Left 4 Dead 2 Review (Ambush)
Following the success of the first Left 4 Dead, Valve decided not to rest on their laurels, and soon after released its sequel; aptly named Left 4 Dead 2. Although uncharacteristic for Valve, as they usually take ungodly amounts of time for any sequel, this new entry was welcomed with open arms. L4D2 follows the same formula as its predecessor; a team of four survivors who have to shoot/melee their way through levels to reach safehouses and extraction points. Cooperation and communication are paramount; teammates must cover and help each other survive against the zombie onslaught. And this formula creates some of the most exhilarating co-op moments in gaming, with practically infinite replayability due to "the Director", who controls the enemy AI encounters and countless other different variables.
The core gameplay is quite similar to the first but L4D2 adds 5 fresh campaigns, set in the southeastern USA, with more interesting level design and set pieces, and a more cohesive and encompassing story than L4D. The levels seem a lot brighter in general than the darker atmosphere found in the original campaigns. It introduces 4 new survivor characters, who appear to have a slightly more lighthearted take on the apocalypse, with a lot more humorous conversations and one-liners. There are also new special infected to contend with, as well as increased zombie hordes. New firearms and melee weapons up the carnage and variety of ways to dispose of zombies.
L4D2 is an improvement in nearly all aspects, and carries on the tried and true co-op formula. A later update even added ALL the original L4D content, so there isn't much reason to go back to the first game anymore. To this day the online multiplayer is well populated and remains one of the most played games on Steam. L4D2 continues to cement itself as one of the great gaming experiences of our time.