Let me begin by saying I absolutely love Left 4 Dead. There is just something about blasting zombies as you and some friends frantically try to escape each level that makes me smile. For me it’s an incredibly fun game, and now a year later Valve is releasing a sequel! It’s worth mentioning that some fans of the original title were a little less than happy with Valve for coming out with another game so quickly, but in my opinion they have changed enough things and added enough new features to warrant a full release.
Those who pre-ordered the title at a few select retailers were given the chance to check out the demo before it is released to the Xbox community this Tuesday, Nov. 3rd, but sadly my pre-order was made at a smaller retailer in my area and therefore I was not lucky enough to get the demo code. Kiki was awesome as usual and bestowed upon me an early download code for the Left 4 Dead 2 demo, so read on for my impressions!
What’s In The Demo?
The demo allows gamers to experience the first two chapters of the campaign known as “The Parish” and this can be played either alone with the AI, or cooperatively online with other Xbox Live members. As soon as you begin the campaign, fans of the first release will notice right away the huge difference it makes in having the game set during the daytime. The environments are brightly lit and the overall atmosphere doesn’t necessarily feel as “scary” or “tense” as the original.
Even though this campaign is set during the daytime the zombies are still out in full force and looking to chomp down on some cerebral candy. L4D2 features all the grotesque goodness of the original infected, but also Valve has added a host of new ones as well. Other additions include melee weapons, weather effects, new guns, new items, and an enhanced “AI Director”. Some of these changes I had already known about and a few of the things I encountered definitely have me even more excited for the full game!! Below is a short list of changes, which may not include everything that will be in the final release.
New Survivors! Play through the game as one of the four new Survivors! Take control of Coach, Rochelle, Nick or Ellis as they battle the zombie hordes.
New “common” infected! I noticed a lot more variation in the regular zombies, including some infected SWAT members who are slightly bulletproof due to their body armor.
Variation in the “special” infected! I don’t know if this will be the case for all of the special infected, but I’ve shot my fair share of female Boomers. Gender equality for the win!
New “special” infected! In addition to the lineup of Boomers, Smokers, Hunters and Tanks, Valve has now added Chargers, Jockeys and Spitters. Chargers are basically mini-Tanks, Jockeys can hop onto the backs of survivors to guide them away from the group, and Spitters can spew streams of acid which damage unlucky survivors who come in contact with it. I also noticed that Witches no longer sit around and cry all day, instead choosing to wander around certain areas which makes them more difficult to avoid.
Melee weapons! Players are given the opportunity to ditch their pistols and pick up various melee weapons. In the demo I’ve come across a guitar, a police baton, a machete and a frying pan. It’s very satisfying and amusing at the same time to run through a whole level smashing in the heads of zombies using the frying pan and hearing that lovely little CLANG sound! Note to self: Do not hit the Witch in the head with the frying pan. She will not die instantly, and she will definitely not be happy with you! These weapons actually are very effective and it will be interesting to see how the whole mechanic works out, not only in campaign but also in versus modes.
New items! Adrenaline, which increases health, speed and jumping for a short time and also Bile Bombs, which essentially acts like a pipe bomb in that it draws out a horde of zombies to attack whatever it comes in contact with. I’ve been told that there are Defibrillators in the game, which can revive dead teammates instead of having to find them in a rescue closet, but I didn’t come across any during my playthroughs.
New guns! There are multiple different pistols now, variations on the shotguns, new assault rifles, new sniper rifles and even a silenced uzi which really serves no purpose that I’ve discovered.
What I haven’t listed above are some things that are inaccessible in the demo, such as the new “Scavenge” gameplay mode.
This demo will be available for all Xbox Live Gold members on Tuesday, November 3rd. Take my word for it, you should check it out!
*Author’s Note* If you get the chance, find the Jukebox located in a diner during Chapter 1 of The Parish. Walking up to it and pressing X causes it to play a few different songs. The third one is the gem of the group, and it’s entitled “Re Your Brains”. Jonathan Coulton, who did the “Still Alive” song for Portal, is the creative mind behind this awesome song and you should give it a listen! I’m told that the Jukebox also will randomly play “Still Alive” although I couldn’t get it to play myself.
