James Mitchell
07-02-08, 03:40
Now that the long-awaited PS3 version is nearing release (at a notably lower price point than usual PS3 releases: $40), we decided it would be a good time to investigate what this latest version has to offer, as well as discern whatever aesthetic differences the PS3 version might offer.
First up, the easy stuff. You could say that Lost Planet PS3 is an extreme value if you consider that all of the online maps, many of which were paid downloadable content on Xbox 360, are included on the disc from the get-go. Plus, the PS3 version has the additional playable characters found in the PC version -- namely Frank West from Dead Rising and Mega Man (although its really Frank West in the Dead Rising Mega Man outfit) -- as well as brand-new playable character Luka, who previously only figured into the games cut-scenes and storyline. Luka has missions of her own, much like Ada Wongs excursions in Resident Evil 4. Luka, it must be said, would make for a good heroine in future iterations of Lost Planet, should Capcom not renew its contract with Korean star Lee Byung-Hun.
Aside from those PS3-specific additions, the game is by and large the same games as its Xbox 360 counterpart, with a few minor adjustments. New to this version are the zoom and wide camera configurations, with the zoom view bringing the camera in a little closer to the main character. Its placement is more central to the screen, though, as opposed to the character being more on the left part of the screen like Leon Kennedys view in Resident Evil 4.
There are downsides to this largess, though, which mostly look to come in the form of a less stable framerate and lower texture quality than the Xbox 360 release. Another issue is how the PS3 controllers analog response feels compared to that of the 360 controller. Aiming is a lot trickier, as the lack of resistance on the SixAxis thumbsticks leads to too-sensitive controls. An auto-targeting option somewhat alleviates targeting troubles, but removes the ability to independently target things like explosive oil drums if theyre in the vicinity of moving targets.
The last factor, which some might downplay, is the lack of rumble support. While it may be a quietly undocumented built-in feature in the retail version, the near-final build were playing with doesnt have any toggle to switch vibration on or off. Those who havent played the Xbox 360 version might not realize what theyre missing, but running around firing your cable into rocks and ice provides a really satisfying, tactile feedback that is distinctly lacking in the PS3 version. Of course, feeling the explosions and the weight of your mechs steps completes the sensory experience, but hopefully the final version will see force feedback support. Check out our exclusive screens in the meanwhile, and hang tight for our review later this month.
Source: 1Up (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3165998)
First up, the easy stuff. You could say that Lost Planet PS3 is an extreme value if you consider that all of the online maps, many of which were paid downloadable content on Xbox 360, are included on the disc from the get-go. Plus, the PS3 version has the additional playable characters found in the PC version -- namely Frank West from Dead Rising and Mega Man (although its really Frank West in the Dead Rising Mega Man outfit) -- as well as brand-new playable character Luka, who previously only figured into the games cut-scenes and storyline. Luka has missions of her own, much like Ada Wongs excursions in Resident Evil 4. Luka, it must be said, would make for a good heroine in future iterations of Lost Planet, should Capcom not renew its contract with Korean star Lee Byung-Hun.
Aside from those PS3-specific additions, the game is by and large the same games as its Xbox 360 counterpart, with a few minor adjustments. New to this version are the zoom and wide camera configurations, with the zoom view bringing the camera in a little closer to the main character. Its placement is more central to the screen, though, as opposed to the character being more on the left part of the screen like Leon Kennedys view in Resident Evil 4.
There are downsides to this largess, though, which mostly look to come in the form of a less stable framerate and lower texture quality than the Xbox 360 release. Another issue is how the PS3 controllers analog response feels compared to that of the 360 controller. Aiming is a lot trickier, as the lack of resistance on the SixAxis thumbsticks leads to too-sensitive controls. An auto-targeting option somewhat alleviates targeting troubles, but removes the ability to independently target things like explosive oil drums if theyre in the vicinity of moving targets.
The last factor, which some might downplay, is the lack of rumble support. While it may be a quietly undocumented built-in feature in the retail version, the near-final build were playing with doesnt have any toggle to switch vibration on or off. Those who havent played the Xbox 360 version might not realize what theyre missing, but running around firing your cable into rocks and ice provides a really satisfying, tactile feedback that is distinctly lacking in the PS3 version. Of course, feeling the explosions and the weight of your mechs steps completes the sensory experience, but hopefully the final version will see force feedback support. Check out our exclusive screens in the meanwhile, and hang tight for our review later this month.
Source: 1Up (http://www.1up.com/do/previewPage?cId=3165998)