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Posted on: Nov 18, 2008
Left 4 Dead
WORDS BY: Dan Amrich
Then again, Left 4 Dead’s pretty good when you can’t see anything at all, too. Several segments will leave you in total darkness, with only your gun-mounted flashlight to point the way. You won’t find big arrows showing you which way to flee; as in the real world, you’ll need to pick up on environmental cues (like exit signs, dummy) to find the critical path through each level.
As for the zombies…they’re fast. They climb ladders, they scramble over fences, they clamber out of holes in the fl oor and leap straight for your neck. (Our theory: the virus was made by Red Bull.) They’re tireless and manic and terrifying and legion. But the best part is that you can be them.
When you’re a Survivor, the strings are being pulled by the Director — Valve’s nickname for the unseen algorithms that dynamically adjust the game as you play it. They keep the tension balanced by deciding how hard you should be hit, and when and where you’ll find ammo stashes. But when you’re a zombie in Versus games, the Director turns to you and says “action.” The Director takes care of the basic horde as well as the extremely powerful Witch, but you’ll get to lure friends to their deaths as a Smoker (lash out with your sticky tongue and drag them away from safety!), a Hunter (pounce on unsuspecting victims from 50 feet away and shred their intestines!), or a Boomer (vomit on puny humans to mark them for death, then conveniently explode!). The Director picks your part; you play it until your demise. On occasion, the Director gives a player control as a Tank, a powerful colossus that can knock enemies off rooftops and has 40 times more health than the human players. If the Survivors make it to a checkpoint — or if the Infected can kill them all before they get there — the roles reverse and the players switch sides, each looking for revenge. The only real downside: Only two of the four campaigns are playable in Versus mode. Please tell us there’s a title update in the works...?
Screaming, shooting, and swearing your way through a full flip-flopping Versus scenario will take two hours, but humans can drop in or out at any time. Brilliantly, you can also select “Take a Break” from the menu and have the A.I. hold your place while you answer the phone or take a potty break. Playing with and against humans is always better because they’re sloppier, but the trustworthy A.I. won’t leave you to die. If anything, A.I. Survivors are too good at the Normal skill level, taking out zombies with one or two shots as soon as they enter the area. It’s frustrating when you’re trying to sneak around as an Infected, only to accidentally stray into their field of awareness.
The Source engine handles everything with impressive ease — even split-screen, albeit with some noticeable pop-up on set-dressing world objects. And while the dead-zombie ragdoll physics and facial animations are fantastic (we spotted Louis’ face twisting into a horrific scream during a Hunter attack), we need to nitpick the “flash jaggies” — low-res shadow effects from gunfire that took us out of an otherwise expertly crafted world.
Left 4 Dead presents the zombie apocalypse the way we always hoped it would be: filled with non-stop tension and continuous carnage. Still, in your first match or two, you might be tempted to shrug off Left 4 Dead as too simple — “I get it, zombies.” But like the similarly “basic” Counter- Strike or Halo multiplayer, the strategies start to unfold. Where can you flank? Should you risk sending a scout ahead? Should you let the A.I. zombies take the lead? How can you use the terrain to your advantage? What if we work together here? The more you play, the deeper the experience gets, and the more satisfyingly strategic your play becomes.
Left 4 Dead’s simplicity offers purity of gameplay — the same reason that gamers keep returning to classic arcade games. Come to think of it, with a handful of levels and unpredictable events happening within them, Left 4 Dead has more in common with Ms. Pac-Man than just the eating. It’s the same thing over and over — but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh.
PREVOn Xbox 360
- Extremely intense action and zombie-killin’ chaos.
- Built to be very replayable.
- Can’t play Versus on all four campaigns; no plot.
- When the zombie apocalypse inevitably arrives, which side do you want to be on?
Tue, 10/20/2009 - 06:12
Posted by nielsoja
left 4 dead was the reason that i even got an xbox 360 and after buying it 6 months ago i still play it almost every night
Sat, 10/17/2009 - 20:52
Posted by wickland
I agree, this is a very fun zombie game. Normally they end up terrible and get old quick.
Wed, 10/14/2009 - 12:07
Posted by A New Penguin
In my opinion one of the best zombie game of all time. I can't wait til Left 4 Dead 2 to come out!
Sat, 08/01/2009 - 10:21
Posted by wiggles
Awesome game! Probably my favourite Xbox 360 game. For sure the best zombie one!
Sun, 06/14/2009 - 21:01
Posted by brainmanic101
Dude, when u play tis game, u think of low weapons, four charaters, and a hole-lot of zombies, but its more than that. It has good graphics and the best of all..... special characters! I had this game for so long and i dont get over it.
Fri, 05/08/2009 - 07:46
Posted by irageinferno
this game is brilliant the 4 campains are exellent every time you play the esspesialy when it changes every time.
online multiplayer is realy good fun, playing as a tank is the best, survival is realy fun and online co-op is brilliant.
eventhough there is no story line (which was done on perpose) exept the funny writing on the wall, weapons are brilliant, running through hords of zombies with an auto shotgun and dual pistols is realy good fun ,setting tanks on fire and blowing up hordes of zombies with pipebombs are very amusing this game will continue to amaze me for ages, with a slight lack of weapons and only 2 online modes 9/10
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 00:19
Posted by Bobafettboy
Rented this one. Took me seven hours to complete. Must mean that the game rules!
