Topic: Left 4 Dead

[Smakian]

So this was my game of the show for PAX, and my most anticipated game of the year now. Over an hour in line, and totally worth it. Just, wow. I'm not really into zombie games, but this one is everything I would want a zombie game to be. It totally puts you into a survival mindset, and the way it makes you play is just incredible. If you don't stick together; you die fast. I'd been following some of the coverage on this, so I was somewhat prepared. When the demo started I grabbed a sub-machine gun and immediately took up the rear guard of my four-man party, knowing that zombies could come from anywhere. While the other three charged ahead with shotguns blazing, I cautiously watched their backs, shutting doors behind us and picking off the infected that snuck up behind us. When the level opened up some, my fellow survivors started breaking rule number one, and rushing off to hunt for targets like it was an easter egg hunt. Luckily, when you're separated you can see outlines of your teammates through walls. Even better, the outlines turn red when someone is in trouble. So I was able to rush between them, covering as needed, rescuing when required. I shot more than a few Hunters off of prostrate, flailing survivors, and once when one guy got vomited on by a Boomer (also turning his outline red for a moment), I helped fight off the infected hordes that swarmed him. The whole experience was hectic and glorious. The AI Director really does a great job of keeping the intensity at the perfect level the whole time you're playing. I can't wait till this comes out; in fact I've half a mind to drive over to Valve and demand to play.

[Morari]

Credit should be issued where due. Left 4 Dead is not too far removed from the UT2K4 mod, Killing Floor. I am eagerly awaiting the games release nonetheless.

[S-U-P-E-R]

Buying this on release day

[GoldenPhoenix]

I'm interested too. Anything Valve does interests me, especially with multiplayer based games. They always seem to innovate and push the genre forward unlike some OTHER developer peoples.

[Smakian]

Somehow, I forgot to put the best part in that post.

At one point near the end of the demo, we were on an abandoned roadway with some cars lying around. the Valve guy leans over to me and says, "I normally wouldn't recommend this, but we want you to have a cool experience during the demo, so why don't you try shooting that car?" I took a few potshots at it, and the car alarm went off. A few seconds later, hordes of zombies came pouring out of buildings and side alleys. It was crazy, all I was doing during the whole thing was frantically shooting and bashing zombies when I ran out of bullets. One person went down, but we were able to get them back up. It was completely awesome. I don't know if I'll be able to resist shooting every car I see when I get the full game.

[bosshogx]

This game is a definite day one purchase for any PC or 360 owner.  It's really cool how the players are forced to work together as opposed to running around like a bunch of idiots.  Hopefully there will be some form of a LAN feature instead of just online only.

[Morari]

Hopefully? Why wouldn't it have LAN as an option? Every multiplayer game since DooM has had a LAN option.

[NWR_insanolord]

I believe he means on the 360.

[Morari]

Oh... Well, playing a FPS on a console is just silly anyway.

[NWR_insanolord]

Oh... Well, playing a FPS on a console is just silly anyway.

Hey, some people want the aiming controls to be better so they play on PC, some people want all the other controls to be better so they play on consoles, don't judge people for their preferences.

[Smakian]

The Aim Assist they've built into the 360 version actually works fairly well.

[Morari]

Oh... Well, playing a FPS on a console is just silly anyway.

Hey, some people want the aiming controls to be better so they play on PC, some people want all the other controls to be better so they play on consoles, don't judge people for their preferences.

And just what other controls are better, per say? Last time I checked, the entire genre was built around a mouse and keyboard. It simply works and works well because of it. It's not just limited to controls either--consoles are severely limited when it comes to customization of options.

Besides, if I can't judge people based upon their various preferences (music, religion, politics, gamepads, etc) then what exactly am I supposed to judge them with?

[NWR_insanolord]

The genre was built around mouse and keyboard because that's what was available, not because it was the best way to do it. Pretty much everything with the keyboard is better with buttons on a gamepad, especially movement with an analog stick, and also firing your weapon with a trigger is better than clicking a mouse.  That's why Wii FPS controls are so great, you get all the advantages of a console controller but with the precise aiming of a PC FPS. As for customization, that's not the consoles' fault it's the developers' fault. The TimeSplitters games let you customize controls completely. Want to fire your gun with left on the d-pad? Go right ahead. And I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to judge people at all.

[Morari]

Moving is not superior in any regard, giving that the mouse's ability to quickly look around makes up half of the movement aspect of a FPS. Circle strafing is a pretty big deal. This is especially true with the Wii where you aimer still moves separate from the screen. The only thing I've yet to have much luck with using a mouse and keyboard are fighters... of course, there of those out there that would argue against the use of a gamepad with those as well.

You don't judge people? How do you come to a conclusion on whether or not you like them?

[KDR_11k]

Pretty much everything with the keyboard is better with buttons on a gamepad

However when I need precision I'll use the keyboard, distinct keys for the directions operated with multiple fingers are just better than sliding my thumb around on a plastic cross. Also zeroes the chance of accidentally hitting down+jump when I want to jump as more and more games make that mean slide.

A problem with analog stick aim is that either you can't aim precisely or you can't turn around fast enough. With a mouse you can do both.

[blackfootsteps]

Oh... Well, playing a FPS on a console is just silly anyway.

Yeah because sitting on a comfortable couch and playing on a nice, big tv screen is so silly. 

I've seen nothing on this game but that description has definitely got me interested.

[Enner]

Oh... Well, playing a FPS on a console is just silly anyway.

Yeah because sitting on a comfortable couch and playing on a nice, big tv screen is so silly. 

I've seen nothing on this game but that description has definitely got me interested.

Well, with the proper cash and effort, you could do just that with a PC. Most new TVs these days ought to have a VGA plug-in and mini 8 plug-in anyway. Just either get long-cabled or wireless keyboard and mouse and you're good to go! Playing AudioSurf on a big TV screen is quite a trip.

As for Left 4 Dead, its a missed opportunity that the hand on the cover art isn't a left hand.

[bosshogx]

I've seen nothing on this game but that description has definitely got me interested.

Here's some quick Youtube links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vvUz5dcMAE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IyxNeGptg0

You can see how when the group gets separated it gets real bad.

[ShyGuy]

Wow, this is a well done game. Probably the best shooter on the 360.

[Stratos]

Wow, this is a well done game. Probably the best shooter on the 360.

It's my next PC purchase. I love playing this game. But I'm done with playing it in an internet cafe, I have a nice new computer that can run it so it is the next thing I am spending money on.

Supposedly there is a new update for it that was released but I've yet to read what it does. I'll report on it once I get home in an hour or so if no one else does it by then.

[ShyGuy]

Yeah, I may buy this for PC. It really did play well on the 360 though. I am no fan of dual analog shooters, but this one was pretty smooth. The accuracy required was pretty loose, but I imagine that's necessary in a dual analog shooter.

[kraken613]

Everyone who gets/has it for PC my Steam ID is kraken613.

[Morari]

I finally got around to trying out a few custome campaigns. I can confirm that both "Dam It" and "Death Aboard" are worth the download.

[Stratos]

I finally got around to trying out a few custome campaigns. I can confirm that both "Dam It" and "Death Aboard" are worth the download.

Are they free?

[Morari]

Yes, they are free, user-created maps. Now that the SDK is finally out of the beta stage, you should expect to see a lot of custom campaigns.