Game Details
Title: Left 4 Dead 2Publisher: Valve
Developer: Valve
Game Series: Left 4 Dead
Genre: Action, First Person Shooter
Theme: Survival Horror
Modes: Multiplayer Co-Op, Singler Player
ESRB Rating: M for Mature
Release Date: Nov 17, 2009
Also Available On: Xbox 360
The Left 4 Dead 2 demo was the first time I was able to perform a hands-on preview of the survival horror first person shooter and my overall impression was very positive. There appears to be just enough new infected/special infected, weapons, updated graphics, and other game play tweeks to keep things fresh while not losing sight of the fun and non-stop action of the original.
For those who were expecting this to be a repackage of Left 4 Dead with new maps and characters should take a second look, you might be pleasantly surprised. The graphics and animation have been upgraded with more detailed character models for the zombies, new types of infected/special infected, armored zombies and more. In addition the game features new weapons, melee weapons and a new look for the special infected from Left 4 Dead.
What's In The Demo/Impressions
Two levels from the 'Parish' Campaign - The Left 4 Dead 2 demo includes the first two levels from the 'Parish' Campaign and has the 4 survivors fighting their way through streets that are infested with zombies. The levels are decent in length but are only playable in single player or multiplayer co-op campaign. Multiplayer co-op mode allows up to four players to play together each taking on the role of one of the survivors. The demo does not include the Versus or Realism modes so there's not opportunity to try out how the new infected play. New Infected - The Left 4 Dead 2 demo includes both new infected and special infected zombies. The regular infected zombies seemed to be harder to take down and some are now armored with bullet proof vests and police riot gear. You'll come to learn from comments of your survivors that it's best to shoot them in the back. Well that's not always easy to do, especially with dozens of other zombies rushing in behind them. The new special infected in Left 4 Dead 2 include the Charger, the Jockey and the Spitter with each having their unique attacks.• Charger - This guy seems to come out of nowhere and before you know it you're being pummeled into the ground, wall, or nearest object. While it doesn't take much to bring him down, it's the combination of his quickness and power that make him deadly.
• Jockey - A jockey's main move is to jump on a survivor's head/shoulders attacking as he also drags you away. He seems to be a bit of a combination of a hunter and smoker but more annoying and harder to predict.
• Spitter - The spitter is a female zombie that is similar to a boomer from Left 4 Dead. Rather than spitting slime, the spitter projects acid onto the ground that causes damage to survivors in the area until they move away or the acid dissolves. In addition to the new special infected, the special infected from Left 4 Dead, hunter, smoker, boomer, witch and Tank have received a new look with updated skins for character models. Melee Weapons & New Items - The addition of melee weapons adds a new element to melee combat combat and the two levels in the demo include a police baton, machete, frying pan and electric guitar. Equipping these however forces you to drop your pistol and while they were effective and fun to use it really opens you up to taking a lot more damage if you get surrounded. There are also some new standard weapons including a machine gun/uzi equiped with a silencer and a scoped hunting rifle just to name the two that I encountered during my time playing. Left 4 Dead 2 will also include some new throwable items. Survivors can still find and equip pipe bombs, Molotov's, pills but can also find adrenaline shots, boomer slime in a can, and a defibrillator that allows you to bring a fallen survivor back to life.
