**Official** Left 4 Dead (1 Viewer)

[Nick Vermeil]

I've been hearing some good things about Left 4 Dead releasing later this year on Steam. It's a multi player PC game where you fight zombies at night, and then during the day you roam the town looking for supplies and strengthening your defenses. It sound great. We need to get the FFA group back together on team speak when this thing comes out.

Has anyone tried this out?

 

[Nick Vermeil]

I still can't get anyone excited about this game. Here is a review from E3 to hopefully stoke the fires.

Left 4 Dead - PC, 360Mikel ReparazHalf the time we were barely aware of what was going on in this frantic, squad-based zombie shooter, but we were having too much fun to care. One second, we're following our buddies through a darkened hospital, and then all of a sudden a horde of fast zombies tear through the walls and start swarming us from every direction. Then it's just a blur of shooting wildly in every direction, trying to take down as many of the creatures as possible while doing our best to respond to the yelps and barked orders from the other players.And that's just one small example. We haven't even touched on the shock of suddenly being dragged away from the group and strangled by the wall-climbing zombies with 30-foot prehensile tongues, or the consequences of disturbing "witches," female zombies in underwear who sit around until you accidentally shoot them, at which point they'll tear you apart with their oversized claws. Assuming you can get a solid group together, this is easily one of the most kickass shooters ever made.Score: 9

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Here is an article from Maximum PC about the game. This is easily my most anticipated game of the year. I guess I'm the only one! I'll be looking for 3 other players on the PC to do the co-op campaign.

 

[Usual21]

Getting it for the 360. Can't wait.

 

[Corporation]

Here is an article from Maximum PC about the game. This is easily my most anticipated game of the year. I guess I'm the only one! I'll be looking for 3 other players on the PC to do the co-op campaign.

I missed your other posts on this, I'll read up on it. I'm big on PC co-op games.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Here is an article from Maximum PC about the game. This is easily my most anticipated game of the year. I guess I'm the only one! I'll be looking for 3 other players on the PC to do the co-op campaign.

I missed your other posts on this, I'll read up on it. I'm big on PC co-op games.

We should get Horrible Joe and Rip together to do the campaign. We are all east coast, right?

 

[Mad Cow]

Here is an article from Maximum PC about the game. This is easily my most anticipated game of the year. I guess I'm the only one! I'll be looking for 3 other players on the PC to do the co-op campaign.

I missed your other posts on this, I'll read up on it. I'm big on PC co-op games.

We should get Horrible Joe and Rip together to do the campaign. We are all east coast, right?

Stupid east coast.

 

[Buckna]

Just found out about this game today, it looks excellent! Will likely get it for the 360 as my pc is getting ancient these days.

I love that it is designed for co-op play, there need to be way more games like this. Seems like every new game is mainly designed around multiplayer kill-fests and that single player story lines are an after-thought. My buds and I love 4 player co-op games (Halo 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, even would trade off turns on Gears) they are a lot of fun to kick back with a couple of beers and some pizza and play thru on a rainy day or something.

The option to play as the 4 player zombie bosses looks really fun too.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Just found out about this game today, it looks excellent! Will likely get it for the 360 as my pc is getting ancient these days.I love that it is designed for co-op play, there need to be way more games like this. Seems like every new game is mainly designed around multiplayer kill-fests and that single player story lines are an after-thought. My buds and I love 4 player co-op games (Halo 3, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, even would trade off turns on Gears) they are a lot of fun to kick back with a couple of beers and some pizza and play thru on a rainy day or something.The option to play as the 4 player zombie bosses looks really fun too.

4 vs. 4 with a team of zombies is the best idea ever. Mad Cow, we'll do an East Coast/West Coast zombie smackdown.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Looks like a demo should be coming soon. The game releases November 18th! I'm still hoping that Corp and others will be down for the co-op campaign!

360 and PC demo planned - single-player and online play available.

Gabe Newell, managing director and co-founder of Valve, has confirmed plans for an Xbox 360 and PC demo of hotly anticipated zombie shoot-em-up Left 4 Dead.

