Publisher: Capcom
Developer: Capcom
System requirements: Windows XP/Vista, Intel Core2Duo/AMD Athlon X2 or better CPU, GeForce 7800/Radeon HD 2400 Pro or better graphics card with Pixel Shader 3.0 support, 1 GB RAM (2 GB Vista), DirectX 9.0c, 13 GB hard-drive space, DirectSound-compatible sound card
Genre: Third-person shooter/RPG
ESRB rating: Teen
Release date: October 15, 2010
Preview by: Lieren Teeling

Currently available for PS3 and Xbox 360, Lost Planet 2 comes to the PC October 15, 2010. Available for download on the official site is a nice demo featuring two benchmark tests for your PC. The first is a simple performance test to show you how well the game will typically run on your computer; the second pushes your PC to its outer limits to see how well it can handle it.

The benchmarks are non-interactive, but they do let you adjust the same kinds of settings you would in the real game to see how they would impact the gameplay. It’s pretty nice to get a feel for how your computer will run the game. The randomly programmed AI character is painful (but amusing) to watch, but the wide range of erratic actions is a good test of game performance in different situations. I was impressed with the results, even at the highest graphics settings.

While my computer doesn’t run DirectX 11, the game features support it as well as Nvidia 3D Vision and 3D Vision Surround technologies. If Lost Planet 2 looks and plays this well in DirectX 9 mode, I can only imagine the kind of experience it will offer for those lucky enough to have rigs capable of handling the 3D Vision. According to Capcom, “Through DirectX 11 features, smoke will have lifelike volume and depth, water surfaces react realistically to player interaction and bullets, and level bosses are rendered with more detail than ever before.”

While I would’ve loved a chance to play an interactive demo, I’m still impressed. The game looks great, runs smoothly and can still do more. With the release still a month away, those of us looking forward to Lost Planet 2 will just have to go back to watching the AI run face-first into trees. Well, at least the trees are good looking.