Thu, 04/16/2009 - 14:47
Posted by White_Ghost
By the way Bill is the coolest toughest dude ever.Well think about it, he is a Veteran and night and day through an entire Zombie apocalypse and he never lets that cigarette out of his mouth.How AWESOME is that;even when hes being incapacitated by a witch or tank !He is my IDOL!
Tue, 04/14/2009 - 16:37
Posted by White_Ghost
This game is great because of its multiplayer and gameplay.Its just to fun to shoot the witch in the head and i never get tired if her runnung off of the building on No Mercy and this is probably Valves best game.Great review by the way and great magazine you guys run.KEEP THEM COMING PLEASE!!
Mon, 04/13/2009 - 15:22
Posted by Zill
One of the best Xbox 360 games I've played so far. Endless gameplay even after you beat all 4 campaigns. Playing on Xbox Live is even better. 10/10
Can't wait for DLC
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 11:42
Posted by TankCommando
I can't wait for the DLC!
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 07:17
Posted by xXveinxX
this game was epic. i recomend multi-player though it gets kinda creapy alone 0-0
Tue, 02/10/2009 - 07:17
Posted by xXveinxX
this game was epic. i recomend multi-player though it gets kinda creapy alone 0-0
Sun, 01/18/2009 - 10:31
Posted by BlamefulJoseph
This is an awsome game. It has great AI and you always play a different game, and zombies are alwoys in different places. Great 4 player online and split screenco-op. Only bad thing is there is no real story line. Great game 9.5 out 0f 10.
Sun, 01/18/2009 - 10:31
Posted by BlamefulJoseph
This is an awsome game. It has great AI and you always play a different game, and zombies are alwoys in different places. Great 4 player online and split screenco-op. Only bad thing is there is no real story line. Great game 9.5 out 0f 10.
Sun, 01/18/2009 - 10:30
Posted by BlamefulJoseph
This is an awsome game. It has great AI and you always play a different game, and zombies are alwoys in different places. Great 4 player online and split screenco-op. Only bad thing is there is no real story line. Great game 9.5 out 0f 10.
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 17:59
Posted by Hubbell
ten out of ten 2nd best game ever made!
Tue, 01/13/2009 - 17:59
Posted by Hubbell
ten out of ten 2nd best game ever made!
Fri, 01/09/2009 - 17:53
Posted by Normzylla
its just too bad that some scenarios are considered cheap, some a.i. glitches get worse, and some people are terrible at the game on expert. also a lot of children play this game and they should be playing sponge bob.
Thu, 01/01/2009 - 16:12
Posted by dabigdawlish
Game of the year for me as well. Zoey's my hero.
Tue, 12/30/2008 - 15:06
Posted by Legolas12280
This is one of the best zombie-shooters I've ever played. Surely should win Game of the Year. Only problem: Not enough weapons and they only have two chapters available for multi-player currently.
Thu, 12/04/2008 - 17:34
Posted by jg00neg
My pick for game of the year.
Sun, 11/30/2008 - 20:10
Posted by Desner
to PlayerHaterz12
The game won't make you jump that much, because you can hear pretty clearly when zombies are around, and music lets you know when a huge zombie horde is coming your way. You should try it, it's awesome (... if you have Xbox live).
Totally great game!
Wed, 11/26/2008 - 19:52
Posted by PlayerHaterz12
Damn, I got to wait till Christmas for this game. Ahhh it looks SOOO brilliant! Dan, Paul, Fran, all you guys, dont listen to people who say your reviews suck. You guys are the best reviewers out there and I love your work!! Cant wait to be LEFT 4 DEAD on 12/25/08 :D
Gamertag: PlayerHaterz
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 20:13
Posted by wickedclowns95
To steve b pro
On the Zombie Genocide achievement they upped the number of zombies to kill by one simply as a joke to the folks that created Dead Rising. I can totally see them making another achievement for Dead Rising 2 that is one more zombie than Left 4 Dead's achievement too. Anyways, Left 4 Dead is not a sequel to Dead Rising. It is simply another addition to the Zombie genre. I think Dead Rising was sometimes painstakingly hard at some times. Because of that, I never actually played through the whole game. I also got bored with it. I won't be tired of L4D for a long while...
-----------------------
Inhale the damage smoothly
Paradise isn't lost
It was hiding all along.
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 07:53
Posted by jimchris
To Snowycrazyking
Most if not all games that are released nowadays are focused on team play especially online co-op.
Unfortunately what publishers may not be aware of is the fact that x-box live is not supported in every country(including mine)So the split screen two player mode is my only option if i want to play with a friend.
