Left 4 Dead 2 review (Xbox 360, PC) By Sayed Islam Published: 12/29/09 PrintEmail
With just approximately a year in between the original Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2, it made even the most devoted of Valve enthusiasts ponder if this was the correct decision. The doubt that has crept in has merit. Still, Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the faster adrenaline rush paced thrill rides available. The storyline transpires with four main protagonists. These four characters are Coach, Ellis, Nick, and Rochelle. There is a viral outbreak, and a zombie apocalypse ensues. Furthermore, as time progresses, the viral outbreak exacerbates. As a result, they must work cohesively together to extricate themselves from such an isolated predicament. On the whole, the narrative is just marginally better than the original Left 4 Dead. But that is not saying much.
The gameplay is more of the same, and the same grotesqueness is scattered throughout. In addition to the engrossing single player experience, there is the multiplayer (which is just as solid if not better than the single player mode). There are five original campaigns, and the objectives are eerily reminiscent to the first Left 4 Dead: find and enter the safehouse. This time around, there are melee weapons in your arsenal like chainsaws and blades. Yes, there even a frying pan. Be careful about utilizing melee weapons because they are essentially like a double edged sword. On the positive side, they create more havoc than the conventional melee attack from a gun. Regrettably, you have to be fairly close to the zombies to even make contact with the weapon. After the initial melee weapon novelty wears thin, you will be tempted to go straight back to the pipe bombs, molotov cocktails, shotguns, and machine guns. Three modes that have remained intact from the original Left 4 Dead are campaign, versus, and survival. Since they are virtually identical to the previous Left for Dead, they will not be discussed in detail in this review. Nonetheless, the one new mode is known as Scavenge mode. This is where you have a mode that involved survivors versus zombies. Survivors must add fuel to a various generators. Conversely, the zombies must prevent the survivors from adding fuel to the generators. It can be hectic and challenging.
The audio is astonishing. Musically, it sets the zombie invested ambiance immaculately. From the sounds of the gunfire to the sounds of the zombies shrieking, the overshadowing feeling of the zombie viral outbreak is ubiquitous. The one caveat to this is the voice acting. It gets rather bizarre, but that can be overlooked.
About the art direction, the visuals can be fine for the most part. There is some underwhelming animations, and the occasional clipping from time to time.
Overall, Left 4 Dead 2’s rehashing is its biggest downfall. Valve purists will without a doubt eat this one alive. For everyone else, it feels like a respectable sequel.
Art direction 8 About the art direction, the visuals can be fine for the most part. There is some underwhelming animations, and the occasional clipping from time to time. Audio 9 About the art direction, the visuals can be fine for the most part. There is some underwhelming animations, and the occasional clipping from time to time. Gameplay 8.5 The gameplay is more of the same, and the same grotesqueness is scattered throughout. Presentation 7.5 On the whole, the narrative is just marginally better than the original Left 4 Dead. But that is not saying much. Replay value 10 So much to shoot and incinerate.
With just approximately a year in between the original Left 4 Dead and Left 4 Dead 2, it made even the most devoted of Valve enthusiasts ponder if this was the correct decision. The doubt that has crept in has merit. Still, Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the faster adrenaline rush paced thrill rides available. The storyline transpires with four main protagonists. These four characters are Coach, Ellis, Nick, and Rochelle. There is a viral outbreak, and a zombie apocalypse ensues. Furthermore, as time progresses, the viral outbreak exacerbates. As a result, they must work cohesively together to extricate themselves from such an isolated predicament. On the whole, the narrative is just marginally better than the original Left 4 Dead. But that is not saying much. 
