It's a steal for those who paid $35 for it in a Steam 4-pack. If you loved the original, silly boycott and releasing a year later aside, it's an incredible improvement on the original game.

The new infected make things just *that* much crazier in Versus mode. Think you've got it under control? Here comes a Charger. Trying to get your incapped teammate up? Spitter goo. About to make that drop and killed the Smoker? Here comes a Jockey to ride your straggling buddy off the edge.

Visually, there are definite improvements. The common infected, IMO, look more believable. Each Special Infected has received a makeover. It's still using the Source engine, but little improvements here and there have added some refinement. (better fire, for lack of a more interesting improvement off the top of my head) This may not be as applicable on the 360 version, since I've seen it's a little less detailed than the PC. Still, the gore effects alone are an enormous visual addition. They're actually pretty disgusting if you step back from the frantic gameplay and observe. If it can be blown off or blown through, you will see it. Valve has given us the most impressive dismemberment physics to be seen yet, in my estimation. (which can be turned off, for those who prefer)

There are literally hours of dialogue recorded for each Survivor and, while I don't like the new crew as much as the original 4, they're top quality. The original game's audio was superb, but L4D2 maintains that standard. Each previous Special Infected has also received additional sounds, and differentiating them can mean the difference between ambush and smooth sailing. (so be alert) The music draws from the L4D themes, but with a highly-stylized Southern flavor. The horde music eventually dives into a nearly techno-sounding frenzy, but it's grown on me over the last week. (thought it was obnoxious at first, again comparing to L4D)

As with the original: Those expecting their $50 ($60 on consoles) worth out of just single-player and some kind of direct narrative, this isn't your game. It's all about Campaign and Versus play, and best done online with friends. The Survival mode makes a comeback, basically in the original's style. Scavenge mode is a new addition, and basically combines the brevity of Survival and the intensity of Versus. (fill up a generator w/ gas cans, get more than the competing team for a best of 5 match) Realism is the last new mode. Zombies take more damage, and require either decapitation or severe mangling to kill. (watching an armless infected get back up to charge you is eerie) It also removes hud outlines, which means teams *need* to maintain visual line of sight to avoid lots of incap confusion.

Remember the finales from the original? Cue rescue, fight horde, tank, fight, tank, rescue + tank? Remember the Crash Course DLC finale? Cue rescue, fight, tank, restart generator, fight, tank, rescue, etc? For the most part, you can say goodbye to static finales. There's one, but it happens in a torrential downpour, making visibility low and mayhem abound. One involves finding containers and gassing up a car to make your escape, all while being attacked. I don't want to spoil too much, but there's an especially frantic bridge finale...

Mechanically, even the multiplayer settings have improved. I can only speak for the PC, but rage quitters were an all too frequent issue in L4D. To combat that in Versus, Valve has added the ability to play "Team Versus." This involves "building" your team of 4, then being matched up with another complete team. This increases the likelihood of a competitive game, while reducing the chance of someone bailing on their teammates. (ideally, at least) It's a step in the right direction, to be sure.

All-in-all, Valve has upped the creative chaos in each finale, and the game really shines because of it. One or two campaigns are average when compared to the rest, but each one is a wild ride. It shows what they learned from the previous game, and how nearly every element could be improved upon.

For those looking for insights on the story, check this Steam thread. (linked below) While there's no direct narrative, plenty can be gleaned from Survivor dialogue, safe room wall graffiti and general setpiece scrutiny.

/yes, I am an OCD edit monkey