Metareview -- Left 4 Dead (360)
by Justin McElroy 
{ Nov 18th 2008 at 9:00AM }
- OXM (95/100): "Come to think of it, with a handful of levels and unpredictable events happening within them, Left 4 Dead has more in common with Ms. Pac-Man than just the eating. It's the same thing over and over - but when simple ingredients are perfectly prepared, what could be a mere snack becomes a feast. This one just happens to be on human flesh."
- IGN (90/100): "Left 4 Dead is also a completely different kind of game, and it feels as much of an experiment as it does an amazing gameplay experience. Valve has moved against convention and delivered a game that is built almost entirely around cooperative multiplayer action. This is a game that comes to life when you play with at least one other human player, and it's even better if there are four humans in each game."
- GameSpy (90/100): "One need only look at Left 4 Dead for proof that the gaming landscape is fundamentally changing. This is a game that was obviously envisioned from the very beginning as a co-op experience, even modeling its single-player campaign to mirror that approach. The inventive and highly entertaining competitive multiplayer mode just adds to the experience, and we're looking forward to seeing what Valve's got planned for the game's future."
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Dest @ Nov 18th 2008 9:06AM
Most amazing game I've played in years.
copa @ Nov 18th 2008 9:40AM
And... can you believe it? It has higher metacritic scores than Dead Space!
http://www.joystiq.com/2008/07/31/the-joystiq-e3-2008-awards/#c13453722
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 18th 2008 9:52AM
Who cares about scores? All that matters is that it's a damn fun game.
BLee @ Nov 18th 2008 10:05AM
Its a real shame I have no friends
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 18th 2008 10:10AM
WEll thanks to xbox live, now you can have pretend friends who'll pretend that they know you and socialize you for at least 10 minutes.
ZaxCG2 @ Nov 18th 2008 11:20AM
If Dead Space had online co-op, it'd probably do better. ;)
knightsray @ Nov 18th 2008 12:31PM
to all the guys below me...don't get me wrong..i LOVE my 360! but to say that the pc won't be relevant next gen when it has an install base close to tripple that of any console or even all of them combined is just clearly not smart thinking! an to say more people will be playin it on 360? comeon..the pc has a track record of taking valve games an making them some of the biggest hits in history! even if only a quarter or less of the pc market jumps on this we'll still have bigger numbers than gears 2,halo 3,or any other console game! an believe that valve wouldn't release any feature,unsupported or not, if it didn't work right. sorry for all the talkin but it's annoying lately when console only people are putting the pc down..even going so far as to say in other forums that the 360 version of fallout 3 looks "lightyears" better than the pc version..i mean comeon..what do you do with that kinda statement?? lol i will be gettin this for my pc an 360 though! show this company love people!!
dsub @ Nov 18th 2008 3:25PM
knightsray...
take into account that likely 95% of that installed base is using a PC with on-bard graphics, and your "user-base" shrinks quite considerably. So long as the price for merely a graphics card is the price of at least an 360 Arcade, your arguement holds no ground. When I can buy a PC in 2005, and then use the same PC to fully enjoy my games 4-5 years later without having to dump $400-500 into my PC for upgrades, then I will consider the PC installed base to be equal or greater than a console.
Lars @ Nov 18th 2008 3:41PM
It's a very very fun game, that's what it boils down to.
I can't believe the 360 version is getting such good scores though. I played it on 360 after playing it on Steam and I was kinda disappointed. It's sooooo much better on Steam, plus you get to use highly superior K&M controls. If the 360 is getting these scores then the Steam version must be getting 10's.
