I play L4D2 on the PC. What do you want? :p - Edit 4
Before modification by Zalis at 24/11/2009 06:04:33 PM
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. Overall, it seems like the game is just as great as the original, and each previous Special Infected has also received additional sounds. Knowing their sounds can mean the difference between ambush and smooth sailing, to be alert.
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.
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.
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. Overall, it seems like the game is just as great as the original, and each previous Special Infected has also received additional sounds. Knowing their sounds can mean the difference between ambush and smooth sailing, to be alert.
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.
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.