See video, impressions of Left 4 Dead's Survival mode

by Justin McElroy on Mar 5th 2009 10:56AM

Even without any first-hand accounts, we probably could have told you everything you needed to know about Left 4 Dead's forthcoming "Survival" mode. If you'd asked, we would have told you that you'd probably be shooting a lot of zombies for a while and then later, they'd kill you. But it is helpful to have IGN to support our theories with their hands-on impressions and the video we've put right after the break.

Apparently, Survival is designed for quicker play, with matches rarely going longer than 10 minutes (and by rarely, we mean never: Valve [the people who made the thing] have only barely been able to break nine minutes). Ironic, as nine minutes is our personal record for ... actually, never mind.

Source

Tags: dlc, left-4-dead, Microsoft, pc, steam, valve, Xbox-360

Reader Comments (76)

Nice, I hope this drops by the end of the month. I can't wait to score the genocidest cheevo. Only have had the game a few weeks and am at about 17000. This should rack things up quickly.

Is it heresy to be unimpressed?

Yes. Please leave.

If it is, then we'll both be burned as heretics.

How about you play it first..THEN make up shallow conclusions?

*grabs pitchfork, lights torch*

I'm with you. I wanted to love the hell out of this game, but I ended up having a couple of semi-memorable games, getting a couple of hundred ACH points, and trading it in toward Killzone 2. No regrets.

Don't get me wrong, I love this game - best co-op I've ever played.

But "survival" modes just don't do it for me.

Yeah plus it's free so you have no right to complain about it. (Or so PS3 fanboys keep telling me).

"Marmot darlin', you should heal up."

I'm unimpressed as well.

Playing World at War's 'zombie' mode made me excited to see what Valve would do with this type of game play. Based on that footage it looks like all they do is plop you in the corner of an existing map. If it wasn't for the timer and the survivors not progressing through the map, it could be typical game play footage.

They could have done a lot more with it. I'm glad it's free, because based off this video I wouldn't pay a dime for it. This is coming from an avid L4D player that owns it on both 360 and PC.

Nah, I feel the same way. With so little maps in the game I'm quite sick of playing them over and over, which is what this would amount to. Only with no feeling of accomplishment.

Survival mode might be interesting on a dynamically created map. But playing over and over again will inevitably result in either closet or corner campging for maximum results.

Ouch, really? Well I guess that's what you get when you voice an opposing opinion on gaming's sacred cows, Valve.

Still, no regrets.

Well add me to the fire as well. Bought the game 1 day after its release, and played it enough to warrant my opinion. I would like more maps and objectives other than just run from safe house to safe house, which was fun while it lasted. Yet the most interaction in the game is, turning on a generator which brings a horde and using a radio which, guess what?... Summons a horde...

Same how people think GTA is repetitive, well just add this to the soup. My real reason for trading it in, is that friends were trading it in and/or not playing it at all in which i followed suit. I am still recovering from injuries sustained from jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. You can tell i have some crafty friends since i thought he was going to jump but he faked me out.
:P

BURN THE BABY SEA TUNAS AND NEGATRONS OF THE WORLD! BURN THEM, I SAY!

Seriously though...can't hate on you guys for not loving it. I love it, but it REALLY needs moar maps/game modes. If it would come to PS3, my 360's fate will be sealed...er, sold.

So these rounds last 9 minutes on the 360 version, 109 minutes on the PC version?

Only because of the RROD. You can finish your round 3 weeks later when you get your 360 back.

All kidding aside, I love this game. So much.

Do I dare ask if this update/DLC is going to be free on Xbox 360?

Of course I'm assuming that the PC version's update will be free.

Totally free.

Yup, confirmed as free.

Yep, free, problem is that it will come out next year, yah know, soon.

Sweet Sweet zombie horde.

We got DLC here!

Sounds like fun, I wonder if there will be new achievements with this.

"We got DLC here!"

lol

I second the motion for new achievements linked to Survival mode.

"Gonna grab everything I can."

Wait a second, Valve made this game?!1 Since when?

Uh...since it...came out.

To be fair it was initially developed by Turtle Rock Studios at first, then acquired and published by Valve. Valve did a bunch of additional development for the title as seen in the 2007 update.

To Be Fair... I was kidding! Your backs must hurt from that fall!

your joke is a waste of pixels.

xx Beta Max xx,

Your joke is as worthless as the format your name espouses.

Hey Beta Max, more like Beta FAX, like a fax machine! What a jerk right?

I lol'ed. A little.

Wow.. this is going to be a lot of fun. Yay DLC!

Awesome. It's like the end segment in different locations and longer (if you don't die), which is alright by me.

Plus, it's not like I needed another reason to play more L4D.

Sounds awesome. This, the extra vs maps and the toolkit being released should be getting me back into L4D. I can't wait for all of the maps that will be made.

Sweet! An even more hectic version of horde mode from Gears 2. Bring it on!

I don't think this game is currently suited for a straight up survival mode and without some tweaks, it will quickly change to "whoever finds the best corner and spams melee for longest wins".

I'm not sure how you plan on killing tanks by sitting in a corner and swiping your gun, but okay.

I laughed out loud because 2 days ago I got frustrated with a tank and ran up to it and melee'd it.

p.s. it doesn't work and is a bad idea.

In one of the videos there's a tank spawn about 45 seconds into the round. It looks to be about an Advanced/VS tank I think. (As opposed to Normal or Expert). No camping when that shit is coming at you.

Yeah good luck with meleeing two tanks while hiding in a corner.

They should make a "tank manage-a-trois" achievement just for you. ;)

Obie, I laughed SO hard.
Thanx, I haven't laughed like that in a while.

Melee'ing two tank trapped in a corner. Gold.
And the achievement. Priceless.

Awesome, Can't wait to DL this!!!
A+ Valve

could be good if I knew anyone who played it.. playing with randoms on Horde, where either people would quit, not have a clue what they were doing.. I've found that I'm good at Horde but rubbish at Gears MP (but then people on my team always seem to quit for 5v3)

Nine minutes? I... I envy you... I just... I do. :'(

I think every game needs a survival mode its the only way u can really push ur self without being called tons of nasty names in online play. I can remember with ALOT of other games how its replay value would have 10 times Higher with a survival mode.

Cant Wait!

Also, Is this video pc gameplay or 360 gameplay?

Look at the HUD, and the "Y" for changing the weapon, that should answer your question... ;)
nguns

Why so short?

Hoarde lasts FOREVER on Gears of War 2...

I was sorta expecting something along those lines. However I don't own the game so I can't really say how the gameplay is. If it's a fast paced game then it makes sense.

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See video, impressions of Left 4 Dead's Survival mode

Reader Comments (76)

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