knightsray @ Nov 18th 2008 3:47PM
to the guy who responded...you are not able to fully enjoy games with a 360 even a year after it's released...graphically consoles degrade quicker than pc(s)..i'm still using the original graphics card in my comp that i built it with an i'm still able to max games out. my argument holds no ground?? this is about left 4 dead retard...valve is always known to cater to lower end systems anyways an even one of those systems will still be capable of display better graphics than the 360 at higher resolutions..xbox games are made at around 1024x768 an you can play all the same games on an nvidia 8600gt or ati 2600xt which both sell for 75 dollars..or the price of one 360 game genius! all i gotta do is wait a month an i can get 2 newish games for the price of your 1! it's obvious you don't know what you're talkin about cause you're using the same argument that every console kid uses...it DOES NOT cost alot..with the price you have to add when you buy 360 games it GREATLY outweighs the cost of a decent pc with a greater library of games and features for cheaper. there's even FREE games out that are on par with full fledged 360 titles. why don't you go learn somethin about a pc before you talk about it nooooooooooooobbbbbbb!!!!!
D-5 @ Nov 18th 2008 5:26PM
Thank you Joystiq for the full-page Ozzy flash ad commercial that not only popped up when trying to vote up a post but also did not close properly. Much appreciated.
Grim @ Nov 18th 2008 7:11PM
@dsub: You need to look at the video card stats here http://www.steampowered.com/status/survey.html and these are just the Steam users who responded to the survey.
Einhanderkiller @ Nov 18th 2008 8:37PM
JangoGod, you must've not read the comments above.
The PC version has split-screen multiplayer and you can play online in that mode.
mismajor99 @ Nov 19th 2008 1:29AM
dsub:
read and learn....times have changed, and for the record, i bought both 360 and PC L4D..and not only is this a better game on PC, it's far more populated on PC, just like TF2..which is empty on Live whereas on PC, there are thousands of active servers.
Read and Learn before you talk nonsense
http://ve3d.ign.com/articles/news/43049/PC-Market-is-Bigger-than-we-Thought-Says-Analyst
make sure you read the linked story too, you don't have a clue what you're talking about. The only issue the PC has is not enough of an attach rate with 4 to 5 times the install base as any one console. And yes, they are all gaming PC's. STEAM has close to 20 million users alone on that service, about to get even larger with L4D and many other titles in 2009 hitting the system. STEAM is just pure GREATNESS.
BigD_145 @ Dec 8th 2008 12:15PM
I am lonely...
Muffin Lad @ Nov 18th 2008 9:08AM
Deserves it
I only hope it plays "Blue Wraith" during the fights
and a Cornetto to who can tell me why that relates
Mark C @ Nov 18th 2008 9:52AM
mmmm...Shaun of the Dead?
Zanthox @ Nov 18th 2008 9:26AM
Stayed up all night playing till my 7:40 class... On PC though, of course. Amazing, incredible, so good.
Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Nov 18th 2008 9:18AM
With review scores that high, it looks like Zombies DO run after all.
I'm still going to get this game even though wrapped up in Gears 2.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Nov 18th 2008 11:20AM
Pegg is right. Zombies don't run. Ever.
Smoke_Dawg_187 @ Nov 19th 2008 1:20AM
Things change.
Zombies at one time rose from the dead and would unearth themselves from their coffins. This is no longer the case.
Zombieism was once thought to be super natural, today, however, it seems to be more viral.
And in the past zombies simply stumbled around, but with any good story, things change to keep it fresh.
Sorry you want to hold on to the boring past, but $$$ doesn't lie. And fast moving zombies are here. Deal with it.
Markez @ Nov 19th 2008 1:25AM
Oh good lawd, please, you two, not this stupid ass argument all over again. Months and months and months ago, I can't even recall, so many people got into this stupid stupid stupid argument. NOBODY CARES. THEY'RE ZOMBIES. IT'S FICTITIOUS. THEY CAN DO WHATEVER THE ELL THEY WANT. THEY COULD USE MAGIC WANDS AND BE LITTLE HARRY POTTER ZOMBIES FOR ALL ANYONE CARES.
WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Nov 18th 2008 9:20AM
Just to be clear:
This is a PC game first, and a 360 port second.
