvesting T-ENG from Akrid, were first implemented here to emphasize the game's -shooter hybrid style.

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition (2008)

Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition serves as an enhanced re-release of the original game, incorporating all prior content while introducing substantial new features to revitalize player engagement. Launched on May 27, 2008, in for Microsoft Windows and , it expanded accessibility beyond the initial and PC versions by optimizing for PC hardware and enabling cross-platform multiplayer between the two systems. This edition maintained the core story without alterations, focusing instead on gameplay expansions that built upon the original's mechanics of third-person shooting, Vital Suit piloting, and thermal energy management in a frozen alien environment. A major addition was the integration of three new single-player modes—Score Attack, Off Limits, and Trial Battle—which provided varied challenges within the existing campaign framework. Score Attack emphasized timed completions with scoring incentives, Off Limits granted superhuman abilities like infinite ammunition for high-difficulty runs, and Trial Battle offered a boss-rush format against Akrid variants, delving deeper into encounters with the planet's indigenous creatures. These modes, while not introducing entirely new narrative episodes, explored aspects of colony life through replayable missions that highlighted survival and combat against diverse Akrid types, enhancing the sense of ongoing human colonization efforts on E.D.N. III. The PC version further benefited from improved graphics rendering, such as enhanced anti-aliasing and texture details, alongside refined control schemes supporting keyboard, mouse, and customizable bindings for more precise aiming and movement. Multiplayer received the most significant upgrades, including online co-op support for up to four players across the campaign missions and seven new versus modes such as Akrid Hunter, VS Annihilator, Counter Grab, Team Deathmatch, , Post Grab, and P.V.S. These were complemented by four new maps, five additional playable characters, ten new weapons, and four new VS (Vital Suit) units, fostering diverse tactical options in online battles. The cross-platform functionality allowed seamless matchmaking between PC and users, promoting a unified . Priced affordably and bundled with the full original game content, Colonies Edition attracted both returning players and newcomers, extending the franchise's early momentum by sustaining interest in the Lost Planet universe without necessitating a full purchase. This approach helped solidify Capcom's action-shooter portfolio in 2008, bridging the gap to future installments while emphasizing and competitive play.

Lost Planet 2 (2010)

Lost Planet 2 was released for and on May 11, 2010, in and , May 20, 2010, in , and October 15, 2010, for Microsoft Windows worldwide. Developed by , the game expands the series' formula with a non-linear campaign structured across six episodes set ten years after the events of the original, where players control members from three rival factions: the military-oriented Federal Space Forces (FSF), the corporate NEVEC organization, and the ragtag Pirates coalition. These factions engage in territorial conflicts over (T-ENG) resources on the thawing planet EDN III, with episodes allowing flexible progression as players switch between faction perspectives to uncover interconnected narratives. The campaign emphasizes cooperative play, supporting up to four players online or locally to tackle over 50 missions divided into chapters within each episode, featuring vastly expanded environments that shift from icy tundras to lush jungles and deserts. These missions incorporate destructible terrain, dynamic weather effects, and new Akrid variants, including the colossal, rolling Godon boss encountered in hive assaults, which demands coordinated Vital Suit (VS) firepower to exploit weak points. Enhanced co-op mechanics encourage squad tactics, such as mounting VS units or sharing T-ENG pickups, while larger-scale battles against swarms heighten the emphasis on teamwork over solo traversal seen in the predecessor. Multiplayer modes introduce class-based customization, allowing up to 16 players to select from roles like the agile for on-foot scouting and grappling across terrain, the heavy weapons-focused , or specialized engineers, each with faction-specific gear and VS variants. Competitive and cooperative variants, including team elimination and Akrid hunts, leverage the game's diverse biomes for strategic depth, with mechanics enabling fluid exploration and close-quarters combat outside of VS piloting.

E.X. Troopers (2012)