Newell told VideoGamer.com at Leipzig Games Convention that it will include the first part of one of the four campaign 'movies', probably The Hospital level that has been demonstrated to the press.

He also confirmed that the demo will facilitate online cooperative play as well as single-player, although he couldn't confirm a release date for the demo.

Newell said: "We will be releasing demos for both the Xbox and for the PC. I don't know what the date is for release on that, though. I think it's going to contain the first part of one of the campaigns. I think it'll probably be Hospital but I'm not sure. That's a decision that Doug Lombardi is making."

When asked if you'll be able to play the demo online, Newell replied: "Oh yeah. You'll be able to play single-player and co-op in the demo."

Lots of good info on the forums over at Steam.

 

[Sup_Yo]

I'd be down for the PC version. Depends on the price though.

 

[goonsquad]

Getting it for the 360. Can't wait.

 

[Corporation]

Looks like a demo should be coming soon. The game releases November 18th! I'm still hoping that Corp and others will be down for the co-op campaign!

360 and PC demo planned - single-player and online play available.

Gabe Newell, managing director and co-founder of Valve, has confirmed plans for an Xbox 360 and PC demo of hotly anticipated zombie shoot-em-up Left 4 Dead.

Newell told VideoGamer.com at Leipzig Games Convention that it will include the first part of one of the four campaign 'movies', probably The Hospital level that has been demonstrated to the press.

He also confirmed that the demo will facilitate online cooperative play as well as single-player, although he couldn't confirm a release date for the demo.

Newell said: "We will be releasing demos for both the Xbox and for the PC. I don't know what the date is for release on that, though. I think it's going to contain the first part of one of the campaigns. I think it'll probably be Hospital but I'm not sure. That's a decision that Doug Lombardi is making."

When asked if you'll be able to play the demo online, Newell replied: "Oh yeah. You'll be able to play single-player and co-op in the demo."

Lots of good info on the forums over at Steam.

I'm definitely down with this. Let's get a group up.

 

[derek245583]

Read about this in some magazine. I will be getting it for the 360 when its out.

 

[apkballa]

Getting it for the 360. Can't wait.

 

[SlaX]

Looks like a demo should be coming soon. The game releases November 18th! I'm still hoping that Corp and others will be down for the co-op campaign!

360 and PC demo planned - single-player and online play available.

Gabe Newell, managing director and co-founder of Valve, has confirmed plans for an Xbox 360 and PC demo of hotly anticipated zombie shoot-em-up Left 4 Dead.

Newell told VideoGamer.com at Leipzig Games Convention that it will include the first part of one of the four campaign 'movies', probably The Hospital level that has been demonstrated to the press.

He also confirmed that the demo will facilitate online cooperative play as well as single-player, although he couldn't confirm a release date for the demo.

Newell said: "We will be releasing demos for both the Xbox and for the PC. I don't know what the date is for release on that, though. I think it's going to contain the first part of one of the campaigns. I think it'll probably be Hospital but I'm not sure. That's a decision that Doug Lombardi is making."

When asked if you'll be able to play the demo online, Newell replied: "Oh yeah. You'll be able to play single-player and co-op in the demo."

Lots of good info on the forums over at Steam.

I'm definitely down with this. Let's get a group up.

I don't have L4D, but there's already a FBG Steam group if you want me to send an invite.

 

[Linus Scrimmage]

I'm in the market to build a NEW pc...

my only problem is, I don't play games all too much anymore.

this does seem fun though.

 

[Buckna]

The Demerits system sounds interesting, especially the "reckless" one where you interfere with another players line of sight. I've got one buddy that does this in Halo all the time because he just charges in guns blazing in every situation.

 

[Corporation]

Looks like a demo should be coming soon. The game releases November 18th! I'm still hoping that Corp and others will be down for the co-op campaign!

360 and PC demo planned - single-player and online play available.