Hate if you will, but in a year there will be a million maps on PC, as well as crazy things like playing through the campaign with TF2 characters.
sicsided @ Nov 18th 2008 9:25AM
NEED A DISPENSER H... OH GOD! HE PUNCHED OUT ALL OF MY BLOOD!
Anam @ Nov 18th 2008 9:25AM
True. But considering that I'm 3 out of 3 for having serious problems getting Valve PC games to work, I'll stick with the put-the-disc-in-and-it-just-works approach of the 360, fewer maps or otherwise.
xFenixKnightx @ Nov 18th 2008 9:39AM
Just to be clear:
Who cares! And even with all your "millions of maps", more people will play it on 360. Why? Becuase PC gaming isn't what it used to be. I'll be surprised if next-gen it will be relevant anymore. Just wanted you to be clear ON THAT!
BTW, not tyring to be an ass but thats the way you came across. Just wanted to give you some of your own meds. :P
Dan J @ Dec 2nd 2009 3:21AM
Actually, 360 is the lead sku according to a friend (at Valve) of a friend. The demo is quite polished, at least.
DiL @ Nov 18th 2008 9:51AM
Everyone is forgetting the biggest advantage that pc gaming has over the 360/ PS3... less 12 year olds...
cronhour @ Nov 18th 2008 11:13AM
Do Not feed the Troll Please,
Move along
Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Nov 18th 2008 9:59AM
"Hate if you will, but in a year there will be a million maps on PC, as well as crazy things like playing through the campaign with TF2 characters."
Sounds like the dying cry of an old man trying desperately to get attention. Sad thing is, nobody really cares.
dark_inchworm @ Nov 18th 2008 10:00AM
"Sad thing is, nobody really cares."
I love when people go out of their way to POST A COMMENT saying they DON'T CARE what someone is saying!
Duke @ Nov 18th 2008 10:05AM
I prefer to get my games for the consoles these days. I will take less maps and other mods for the ability to sit on the couch and relax while playing on a big screen, laughing with the wife.
I look back at all my years gaming on the pc and can't see how I spent so many hours sitting at a desk to do that. No thanks.
Courtney @ Nov 18th 2008 10:08AM
I look forward to playing this with my teenager while sitting on the couch together. I'll take that experience over your million maps, thanks though.
WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Nov 18th 2008 10:32AM
1. Fewer 12 year olds
2. Longer lasting active community
3. You can still play this on your couch with a 360 controller on PC.
4. It costs less and any "DLC" will be free.
I have a 360 and a PC. Valve is a PC developer, so I'd bet you brains to bagels that the smart call is the cheaper, more expansive version.
Poisoned Al @ Nov 18th 2008 10:33AM
I like how the console-tards say it doesn't matter, but are always the first to start whining like a broken gearbox when the PC owners get a load of free DLC long before they do (if at all).
I have a PC and consoles. I don't fucking care that you don't care, even if you weren't lying. STFU!
Einhanderkiller @ Nov 18th 2008 10:40AM
More people will play it on 360? I seriously doubt that. The Orange Box sold over twice as much on PC as it did on 360.
Anam @ Nov 18th 2008 10:55AM
Well, it really doesn't matter when the game doesn't work. It can be $10 cheaper, tons of free goodies, active community and still be a complete waste of money if the game crashes every time within the first 5 minutes of play, which just happens to be my experience with the PC version of Half-Life 2. If it weren't for the 360 version of the Orange Box, I would have never been able to experience that game.
Duke @ Nov 18th 2008 10:58AM
Al, your comment was full of "jackass".
I, and many others, haven't complained about shit when it comes to add-on levels. So stop acting like you know how we all think. Also, I didn't know we were all "tards" because we play on a console. I guess your PC usage is what keeps you so far above the rest of us on the food chain.
Also, wouldn't the console people, those not getting the add-on content, be the only ones who could complain in your scenario. Why would the PC only people have a reason to complain? They wouldn't. You just wanted to come off as a tool, and you did.
