Left 4 Dead
Left 4 Dead
by s3rius on Sun 16 Nov - 23:53
I've been able to test out the new zombie survival game made by Turtle Rock Studios (also CS:CZ, CS:S) - for those of you who don't know the game:
It seems a virus has infected the majority of the game's inhabitants, except for a few who for whatever reason are immune. Those resistant Survivors must then battle their way through gangs of Infected to safety, using a variety of guns and explosives. Up to eight players can join a server to play, with four on the Survivor side and four playing as special Infected monstrosities. Since a few days a demo version can be downloaded through Steam to test out the first two levels and get the details on exactly how this game works.
Left 4 Dead's gameplay centers on cooperative mechanics, though mostly on the Survivor side. When you are alone you can easily be taken out by one of the four infected bosses who posses unique abilities that you can only get rid of in cooperation with at least one more survivor. The hunter, for example, can barely be distinguished from a normal zombie, but he can leap 15 meters far and pin you to the ground. If no survivor is close to help you, he will slowly rip you apart.
In singleplay, the surprisingly intelligent AI takes control of the other survivors, whereas in multiplayer you can join an already running game and take control of one of the AI survivors.
The game's five map campaigns each take around an hour to complete if you know what you're doing. We had the opportunity to play through the the first two levels of the Hospital campaign a few times, where the main goal was to clamber through ruined urban areas, access the hospital, then scurry to the roof and get picked up by a rescue chopper. Other than that goal, the game doesn't seem to have any real storyline, it's mainly about shooting. There were a few action set pieces in the campaign, including a rather treacherous elevator ascent where zombies poured into the car through an overhead vent, and the final rooftop defense. During the end battle, the Survivors are set up in a tower and given a stationary gun. Wave after wave of zombie then spawns to try and wipe out the party. If they're successfully taken out, the remaining Survivors will need to bring down two hulking Tank Infected, which is no easy feat.
Moving across each map will, according to Turtle Rock, be different every time as the Infected mob's positions will be randomized. After making multiple trips through each map, we noticed we'd get mobbed at different times, so we had to stay extra frosty when creeping through the dilapidated environments. To survive the onslaught of blood-crazed Infected, you and your team of three will need to stick close together for multiple reasons. First and most obvious, the more bullets you're simultaneously firing at an enemy, the faster they're going to go down. Second, you'll need to revive any fallen squadmates should they take one too many zombie slashes.
In Left 4 Dead, taking too much damage doesn't result in an immediate death. Instead you fall to the ground and have a "bleed-out" timer, at the end of which you die. Teammates will need to be aware of who goes down, as a fallen comrade can still take damage once they hit the floor.
Uhh, I've already written too much I guess.. Well, L4D features huge amounts of zombies, an awesome atmosphere, some great co-op and a lot of fun!
You can download a free demo version through Valve's Steam network, or you can download it elsewhere (in this case you won't be able to play online). I believe the demo version only works until tuesday - that is because on tuesday the full version is in the stores. I'm actually thinking about buying it..
The game's intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCM9RDkHSEM
Some game footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7fNZI1wU04
It seems a virus has infected the majority of the game's inhabitants, except for a few who for whatever reason are immune. Those resistant Survivors must then battle their way through gangs of Infected to safety, using a variety of guns and explosives. Up to eight players can join a server to play, with four on the Survivor side and four playing as special Infected monstrosities. Since a few days a demo version can be downloaded through Steam to test out the first two levels and get the details on exactly how this game works.
Left 4 Dead's gameplay centers on cooperative mechanics, though mostly on the Survivor side. When you are alone you can easily be taken out by one of the four infected bosses who posses unique abilities that you can only get rid of in cooperation with at least one more survivor. The hunter, for example, can barely be distinguished from a normal zombie, but he can leap 15 meters far and pin you to the ground. If no survivor is close to help you, he will slowly rip you apart.
In singleplay, the surprisingly intelligent AI takes control of the other survivors, whereas in multiplayer you can join an already running game and take control of one of the AI survivors.
