Ok, so I know that this game has been out for like practically a year now, but some new DLC recently came out for it, and I was in the process of review that as well, so to get warmed up, here is my review of Left 4 Dead 2:
What is Left 4 Dead? A horrible infection spread throughout the country, killing many, and “zombifying” many more. The objective of the game is cooperative survival in a zombie apocalypse. You and three others try to make it from point A to point B and eventually escape doom without dying. One uncommon trait in the sequel is that Left 4 Dead 2 is entirely independent from the original, which was set in Anytown, USA following four surviving protagonists sometime after the first infection. Whereas most sequels are continuations of the story from the last game, Left 4 Dead 2 has new characters and a new, bigger story arc that takes place in the Deep South. In no way is it a re-hashed game - everything that could be improved has been, though the game’s formula hasn’t changed much. There are single and multi-player modes. 1 – 4 players can be on the main campaigns and 2 – 8 on competitive modes.
This games’ genre is unique: it’s an FPS/Horror, but differs from games like Resident Evil. Left 4 Dead plays like a set of horror movies. This concept may be new to those who haven’t played before. There is no set campaign – rather five separate campaigns or movies each broken up into five parts. The first four parts of the campaign play out as the survivors (protagonists) traverse throughout the level until they get to a checkpoint known as a “Safe House”. The last part of the campaign is the finale, where the survivors call in a rescue vehicle and hold out until it arrives. At the end of the game, the player’s scores and stats roll like movie credits. The length of each campaign will run anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours; depending on skill level, cooperation and difficulty. Left 4 Dead is simple to learn, but hard to master. You’ll do great as long as you stay together, kill every zombie in sight, and don’t die.
Game play is fun and invigorating thanks to the “A.I. Director” which controls things like how many zombies spawn, where items spawn, the weather and geometry of the level. For example, if your team is doing particularly poor, the A.I. Director will kick in and make it easier for you to navigate to the safe house, but if you are doing very well, then the A.I. Director will make more zombies spawn, fewer items spawn and more obstacles in the way, making it more challenging to reach the safe house. Some paths you took to traverse the level may change the next time you play through. New guns, pick-up items, and melee weapons add to the strategy and achieve a more realistic gaming experience. Most items are a nice addition, such as the adrenaline shot and defibrillator, though some melee weapons are not practical. Have you ever had the desire to kill dozens of living dead with a guitar, frying pan, or night stick? It’s absolutely ridiculous, but absolutely possible in Left 4 Dead 2. What about the soundtrack? It’s very good. The score is yet another thing in the game that is controlled by the A.I. Director. During normal gameplay, an eerie, hair-raising tone is ambient in the background. The A.I. Director kicks in when certain events happen in-game. For example, you know when hordes of zombies are coming your way when the classic theme associated with the event starts creeping into the ambience. The most impressive feature of the A.I. Director is its ability to control the survivor’s dialogue. There are common and typical phrases such as “Taking a med kit.” and “Grabbin’ a pipe bomb!” but the system really is quite robust. You may hear the survivors say different things every time you play, because a long list of certain conditions have to be met for certain dialogue to occur. Tons of new sounds are in this game, and all of the music scored from the previous game also makes an appearance, each campaign boasting their own fun remixes. Music and random foley noises are always present, but never annoying.
Left 4 Dead 2: "The Parish" video montage
Left 4 Dead looks great. Left 4 Dead 2 is downright gorgeous. Like ODST and Modern Warfare 2, the developers have taken and refined their existing graphics engine to something more sophisticated. When first announced, the Left 4 Dead 2 trailer met criticism regarding some graphical changes from the original though it’s apparent that the game looks and feels better when you actually play it. Once it was played through, the graphical refinements make everything look more mature - both with more sophistication and more gore. The amount of blood and gore in the game is absurd. Zombies can now be dismembered and completely obliterated, spilled entrails and all, especially with weapons like the fire axe or katana. Another favorite improvement is the new physics engine. Fire looks like fire. Things blow up. The environment comes alive.
Game play may be quick, but it’s fun. In most cases, thanks to the A.I. Director, each experience with the game, will be different from the last. One might argue “Yeah so what? All you do is shoot zombies!” That’s what it may seem at a glance, but in reality, it provides an incredibly deeper experience when played; especially with three of your friends. There are many improvements over the previous title. Levels are no longer nighttime only; daytime and changing weather levels have been added. The new story arc is well written. There are new characters, new items and weapons, and new locations to explore. One noticeable improvement from the original is when a pipe bomb is thrown. Before, the zombies’ bodies just disappeared with a little blood splatter. Now, they actually get blown into the air like rag dolls and the bodies usually land in chunks. Cool.
Left 4 Dead 2: "The Passing" montage
All-in-all, Left 4 Dead 2 makes the original zombie apocalypse look like a petty game for school girls, which is saying something. With new characters, a new setting, new story arc, new weapons and items, sharper graphics, more realistic physics engine, and the incredible new A.I. Director solidifies this game as a true sequel and makes Left 4 Dead 2 the best sequel to come out this year. If you were a fan of the last zombie apocalypse, then you’re gonna love Left 4 Dead 2. But because gameplay is so similar to the first, this game may not change your mind about the series if you didn’t care for it in the first place. My Rating: 9.7
