Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360, 2008)

I was thinking about purchasing this game a while back because a friend wanted to run a small ladder at a local 360 lounge, and I knew next to nothing about the game. Personally, I had never been into zombie survival horror type games, and didn't know how this was going to be much different. Found a great deal for the game, so I thought it was too good to pass up & here I am now thinking that this is the kind of game I should have been playing for months.

Classically, I play games to play them with other people. Playing games by myself (outside of SNES and other classics) I find to be the most dull and pointless ways to spend my time. So the ability to play with four other friends in either campaign, survival, or versus is essential. One of the first times I ever played with a big group of friends in versus, it was literally non-stop laughs.

Also, I really enjoy playing games that require a large amount of skill to be successful in. Its very rewarding to me when I know that the hours that I put into a video game will give me an edge over little 13 year olds that don't know Asteroids from Space Invaders. Nothing makes me more annoyed at a video game than when it decides to 'balance the playing field' simply because one team is incompetent. In that aspect L4D is great.

Finally, anyone who plays games online understands the frustration that goes along with internet latency, or lag. In the world of medium paced shooters, lag can be a nightmare, especially when its coming down to those crucial moments when you have to make quick split-second decisions that could determine a win or loss. Games like Halo 3 are notorious for their problems with latency, which really makes it difficult for me to play at any kind of competitive level on the type of internet connection I have available to me. Left 4 Dead, however, is surprisingly simplistic. Be it valve's source code or the type of graphics they used, internet latency is almost always at a minimum, and I feel like I'm playing on a much better connection, even off host. I could even compare this aspect of the game to something like Shadowrun... very fair and rarely plays a roll at any moment in the game.

With all that in mind, I give the game an 8 out of 10. I would highly recommend the game to anyone who likes to play with friends, as when I have, it has been a total blast. And if you like killing Zombies? My friend, you will have your hands full. The only thing I would ask for, is more downloadable content, but there is a now map coming out this fall, and a brand new L4D 2 game also on its way, so I'm far from complaining.

enjoi~

Graphics: Good 8/10
Sound: Great – 8.5/10
Gameplay: Spectacular – 9.5/10
Replay Value – 9.5/10
Overall – Must Buy 9.5/10

Graphics: Good 8/10
The graphics are good for being built on an engine that was developed in 2004 by Valve. That being said, they have learned how to really use it and make it flow, both graphically and visually (speed). The textures, maps, and lighting are just right to put you in the mood that the apocalypse is really occurring, and you are a lone survivor. I will say that the speed that this game plays, you don’t notice that it is not the most beautiful game – but it is just right for what is being presented.

Sound: Great – 8.5/10
The sounds, music, effects, and voices take you immediately into the game. The voice acting, along with the zombie screams, yells, and cries, really push this game. With a 5.1 surround sound set-up, and a dark room, the sounds put you in the mix.

The voice acting and one liners are a nice touch and really play into the game well. The characters shout items locations, so that there is not too much chatter of non-sense.

The reason for the sub-nine ranking was actually do to the weapon sounds are actually the weak point. This is being picky, but I will say that overall, this is a good sound outing.

Gameplay: Spectacular – 9.5/10
Smooth animations, huge world design, and interactive and smart A.I. The A.I. in this system never does the same thing twice. That, with the fast, frantic, and yet fun shooter that this is, makes a great gameplay experience. There were times I was waiting for an attack, and the zombies that were there before, were not coming in that direction, but from behind. They did a great job of area and weapon change-ups and creating a game where co-op is needed (both computer aided and human) to win, and to survive.

The single player is fun, and will take a normal First Person Shooter (FPS) player roughly 6-8 hours to beat all the missions on normal or advanced. Where the real gem lies is the multiplayer – to be described in detail in the Replay Value.

Replay Value – High 9.5/10
Here is the real breakthrough. The multiplayer is fun, fast, and there is always a game to jump into. The servers link up fast.

Playing both in a game with strangers and friends, it is a real treat to see this co-op experience. Your team quickly learns not to go off by themselves, or they have to face the consequences. Also, if one of your teammates is acting up, you can vote to kick that person out of your group, and the computer A.I. will take over. Great planning on Valve’s part.

The versus mode is fun, especially on the Zombie side of things. Chasing after someone in undead mode is great.