E.X. Troopers is a spin-off title in the Lost Planet series, developed and published by for the and , with its initial retail release occurring exclusively in on November 22, 2012. The game adopts a cel-shaded art style inspired by aesthetics, featuring vibrant visuals with thick outlines and exaggerated character designs, which marks a significant departure from the more realistic graphics of the mainline entries. This stylistic choice contributes to a lighter tone, targeting a younger audience through its focus on character-driven narratives in a pilot training academy setting rather than intense elements. The story centers on rookie trooper Bren Turner, a hot-blooded who enrolls at on the frozen planet E.D.N. III, serving as a prequel-like that explores early conflicts involving human colonization efforts. Players follow Bren and fellow trainees as they undertake missions against alien Akrid creatures and rival factions, emphasizing themes of teamwork, personal growth, and interstellar exploration within the shared Lost Planet universe. The plot unfolds through episodic chapters with manga-style cutscenes, blending action with interpersonal dynamics among the young protagonists. Gameplay revolves around third-person shooting mechanics integrated with puzzle-solving elements, where players must strategically aim and combine weapons to overcome environmental hazards and enemy patterns on E.D.N. III. Customizable loadouts allow for personalization of primary and secondary firearms, skills, and Vital Suit mechs, enabling varied approaches to arcade-style missions that prioritize quick completion and replayability over expansive open-world traversal. Core story quests advance the narrative, while optional side missions offer additional challenges and character development, all structured in a linear, mission-based format. Despite its engaging mechanics, the title received a limited international rollout, with digital versions appearing on the and in on January 24, 2013, but no official localization or release beyond the region.

Lost Planet 3 (2013)

Lost Planet 3, developed by and published by , was released on August 27, 2013, in and August 30, 2013, in for , , and Microsoft Windows. As a to the series, the game follows Jim Peyton, a family man and utility rig pilot who travels to the frozen planet E.D.N. III under contract with the Neo-Venus Construction of Exploration Company (NEVEC) to mine and send earnings back to . Throughout his mission, Peyton becomes entangled in NEVEC's secretive operations and conspiracies involving the planet's indigenous Akrid creatures and colonial history. The core gameplay blends third-person on-foot shooting with mech-based combat, where players pilot the customizable Utility Rig for enhanced mobility and firepower against massive Akrid threats. This hybrid approach incorporates elements, emphasizing resource scarcity in the planet's extreme cold, including oxygen management during expeditions and a crafting system for , tools, and Rig upgrades using scavenged materials. The structure revolves around a central hub in the Coronado mining colony, serving as a safe base for mission briefing, customization, and narrative progression through personal logs and interactions. Multiplayer shifts from the co-op focus of prior entries to competitive team-based modes, featuring up to six maps on E.D.N. III where NEVEC forces clash with Snow Pirates in VS battles. Key modes include , blending offensive and defensive objectives, and Akrid Survival, where teams of three compete to survive waves of creatures before engaging in player-versus-player elimination. Nomadic exploration elements allow for dynamic traversal using ziplines and Vital Suits across hostile terrain, with customizable loadouts enhancing replayability.

Development

Production History

The Lost Planet series originated within Capcom's Production Studio 2, led by as general manager, with development on the inaugural title, Lost Planet: Extreme Condition, beginning in 2005. The game was formally announced on December 10, 2005, during an invite-only press event, positioning it as an exclusive emphasizing cooperative multiplayer gameplay. Producer and executive producer Jun Takeuchi oversaw the project, drawing on the studio's expertise from prior titles like Devil May Cry and Onimusha. Subsequent entries expanded the franchise's scope amid evolving development challenges. Lost Planet 2 (2010) shifted toward more pronounced cooperative elements inspired by 's multiplayer dynamics, as noted by Inafune, though this led to criticisms of overly Japanese design sensibilities that prioritized group hunting mechanics over broader accessibility. Platform support broadened with PC and ports for the first game in 2007, while later titles like (2013) outsourced development to Spark Unlimited to incorporate Western influences and semi-open world elements, reflecting Capcom's efforts to adapt to global markets. Director transitions, including from core team members like those under Takeuchi to external leads, contributed to stylistic shifts across the series. In May 2025, issued unannounced updates to the PC versions of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Colonies Edition and on , removing the deprecated (GFWL) integration to enhance compatibility with modern systems. This change disabled online multiplayer and co-op features, along with wiping existing save data, but cleared barriers for potential re-releases by eliminating reliance on Microsoft's discontinued service. No new Lost Planet titles have been announced since Lost Planet 3 in 2013, as has redirected resources toward established franchises including and . The company's corporate strategy emphasizes high-impact IPs with ongoing support, leaving the sci-fi shooter series dormant amid a focus on and action RPG expansions.

