The Left 4 Dead 2 announcement at the Microsoft press conference gobsmacked us this morning (didn't they just release Left 4 Dead like last November? What is this, Madden?), but apparently the sneaky folks at Rock Paper Shotgun weren't surprised: they've already seen the game in action. We're hoping to see it this week ourselves, but until then, here's a few juicy zombie tidbits to hold you over: the game takes place in the Southern United States, and the five campaigns will take you on a Southern odyssey from Savannah to New Orleans. There are four new characters also: a rough high school coach who's used to taking charge, a female cable news reporter, a rustic Southern mechanic type, and a Sawyer-style con man. The characters keep the snappy dialogue, and the campaigns will tell an overarching story as you move through them.
The zombies have gotten beefed up as well: the Witch gets to move around a little bit, pacing and groaning until you bug her with your silly Survivor problems. There's one new special revealed so far: the Charger, who can pound and flatten you with one giant, deformed arm. And the zombies will also corner you into gauntlets, where instead of holding out for a certain amount of time or surviving waves, you'll have to push forward through a maddening crowd of infected towards a target. Sounds like fun -- whether you think it's too soon or not, Left 4 Dead 2 is due out this November.
it won't this is pretty much a meet the survivors video. the game actually does look like this at full power already dude. like he said. this is an expansion pack, full price = no buy for me.
Has anyone ever noticed that Valve tends to make the games we all buy? Because they're very well thought out, polished, and tons of fun. Why are we complaining about getting good games?
I'm in Alabama. Of course we always get the sterotypical inbred racist sort of comments. I'm wouldn't be surprised if one of the characters in this game is an inbred hick.
I hate the stereotype the south is a bunch of racists hicks. I also hate the stereotype that if you speak slow, you must think slow.
Even though I'm in southern California I've met people from the south and they're always so polite and well mannered. Plus it's great to hear them say "Y'all" And call soda "Pop". Good times.
yeah im not complaining either but i was dying to see episode, that is the only thing i hate about left 4 dead, a great game like this can put HL on hold for a lil bit
Is it just me or are the graphics on games (This one, Splinter Cell Conviction and some others I can't remember) looking weird. Like too smooth or something. Something looks weird about this game.
The trailer looks kewl and I live in the South so...I guess that makes it kewler for me. But from screenshots the characters look a bit generic.
However, I know this time to get it on PC and not 360. Lost my mic awhile back and wow people are childish as hell on L4D for the 360. Instant boot out of every single game if oyu don't have a mic. Like you can't do anything and everything from the ingame commands...
What would be great about this is if it's like a stand-alone expansion, where you don't have to have the first game to play it, but if you have both, the new content in the new game becomes available in the original, and likewise the playable characters from the original become playable in the new one (perhaps after completing the campaigns).
According to Steam, I've put 73 hours into Left 4 Dead since it came out. It and Team Fortress 2 are basically all I've needed when it comes to multiplayer shooters for a long time. :P I got the first one for A$40, so given the value I've gotten out of the first, I'd be happy to pay full price for a second one.
Although seeing I wasn't expecting this at all, I wouldn't mind at all if they delayed it and released it in a second Orange Box along with Episode 3 and Portal 2? Hopefully this isn't Valve's only E3 announcement.
{ Jun 1st 2009 at 5:30PM } 
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Eggy @ Jun 1st 2009 5:36PM
They better not be asking full price for this game. Everything breaths expansion pack.
MarkHawk @ Jun 1st 2009 6:55PM
I'll pay full price if they can get the visuals to look like the trailer by release. It's [i] kind [/] of mis-leading.
Sam @ Jun 1st 2009 8:57PM
it won't this is pretty much a meet the survivors video. the game actually does look like this at full power already dude. like he said. this is an expansion pack, full price = no buy for me.
chenry @ Jun 2nd 2009 8:35AM
Oh yeah a beefed up AI engine, new weapons, new characters, and five new campaigns that's totally just "an expansion".
I think we're just not used to seeing a Valve game get a sequel that didn't take five or six years to make.
BUGz @ Jun 1st 2009 5:37PM
Wow a Sequel Really?
Brodo @ Jun 1st 2009 6:42PM
No, not really. Its just a big joke
quadraphonic @ Jun 1st 2009 7:24PM
"How To Milk A Franchise 101" - Valve
Dr. @ Jun 1st 2009 7:30PM
My favourite part is how their "episodic" game gets a release every three or four years.
ThatPCgameryouhate @ Jun 1st 2009 11:44PM
Has anyone ever noticed that Valve tends to make the games we all buy? Because they're very well thought out, polished, and tons of fun.
Why are we complaining about getting good games?
B3astofthe3ast @ Jun 1st 2009 5:39PM
1 more campaign than the last, bringing the games length to..5 hours?
Not that I care, L4D was a blast online and I plan on picking this up as well.
ice~ @ Jun 1st 2009 5:39PM
it's a whole year...calm down
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 5:40PM
Holy shit awesome! I live in the south (sadly) and its the perfect setting for Left 4 Dead! Day one purchase!
handlas @ Jun 1st 2009 5:51PM
why sadly? :/
I'm in Alabama. Of course we always get the sterotypical inbred racist sort of comments. I'm wouldn't be surprised if one of the characters in this game is an inbred hick.
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 6:12PM
Because I am in Georgia! :P I was born in Birmingham, AL and grew up in Dothan and Auburn. I love Auburn!
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 6:14PM
I was born in Birmingham, AL and grew up in Dothan (sucked) and Auburn (awesome). It stinks cause I am in North Georgia (Athens) now! :P
Wii60 @ Jun 1st 2009 6:27PM
Living in the South > Anywhere else.
