Left 4 Dead 2 (Steam) PC

Left 4 Dead 2 for PC is perhaps that rarest of creatures: a sequel that is almost universally agreed to be better than the original, capitalising on what was done right, minimising that which didn’t work so well and generally being a more polished, immersive and engaging game. The game is a zombie apocalypse survival game, in which you are one of only four survivors, on your way to your destination (wherever that might be).

About the Game

You are one of four, and it is best to play with four friends if you like to be sociable, but if you are awake and gaming at an hour when most others are sleeping, you can still play – the other three characters will be peopled by computer characters who come complete with their own quirks and personalities to make it a bit more engaging – watch out for Errol who chatters endlessly, to the point that he seems oblivious to the gathering hordes of zombies approaching!

Versus is a nicely challenging game, when you and your fellow survivors take on four other online players who take on the personas of Boss Zombie villains, such as Boomers, Hunters, Smokers, Tanks from the old game and Spitters, Jockeys and Chargers from the new, some of whom can leave time-delayed obstacles, such as Spitters’ giant pools of acidic saliva which will harm anyone who stumbles into it.

What’s New?

The improvements to the game are wide-ranging, including locations and backgrounds, the ready availability of loot – especially different types of ammunition (Can you say explosive? Can you say incendiary?) and powerful guns of all sorts.

There are also – new to the sequel – melee weapons so you can work out some serious tension by shredding, ripping and generally savaging your way through the zombie hordes using machetes, katanas, and even chainsaws. More niche weapons include oddities like Molotov cocktails and bile bombs (don’t ask).

Gameplay in this sequel is so rapid that you will not have time to think before each move. This means you will need to learn the keyboard layout or mouse controls as soon as possible, in order for the motions to be like muscle memory, ingrained in your hands and wrists. Once you have mastered them, your character will respond rapidly to instructions, orders and threats, giving you more of a chance of survival.

One of the major changes between the first game in the series and this one is the rather delightfully gruesome way that the zombies are dispatched. Intestines uncoil, heads and limbs fly off, bodies are practically vaporised into bloody shreds: violent and bloodthirsty, but curiously satisfying when you have been having a stressful day!

Multiple Difficulty Levels

• Normal: The best way to start off play, giving you a nice challenge and letting you learn your way through the game without throwing too many obstacles in your way.
• Expert: Needing tight cooperation, near constant and perfectly-understood communication between you and your fellow survivors to survive. You will also need to make lightning fast decisions, communicate and agree and enact them within seconds, all of which makes success an extra pleasure – you will all have a deep sense of accomplishment for pulling it off!
• Realism: Add an extra challenge to the game by switching on this mode. Instantly, all the helpful guides such as attractive glows around desirable treasures, guiding hints and so on are all removed, leaving you blundering around to find your own way around the map!