You could argue that L4D2’s biggest improvement is in the graphics department. The first game looked fine enough, especially when you considered it was built on some pretty creaky technology and there was a lot going on at any one time.

 

Well, the source engine is even creakier, but the improvements here are of a huge magnitude! The first major inmprovement is the lighting effects, which are more subtle, and make more a of a difference to gameplay. Then you get some of the fantastic weather effects, with volumetric rain and fog, that not only look great, but affect the gameplay, filling up levels with water and forcing you to take new routes.

 

 

The zombies themselves barely look any better- but there’s way more different models used, so you see less repetition, and there is now also loads of strategic dismemberment and blood flying everywhere, which must take up a pretty hefty chunk of processing power! L4D2 is probably still not going to win any prizes for graphical prowess, but I was shocked at how much things have improved- last year’s game was pretty average for a 2008 title, but what we have here is a title that fits into the upper echelons of quality a year later. Viva la source!

 

Sound is much improved over the first game- because the player characters talk to each other so much more. Whilst perhaps only Coach has a personality to rival Bill, the mere fact that the players don’t act like four more zombies any more is a really welcome addition, especially the way the backstories are slowly revealed over the course of the game. Barring that, the effects are mostly recycled, however, including the music effects when you are by a witch, a tank is on the way- which is kind of fine, as they are an aural cue- like the stupid grenade noise in COD, but at the same time- some new music wouldn’t have gone amiss.

 

So. Multiplayer. Even more than with the first game- this is a title where you really should have xbox live in order to better your experience, despite the two-player splitscreen option remaining in place.

 

With a new competitive multiplayer offering, Scavenge, and all the campaigns being available to play in versus mode from the off, there are way more opportunities to play with a full complement of 8 players. Whenever you do play online, teamwork is obviously still the key- and therefore I do recommend playing with friends whenever possible.

 

 

Playing with randoms will probably reduce the amount of mikes you have, and therefore reduce the effectiveness of your teamwork. You also occasionally get douches that run off or try and shoot everyone up instead. It’s unfortunate, but that’s the internets for you! There’s always idiots out there- but when you get a good team rapport going, there’s not much out there that could possibly beat a good game of L4D- you’re always screaming for someone to save you or trying to frantically help out your team-mates- this is definitely a game that’s best online, even if you do get the odd dodgy game.

 

The naysayers should be thoroughly silenced. Whilst the core gameplay remains similar, this is such a major, game-changing update it could never have been accomplished through DLC.

 

Whilst the game still has some minor problems, and many will feel that 6 campaigns would have probably been the right figure, you cannot deny that "Left 4 Dead 2" is fun as hell to play, and is both different enough and better to the extent that I am confident that I will be playing it well into 2010. If you want a co-operative experience- L4D2 is clearly the best you can get.

 

 

 

 

+ Linked stories
+ Better characters
+ New modes