Narrative and Design Elements

The Lost Planet series centers on the ongoing conflict between human colonists and the indigenous Akrid creatures on the E.D.N. III, where survival hinges on harvesting (T-ENG) from the Akrid themselves, exacerbating tensions amid a harsh environment. NEVEC, a powerful leading the colonization efforts, embodies themes of corporate by monopolizing T-ENG resources and suppressing to maintain control, often portraying colonists as expendable pawns in their expansionist agenda. This human-Akrid struggle is interwoven with motifs of isolation, as characters grapple with the planet's unforgiving isolation from , fostering a sense of existential vulnerability against both alien threats and human betrayal. The series employs a non-linear timeline to deepen its lore, with serving as a that establishes the origins of the conflict, depicting the early days of colonization and the initial encounters with Akrid during NEVEC's foundational operations on E.D.N. III. Set decades before the events of the first game, it explores how resource-driven expeditions sowed the seeds of rebellion and corporate overreach, providing backstory for the escalating wars in later entries. This structure allows the narrative to unfold across generations, revealing how initial survival efforts evolved into widespread factional strife. A core design philosophy in the series emphasizes resource scarcity as a driver, where T-ENG not only powers machinery and sustains life against the cold but also symbolizes humanity's precarious foothold on the planet, forcing moral dilemmas over exploitation. The Akrid function dually as formidable enemies—aggressive, insectoid beings that attack thermal sources—and vital energy providers, their harvested essence underscoring the tension between destruction and dependency in the colonists' . This mechanic reinforces themes of environmental interdependence, where overharvesting risks ecological backlash, mirroring real-world concerns about . Narratively, the series evolves from the personal revenge tale in the first installment, centered on Wayne Holden's quest against NEVEC following familial loss, to more expansive ensemble stories in sequels that highlight collective struggles. Later entries shift toward multi-perspective arcs involving diverse groups navigating thawing landscapes and emerging threats, broadening the scope to examine societal fragmentation. Faction dynamics pit rebels and independent snow pirates against NEVEC's authoritarian forces, with alliances forming and fracturing over T-ENG control, illustrating power imbalances in a lawless . Environmental permeates the series through E.D.N. III's lore, conveyed via derelict facilities, audio logs, and scarred terrains that chronicle past human failures and Akrid evolutions, immersing players in a world where history informs ongoing imperatives. These elements collectively unify the franchise, using the planet's desolation to explore human resilience amid exploitation and alienation.

Reception and Impact

Critical and Commercial Performance

The Lost Planet series received generally mixed to positive critical reception, with aggregate scores ranging from 74 to 80 for Lost Planet: Extreme Condition across platforms like (79) and its Colonies Edition (78 on ). Lost Planet 2 scored between 63 and 68 depending on the platform, including 63 on PC and 68 on . Lost Planet 3 fared worse, with scores of 58 to 67, such as 58 on , 61 on PC, and 65 on . The spin-off , released only in , lacked a Western aggregate but earned scores of 34/40 from for its version and 36/40 for the version. Critics frequently praised the series for its stunning visuals, particularly the icy, detailed environments powered by Capcom's MT Framework engine, and its cooperative multiplayer modes, which added replayability through team-based Vital Suit (VS) battles. However, common criticisms included repetitive mission structures, frustrating controls especially in on-foot sections, and weak AI that hindered single-player pacing. These elements contributed to declining scores in later entries, where reviewers noted a shift away from the original's exploration focus toward more linear shooting. Commercially, the series has sold 6.9 million units worldwide as of September 2025. Lost Planet: Extreme Condition shipped over 1 million units worldwide by early 2007, with lifetime sales reaching 1.70 million units as of September 2025, bolstered by a North American sales boost from discounts and the Colonies Edition release. contributed 2.2 million units, while added around 1 million, though exact figures vary by platform. underperformed with initial Japanese sales of just 26,000 units across 3DS and PS3, limited by its exclusive regional release and niche cel-shaded style. The series' multiplayer modes enjoyed initial longevity through robust online features like team elimination and Akrid hunting, sustaining communities into the early 2010s. Community revivals persisted into 2024 and 2025 via private servers and backward compatibility on modern consoles, allowing occasional matches in Extreme Condition and Lost Planet 2. However, player interest declined sharply after Lost Planet 3's 2013 launch, with official servers shutting down and reliance on small, dedicated groups for play.

