Capcom changed their minds about the pre-order bonus for Lost Planet 2, their latest attempt at a Gears of War style shooter. The original plan was that pre-orders would get an exclusive Albert Wesker playable character who will look really weird to anyone who hasn't played the Resident Evil games. "Why am I a fey European dude with a peroxided coif?" the non-Resident Evil fan will wonder. "Is this a character from Bruno?" .

But now everybody gets Albert Wesker. Albert Wesker for all! And pre-orders get something a bit more substantial. The following multiplayer maps are only for folks who pre-order Lost Planet 2 from Gamestop:

Helix
The underwater NEVEC mining facility houses several layers and twisted corridors. Swim between the layers, or dive to the bottom to change your point of attack. Aqua Catapults can launch you to the upper levels in a hurry, and you must learn every corner and get the upper hand on your enemies.

Back to the Island
The shady atoll of Island 902 is broken into wide open spaces and compact interiors. Choose your battlefield from the beaches to the battered carrier, or explore a new dimension in the underwater battle. Control the bridge to dominate the map, but beware attacks from all sides.

Nice work selling the maps, Capcom. Aqua catapults, underwater mining facility, a battered carrier, controlling a bridge? Who wouldn't want to play on those kinds of playgrounds? I don't know what an aqua catapult is, but you can bet I'm going to get in line for it. And if that doesn't do it, have a look at those screenshots down there.

The even more exciting news about Lost Planet 2 is the following:

After months of speculation, the development team that brought localized splitscreen gameplay to Resident Evil 5 has confirmed that they will be doing it again. With the introduction of two-player splitscreen gameplay to Lost Planet 2, gamers can join the battle for control of the precious thermal energy on E.D.N III alongside a friend from the same living room.

Local multiplayer gaming is a lost art. I'm grateful to games like Resident Evil 5, Borderlands, Halo 3, Resistance 2, and now Lost Planet 2 that let me enjoy a game with my friends in the same room. That can't be easy to do, and those of us who take advantage of it really appreciate the effort.