Gabe Newell, managing director and co-founder of Valve, has confirmed plans for an Xbox 360 and PC demo of hotly anticipated zombie shoot-em-up Left 4 Dead.

Newell told VideoGamer.com at Leipzig Games Convention that it will include the first part of one of the four campaign 'movies', probably The Hospital level that has been demonstrated to the press.

He also confirmed that the demo will facilitate online cooperative play as well as single-player, although he couldn't confirm a release date for the demo.

Newell said: "We will be releasing demos for both the Xbox and for the PC. I don't know what the date is for release on that, though. I think it's going to contain the first part of one of the campaigns. I think it'll probably be Hospital but I'm not sure. That's a decision that Doug Lombardi is making."

When asked if you'll be able to play the demo online, Newell replied: "Oh yeah. You'll be able to play single-player and co-op in the demo."

Lots of good info on the forums over at Steam.

I'm definitely down with this. Let's get a group up.

I don't have L4D, but there's already a FBG Steam group if you want me to send an invite.

I think I'm already in that from my TF2 days, I'm cooleyo on there.

 

[GamerBoy61]

Haven't heard a lot about this game. I'm not really into the horror - zombie genre. Bioshock was pushing the envelope for me so I will probably pass on this game.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Saw this today while rooting around for Far Cry notes.

Just a reminder if you wanted to get an early look at the Left 4 Dead demo.All PC pre-orders via STEAM can get their hands on the demo a week early - as can all North American Xbox 360 pre-orders via GameStop and EB Games.The downloads have been confirmed as starting at approximately 2AM PST. Anyone who hasn't pre ordered (perhaps because they want to see the demo first) can download it on November 11th.The demo will feature single player and co-op gameplay that covers the first part of one of the game's chapters. Valve's Gabe Newell has previously indicated that the demo will take place in the Hospital level.

Too many games... not enough time.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Here are some impressions from the demo on IGN of the XBox 360 version. There are some pretty cool videos there as well.

November 11, 2008 - It's a normal U.S. city like any other. Tall brick buildings loom in the darkness, concrete and asphalt cover the streets below, and the entire urban landscape is bathed in the eerie white glow of streetlights. Also, a horde of vicious zombies is systematically eating the populous.

That's how the demo (and we're assuming the full version) of Left 4 Dead opens, and from there, the intensity just keeps rising. You're one of a group of four survivors of this nascent zombocalypse, and your only goal is to stay alive. Just like the classic zombie films from which L4D draws heavy inspiration, this is a ragtag bunch, and they'll need to cooperate (whether they like it or not) in order to stay alive. There's Zoey the demure brunette, Bill the grizzled military man, Francis the foul-mouthed biker and Louis the snappy professional. Just choose your character and head into battle.

Only the Co-op Campaign is available in the Xbox Live demo (the Versus mode is locked), and you can choose to either hop online with friends or play alone with computer companions. There are two levels available to play – The Apartments and The Subway – and both are fully functional, meaning you can play from the beginning to the end of each level (if you can stay alive).

In my experience with the demo, things ran smoothly and I didn't see any lag or slowdown as I played with a couple different groups of random strangers online. The matchmaking was quick and painless, and there's even a voting option built in. So if you don't like the map or difficulty, you can petition the host for a change. There are four difficulty settings available: Easy, Normal, Advanced and Expert. The thought of playing on expert mode frankly scares the bejeesus out of me, because these infected little buggers are dangerous and lightening-fast even on normal mode.

In single-player mode, the AI behaved well, healing and reviving me when needed. They even had my back when things got hairy. Too bad I let them all down by firing at a parked car to see what happened. I got my answer when the car's alarm went off, drawing a terrifying shriek from every zombie in a three-block radius. They heard the alarm, came to find us and killed us all.

Each level opens up in a safe area where each player can raid a supply table for guns, first aid and ammo. This is actually the most important part of the stage, because everyone will need to communicate here to make sure they have a solid game plan. If you pick up the shotgun, you'd better be prepared to take point, because friendly fire won't make you many friends. And if you grab extra first aid, you just made yourself a medic, mister.

