Checking In on the "Left 4 Dead" games
"Left 4 Dead 2" isn't an underrated game, though a disturbing amount of shooter fans abandoned it in the wake of higher-profile action games released around the same time, such as "Modern Warfare 2," "Uncharted 2" and "Halo 3: ODST." The original game won over millions of new fans, but when developer Valve announced a full sequel to be released just one year later, those same fans cried "too soon" and felt content letting the beefier sequel slip by.
Six months later, though, plenty of fans continue to come back for more glorious punishment in "L4D2." Finding co-op partners never takes longer than a minute, and getting a full eight-player survivors-versus-zombies match barely takes any longer. They love the relentless challenge, the satisfying zombie dismemberment and the new tidbits about the world and characters they discover with each play, compelling them to return to campaigns even after conquering them several times over.
When you look at the list of reasons why "L4D2" is so addictively fun, you'll also begin to understand why the original "Left 4 Dead" remains just as popular. The sequel crushes the original in terms of variety and volume of content, but most of those who stuck with the competitive "L4D" scene contend that the original is a more tightly balanced versus game.
This put Valve in the predicament of supporting both games' communities simultaneously, and they have come up with a fantastic solution. The attack will take place on both fronts, and the first shot was fired with the release of "The Passing," a new campaign for "L4D2," on April 22. The main hook: the cast of survivors from "L4D" cross paths with and support the "L4D2" crew. Seeing the two groups interact with one another was a real treat and served to remind devout "L4D2" players like myself just how beloved the original cast is. Their presence also made me feel better about the "L4D2" survivors as legit characters that will become just as beloved down the road. The dynamic between Nick, the cocky asshole casino gambler, and Ellis, the lovable redneck, never ceases to make me laugh.
Those playing "The Passing" to its conclusion might notice a huge omission: Bill. Louis has a bum leg, and Francis and Zoey are as healthy as ever, but that old coot with the green army fatigues has finally bitten the dust. The decision to kill off Bill is understandable (his voice actor has gotten into some legal troubles, making lending his voice for future content out of the question), but depressing nonetheless. Fortunately, Valve intends on letting players find the answers to his mysterious death first-hand by creating a new scenario for the original "L4D" sometime next month. For those of us who have grown to love all of those characters, Valve's method for creating continuity between the two universes is more than welcome.
Valve will likely put the brakes on the "L4D" series for a while as they turn their focus to "Portal 2" in the fall, but none of you should have to wait for a "Left 4 Dead 3." Buy "L4D2" now on your platform of choice. it's still one of the most intense co-op experiences on the market, and it keeps getting bigger.
Thank you for reading the MOVE Games blog this semester! I'll be moving on, and hopefully someone will hold down the fort for me while I'm gone. Never stop gaming!
- AJ
