Left 4 Dead 2

Publisher: Valve
Developer: Valve
Genre: First Person Shooter
Release Date: November 17, 2009
Platforms: Xbox 360, PC
ESRB: M - Mature

Reviewer: Eric

You have got to admit it is bull shit that Valve released Left 4 Dead 2 a year after the first game. Valve promised that Left 4 Dead was the game and there would be expansions for so long. That promised was broke and Left 4 Dead fans got almost jack shit in expansions and Left 4 Dead 2 was out in stores with everything that was going to be in the original Left 4 Dead.

That whole bull shit Valve pulled is still inside of my head but it did not stop me from buying Left 4 Dead and playing it online with my friends. The formula is great and it is still really fun, better than playing any Halo or Call of Duty game. Something about shooting zombies and talking to friends is oh-so-much fun.

Left 4 Dead 2 is set in the southern part of the United States. There are a set of four new survivors and they are set in a world where zombies are infecting the very places we live. If there is more to the Left 4 Dead 2 story then please shoot me right now because I don’t know what it is. The game is about surviving zombies in different areas, period.

The second game in the maybe now yearly series (I wouldn’t pass it on Valve) takes what we all liked from the first game…you know what wait a second. Valve took the first game and just added to it, it is that simple. There are more weapons and zombies with new stages. I guess since this is a review I might as well explain things a little better.

The three game modes from the original game are still here, campaign, versus, and survival. In campaign you can either play online with three other players or with three AI controlled characters. There are 5 campaigns to choose from, all of which are broken up into different sections. The same thing still applies, get to the Safe House and at the end get rescued. It is the same old formula but I don’t know how Valve could change it.

Versus has two teams switching off between controlling the humans and the zombies. Out of all the modes this one might be my favorite. I like how you are scored how good you do and how far you get in the stage. Of course this was in the original Left 4 Dead so you know what I really want to say.

Survival mode just has you surviving. Nothing too it really but it is still fun. At least we have the new Scavenge mode, where you take 16 gas canisters and try to fuel power generators. The zombies can of course stop you. Wow even when I try to explain this new mode it sounds really stupid. Sounds more like a mini game really but somehow Valve has managed to make it a brand new mode.

There is however another new mode called Realism. This one has forces you to work as a team. Once a teammate is dead they can only be brought back with the defibrillator kit. Damage done to the zombies almost revolves around head shots now too. Realism feels more like a true co-op experience than most of these yet it is not my favorite since strangers are not always willing to team-up so kindly.

One thing that has always bothered me with the Left 4 Dead games are the weapon functions. Once again there is one gun in the game that can snipe (sniper gun) and all of the other ones do their basic function. I love the new weapons, especially the melee ones, but I hate how one gun snipes. Why can’t at least other one gun have a mid zoom feature? For Christ sakes Valve don’t put realism in stupid shit like this.

Valve did a nice job on enhancing the graphics a little. From the start Left 4 Dead 2 isn’t the best looking game. There are still a lot of clipping issues and the zombies don’t really scare a whole lot, looks wise at least. The gore factor is nice and all but there are so many other games that will please you more when it comes to gore.

Left 4 Dead 2’s Ai is much better this time around. Anytime you play the game it is a whole new experience. The zombies are never in the same spot (expect for certain ones). I wish Valve would have done something more with the friendly AI. I tell you what playing offline is a real drag sometimes. Your AI teammates are really dumb.

At least Valve made the game look more next gen console this time around with less looking polygon everything. To me the first Left 4 Dead looked like a rushed game that wanted to meet the Christmas rush. Most likely that was the case. Xbox 360 owners though might enjoy the better looking game with the now noticeable slowdown when playing the game. If there are too many zombies on the screen the slowdown begins.

Music in Left 4 Dead 2 is forgettable. As hard as I am trying to remember the music I just can’t. I know Left 4 Dead 2 has music in the game but the only thing that comes to my mind is the sound effects from the weapons and the zombies. Oh yeah and the voice work from the characters is well done too. It’s just that music, couldn’t of been that good if I don’t remember it.

As of right now, Valve has promised downloadable content for Left 4 Dead 2 so there should be enough reasoning to put the game on after a few months. Still Valve is promising more, how long are they going to support this game?

Final Verdict
Online gaming is the way to go and developers know this. Left 4 Dead 2 is a straight forward online title that you can play offline if you hate playing with idiots. If you plan on playing this game online only with friends then buy it. However if you are just buying it because of the buzz its gotten and don’t plan on going online then you better look else where because Left 4 Dead 2 will disappoint you.

Rating Breakdown
Gameplay: 8 out of 10
    + A lot of fun with friends and it is easy to learn.
    - The game isn’t for everyone and it could get boring fast without friends.
Graphics: 7 out of 10
    + Much better than Left 4 Dead…
    - But Left 4 Dead 2 still doesn’t look all that great. The zombie slowdown is just a bummer.
Audio: 6 out of 10
    + The zombies sound great, as well as the character voice work.
    - I can’t remember the music so what does that tell you?
Replay Value: 9 out of 10
    + Playing this game online is just so much fun, it’s hard to explain.
    - You can’t help but think that Valve might screw us over again.

Overall
7.50 out of 10