And once the zombies start rushing your little group, there's very little time to react. They bust through doors, swarm around corners and generally make your lives a living hell (in an awesome way). Extra ammo for special weapons is hard to come by, desperately so. But there's good news, too. The pistol is semi-automatic and has infinite ammo – and if you happen to come across an extra one, you can dual-wield those bad boys. It's a very effective strategy when 20 fiends come dashing down an alley with brains in their eyes. You can also pull the left trigger to perform a melee attack, which is useful for knocking zombies off your buddies. They'll appreciate your help, and your repressed firing response.

The object of Apartments and Subway is to start from one location and make it to a safe location somewhere else on the map. You don't know exactly where you're headed, and you'll encounter all manner of nasties along the way. So the best thing you can do is stick with your group and try not to get separated. If you do get lost, your teammates will show up as blue silhouettes in the distance. Make your way toward them and you should be fine. And if you do go down, your teammates can revive and heal you. But it makes the whole group vulnerable, so the less time you spend lying prone and bloody, the better.

As demos go, Left 4 Dead seems to give a good sense of what you can expect from the full game. Aside from the Versus mode, where you can play as the zombies, the meat of the experience is here and runs well both online and off. Look for our full review of Left 4 Dead on Monday.

I've got the demo installed on my PC and will give it a whirl tonight and tomorrow. I will update with thoughts after that.

 

[ren hoek]

:sea horn:

 

[KnowledgeReignsSupreme]

Update?

 

[bosoxs45]

 

[Corporation]

When is it released? We need to find a game to get behind, I see people falling off FC2 already. We've struck out on a few now: COD4 was a bust (for PC, I know the console guys love it), never a huge group in TF2, FC2 is a nice game but the matchmaking sucks so bad it's not getting much play.

 

[Courtjester]

Too many good games out/coming out in the next 4 weeks....

This will be a must buy. I just hope that the single player mode is half-way decent since co-op just isn't my thing.

 

[bosoxs45]

Too many good games out/coming out in the next 4 weeks....This will be a must buy. I just hope that the single player mode is half-way decent since co-op just isn't my thing.

I think the A.I. director feature will keep you playing for a long time.

 

[Corporation]

Too many good games out/coming out in the next 4 weeks....This will be a must buy. I just hope that the single player mode is half-way decent since co-op just isn't my thing.

I think the A.I. director feature will keep you playing for a long time.

Splain this please.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight.

The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

 

[Corporation]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Downloading now.

 

[jevy]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Have you made it through the demo on Expert? I had a good group last night, and we made it through the first level, but would get destroyed in the second level.

 

[Eviloutsider]

.

 

[Corporation]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Have you made it through the demo on Expert? I had a good group last night, and we made it through the first level, but would get destroyed in the second level.

Join us tonight. Here's our TS server:OFFICIAL FBG TS SERVERIP: 72.232.200.10:8788Look for a channel called FBG.Type in your nickname and click on anonymous login.Mine is still downloading, I think Baron is getting it as well.ETA: TS = Teamspeak. If you don't have it installed, just google teamspeak and download the client. It's free and pretty easy.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Have you made it through the demo on Expert? I had a good group last night, and we made it through the first level, but would get destroyed in the second level.

I just played on expert. We finished apartments but were stuffed in the subway. Corp post when it is installed and we'll get on. There is voice in game but we may want to do ts.

 

[Corporation]

Hey Pork,

I'm installing now. Getting on TS.

 

[Nick Vermeil]

Hey Pork,I'm installing now. Getting on TS.

I have to watch SD choke on this game. Then I'll be on for a run through. Probably around 7. A run through of the Demo takes about 20 mins.

 

[shake zula]

I'll be getting it for 360...

 

[bosoxs45]

Too many good games out/coming out in the next 4 weeks....This will be a must buy. I just hope that the single player mode is half-way decent since co-op just isn't my thing.

