Lost Planet 2, the sci-fi third-person shooter from Capcom, has long been caught in a web of neglect, reminiscent of a space-bound Monster Hunter adventure featuring mechs and colossal aliens. The game, which had its share of challenges after Microsoft discontinued support for the widely criticized Games for Windows Live (GFWL), was removed from Steam in 2021 as Capcom sought to address the issues plaguing it.
Recent Update Brings Mixed Results
After nearly four years of silence, a recent update on Steam has finally lifted the shadow of GFWL from Lost Planet 2. However, this long-awaited change has not come without its drawbacks. Players quickly discovered that while GFWL had been eradicated, the update inadvertently disrupted online multiplayer functionality and erased local save files for those who had kept the game installed.
Initially launched in 2007, GFWL aimed to merge multiplayer services and game distribution for PC, drawing from the Xbox Live framework. Unfortunately, it fell short of expectations, leaving players grappling with a cumbersome interface well into the 2010s. As Microsoft officially ceased customer support for GFWL, many games, including Lost Planet 2, were left in a state of disrepair, struggling with broken installations and a reliance on outdated software.
Despite being delisted, dedicated players found ways to keep the game alive, but the absence of a purchase option and the prevalence of installation issues hindered its multiplayer experience. The recent update, while initially a cause for celebration among the remaining fanbase, quickly turned into a bittersweet revelation. As one player aptly noted on the Steam discussion forum, “Well, it was a step in some kind of direction. Not sure if it was the right direction, though.”
In the wake of these developments, guides have emerged, offering instructions for reverting the game to its previous state to restore GFWL and its online capabilities. This twist in the narrative feels almost like a cosmic joke, leaving players to navigate a landscape of uncertainty. Yet, amidst the chaos, there remains a glimmer of hope that Capcom may still be working on a comprehensive Steamworks update, as the game has yet to reappear in the Steam listings. For now, fans can only dream of battling akrids in a more stable environment.