Overall – Near Perfect 9.5/10
I like playing games online, but more often than not, like to experience the game alone because of the way people act online. With this co-op mode, people come together and don’t revert to name calling or yelling. This is a game where you have to work together.

It is so engrossing that others will want to watch you play and see just how you fight the zombie horde. The game is not perfect, but close to, and it is primarily because of the multiplayer and the A.I. never creating the same game experience twice.

If you are a fan of the undead, and movies like 28 Days Later, and the Dawn of the Dead remake, then this is the game for you. Play it a couple of times and you will try to get your friends to pick it up.

This is a zombie killing co-op first person shooter. the "campaign" mode is players versus ai in a story styled like typical zombie movies. 4 survivors splatter their way through airports, gas stations, warehouses, hospitals, national parks, and boat docks, while trying to keep themselves alive. this mode is very well done with gritty and well styled locations and well paced progression that gives a sense of urgency. the gameplay in this mode is well suited for any group of casual players who enjoys simple and cathartic oriented co-op.
Where this game really shines though is the multiplayer. the "versus" mode adds the ability to play through 2 (soon to be all) of the campaigns against a human controlled team of special infected. teams trade off playing either the survivors or the infected first and then switching. the infected have 4 different kinds of zombies each with different ability. one has a tongue that can latch onto and pull survivors. one has vomit which attracts normal infected and blocks the vision of people covered in it. one can leap great distances and pounce on survivors knocking them down. the 4th type spawns at random during a chapter and can throw enormous rocks and punch things with enough force to knock them great distances. the survivors gain all the same weapons and grenades from the standard co-op, but the infected offer a great varied tactical style of play that reminds one a little of stealth-action games.
in my opinion this less competitive and more team oriented multiplayer is far superior anything else the xbox360 has to offer at the moment. better than call of duty 4, way better than halo 3, IF YOU ENJOY MULTIPLAYER SHOOTERS GET THIS GAME!
on the 21st of April valve will be offering a free down loadable content expansion that will add all of the campaigns to versus mode, and and entirely new mode based on surviving infinite waves of zombies.

I hate to admit it but this game is the sole reason I bought an Xbox 360. It's a first person shooter, which there are plenty of on the market. And it's a pretty simple game at that; run around shoot zombies. But don't let this simplicity fool you. It's a fun game. Definitely the best zombie game ever and maybe the best horror game ever.

Online play offers several modes and are a joy to play, filled with challenge and action. But the best thing about this game is the adjusting AI which will increase or decrease the likelihood of more ammo, health, or the amount of enemies you'll face. This ensures each game is different and challenging regardless of your skill level. This is really ground-breaking and can't wait to see this used in more games in the future. I've played through the campaign 3 times and each time came out with a new story to tell.

Four playable characters working as a team allows for interesting NPC banter. Weapon choices seem a little limited at times, but once the shooting starts you don't feel short-changed. And I'm sure these minor issues and more will be adjusted for the sequel. The addition of melee weapons is sure to be an enjoyable bonus.

Being an adult, the M rating doesn't bother me, but that's the game's only down-side in my opinion. Tons of violence and gore and some harsh language will make this a little harder to get into the hands of the young ones. But, kids are smart...they'll get it in their XBOX 360 if they want it...but that's another issue for another day.

Overall, great game. Easy to pick up and play. And its crowning achievement is the adjusting AI making each game a new and unique experience.

First of all, I love zombie games or games with sweet guns couped with a strong story line. Resident Evil 4 is one of my all time favorite games. Maybe it was the anticipation of having a new zombie killin' team game, but this game did not meet my expectations. First of all, I'm not a big online gamer (dont have the time or the supportive girlfriend that one may need). This game is largely based on online team play in the group of 4 survivors (now i get the "4" in the title). I guess it would be cool if I had a few friends I could play with.

The game is based on 4 different scenarios consisting of 5 "levels". You have the option in the first level between basic shotgun and sub-machine gun and single pistol. In later levels you can choose between sniper, auto-shotgun and assault rifle; you also get a second pistol. The pistols never run out of ammo but are pretty weak, while you probably will run out of ammo on the main gun if you use it oftenish. There are also med-packs, pain pills, pipe bombs, and malatov cocktails.

There is very little story, unless you don't skip the initial story which is pre main menu screen. The scenarios are fast and if you do not plan on playing online with friends then do not get this game.