Left 4 Dead impressions

Posted by Firebird on Nov. 7, 2008, 10:48 p.m.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/2278621636_e7db087e33.jpg

So, Left 4 Dead. I was pretty skeptical about this game since I remember seeing ads all over de_dust as long as I can remember, but since it was being hailed as the second coming if John Carmack himself, coupled with a hefty $50 price tag ($44.99 if you pre-order now on steam) by both console gamers and uhhh… yeah console gamers. I guess they liked the Orange Box.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital02_subway0002.jpg

The verdict: It's not. Definitely not worth $50, and depending on how much your currency trades at, not worth $75.

It is a very fun game though. I jumped in to single player first to learn the ropes, and good thing that it was only to learn the ropes. It's a shit boring game in single player. Left 4 Dead really shines online though, and especially with friends.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital02_subway0004.jpg

The magical levitating powers of L0ken

The gameplay is streamlined so you won't have a problem having fun online. The health system is great, and all of the guns are well balanced, so it's really up to you how you want to play. Molotovs and pipe bombs are few and far between, but when you get them, they can turn the tide of a fight against the undead. I kinda wish there were more of them, since it would fit with the game's intense style.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital01_apartment0001.jpg

It runs like any other Valve game to date: great. If you can run Half-Life 2, you can run this. I maxed it with no problem on my rig from late 2006 (E6600, 2GB PC2-6400, G80 8800GTS 640). It ran so well that I didn't even bother to check the framerate.

On my computer though, it suffers from severe stuttering problems. Sometimes it freezes up every few moments, but other times it runs free of any stutters for a long time (fyi: it's not lag). I'm guessing this is just a bug that only affects a small amount of people, and it'll be ironed out soon enough.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital01_apartment0009.jpg

The PC version has no server browser, dropped in favour of some stupid XBL-style matchmaking system. More than once I found myself shooting the laggy undead with comrades from Hawaii or some other location that isn't Australia. I eventually gave up on the system and found a way to open the server browser. Getting into a good game with the server browser is much easier, even if matchmaking does look good on paper. (tip: open the console and type openserverbrowser)

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital01_apartment0004.jpg

Left 4 Dead is a great multiplayer shooter, fast paced, action-packed, etc. etc. I personally found anything below Expert difficulty too easy, but my votes to change the difficulty settings on many servers were shot down. I guess I'm already settling into the 'guy who always gets #1 on the server' archetype again.

http://64digits.com/users/Firebird/l4d_dem_hospital01_apartment0007.jpg

Comments

Cesar 16 years ago

Resize images or make them links.

Now.

Kenon 16 years ago

I swear, it's simply a demo. The game is REALLY going to kick ass when they implement in the Zombie vs Human VS Game :D

Firebird 16 years ago

rawrspoon if your monitor is too small or your connection too shit to view these images then you have no business with left 4 dead, simple.

now piss off because this whole 'boo hoo i am a dial up' thing is really old, you arrogant fuck

[deleted user] 16 years ago

Nice review. Nice page stretch.

Cesar 16 years ago

What does connection speed have to do with the page being stretched so much and minimal content being masked by huge pictures?

Oh right. Trolling is the only thing you're good for.

KaBob799 16 years ago

Those are really huge screenshots

Cesque 16 years ago

I thought you killed G-Man in the third picture.

Quote:
rawrspoon if your monitor is too small or your connection too shit to view these images then you have no business with left 4 dead, simple.

now piss off because this whole 'boo hoo i am a dial up' thing is really old, you arrogant fuck

Oh, you piss off, I'm the fourth person getting the stretch here so far as probably most of us here, so…

Firebird 16 years ago

Quote:
What does connection speed have to do with the page being stretched so much and minimal content being masked by huge pictures?

Oh right. Trolling is the only thing you're good for.

I guess you didn't read the monitor bit.

I would have made them smaller if you asked nicely but you just put 'Now.'. So I'll leave them now so everyone with a 12" screen can knock on your doorstep instead of mine.

@Cesque, this is my blog, have a cry

PY 16 years ago

They are quite large screenshots, but they don't stretch the page, so that's OK.

I'm just really hoping that it's both fun and cheaper (<_<)

As for stuttering, I get that on hl2 whenever the model for that huge train that appears once or twice gets created or destroyed, was anything like that happening?

Cesar 16 years ago

The monitor bit you thew out by saying for me to stop crying about dial up? You made assumptions, then flamed on one of the two.

I'm going to start making six or seven assumptions, followed immediately by flaming on one of the six assumptions, then when they retaliate, I'll make sure the point out one of the other assumptions I made that best fits.

Thank you for providing me with a shotgun method of flaming.