Legacy and Adaptations

The Lost Planet series has influenced subsequent mech-based shooters and survival games through its blend of on-foot exploration, resource management in harsh environments, and piloting massive Vital Suits for combat. This dual infantry-mech gameplay loop, emphasizing thermal energy scavenging amid blizzards and alien threats, helped shape titles like Titanfall, where fluid transitions between pilot mobility and titan deployment echo Lost Planet's mechanics. In 2025, fan-driven campaigns for a series revival gained momentum following Capcom's surprise PC updates to and , which removed the outdated integration but also eliminated online multiplayer support. These changes, after years of dormancy, sparked widespread rumors of potential re-releases or remasters, with enthusiasts on platforms like and organizing petitions and modding efforts to restore functionality. Capcom announced a live-action film adaptation of Lost Planet: Extreme Condition in 2007 during an E3 press conference, positioning it as an expansion of their Hollywood partnerships alongside projects like Resident Evil. Early development involved screenwriter David Hayter in talks with Warner Bros., with reports of a potential $200 million budget to capture the game's icy, high-stakes action. However, the project stalled without further progress, and no official updates have emerged since the late 2000s. A separate 2025 sci-fi horror film titled Lost Planet, starring Alexandra Shipp and Brenton Thwaites and set aboard a colonized spaceship, bears no relation to Capcom's property. Merchandise tied to the series includes Japanese manga adaptations, such as the Lost Planet: Bound Raven one-shot by Takeshi Miyazawa published in Dengeki Comics, and international comics like Lost Planet: First Colony by Izu and Lost Planet by Guillaume Dorison, both released by Titan Comics in 2014 as self-contained stories expanding the lore. No official novels have been produced, though art books like Capcom's Lost Planet: Extreme Condition Official Book remain popular among collectors. Despite server shutdowns—such as the 2014 GameSpy closure affecting and the 2025 multiplayer removal from PC ports—dedicated online communities persist on Reddit's r/LostPlanet subreddit and Steam forums, where fans share mods, artwork, and calls for remakes, sustaining interest over a decade after the last mainline entry.