WiNG [Life in a Game] @ Nov 18th 2008 10:58AM
PROTIP for Anam:
That's not a cupholder; it's a DVD drive.
Anam @ Nov 18th 2008 11:10AM
I knew I was doing something wrong!
dark_inchworm @ Nov 18th 2008 11:11AM
Anam: Ever tried updating your display drivers? That could be your problem, especially if you're using a fairly old rig.
dark_inchworm @ Nov 18th 2008 11:12AM
Er, I meant, if you've never updated your drivers, THAT could be a problem.
Though I guess a driver update could theoretically goof things up also.
Courtney @ Nov 18th 2008 11:13AM
@Wing
You might be able to play on your couch with a PC, but you can't play a local split screen game. I'm basing this off the information at Co-optimus about coop functionality. Therefore, I would need two computers and two copies of the game to enjoy playing with my lady or my kid, and because of the setup of our house, we wouldn't be in the same room together.
So, it's cheaper and more functional for us to get the console version. I don't deny the benefits of PC gaming, but also recognize that even when a PC and console version of a game are available, sometimes the console version is superior for some gamers desires.
Mark C @ Nov 18th 2008 11:22AM
@Courtney
..."You might be able to play on your couch with a PC, but you can't play a local split screen game."
Actually, the PC version does have support for splitscreen. Apparently, it was removed from the demo but Valve plans on implementing it as an 'unsupported bonus feature'...
"Split-screen was always something we only wanted to officially support on the x360 due to the controller issues. However, we are planning on making some of the functionality work on the PC as an unsupported bonus feature,"
Yahn Bernier
http://forums.steampowered.com/forums/showthread.php?p=8416904#post8416904
Haggard @ Nov 18th 2008 11:25AM
You know, the PC version is gonna have more people playing because it's a Valve game.
And if you wanted you could plug your PC into your HDTV and play it with a controller on the couch.
Just sayin'
Anam @ Nov 18th 2008 11:28AM
@dark_inchworm
As it was years ago, I don't honestly remember what I did and did not do, but I usually try updating drivers when things don't work. I remember one of our computers had problems because it had a Voodoo card and they went bye-bye or something.
But to be clear, it's not one, but three games (Half-Life, Team Fortress, Half-Life 2) that I've had problems with getting to run on multiple computers. Compare this to Blizzard games that work every time on every computer I've tried. Now maybe Valve is better today, but after so much crap from one company I'm tired of bothering. I love their games and I support them, but I'll do it on my ever reliable console.
Anyway, all I'm trying to say is that it's not features, but fuctionality that have drove me to console-only gaming habits.
Vcize @ Nov 18th 2008 11:31AM
For every 12 year old rapper on XBL, there is a 35 year old elitist snob on whatever PC game you're playing at the time.
Two and a half years ago I was one of them (the snobbish PC gamer, not the 12 year old rapper), oh how I've seen the light...
sawyerinatree @ Nov 18th 2008 11:32AM
you know, back in the day when i only got new games twice a year (birthday & x-mas) this free DLC argument might have mattered. now, i have a stack of unplayed games through the roof. by the time DLC comes out for a game, i'm long since tired of it and ready to move on.
Courtney @ Nov 18th 2008 11:45AM
@Mark
Huh, that's news to me. That's cool that they are implementing it. I wonder how well it works. Sounds like they have some concerns, but are comfortable enough to release it.
I hope they include that with more PC releases. I'm not sure I would want to bank my L4D purchase on an "unsupported bonus feature", but if they have all the kinks worked out, I might be willing to try it on another game in the future.
chispito @ Nov 18th 2008 3:50PM
How does it actually make a difference which version has more people playing? All you need is three of the right people playing (unless you're playing the competitive multi, I suppose).
I have to admit one thing though, this is the first Valve game where I probably wouldn't feel like I was playing with my feet if I was forced to use dual analog instead of KB+M. It's just not a twitchy, precision-oriented game (based on my time with the demo).