Lost Planet 2 Loses Key Functionality in Silent Update
Capcom has unexpectedly updated Lost Planet 2 to remove Games for Windows Live (GFWL), effectively eliminating online multiplayer capabilities and wiping previous save files.
The news has stunned the Lost Planet subreddit community, particularly since the game was designed around multiplayer experiences. As noted in our 2010 review: "While the game boasts strong visual design and promising action mechanics, its poor explanations, awkward structure, and frustrating checkpoint system undermine the experience - especially since the single-player mode borders on unplayable. The occasional successful co-op moments provide genuine highlights, but they're too rare to outweigh the flaws."
Community Backlash Over Removed Features
The loss of save files is problematic, but more concerning is the removal of the game's core multiplayer functionality. As one disappointed player commented on Reddit: "The entire series was built around co-op play - this update might as well have deleted the game from Steam." Another user questioned the decision: "Why remove online functionality from a game specifically designed for online co-op?"
The GFWL Legacy and Possible Solutions
The deprecated Games for Windows Live service originally provided Xbox achievements, online multiplayer, and cross-platform play. While some hope Capcom might implement Steamworks multiplayer as a replacement (as they did with Resident Evil), the game's 15-year age makes such updates uncertain.
Current Status and Affected Titles
Capcom has temporarily disabled purchases of Lost Planet 2 on Steam while investigating the GFWL-related issues. Similar messages appear on other affected titles including Street Fighter x Tekken and Resident Evil: Operation Raccoon City. The community remains hopeful that Capcom will follow their previous pattern of implementing Steamworks for these legacy titles.
We've reached out to Capcom for comment and will provide updates if we receive a response. While we originally found Lost Planet 2 to be mediocre at launch in 2010, this unexpected development has certainly brought renewed attention to the aging title.