References

  1. https://www.mobygames.com/group/9248/lost-planet-series/
  2. https://www.gamestop.com/video-games/products/lost-planet-extreme-condition/10008526.html
  3. https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Planet-Extreme-Condition-Playstation-3/dp/B00104KCF8
  4. https://store.steampowered.com/app/6510/Lost_Planet_Extreme_Condition/
  5. https://www.giantbomb.com/lost-planet/3025-482/games/
  6. http://static.capcom.com/lostplanet/LostPlanet_PC_manual.pdf
  7. https://www.ign.com/games/lost-planet-extreme-condition
  8. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/human-existence-hangs-in-the-balance-as-capcom-showcases-lost-planet-for-xbox-360-and-mobile-phones
  9. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/xbox360/931114-lost-planet-extreme-condition/data
  10. https://www.gadgets360.com/games/lost-planet-extreme-condition-112779
  11. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/06/lost-planet-extreme-condition-review-2
  12. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/01/05/lost-planet-advanced-techniques
  13. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/11/02/lost-planet-hands-on
  14. https://www.co-optimus.com/game/1069/xbox-360/lost-planet-2.html
  15. https://www.gamesradar.com/games/action/capcom-may-finally-bring-one-of-its-greatest-co-op-games-back-to-pc-but-it-also-just-deleted-everyones-saves-for-it/
  16. https://www.ign.com/articles/2006/12/20/lost-planet-vital-suits-part-1
  17. https://www.ign.com/articles/2007/06/29/lost-planet-pc-review
  18. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/e3-06-lost-planet-updated-hands-on/1100-6147706/
  19. https://www.ign.com/wikis/lost-planet-2/Basics
  20. https://news.capcomusa.com/lets/browse/lost-planet-2-building-your-own-character
  21. https://www.gamesradar.com/lost-planet-2-boss-guide/2/
  22. https://www.gamespot.com/games/lost-planet-extreme-condition/
  23. https://www.mobygames.com/game/25955/lost-planet-extreme-condition/credits/xbox360/
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0877346/plotsummary/
  25. https://www.gamepressure.com/lostplanetextremecondition/mission-11-walkthrough/zd7b4
  26. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lost-planet-extreme-condition-review/1900-6164178/
  27. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/13/capcom-expands-the-frozen-frontiers-of-gaming-with-lost-planet-colonies
  28. https://www.pcgamingwiki.com/wiki/Lost_Planet:_Extreme_Condition_Colonies_Edition
  29. https://store.steampowered.com/app/45720/Lost_Planet_Extreme_Condition_Colonies_Edition/
  30. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/03/18/lost-planet-colonies-single-player-modes
  31. https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Planet-Extreme-Condition-Colonies-PC/dp/B0017HGHF2
  32. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/lost-planet-extreme-condition-colonies-edition-has-gone-extremely-gold-and-ships-in-the-states-on-may-27th
  33. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/06/13/lost-planet-extreme-condition-colonies-edition-review
  34. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1535602/releaseinfo/
  35. https://store.steampowered.com/app/45750/Lost_Planet_2/
  36. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-2/
  37. https://www.vg247.com/lost-planet-2-release-date-changed-to-may-11-gets-new-multiplayer-demo
  38. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/02/12/lost-planet-2-co-op-hands-on
  39. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lost-planet-2-review/1900-6282488/
  40. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/06/lost-planet-2-uk-review
  41. https://gamecritics.com/brad-gallaway/lost-planet-2-hands-on-multiplayer-preview/
  42. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/10/18/lost-planet-2-review
  43. https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps3/671038-ex-troopers/data
  44. https://www.destructoid.com/tgs-lost-planet-spin-off-e-x-troopers-is-super-dupers/
  45. https://odditygameseekers.com/2024/11/25/e-x-troopers-review-the-lights-in-the-sky-are-stars/
  46. https://kotaku.com/e-x-troopers-isn-t-exactly-the-lost-planet-i-remember-30762592
  47. https://www.kotaku.com/ex-troopers-is-more-style-than-substance-5945154
  48. https://kimimithegameeatingshemonster.com/2025/08/22/ex-troopers-a-shooting-star/
  49. https://capcom.fandom.com/wiki/E.X._Troopers
  50. https://wiki.rpcs3.net/index.php?title=E.X._Troopers
  51. https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/09/lost-planet-3-delayed
  52. https://store.steampowered.com/app/226720/LOST_PLANET_3/
  53. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2228586/
  54. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/lost_planet_3/b/ps3/archive/2012/09/21/the-action-heats-up-in-lost-planet-3.aspx
  55. https://www.dualshockers.com/review-lost-planet-3-some-places-should-stay-lost/
  56. https://www.tech-gaming.com/lost-planet-3/
  57. https://www.gameinformer.com/games/lost_planet_3/b/pc/archive/2013/04/25/capcom-details-lost-planet-3s-multiplayer.aspx
  58. https://www.beyond3d.com/content/news/496
  59. https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/news/pdf/e051210.pdf
  60. https://games.kikizo.com/features/keiji_inafune_capcom_vidiv.asp
  61. https://archive.nytimes.com/bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/09/20/one-on-one-keiji-inafune-game-designer/
  62. https://www.polygon.com/features/2013/1/23/3888744/lost-planet-3/
  63. https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/05/09/capcom-didnt-want-to-make-dead-rising-lost-planet
  64. https://www.ign.com/articles/capcom-removes-games-for-windows-live-from-2010s-lost-planet-2-making-online-co-op-impossible
  65. https://www.pcgamer.com/games/action/4-years-after-being-delisted-lost-planet-2-finally-got-a-steam-update-to-remove-games-for-windows-live-but-it-also-removed-online-multiplayer-and-blew-up-everyones-saves/
  66. https://comicbook.com/gaming/news/lost-planet-4-game-capcom-revive-franchise/
  67. https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/company/history.html
  68. https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/02/27/lost-planet-extreme-condition-review
  69. https://www.gamespot.com/reviews/lost-planet-3-review/1900-6413736/
  70. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/capcom-announces-lost-planet-3/1100-6370364/
  71. https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/08/27/lost-planet-3-review
  72. https://www.ign.com/articles/2010/05/08/lost-planet-2-review-2
  73. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-extreme-condition/
  74. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-extreme-condition-colonies-edition/
  75. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-2/critic-reviews/?platform=pc
  76. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-3/
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  78. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-extreme-condition/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360
  79. https://www.metacritic.com/game/lost-planet-3/critic-reviews/?platform=xbox-360
  80. https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/salesdata.html
  81. https://www.capcom.co.jp/ir/english/business/million.html
  82. https://www.gematsu.com/2012/11/media-create-sales-111912-112512
  83. https://steamcommunity.com/app/45720/discussions/0/522728268722018298/
  84. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFrYkmfd_eQ
  85. https://www.reddit.com/r/LostPlanet/comments/1fp64jm/best_way_to_play_in_2024/
  86. https://www.trueachievements.com/forum/viewthread.aspx?tid=1574669
  87. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rifo_Hkv6es
  88. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/capcom-upping-hollywood-ties-with-em-lost-planet-em-film
  89. https://www.wired.com/2008/06/lost-planet-bei/
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  91. https://deadline.com/2025/11/alexandra-shipp-brenton-thwaites-sci-fi-horror-lost-planet-1236606474/
  92. https://www.amazon.com/Lost-Planet-Guillaume-Dorison/dp/1782760636
  93. https://www.ebay.com/itm/186928753010
  94. https://www.polygon.com/2014/7/10/5886679/lost-planet-3-multiplayer-servers-are-saved-following-gamespy-closure/
  95. https://www.reddit.com/r/LostPlanet/
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