At some point in the last couple years, Valve decided to hop aboard the zombie bandwagon. It was not a totally random decision, given the popularity of the Zombie Horde Mod, and after many hours of hard labor, Left 4 Dead graced PC and the Xbox 360 with its thrilling zombie multiplayer goodness. Critics and gamers alike seemed rather taken, and both versions became bestsellers.
A sequel was practically a no brainer, but when Valve announced Left 4 Dead 2 just a year after the first game, the gaming community was understandably confused (or upset). Even with the “Crash Course” DLC, L4D fans couldn’t help but think Valve was trying to pull a fast one. Petitions were created, angry nerds came out of the woodworks, but the developer remained unfazed.
Turns out the sequel isn’t just a rehash as so many still believe it to be. With a new cast of Survivors and Infected, more complex gameplay, and gorgeous environments, Left 4 Dead 2 takes the series further with one giant leap, something none of us could fully appreciate without spending quality time with the final product. This second helping boasts an upgraded version of the original “Director,” the A.I. responsible for all those customized levels, randomized enemy population, player monitoring, world objects, weather effects, lighting, and everything else we loved about the original. The new A.I. Director 2.0 does offer a noticeably smoother, shinier product, and carries on the randomization that made Left 4 Dead unique.
Hopping straight into L4D2, players should catch a number of differences, with new items and Infected being the most noticeable. Melee weapons are sweeter than you might think, making zombie face-bashing that much more satisfying (beats shoving). Some weapons are more effective and amusing than others; the frying pan is fun to use with its trademark “clang,” but its short range and blunt damage makes it inferior to longer, deadlier weapons like an axe or katana – or “ninja sword,” as Nick calls it. Firearms can now be upgraded with laser sights for better accuracy, and frag or incendiary rounds for that extra kick. Boomer Bile (puke-in-a-can) serves as a non-exploding alternative to the pipe bomb, and defibrillators and adrenaline shots allow players to revive dead allies or gain a temporary speed boost, respectively.
You'll be running into some Uncommon Infected in Left 4 Dead 2, unique (but not "Special") members of the Horde who pop up in certain campaigns. Former CEDA members in hazmat suits, security personnel in body armor, fast-moving Infected called "Mudmen" and clowns with squeaky shoes can be found mingled in with the Horde. What sets them apart are the unique traits that make them especially dangerous. Thanks to their special attire, some of these guys are resistant to fire and bullets, or attract other Infected by squeaking with every step (fear of clowns justified). Players find themselves forced to prioritize which zombies to shoot first and how to exploit weaknesses to get around each Uncommon’s invulnerability. Additionally, Survivors need to contend with three new Special Infected: Spitters, Jockeys, and Chargers. Oh, but it’s not all bad news; you’ll get to play as these guys (and girl) online against other players in two game modes.
Versus and Survival are back, and Survivors will need to deal with seven different Special Infected. Spitters, another female Infected, spit burning acid that deal more damage the longer you stand in it, giving the Jockey a chance to hop on a disoriented Survivor’s head and start steering them away from their team while smacking his victim with some nasty claws. The Charger acts as a mini Tank, who (duh) charges Survivors and grabs the first one he lays a hand on, before smashing them into the ground. There are plenty of new strategies and sadistic fun to be had, if you’re a fan of playing as zombies in Versus Mode. If you’re tired of Versus, an all new Scavenge Mode offers a change of pace for multiplayer junkies. In Scavenge, the four Survivors must gather fuel for a generator while the opposing four-player Infected team tries to stop them. The return of Survival Mode provides yet another alternative for online gamers, especially those who prefer to avoid the grief of player versus player matches. In any case, L4D2 makes it easy to jump in and out of games with how quickly most matches tend to end.
Another notable addition is Realism Mode, a co-op game mode that emphasizes teamwork above all else. You can choose between the four difficulty levels, but Survivors, Infected, and items have lost their indentifying halos. Without the visual cues, players will need to communicate more effectively to survive, especially with respawning disabled. The Horde can withstand and dish out more damage than before, so headshots are often the only effective way to take out certain Infected. And with the extended Infected roster, you can bet you'll be seeing way more Special units throughout the campaign. Though they appear more often in L4D2, Tanks and Witches are still the rarer couple, while Hunters, Boomers, Smokers, Spitters, Chargers, and Jockeys will be throwing themselves at you fairly frequently. Mind the Witches; they actually roam around during the day now, albeit slowly.
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