We heard all about it.
Although 2 hours of non-effective gameplay in the Cyber Cafe could not be considered as a professional review of a mere FPS game, I know Left 4 Dead so well, I can even walk backwards from the starting point to the Safehouse. Okay a bit of exaggeration won't kill. But I am familiar with the prequel and so are my friends.
I assume anyone who reads my blog know what has been added and retained in Left 4 Dead 2. I even assume most of you already play the game as well.
My Review once again has evolved into simple minded point form phrases more than long essays style.
Weapons
Let me see. Unlike the predecessor, we have a huge options of weapons; from a handgun, magnum to axe and chainsaws. The biggest add is the melee weapons that delivers a one-hit kill towards any infected except for bosses.
To be honest, the melee weapon is overrated. If anyone can give me 3 good logical explanations that why we must pick melee over range or even having it in your slot I will and shall waver your opinion.
I'll give you 3 good logical explanations:
1. Killing everything it touches, it inflicts area damage.
Yes, the motion's of wielding one weapon is very damaging. Killing everything that is infront of your monitor. Hell of an experience for the first 20 minutes or until you find out bullet is always the better way.
2. We don't have melee in L4D 1.
Once again, as a true gamer thy shall question thyself. Do thy really need a melee weapon if a zombie apocalypse is happening?
3. Because its かっこうのいい (cool or stylish)or (kakko-u-no-ii) use it my beautiful readers.
Bloods will splattered all over your screen if you manage to kill them in close range. Which can be both a nuisance that blocks one view and looking realistic at the same time.
Believe me, I love being a melee player in any FPS or RPG. I eventually suck at shooting except for sniping.
Applying only a single or double motion of wielding into every melee weapon?Yes?No? Sorry for my high observational skill. Is it my fault that I noticed the axe can only swing from my left to the right? So, its like mouse 1, left to right, zombies die, mouse 1, left to right, more zombies die, mouse 1, same animation again , come on, you know the drill. Katana has only 2 swings from the left to the right and then vice versa. But its quick at least you feel good and hyper until a boss type infected arrives. Youtube it and look for yourself for the swinging motion of the axe and katana.
But its not a big of a deal right? We have guitars, machete, baton and even the chainsaw. They were so many. Yeah but they are all melee, they all feel the same. Might as well just give us a sword or a knife for the whole game. Sure it gives you a refreshing feeling from the start but on the long run.... you will still prefer a gun. Weird quotes that I heard, " Guitar the Charger ! Chainsaw the Jockey! Why don't you frying pan the Hunter just now?" This is getting ridiculous.
Another one of the biggest issues. IMBA.
On the blue corner, we have 4 epic survivors prepared to be chewed by the infected. Survivors can equip guns, medipack, painkillers and a throwable weapon. They have 2 legs that cant sprint and a plenty more gadgets such as limited incendiary ammo to assist them and chemical weapons.
On the red corner lies the boss infected where they come into 7 types and each of them have their unique abilities. I assume you know each of everyone of them. Charger, a mini tank which can't be knockback has 600 HP it charges and pummels the survivor to the ground. Spitter, an infected that spits acid through the mouth that causes area damage and lives a puddle of acids when it dies. Jockey, an infected that will jump to the back of your shoulders and pull you away from your team into dark alley corners. That sums it all.
And what do the survivors have?
Anything new other than guns? Yes, you can play melee and get eaten more quickly. New characters? Laser sights? More guns?
We must have 4 survivors or else we will have to change our game title.
I can now imagine how will the team being slaughter by a Boomer, Charger, Hunter, and a Smoker. Boomer explodes, cause confusion and takes away your vision, Charger rams survivor 1, Smoker pulls survivor 2, Hunter pounces survivor 3, all other infected gangs up at poor no.4 or replace Boomer anytime with a Jockey if lucky and just mount, pounce, pummel and choke all four of them into the ground, instant KO.
What's even worse are the normal infected seems like they are coming from everywhere.
3. Artificial not so Intelligent. (survivor)
Throughout the game, as the host, I have being targeted by Infected bosses all the time. I am the key victim. Since we are short of 1 player. We were force to have 1 A.I in our team. Unlike the L4D 1 they do not freaking get in your way and line up infront of your crosshair. But this does. Yes, sure they do heal. They do shoot. At one time at Autrium I get my ass kicked by a Smoker while I was picking up gas can. A.I was infront of me and he did freaking nothing to save me. I swear to god he was grinning ear to ear while I was being rape by the Smoker. It looks like a freaking human player now. DAMNATION.
4. Artificial almost too intelligent. (Infectos and Steven Spielberg or Michael Bay)
Trust me. They are smart. I know it from the bottom of my heart The Director has been enhanced. One of the most challenging part of the game is the constant incoming attacks from the hordes. It just never stops sometimes or maybe perhaps we are moving too slow. Boomers never stupidly appears anymore, so as other infected, they really do sit and wait for their chances to come.
However, L4D2 is still consider one of the best game and it is highly addictive if you have a bunch of friends to play. Playing with the A.I did not really unleash the full potential of the game, not to mention that we do suffer from spikes, lags and hanging.
Nevertheless, Valve still indeed care for their gamers and customers by providing more maps, more guns, more zombies, and more enhancement in the sequel. It is a good game and the best of all it still does retain the gameplay of L4D1.
Left 4 Dead 2 is still one of best game out there but don't expect much from the sequel unless you have friends on both sides of the team.
Conclusion, I give this game a 7 out of 10.