I think the A.I. director feature will keep you playing for a long time.

Splain this please.

The artificial intelligence of Left 4 Dead features a dynamic system for game dramatics, pacing, and difficulty called the Director. Instead of set spawn points for enemies, the Director places enemies and pick-ups (e.g. weapons, bombs etc.) in varying positions and numbers based upon each player's current situation, status, skill and location, creating a new experience for each playthrough.[9] The Director also creates mood and tension with emotional cues such as visual effects, dynamic music and character communication.

 

[jevy]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Have you made it through the demo on Expert? I had a good group last night, and we made it through the first level, but would get destroyed in the second level.

Join us tonight. Here's our TS server:OFFICIAL FBG TS SERVERIP: 72.232.200.10:8788Look for a channel called FBG.Type in your nickname and click on anonymous login.Mine is still downloading, I think Baron is getting it as well.ETA: TS = Teamspeak. If you don't have it installed, just google teamspeak and download the client. It's free and pretty easy.

My microphone is broken, so I'll be the quiet one.

 

[Corporation]

Hey Pork,I'm installing now. Getting on TS.

I have to watch SD choke on this game. Then I'll be on for a run through. Probably around 7. A run through of the Demo takes about 20 mins.

Yeah I just made it a good way through. That was pretty fun. I'll head back out in a little while.

 

[Corporation]

Too many good games out/coming out in the next 4 weeks....This will be a must buy. I just hope that the single player mode is half-way decent since co-op just isn't my thing.

I think the A.I. director feature will keep you playing for a long time.

Splain this please.

The artificial intelligence of Left 4 Dead features a dynamic system for game dramatics, pacing, and difficulty called the Director. Instead of set spawn points for enemies, the Director places enemies and pick-ups (e.g. weapons, bombs etc.) in varying positions and numbers based upon each player's current situation, status, skill and location, creating a new experience for each playthrough.[9] The Director also creates mood and tension with emotional cues such as visual effects, dynamic music and character communication.

After playing the demo, I see what you mean. Lots of fun.

 

[Corporation]

Okay, I've played the demo a few times and I can say without reservation that this game is fun. It doesn't require the kind of strategy you would associate with BF2, but for pure adrenaline rush, it can't be matched. The game play is fast and furious and having to keep your group together and alive is a nice team play element. You can choose the level of difficulty for a little or a lot of zombies. The matchmaking is much easier than FC2. Certainly different than anything I've played in a while. Corp, you should download the demo on steam and we should play the demo tonight. The game releases on Tuesday and I have prepurchased.

Have you made it through the demo on Expert? I had a good group last night, and we made it through the first level, but would get destroyed in the second level.

Join us tonight. Here's our TS server:OFFICIAL FBG TS SERVERIP: 72.232.200.10:8788Look for a channel called FBG.Type in your nickname and click on anonymous login.Mine is still downloading, I think Baron is getting it as well.ETA: TS = Teamspeak. If you don't have it installed, just google teamspeak and download the client. It's free and pretty easy.

My microphone is broken, so I'll be the quiet one.

Sounds good, at least you can hear us scream in terror if we need help

 

[Eviloutsider]

Wow, it takes a while to download.

 

[Corporation]

Wow, it takes a while to download.

Took me a little less than an hour I think.Me Pork and Jevi just played, very fun. We wiped out the advanced level, will probably give the expert a go later.

 

[Mad Cow]

COD5 looks promising. Will have to let you know.

 

[Corporation]

COD5 looks promising. Will have to let you know.

Sure, you say that now, but then you go two timing us with your filthy LOTRO tramps.I'm probably getting this game (L4D), so I'll wait and see if you guys play COD5 a lot. I'm really more interested in BF.You should at least download this demo, it's fun.

 

[Mad Cow]

Is there a link for the demo?

 

[Mad Cow]

Logging on to my Steam account to see if it is easy access there.

 

[Mad Cow]

DL'ing demo now.

Of course, Moria goes live Tuesday, too.