Left 4 Dead (Xbox 360)
Nothing Compares 2 U
11/20/2008 8:00 PM | 3 Comments | Page 3 of 3
What's Hot: Elegant team play; Some of the best AI in gaming today; Outrageously good character and zombie designs
What's Not: A small number of unclear pathways through maps; No way to play as the Infected offline
Louis is kind of the "Shaun of the Dead" hero of the bunch.
I've gone this far without mentioning the game's masterful use of light and shadow, and how Valve keeps the maps dense and intricate, but eases navigation with well-placed light sources. I also didn't detail the "crescendo moments," in which player groups are given a momentary breather before a massive zombie assault begins, or the simple but balanced weapon selection, and how it can work to a well-trained group's advantage.
More than anything else, I appreciate the strategic qualities of the team play. Where
Gears of War 2 is satisfying in a brutal, reactive way,
Left 4 Dead invites more planning and cooperation. The Horde mode of
Gears 2 is a good start for sheer against-the-masses gameplay. But the unwitting team of the Director and other players intent on grinding the scrappy Survivor group into hamburger brings co-op play to an entirely different -- and far more satisfying -- level.
This review is based on a retail copy of the game provided by the publisher.
