Video: Left 4 Dead 2's Realism Mode

by Richard Mitchell { Oct 29th 2009 at 5:20PM }

When we first heard that Left 4 Dead 2 would feature a "Realism Mode," our first reaction was to hide in the closet, swaddled in the comfort of old coats and dust bunnies. Left 4 Dead wasn't exactly an easy game to begin with, so hearing that there would be an even more realistic, more punishing difficulty mode was a bit difficult to swallow. Now, G4TV has been kind enough to assemble a brief walkthrough of one level played in Realism Mode and ... it really doesn't look all that bad.

X-Play's Abbie Heppe explains there are a few major differences. One, dead players will stay dead unless revived with a defibrillator -- keep in mind that each player can carry a defibrillator or a med kit, not both. Second, zombies must be killed with headshots, though it's hard to tell how strict this rule is in the video. Third, players have to be much closer to items in order to pick them up. Finally, there are many, many more witches. See it for yourself after the break.

[Via Evil Avatar]

Tags: electronic-arts, left-4-dead, left-4-dead-2, valve

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jawmuncher (PSN & XBL:Jawmuncher) @ Oct 29th 2009 5:22PM

Awesome can't wait to play realistic mode.

DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 29th 2009 5:36PM

they should make the cooldown on the melee weapons slower they seem kinda overpowered.

pearl @ Oct 30th 2009 2:40AM

Am I the only one who sees the irony of calling a setting "Realistic Mode" in a fictional game about zombies?

Samuel Vimes @ Oct 29th 2009 5:25PM

Sounds like a good deal to me!

Bobby Kotick 2: Echoes @ Oct 29th 2009 5:25PM

I think that a pretty good idea for Realism Mode is for the zombies to actually try to eat you, not try to beat you up for your lunch money.

VeHeMeNcE @ Oct 29th 2009 5:43PM

They're infected, not zombies....there's a difference ;)

Bobby Kotick 2: Echoes @ Oct 29th 2009 6:14PM

Then why do only headshots count in Realism Mode? Last I checked, infected people can't take even a handful of bullets penetrating the torso, let alone a small infantry's worth of amunition...

VeHeMeNcE @ Oct 29th 2009 7:26PM

I'm pretty sure that infected can indeed die by shots other than the head in "realistic" mode but it'll take a lot more shots than normal....

Captain Planet [Planeteer | Power of Captain Planet] @ Oct 29th 2009 5:26PM

That's it. Valve, here's my soul. It's yours. Free of charge. I'm giving this to you.

pasta @ Oct 29th 2009 8:55PM

Sell-out.

No, wait...

Vidikron @ Oct 29th 2009 5:26PM

LOL... that's sounds nothing like "realism". It just sounds like another difficulty level.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 29th 2009 5:30PM

yeah i agree, since L4D goes with the infection type of zombie, it's not realistic at all to have them invincible neck down. Feel like this should just be expert plus or something, nothing really realistic at all

Samuel Vimes @ Oct 29th 2009 5:40PM

Big difference between real and realistic/realism. An inclination toward truth, not truth just. Not being a jerk here, but I don't think they were aiming to hit real spot on. I think of it more like hardcore mode on CoD.

Vidikron @ Oct 29th 2009 5:43PM

I just don't think changes really take it any closer to realistic.

Samuel Vimes @ Oct 29th 2009 5:45PM

I will agree. I would highly prefer it over nothing though. Possibly they just coined the wrong term for the mode.

mattimus @ Oct 29th 2009 5:46PM

In realism mode zombies can be killed with body shots, but headshots are more effective.

Candlejack @ Oct 29th 2009 6:14PM

Are you trolling? Nothing like realism? Oh because YOU know what kills a zombie right? You've encountered one? Oh and I'm sure the only way to kill a vampire is a stake through the heart right? Because you've encountered one? And of course, werewolves only die from silver bullets? Because YOU encountered one?

Get REAListic and REALize that traditional zombies only die from Headshots.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 29th 2009 6:36PM

if you're going with the "realism" established by the game and the previous one, the zombies are infected humans, and according to the writings on the wall, can be killed quite easily. Getting all bitchy about zombies not being real is stupid, ust because they arent real doesnt mean they dont obey the laws of reality set in their fictional realities. Luke Skywalker might not be real, but I cant factually state he is a an invincible cyborg created when the flu combines with a computer virus.

Alton Brown [ XBL: LordToastington] @ Oct 29th 2009 7:02PM

Candlejack, whips and boomerang crosses kill vampires. Not stakes.

Candlejack @ Oct 29th 2009 7:03PM

Thats good and all, too bad those are on difficulties NOT realistic.

Vidikron @ Oct 30th 2009 2:36AM

Wow... lots of replies. I'm not trying to imply the mode is bad or anything, just not what the name implies. I mean, great, you have to get headshots. That's only partially what I was talking about anyway. Look at the other changes.

For example, having to be closer to items. So what? They still warp into your possession from a distance longer than your character's arms. "Realism" would be having an animation showing your character picking the item up.

