Left for Dead

Game: Left for Dead
Developer: Valve
Platform: PC & Xbox 360
Release Year: 2008
Stephen's Rating: 7/10

Basic Plot

"Green Flu" has broken out in Pennsylvania turning the population into zombies. You play one of four characters who are immune to the disease and have to fight their way to safety.

Gameplay

Left for Dead is a team based first person shooter. The game is broken up into campaigns, and each campaign is broken up into zones which have a safehouse at the beginning and end.

Players work together to move through different zones, avoiding or killing zombies as they go. The game is unique in that it adapts to your play style. If you are a team who rushes ahead and tries to make it to the safehouse without dealing with the enemy, the game will throw obstacles in your path in the form of special zombies and zombie hordes. If you are a team who is too careful and loiters in a particular spot for any amount of time, a zombie horde will come and destroy you. The game forces you to keep moving and work together.

Players start with a pistol and can obtain more powerful weapons in the game. Ammunition is also limited, and there are new weapons and ammunition scattered throughout each level. Players are bound to get hurt, and there are health kits (which can be used on yourself or on a teammate) as well as pain pills which temporarily give you a boost to health. The more injuries you sustain, the slower your player will be able to move.

Boomer.

There are several special zombies of whom you will encounter on a regular basis. These include the Boomer who is a very large fat zombie who will try and vomit on a player. If he succeeds, a zombie horde will rush to attack that player. There are also hunters, who will prowl anywhere (even on rooftops) and pounce on a player and begin slashing at them. Smokers are another. They will fire a grappling hook like tongue long distances to drag a player to their death. Witches are horrible female zombies who cry. If you approach them they'll chase you and flay you with their sharp fingers. The Tank is the best example of a "boss" monster. He takes significant punishment before going down and even has his own theme song.

The four playable characters have their own backstories. They will interact in cut scenes and throughout the level. The layer of depth added to them gives the game an extra dimension.

Positives

Adaptive gameplay, no game is every the same. Challenging. Intense - action packed. Good characters.

Negatives

I can't seem to find anyone online to play with anymore. It was largely superceded by Left for Dead 2 which came out only months after the original.

Memorable Moments

None.