The game's five map campaigns each take around an hour to complete if you know what you're doing. We had the opportunity to play through the the first two levels of the Hospital campaign a few times, where the main goal was to clamber through ruined urban areas, access the hospital, then scurry to the roof and get picked up by a rescue chopper. Other than that goal, the game doesn't seem to have any real storyline, it's mainly about shooting. There were a few action set pieces in the campaign, including a rather treacherous elevator ascent where zombies poured into the car through an overhead vent, and the final rooftop defense. During the end battle, the Survivors are set up in a tower and given a stationary gun. Wave after wave of zombie then spawns to try and wipe out the party. If they're successfully taken out, the remaining Survivors will need to bring down two hulking Tank Infected, which is no easy feat.
Moving across each map will, according to Turtle Rock, be different every time as the Infected mob's positions will be randomized. After making multiple trips through each map, we noticed we'd get mobbed at different times, so we had to stay extra frosty when creeping through the dilapidated environments. To survive the onslaught of blood-crazed Infected, you and your team of three will need to stick close together for multiple reasons. First and most obvious, the more bullets you're simultaneously firing at an enemy, the faster they're going to go down. Second, you'll need to revive any fallen squadmates should they take one too many zombie slashes.
In Left 4 Dead, taking too much damage doesn't result in an immediate death. Instead you fall to the ground and have a "bleed-out" timer, at the end of which you die. Teammates will need to be aware of who goes down, as a fallen comrade can still take damage once they hit the floor.
Uhh, I've already written too much I guess.. Well, L4D features huge amounts of zombies, an awesome atmosphere, some great co-op and a lot of fun!
You can download a free demo version through Valve's Steam network, or you can download it elsewhere (in this case you won't be able to play online). I believe the demo version only works until tuesday - that is because on tuesday the full version is in the stores. I'm actually thinking about buying it..
The game's intro:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCM9RDkHSEM
Some game footage:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7fNZI1wU04
Re: Left 4 Dead
by Mishotaki on Mon 17 Nov - 3:47
hum did you copy/paste that or you got an early full game tryout? cuz those aren't the levels where we play in the demo... 
the game is great... i played quite a lot and i baught the pre-order after trying it ^_^
the game is great... i played quite a lot and i baught the pre-order after trying it ^_^
Re: Left 4 Dead
by s3rius on Mon 17 Nov - 9:52
The demo only features two out of those levels. I haven't played the others, but I've seen a lot of footage, e.g. from the defense of the rooftop.
But you're right, I've copied the middle part because I was to lazy to write ^.^
But you're right, I've copied the middle part because I was to lazy to write ^.^
Last edited by s3rius on Wed 19 Nov - 23:54; edited 1 time in total
Re: Left 4 Dead
by Asgard_Ragna on Mon 17 Nov - 13:42
I played the demo with 3 friends during the whole weekend. We had a hell lot of fun and beat the game at expert difficulty 
We are looking forward to buying the full game.
We are looking forward to buying the full game.
Re: Left 4 Dead
by Asgard_Ragna on Tue 18 Nov - 13:37
s3rius wrote:Huhu, then we could play a game or two =)
Yeah, but I don't know when I will buy it. Atm I'm looking for a site that sells it uncut and for a good price.
Re: Left 4 Dead
by IamDjRosette on Wed 19 Nov - 12:16
Iam also interrested in left4dead and iam sure i go buy the original online it will be really funny so guys we open a new Clan^^
Re: Left 4 Dead
by Asgard_Ragna on Wed 19 Nov - 18:33
RainBird wrote:Btw, How about graphics? Are they good?
Nothing compared to Crysis, but still it fits the game very well.
Re: Left 4 Dead
by RainBird on Wed 19 Nov - 19:30
Good to know, I guess Im buying it as soon as I find it 
Re: Left 4 Dead
by s3rius on Wed 19 Nov - 19:39
Well, you can catch a glimpse of the graphics in the videos attached to my first post. It's about HL-2 graphics, though the faces look awesome. They're Crysis niveau.
Re: Left 4 Dead
by Lisianthus on Wed 19 Nov - 23:36
Great review there s3rius. If you wanna read more you can read a very good article here: http://pc.ign.com/articles/760/760290p1.html
