Capcom showed off two new maps for Lost Planet 2 and teased the game's final level at its recent press event. While the anticipated sequel is already packing a meaty Campaign mode for up to four players to tackle together, a dense array of character customization options to unlock, and a competitive multiplayer mode, the developer is already lining up post-release content. We tried out the two new maps, which offer some interesting variety to the game's hectic action.

　　Some of the underwater sections look beautiful.

　　The maps will come in a map pack called map pack #1 that will be available the day of Lost Planet 2's launch, which has now shifted up a week to May 11. The first map is titled Helix and is set in an underwater base that has players battling it out throughout a massive structure that's impossibly tall. Players will be able to use air jets to propel themselves to higher levels to reach weapons and, most importantly, mini submarine-style vital suits that make it much easier to get around to blast enemies. The level design forces players to rely on their character's zip line, air jets, vital suits, and some old-fashioned swimming to get around. Obviously, the vital suits seem to be the way to go based on our play time. The mini sub mech suits are much nimbler in the water and pack a deadlier punch than the normal set of weapons. However, if two or more players gang up on a sub, it's possible to take it down, which is handy--provided you can coordinate properly. Overall, the map had a nice feel to it and the threat of falling to your death by missing a ledge during a jump should keep you on your toes.

　　The second map, titled Back to the Island, is a hectic mix of ground, air, and underwater combat that's pretty fun. Players will start the map in one of two locations--on a massive carrier just offshore from the island at the center of the map or on the island itself. The two main spawning locales are spread out just far enough on the large map to make getting around tricky. While hopping in the water and slinking your way is an option, thanks to some sneaky underwater paths that let you pop up in some strategic spots on the island, it's not ideal. The map skews pretty heavily toward vital-suit usage and offers several tasty options. You'll find the basic vital suits peppered throughout, which are handy, thanks to their armaments and jump jets. But the real money is in the VTOL-style vital suits, which let you take to the skies and hover, raining death from above on your opponents. To add to the chaos, you'll find launchers that will helpfully shoot you (or the vital suit you're piloting) across the map. While the launchers will shoot you across the map with or without a vital suit, we can tell you it's probably not a great idea to get shot into the middle of a mob of vital-suit-piloting enemies. If the action topside gets too nuts, you can drop into the water, provided you're piloting a regular vital suit because the flying variety doesn't do so well in the water.

　　Lets play a game of who's got the the bigger gun…OK you win.

　　In addition to showing off the upcoming maps, producer Jun Takeuchi offered a refresher on Lost Planet 2's on-disc multiplayer offerings. In addition to the four player co-op in Campaign mode, the game will feature support for up to 16 players online. You'll find five modes to choose from: Elimination, Team Elimination, Data Post Battle, Akrid Egg Battle, and Fugitive, as well as 10 maps on which to play. Finally, Takeuchi showed off a trailer that gave a glimpse of the game's intimidating last level, which teased the game's final boss battle. The fight looked like the kind of kick in the teeth that Lost Planet's boss battles provide, only with said kick being applied by a much bigger steel-toed boot.

　　From the look at this latest batch of content for Lost Planet 2, the game is shaping up to be a dense ball of fun. If you were a fan of the original game, Lost Planet 2 seems poised to serve up an even more appealing batch of crazy. If you've missed out on the series but have always wanted to pilot mechs, carry massive weapons, and kill massive aliens, then you should definitely give the game a look. Lost Planet 2 is slated to ship May 11 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.