Less than a year after the release of Left 4 Dead, the highly anticipated sequel hit the shelves. Valve released Left 4 Dead 2 in record breaking time, for them, what with the general fuzziness surrounding the game because of the still unknown status of Half Life: Episode 3 and the release of Team Fortress 2. Despite any concerns surrounding the game, Left 4 Dead 2 is in every way as good a game as the original. It still focuses on a group of 4 survivors, battling their way through 5 campaigns and an endless slew of undead. Fantastic if you wanted an improvement of features from the first game, however if you were looking for a different kind of game-play formula, you may want to look elsewhere.
Left 4 Dead 2 has 5 new campaigns, with a more detailed and distinctive setting, modes and generally gives you more to do, oh and we can’t forget melee weapons, finally! For those of you that have been living under a rock, let me explain the general gist of the game. It’s the zombie apocalypse and you get to play as one of the four human survivors, whose main aim is to battle their way through mass hordes of undead to reach a safe house at the end of each map. The sequel is set in the American southeast and the dialogue is top notch, with the survivors seeming more aware of their situation than the original survivors, making comments about the setting as well as various actions between each other as you work your way through the map.
Left 4 Dead 2 is in every way a team game, you can’t just “blitz” your way through the map and leave your team mates behind, because you won’t get far. This game requires good communication as a team; survivors need to be calling out “special infected”, “weapons”, “ammo” and “help” when needed. The great thing about this game is that no level will ever play out the same way twice, thanks to an artificial intelligence called “the Director” changing the rules. If something he puts you through is too challenging, the next play-through may get swapped to an easier run – or visa-versa, making the experience different every time AND upping the replay value.
Same as the original, there are multiple difficulty settings that range from easy to expert, however there are some new game modes introduced to make the experience that much more stellar. For example, the Realism mode takes the game to a whole new level by removing the helpful glows around objects such as weapons and ammo, among other things; this makes you and your team entirely dependent on good communication skills. Multiplayer Versus is back, 4 vs. 4 team Deathmatch. It is survivors vs. the special infected, with new special infected to boot! These include Spitters, Jockeys and Chargers in addition to the original Hunters, Tanks, Boomers and Smokers. The new infected give the game more depth and if you are playing as a survivor, even more unpredictability.
The team tactics of this game will get your heart pounding, it is NOT a relaxing game, particularly for you achievement hunters out there; as you may find yourself in need of a new controller if you play on the console after a few tense campaign run-throughs. Nevertheless, this is still one entertaining shooter fast paced and blood filled. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the game and recommend it to any surviving zombie hating gamer out there.
Disclaimer:All scores given within our reviews are based on the artist’s personal opinion; this should in no way impede your decision to purchase the game.
