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Publisher: Electronic Arts
Developer: Valve Software
Genre: Shooter
Release date: Available now
Valve has already set a high bar when making video games. With such hits as the Half-Life series, Team Fortress, Portal and the first Left 4 Dead, people keep wondering when they will run out of creative steam. Well, I can assure you, they certainly haven’t yet. You might remember a growing voice in the gaming community calling for a boycott of Left 4 Dead 2 because of its being released so soon after the original and concerns that issues from the first game had not been resolved. That boycott call ceased this past October before L4D2‘s release, and if you play this game, you’ll see why – it’s fantastic.
Left 4 Dead 2 is set in the same world as its predecessor, one completely overrun by blood-hungry zombies and creatures. Starting out in Georgia, four people have banded together to find a way to fend off the horde and protect each other as they travel to a safe haven. Along the way, the characters can collect various weaponry, including guns, projectiles and melee items to fend off their foes. Unlike the first game in the series, Left 4 Dead 2’s five campaigns are all connected with a story arc that provides an epic quality to the game.
 Those familiar with the original Left 4 Dead game will find little difference in terms of gameplay as far as the controls and actions are concerned. If anything, Valve has enhanced its heads-up display, making it easier to keep track of items and other players. L4D2 offers tons of game styles to try out, including Campaign (single, local or online multiplayer), Versus, Survival, and a new mode called Scavenge, a 4-on-4 mode that’s more strategy oriented. Also introduced is a Realistic mode in which visual aids are turned off and the durability of the enemies is increased, making the game more challenging. L4D2 retains the original’s core strategic element: the successful teams are the ones who find ways to work together.
There’s so much to love about this game. The graphics are amazingly crisp and exceptionally detailed. The music ranges from heart-thumpingly creepy to adrenaline-raging, and the sound effects and dialogue are wonderfully performed. Also, there’s lots of rich content allowing for great replay value, either alone or with a group of friends. This game is proof positive that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Valve has only made its Left 4 Dead series more fun, with great new characters and tweaks to the original that make L4D2 better than its predecessor.
 Finding things to criticize about this game is a rather tricky task, and only possible when one wants to get very nitpicky. I’d imagine a lot of critics might shave points because of L4D2‘s unoriginal concept, borrowing so heavily from the first game. I can’t say I fully agree with this, since I found enough to be new, fresh and exciting in L4D2 to make me feel like I was playing a whole new game. I will say that I find aiming to be a little wild and random, and I wish you respawned faster when playing as the infected, but these are very minor issues.
It’s hard to go wrong with Left 4 Dead 2. It’s wonderfully exciting, offers fantastic gameplay, and has a replay value that might be unparalleled. For any gamer you know this is a must-buy this holiday season if you want to see a smile on their face.
Our Score: 
Our Recommendation: 
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Great review Chris! I’ve only played a couple of the campaigns so far, but I completely agree with your outlook on the game. They’ve managed to change just enough to make the game seem refreshing, while also keeping the core from the previous version intact.
I love the new spins on the campaign finales, as well as the mid-level objectives. Dashing through the mall to grab gas cans to fill up a car, retrieving soda for a hunkered down gun owner, it’s all awesome. It definitely makes for more thrilling climaxes than in the previous game.
All L4D2 fans will want to join the Avault Steam group so that they can participate in this month’s Avault PC Game Night.
Thanks, Ryan! I really appreciate it. I’ll actually put this out there too- any fellow AVault staff or loyal readers want to add me on XBox Live to play a few rounds of this together, I’m: “Mr Fox In A Box”.
Good review. I do have a question. does the L4D2 disk contain the campaigns from the original L4D game including the dlc?
Matt-
You know, I don’t believe so. When I launch the game I only see the L4D2 campaigns. However, the game alerted me that one of my friends was playing L4D, and it seemed as though I could have possibly joined his multiplayer game, but I honestly didn’t try. If I see that situation again though, I’ll give it a shot and let you know.
Best,
Christopher
I hear nothing but great things about this game! I can’t wait to pick up my copy next week. Thanks again for the review it was an enjoyment.
It’s a cracking game, and I completely agree with your review Chris, but aren’t you getting a bit bored? My main problem (it’s a tiny one) with L4D2 is that it’s too short. L4D was incredibly short, so don’t get me wrong, this is better, but I wolf still like some extra downlaodable content to keep me playing it, rather than selling it on.
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