It is not a bad game at all but too short(It cost me 60 euros to get it that's $85)
Mon, 11/24/2008 - 06:31
Posted by steve b pro
i was just wondering if anyone else has noticed that this seems a lot like a dead rising sequel the, i just noticed that the zombies move and act the same way as they did in dead rising minus the fast movments the story lines match right up on how they showe, up, how quick and where. not to mention the genocider achv is the same # from dead rising. also Havac had there hands in both games, could be a tribute but i think its a silent sequel because capcom didnt make it. by the way for the new gamers out there that dont know dead rising thats a great zombie game but 3rd person and very different (ie not a shooter)anyway just wanted to know if i was the only on who thought this?
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 23:40
Posted by ReignINblooD420
each "movie" is about an hour long. some of them longer than that and the last one Blood Harvest seemed the shortest. anyone who claims to have beat this game in 2 hours is full of crap.
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 21:18
Posted by PlayerHaterz12
Ok gues, I am not a Zombie type of gamer but everyone says this game is amazing, now i dont like games that will freak me out or make me jump haha. Gears of War series is fine, but i know the gameplay is great but is the game ( for a guy who doesnt wana be scared to much ) be the game for me? Be honest, i wana know if i wana get this!
Gamertag: PlayerHaterz
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 17:30
Posted by SmokinSmokers
The first time i got the game, I played as the Infected in No Mercy and I just HATED the Boomer. I was thinking "Why is this slow ugly blimp only able to draw the weak zombies to the Survivors? They just run down a hall, and the humans shoot them!"
And then I played Blood Harvest.
I have newfound respect for the Boomer,
it's a lot harder to kill a Zombie Mob coming in at all directions.
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 11:24
Posted by ngamer
shooting
Sun, 11/23/2008 - 11:23
Posted by ngamer
i find shouting teamates legs out from under them a usefull tatic during large hordes
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 22:38
Posted by snowycrazyking
To jimchris, I don't think you understand what the point of this game is. It's not to play from the first chapter to another and consider the game beat. It's designed to by replayed in different ways again and again.
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 14:30
Posted by jimchris
We finished the split screen two player co-op in under three hours and in one go
Way too short...
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 07:32
Posted by Son_of_Azarel
no no, all four stories so 20 maps,
verses is the one thats less
Fri, 11/21/2008 - 07:25
Posted by Son_of_Azarel
This game is great fun. Multiplayer only for sure. single player is a letdown.
Don't let # of levels, guns turn you off,
Shotty, rifle, snipe and uzi what more do you need.
might only have two storys in MP right now but thats 10 maps.
Very pleased with purchase of this game
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 17:31
Posted by Tommybomb
Dan, why is it that you tout the minimalistic story as one of the game's strengths but then you put it down as a negative at the bottom? I'm not criticizing the score, it's just that seems awfully self-contradictory.
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 13:16
Posted by imALWAYSinSTOCK
4 scenarios....
2 hours of gameplay total....
Little weapon variety....
I'm sorry, this game is fun and all but those factors do not cost $60. More like $40 and you've got yourself a deal.
Thu, 11/20/2008 - 00:38
Posted by Spybreak
Ahh man I already bought too many games already lol.
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 20:37
Posted by Sl8ter13
I've noticed that the only time I see the 123456789 posts is when he's bitching at me. I got a fan!
Wed, 11/19/2008 - 11:38
Posted by 12345678910
Waurintei*
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 21:16
Posted by ill sue y4
my xbox 360 has never red ringed. it did ruin its own disc drive.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 21:01
Posted by Sl8ter13
lol....wow. Warranty* I gohtta laern teh spele.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 21:00
Posted by Sl8ter13
waranty*
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 20:59
Posted by Sl8ter13
All right, so I got out of 4th period and went to my local gamestop to pick up Left 4 Dead. I saw my best gaming bud picking up the game at the same time as me by coincidence, went home popped in left 4 dead....and...... no my xbox didn't red ring. It didnt send a video signal to my TV!!! Wohooo. And not only that but my warentee is out. $99 out the door thanks to microsofts faulty product. It's only my third one to break though, no big deal.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 16:44
Posted by MUFFIN
this game is going 2 be pretty sweet considering its a zombie co op game.
[url=http://profile.mygamercard.net/snipping+muffin][img]http://card.mygamercard.net/snipping+muffin.png[/img][/url]
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 15:44
Posted by PaperLantern
Really should have come out in October. Oh well, can't wait to rent it later this year.
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 14:38
Posted by FreakyFrequency
I have been waiting for a zombie-shooter all of my adult life and it's finally here...Thank you VALVE !! This game is amazing ,I have played the XBOX-Live demo over 30 times and it's different and amazing over and over again ... If your a fan of George A. Romero's Dawn of the dead's movies then you will love this game I promise ...
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 14:36
Posted by ReignINblooD420
excellent review! can't wait to put my copy in and get to some zombie killing!
Tue, 11/18/2008 - 13:48
Posted by thedude8591
Yeah I played the demo for this game on my PC and I loved it. I could only play two different levels but I played them over and over again. That AI director stuff is gold. It keeps you guesiing rather than knowing.