Our women are hotter, liquor is stronger and our football teams are the best.
Sly, King of the First Isle of inFamous [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 1st 2009 6:50PM
wicker, i was born and still live in birmingham too! what area were you in? i live in hoover.
THE WICKER MAN (BWF) (GT: Dalek Prime) @ Jun 1st 2009 7:01PM
Millbrook Sly! My sister still lives there, was down there last week for her graduation from Samford.
Sly, King of the First Isle of inFamous [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 1st 2009 9:58PM
dude that's awesome.
Caveman @ Jun 1st 2009 11:46PM
I hate the stereotype the south is a bunch of racists hicks. I also hate the stereotype that if you speak slow, you must think slow.
Even though I'm in southern California I've met people from the south and they're always so polite and well mannered. Plus it's great to hear them say "Y'all" And call soda "Pop". Good times.
Cj @ Jun 1st 2009 5:40PM
It looks fun, but still WAY too soon.
CH3BURASHKA @ Jun 1st 2009 5:42PM
Looks awesome. Good job Valve.
NOW WHERE IS MY EPISODE 3!!
Levi @ Jun 1st 2009 5:48PM
ditto.
avan @ Jun 2nd 2009 5:28AM
yeah im not complaining either but i was dying to see episode, that is the only thing i hate about left 4 dead, a great game like this can put HL on hold for a lil bit
Godstine @ Jun 1st 2009 5:45PM
... Bonk?
ThatPCgameryouhate @ Jun 1st 2009 11:46PM
LOL, I caught that too. TF2 also has plenty of HL/ HL2 sound clips. Gotta love Valve :D
Sidebuster (aka Cliff Blezinski Right bicep) @ Jun 1st 2009 5:46PM
Is it just me or are the graphics on games (This one, Splinter Cell Conviction and some others I can't remember) looking weird. Like too smooth or something. Something looks weird about this game.
handlas @ Jun 1st 2009 5:48PM
The trailer looks kewl and I live in the South so...I guess that makes it kewler for me. But from screenshots the characters look a bit generic.
However, I know this time to get it on PC and not 360. Lost my mic awhile back and wow people are childish as hell on L4D for the 360. Instant boot out of every single game if oyu don't have a mic. Like you can't do anything and everything from the ingame commands...
Levi @ Jun 1st 2009 5:48PM
Still Source engine?
Sly, King of the First Isle of inFamous [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 1st 2009 6:50PM
it's valve. do you have to ask?
Levi @ Jun 1st 2009 7:05PM
Very good point, sir.
Bubbameister33 @ Jun 1st 2009 5:52PM
If its too soon for a sequel, you could wait a whole year to buy it. That way everyone gets what they want.
Nick Frost @ Jun 2nd 2009 1:51AM
Amen.
Chris @ Jun 1st 2009 5:56PM
Savannah!
squeehunter @ Jun 1st 2009 8:02PM
I live in Savannah! This is going to be weird. The zombies here aren't as bad as they make them out to be.
Chris @ Jun 1st 2009 8:08PM
Yeah, I go to SCAD. I wonder if they'll include any recognizable landmarks...
Spartan @ Jun 1st 2009 5:57PM
Man I love that southern accent.
Can't wait to get this. Wonder what the new special infected will be like?
Spartan @ Jun 1st 2009 6:00PM
I wonder if the 3rd L4D box art will just give us the middle finger
Sly, King of the First Isle of inFamous [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 1st 2009 6:51PM
the first one already gave the ps3 the middle finger :P
Sam @ Jun 1st 2009 6:01PM
God must really have it out for New Orleans, first Katrina and now a full blown zombie apocalypse.
WREturns @ Jun 1st 2009 6:03PM
I'll pay full price for this game. Holy Fuck...
mortegro545 @ Jun 1st 2009 6:43PM
I'm just goign to make sure to buy it on the computer this time.
Manly Mcbeefington (Mr. ESC) @ Jun 1st 2009 6:03PM
I hope they change the lobby for this new game but isn't too soon? I would understand if it was console exclusive.
Zertoss @ Jun 1st 2009 6:06PM
What would be great about this is if it's like a stand-alone expansion, where you don't have to have the first game to play it, but if you have both, the new content in the new game becomes available in the original, and likewise the playable characters from the original become playable in the new one (perhaps after completing the campaigns).
DaMan09 @ Jun 1st 2009 6:10PM
If there were any US demographic to hate, it would be southerners.
handlas @ Jun 1st 2009 6:31PM
no...people to hate would be people like yourself who hate other people for no reason. Can't stand you.
DaMan09 @ Jun 1st 2009 7:22PM
Unfortunatly for you, I am not a demographic.
logicbomb.de @ Jun 2nd 2009 12:52PM
Nope, just a tool.
Ranko @ Jun 1st 2009 6:13PM
Oh lawdy, I'mma kill me some zombies! Cletus! Get the shotgun!
Robert Maynard @ Jun 1st 2009 6:15PM
According to Steam, I've put 73 hours into Left 4 Dead since it came out. It and Team Fortress 2 are basically all I've needed when it comes to multiplayer shooters for a long time. :P
I got the first one for A$40, so given the value I've gotten out of the first, I'd be happy to pay full price for a second one.
Although seeing I wasn't expecting this at all, I wouldn't mind at all if they delayed it and released it in a second Orange Box along with Episode 3 and Portal 2? Hopefully this isn't Valve's only E3 announcement.