Lost Planet 2 Preview

New for Lost Planet 2 is four-player coop

As the quartet make mince meat out of the jungle's inhabitants, some interesting gameplay details present themselves. The anchor system from the first game is back - one of the players demonstrates it as he sprays a huge, bipedal monster with weapon fire as his character's feet are firmly planted in the ground. Then something new - he melees the monster's tail with a Gun Sword, a brand new weapon. A monster blows up and sprays fire - our main man is caught in the flames, and rolls around on the ground to douse his helmet and shield. A giant, four-legged monster with a fiery tale acts as an end of level boss. The four players alternate weapon fire with melee hits to bring it down. It dies, the first chapter is over. We've hardly had time to breathe.

Takeuchi then changes tact, and shows off Lost Planet 2's extensive customisation options. In the first game, in true Capcom fashion, you played a pre-determined character, a snow pirate called Wayne. In Lost Planet 2, however, you play a nameless created character that remains persistent throughout both the campaign and multiplayer (which supports up to 16 players). Takeuchi explains: "One of the things about Lost Planet 2 that's different to Capcom's typical games is that there is not the emphasis on story and main character. Of course the story will still be a strong element of the game but what we're going for with Lost Planet 2 is creating a game where you yourself become the hero. You become the main character and you play as one person existing in this world. You might think of it being a little bit similar to the Call of Duty series, where who the main character is is not as important as how the game plays and proceeds.”

Remember what Takeuchi was saying about making a game Western gamers are going to enjoy even more than games developed in the West? That's it, right there. Four separate parts of your character are customisable: head, body, backpack and legs. We see dozens of outlandish options, including S&M-esque helmets and guerrilla-type attire. And, yes, you can create a female character - when the option is selected a female model appears on screen, complete with bouncing boobs (this is a Capcom game after all). "You can have maybe a nice sexy girl or a girl who has perhaps rebounded from a diet that's not gone so successfully," Takeuchi says.

Character customisation gives players hundreds of options

It doesn't end there - you can also tweak your character's load-out. The right hand has standard, short and long weapon options (machine guns, shotguns, rocket launchers, lasers, sniper rifles, they're all there) and space for a shield. The left has grenade options: normal, gum, disk, release and support. Then, the icing on the cake, you can add gestures to your character. Everything from super cute Japanese schoolgirl poses to gruff doggy style spank the bum actions is demonstrated. While it's clear that it'll be almost impossible to come into contact with another player who looks exactly like you, Capcom plans to add even more items to the mix via DLC.

Takeuchi then takes us back in-game, and demonstrates a spectacular boss battle against a huge armoured salamander monster with a spiky tail and two long tongues that shoot out of its mouth like laser beams. As the players dodge roll the tongue attacks there's an unmistakeable feeling of epicness - the fight is on a rain soaked cliff, the raging sea from which the beast emerged is a perfect backdrop. The salamander slowly moves its giant body, retreating into the sea before emerging again. Bright orange spikes on its back are obvious weak points - the team mix shooting from a safe distance with firing a grapple hook onto the spikes, hurtling forward and, with feet firmly planted as if abseiling, letting rip in up close and personal style. One player chucks a grenade towards one of its legs - it explodes, taking it clean off. Data Posts, which fans of the original will remember regenerate health, now also act as respawn points. One player jumps into a Vital Suit - one of the robot mechs from the first game - and sprays the monster with mini-gun fire while using a jetpack to leap great distances. VSs will now have special functions and abilities, including transforming into vehicles. Some of them even have room for three players. Another player sticks his shield into the ground and uses it as cover. Thermal Energy, which powers the Vital Suits and determines how much health you have, is once again an important strategic factor, but you can now share it between your teammates. A health bar at the bottom of the screen slowly expires - the salamander collapses with an earthquake-like thump - its flesh melting like a boiling black soup. All that remains is a giant skeleton, and many question mark boxes.