Or the whole defibrillator thing. Kind of cheesy really. Even if you could be revived it's not like you would be able to jump up and just start fighting zombie horde. "Realism" would be staying dead.

There are other changes they could have made as well. For example, when they are fighting the tank the characters still get flung across the screen when hit and yet magically land on their feet. At the very least they could have you get knocked down and take a couple of seconds to get back on your feet. It's things like that I was expecting to see from a "realism" mode. The changes they made are just tweaks to the overall difficulty but really have nothing to do with more realism. I think the name is a bit of a misnomer. No insult to die hard Valve, L4D, or zombie fans intended.

CaramelZappa @ Oct 30th 2009 2:46AM

Oh man, is the damn title of the new game mode really worth arguing about? Who cares if it's not as "real" as you want it to be, it's just a different mode, and it looks pretty fun.

Vidikron @ Oct 30th 2009 9:43AM

But that was sort of my point, it's just a different mode.... the mode just doesn't provide what the name implies. I really didn't think it was something that would be argued about. And, again, I'm not saying it's not going to be fun.

The Dark Wayne [Planeteer: Power of the Batusi] @ Oct 29th 2009 5:29PM

Damn, I was hoping for some accurate zombie survival training. We all need it!

Blank-Mage @ Oct 29th 2009 6:47PM

I thought you were trained for ALL situations?

Nathan-DTS [He is your father] @ Oct 29th 2009 8:21PM

Well he's not trained for a zombie apocalypse. Have you ever heard of DC Zombies? I don't think so. Only Marvel superheroes no how to combat zombies. Oh wait, they all got turned into zombies as well.

McWilly @ Oct 29th 2009 5:30PM

Damage looks less than expert. And I'm sure I saw her kill a few zombies without headshots. Disappointed.

McWilly @ Oct 29th 2009 5:36PM

*infected

Anonononomous @ Oct 29th 2009 5:32PM

This can't be Realistic mode. Isn't it supposed to be harder than Expert? On Expert in L4D a tank punch will take you out and so will shooting someone with the shotgun. Neither of those happened in this video. Also, she says melee weapons don't do friendly fire damage, but in the demo I played last night they did.

DeepFriedSushi @ Oct 29th 2009 5:47PM

maybe there are difficulty settings within realism mode.

Veotax @ Oct 29th 2009 6:04PM

Realism mode is just that, a mode. It's not a difficulty setting.

You could play Realism on Easy, or you could play it on Expert (and any in between).
I imagine they played on one of the easier difficulties for the video. It wouldn't be a good video if the whole team died at the start.

cloud858rk @ Oct 29th 2009 8:10PM

Yeah the person narrating/playing doesn't know what they're talking about. They leave the med pack behind, and they say melee weapons don't hurt your teammates. And that's where I stopped watching.

Also, torrent for the demo here if you like: http://bit.ly/2wWA3q They allow you to burn demos to DVDs, Microsoft won't ban you.

ZaxCG2 @ Oct 29th 2009 5:31PM

Just glad they've already have more modes from the start. Way to mix it up, Valve!

Now excuse me as I set up my soundboard for Forrest Gump quotes... so I can play as Ellis and annoy the crap out of people.

Jonathan @ Oct 29th 2009 6:31PM

Jason Ellis? Red Dragons, mate

ZaxCG2 @ Oct 30th 2009 12:01AM

The hell you talkin' bout... mate?

simblor @ Oct 29th 2009 5:34PM

God I hate watching FPS's played on consoles.

Samuel Vimes @ Oct 29th 2009 6:03PM

Why? What's the big deal?

simblor @ Oct 29th 2009 6:08PM

Just ignorant I guess :) It looks really clumsy to me. If anyone wants to link a youtube vid of a console player ripping it up to enlighten me, feel free!

Samuel Vimes @ Oct 29th 2009 6:10PM

It is a different play style. Possibly a bit slower than a keyboard and mouse. But after years of FPSing on a PC carpal tunnel took over and I have to admit it's easier on the hands during those long haul gaming sessions. Both work great!

Enosoma @ Oct 29th 2009 5:35PM

Someone, count the times she says "Defibulator"

Joe H @ Oct 29th 2009 5:35PM

God that drove me crazy.

Enosoma @ Oct 29th 2009 5:36PM

D-FIB-U-L8R

arrrgh @ Oct 29th 2009 7:14PM

nuk u lar... it's pronounced nuk u lar :P hehe

Deegan @ Oct 30th 2009 6:53PM

I find it hilarious how often people mispronounce words and phrases because they never have to spell them...but you should really see what happens in college English papers when people try to use idioms. *shudder*

rookie8368 @ Nov 2nd 2009 7:43PM

im not shure but do you have to pre order l4d2 in order to have realism and scavenger mode

Torque_AOD @ Oct 29th 2009 5:35PM

WOW, the witch is literally among the infected. Now if i'm just killing zombies, there is a good chance that one of my stray bullets is going to hit a witch that happens to be wandering with the common infected, and I'm going to die, not out of stupidity, not because I ran up to her, not because I separated myself from the team, but just having the worst luck possible.

This game just got more EPIC.